Circuitry to support 10GBASE-KR to SFI interface with C827

[HSteg]

I am designing a system that uses one 10GBASE-KR interfaces from a Xeon D-1746TER (Ice Lake) processor.  I need to convert this interface to 10GBASE-SR using an optical transceiver with an SFI interface.  I'm trying to determine the circuitry I need to convert a 10GBASE-KR interface to an SFI interface.  The manufacturer of the CPU board that has the Xeon processor on it recommends using Intel's Parkvale C827 retimer for this conversion. Unfortunately, the Parkvale retimer is designed to handle four 10GBASE-KR interfaces. My design only requires support for one.  Does Intel recommend any other ICs for this application (hopefully a smaller device that handles only one -KR interface)?

In addition, can you provide information/documentation that specifies/elaborates on Intel's Ethernet Configurations (CFG 1.0 - 7.7) and on Intel's CEI (Common Electrical I/O) support.

Sincerely,

Hal  

[Fariz_Intel]

Hi HSteg,

It seems that your question is related to design, possibly involving 10GbE Ethernet Controllers. We might have a forum for those specific issues and we are moving it to Embedded Connectivity so it can get answered accordingly.

Best regards,

Fariz_Intel

[CarlosAM_INTEL]

Hello, @HSteg:

Thank you for contacting Intel Embedded Community.

We received your consultations, but we want to address the following questions:

Could you please let us know if this forum is related to the one stated on the following website?

https://community.intel.com/t5/Processors/Circuitry-to-support-10GBASE-KR-to-SFI-interface-from-Xeon-D/td-p/1549755 

Where do you purchase the Intel® Xeon® D-1746TER Processor?

We are waiting for your answer.

Best regards,

@CarlosAM_INTEL.

[HSteg]

Hi @CarlosAM_INTEL,

To address your questions:

1) Yes, that forum is related to this one.  I wasn't sure if I had posted my question to the correct forum in that case so I posted it to the Ethernet forum.  Apparently that moderator thought my questions may be better addressed in this forum.

2) I am not purchasing the Intel Xeon D-1746TER processor directly.  I will be purchasing a COM Express module that uses that processor.  The manufacturer of that module is a company called congatec.

Sincerely,

Hal

[CarlosAM_INTEL]

Hello, @HSteg:

Thanks for your reply.

You need to fill out the form stated at the bottom of the following website for the devices manufactured for the company mentioned in your previous communication to receive support:

https://www.congatec.com/en/congatec-support/

Best regards,

@CarlosAM_INTEL.

[HSteg]

Hi @CarlosAM_INTEL,

I'm already in contact with congatec's technical support.  And they've provided me with documentation on their COM Express module that references Intel recommendations for using the Intel C827 Parkvale for this interface.  In addition, this recommendation specifies support for CEI (Common Electrical I/O spec) with compliance to the COM 3.1 specification in order to support the conversion of the Xeon D-1746TER's 10GBASE-KR to an SFI interface for a 10GBASE-SR transceiver.

I'm trying to determine two things:

1) Is there another IC (preferably one with fewer than four ports) other than the C827 Parkvale that supports this application?

2) Will the C827 Parkvale support the conversion of the D-1746TER's -KR interface to SFI with compliance to COM 3.0 (instead of requiring support of CEI and COM 3.1 compliance)?

Sincerely,

Hal

[CarlosAM_INTEL]

Hello, @HSteg:

Thanks for your reply.

We can provide generic information that should be verified by the manufacturer of the third-party device that you are using.

The information that may help you is stated on page 2 and the third row on page 3 of the document stated in the following website:

https://cdrdv2.intel.com/v1/dl/getContent/639793

Best regards,

@CarlosAM_INTEL.

[HSteg]

Hi @CarlosAM_INTEL,

Thanks for responding with this information.

As you point out,  the information you provided is fairly generic. Is there a reason that Intel cannot provide more specific information on this topic?

Sincerely,

Hal

[CarlosAM_INTEL]

Hello, @HSteg:

Thanks for your reply.

We need to clarify that the email related to your account has the Intel Developer Zone Standard account level associated.

Due to this fact, we can only give information that can be accessed to the cited level.

By the way, this channel provides support to embedded devices, and the Intel® Ethernet Connection C827 Series are non-embedded devices, as you may confirm on the following website:

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/compare.html?productIds=128969,128970

Also, your consultation is related to a third-party device, and its information is out of our hands.

Based on this explanation, we suggested contacting an Intel Authorized Distributor to help you.

You can find a list of the Intel Authorized Dealers on the following website:
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/partner/showcase/partner-directory/distributor.html 

Best regards,

@CarlosAM_INTEL.

[HSteg]

Hi @CarlosAM_INTEL,

Thanks for this information.  I appreciate your response and now understand the limits on the information you can provide.

If the C827 is not a device supported by this channel, which is the forum that supports this device?

Sincerely,

Hal

[CarlosAM_INTEL]

Hello, @HSteg:

Thanks for your reply.

However, we need to address the following consultation to understand the situation:

Could you please clarify if this forum is related to the part number Intel® Ethernet Connection C827-AM1?

We are waiting for your answer.

Best regards,

@CarlosAM_INTEL. 

[HSteg]

Hi @CarlosAM_INTEL,

My questions is related to both the Intel Ethernet Connection C827-IM1 and to the Intel Xeon D-1746TER.

I am trying to understand the hardware required to convert a 10GBASE-KR interface of the D-1746TER to the SFI interface accepted by 10GBASE-SR transceivers.  The recommendations I've seen involve using the C827 but also seem to require support of COM 3.1 and the CEI interface.

Sincerely,

Hal 

[CarlosAM_INTEL]

Hello, @HSteg:

Thanks for your update.

Based on your reply of December, 19th; you mentioned that Congatec gave you support. Is it possible that you can clarify if they have contacted Intel to find information that may help you with your request?

We are waiting for your answer.

Best regards,

@CarlosAM_INTEL.

[HSteg]

Hi @CarlosAM_INTEL,

As I noted, I am working with congatec to see if their support has recommendations for this application.  I am not privy to their communications with Intel. But I am the engineer responsible for the design downstream of the Xeon D1746TER and have to understand the circuitry involved with the 10GBASE-KR interfaces coming from that Xeon processor.

Incidentally, you mentioned in an earlier posting that this forum doesn't support the Intel C827.  For my design, I would be the purchaser and end user of the Intel C827 parts. If that's the requirement for accessing more detailed Intel Community support, can you recommend the community forum that supports that IC?

Sincerely,

Hal

[CarlosAM_INTEL · Accepted solution]

Hello, @HSteg:

Thanks for your reply.

We sent an email to the address associated with this account with information that may help you.

Best regards,

@CarlosAM_INTEL.