Software Usage Model

From a system model viewpoint, each PCI Express port is a

virtual PCI to PCI bridge device and has its own set of

PCI Express configuration registers. It is through the upstream

port that the BIOS or host can configure the other ports using

standard PCI enumeration. The virtual PCI to PCI bridges

within the PEX 8517 are compliant to the PCI and

PCI Express system models. The Configuration Space

Registers (CSRs) in a virtual primary/secondary PCI to PCI

bridge are accessible by type 0 configuration cycles through

the virtual primary bus interface (matching bus number,

device number, and function number).

Interrupt Sources/Events

The PEX 8517 supports the INTx interrupt message type

(compatible with PCI 2.3 Interrupt signals) or Message

Signaled Interrupts (MSI) when enabled. Interrupts/messages

are generated by PEX 8517 for hot-plug events, doorbell

interrupts, baseline error reporting, and advanced error

reporting.

Development Tools

PLX offers hardware and software tools to enable rapid

customer design activity. These tools consist of a hardware

module (PEX 8517RDK), hardware documentation, and a

Software Development Kit (SDK).

RDK

The RDK hardware module includes the PEX 8517 with one

x4 (card-edge slot) port and three additional x4 ports (see

Figure 7). The RDK is available with x4 card edge connector

and adapters for x1 edge connectors are available to plug the

RDK into smaller slots. The PEX 8517RDK hardware module

can be installed in a motherboard, used as a riser card, or

configured as a bench-top board. The PEX 8517RDK can be

used to test and validate customer software. Additionally, it

can be used as an evaluation vehicle for PEX 8517 features

and benefits.

SDK

The SDK tool set

includes:

- Linux & Windows

drivers

- C/C++ Source code,

Objects, libraries

- User’s Guides &

Application examples

PLX Technology, Inc.

870 W. Maude Ave.

Sunnyvale, CA 94085 USA

Tel: 1-800-759-3735

Tel: 1-408-774-9060

Fax: 1-408-774-2169

Email: info@plxtech.com

Web: www.plxtech.com

Product Ordering Information

Part Number

Description

PEX 8517-AC25BI

16 Lane, 5 Port PCIe Switch, 312-ball PBGA 27x27mm pkg

PEX 8517-AC25BI G

16 Lane, 5 Port PCIe Switch, 312-ball PBGA 27x27mm pkg, Pb-free

PEX 8517RDK

PEX 8517 Rapid Development Kit with x4 Connector

© 2006 PLX Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. PLX and the PLX logo are registered trademarks of PLX Technology, Inc. ExpressLane is a trademark of PLX Technology,

Inc., which may be registered in some jurisdiction. All other product names that appear in this material are for identification purposes only and are acknowledged to be

trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Information supplied by PLX is believed to be accurate and reliable, but PLX Technology, Inc. assumes no

responsibility for any errors that may appear in this material. PLX Technology, Inc. reserves the right, without notice, to make changes in product design or specification.

PEX8517-SIL-PB-1.6

05/07

Figure 7. PEX 8517RDK

Windows/Linux Apps

PEX API

PCIe

Driver

NT PnP

Driver

PCI Express Interface

Kernel

Space

User

Space

Hardware

Windows/Linux Apps

PEX API

PCIe

Driver

NT PnP

Driver

PCI Express Interface

Kernel

Space

User

Space

Hardware

PEX8518

EEPROM

DIP switch

for cfg.

JTAG

Header

RefClk

Hot Plug

Ckt.

HD Power

Connector

x4

PERST#

PORT 2 - X4

PORT 4 - X2

PORT 3 - X2

Manual

Reset

1

2

V

-t

o

-

1

V

N

o

n

-I

s

o

C

o

n

v

e

rt

e

r

(Upstream Port)

Lane Status

LEDs

PORT 1 - X4

Reset

Ckt.

I2C

PEX

8518

PEX 8518

PEX 8518

PEX 8518

PEX 8517