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Xeon-D Embedded SoC - 10G Questions

PDiet3
Beginner
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I've got a few questions related to the Xeon-D specifically related to its networking capabilities.

Let's use the Intel® Xeon® Processor D-1577 as an example. Intel and its COM module vendor partners list that they support 2 x 10GBASE-KR "ports" from the processor SoC.

On our design we plan on interfacing these out to SFP+ cages via an SFI interface, which would need to be done via a PHY device. We are planning on using the MicroSemi/Vitesse VSC8257 device for this function but we are having a hard time determining if this would be a supported device.

Q1) Can you please confirm if the Xeon-D SoC's MAC will support this PHY? (http://www.microsemi.com/products/ethernet-solutions/ethernet-phys/10g-ethernet-phys/vsc8257-quad-channel-1g-10gbase-kr-to-sfi-ethernet-wis-phy-with-veritime http://www.microsemi.com/products/ethernet-solutions/ethernet-phys/10g-ethernet-phys/vsc8257-quad-channel-1g-10gbase-kr-to-sfi-ethernet-wis-phy-with-veritime )

Q2) Would you be able to confirm what is the actual MAC Device Type or "MAC-class" that is actually contained within the Xeon-D SoC? Is it as 82599 type, X55x type, XL710 type??? Just trying to get a handle on what the driver support will be for the MAC as well as what PHYs are supported.

Q3) From our initial research it appears that Inphi are the only ones that seems to be built-in to the driver CS4223, CS4227. Can you confirm or deny this? And specifically if any other vendors PHYs can be used with the Xeon-D without major software modifications.

Thank You!

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Adolfo_S_Intel
Moderator
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Hello patrickdietrich

To answer your questions:

Q1. And Q3: It is correct, the drivers have only be designed to work with Inphi CS4227, however the Intel documentation, specially on the Product Design Guide contains the following note:

"Customers can choose to design in other 3rd party PHYs. When choosing to use a 3rd PHY not supported by Intel then the customer assumes full responsibility for the driver (development and validation), any special tuning that may be required, and all compliance testing. The customer is responsible for any additional work that may be required"

For Q2: The integrated LAN controller in BDW-DE SoC, is also a x552, so that the MAC device within this SoC is x55X type.

Hope this information clarifies your question.

Best regards,

Adolfo Sanchez

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Adolfo_S_Intel
Moderator
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Hello, patrickdietrich,

We are consulting your case with our engineers and will provide additional information as soon as possible.

Best regards,

Adolfo Sanchez

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Adolfo_S_Intel
Moderator
1,443 Views

Hello patrickdietrich

To answer your questions:

Q1. And Q3: It is correct, the drivers have only be designed to work with Inphi CS4227, however the Intel documentation, specially on the Product Design Guide contains the following note:

"Customers can choose to design in other 3rd party PHYs. When choosing to use a 3rd PHY not supported by Intel then the customer assumes full responsibility for the driver (development and validation), any special tuning that may be required, and all compliance testing. The customer is responsible for any additional work that may be required"

For Q2: The integrated LAN controller in BDW-DE SoC, is also a x552, so that the MAC device within this SoC is x55X type.

Hope this information clarifies your question.

Best regards,

Adolfo Sanchez

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PDiet3
Beginner
1,442 Views

Thanks - that is extremely helpful.

One last related question is with regards to the CS4223 PHY ; which should only be quad version of CS4227

Will this be natively supported as well?

Thanks!

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CarlosAM_INTEL
Moderator
1,442 Views

Hello, patrickdietrich:

Thanks for your reply.

Based on the information stated on page 121 of thehttps://cdrd.intel.com/v1/dl/getContent/554143 Broadwell-DE SoC-Based Grangeville Platform Design-In Presentation for IOTG Customers document # 544143, the CS4227 is the only PHY supported by cited processor for SFP+.

Due to this fact, the CS4223 should be test and validate on your own.

In case that the cited document is inaccessible to you because it is classified as Intel confidential, which requires a CDNA between your company and Intel as well as a Privileged Resource & Design Center (RDC) account. It can be requested by filling out the form stated at the following website:

https://www-ssl.intel.com/content/www/us/en/forms/design/registration-privileged.html https://www-ssl.intel.com/content/www/us/en/forms/design/registration-privileged.html

We hope that this information may help you.

Best regards,

Carlos_A.

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