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 8518 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 8518 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 8518 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 PEX 8518

Rapid Development Kit (RDK), hardware documentation, and

a Software Development Kit (SDK).

RDK

The RDK hardware module includes the PEX 8518 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 8518RDK hardware module

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

configured as a bench-top board. The PEX 8518RDK can be

used to test and validate customer software. Additionally, it

can be used as an evaluation vehicle for PEX 8518 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

PEX8518-AC25BI

16 Lane, 5 Port PCIe Switch, 376-ball PBGA 23x23mm pkg

PEX8518-AC25BI G

16 Lane, 5 Port PCIe Switch, 376-ball PBGA 23x23mm pkg, Pb-free

PEX 8518RDK

PEX 8518 Rapid Development Kit with x4 Connector

© 2007 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.

PEX8518-SIL-PB- 1.6

05/07

Figure 7. PEX 8518RDK

P E X 8518

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PEX

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PEX 8518

PEX 8518

PEX 8518

PEX 8518

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