Introduction
1.2.1
Capability Overview
The following sub-sections provide an overview of the ICH10 capabilities.
Direct Media Interface (DMI)
Direct Media Interface (DMI) is the chip-to-chip connection between the Memory
Controller Hub / Graphics Memory Controller Hub ((G)MCH) and I/O Controller Hub 10
(ICH10). This high-speed interface integrates advanced priority-based servicing
allowing for concurrent traffic and true isochronous transfer capabilities. Base
functionality is completely software-transparent, permitting current and legacy
software to operate normally.
PCI Express* Interface
The ICH10 provides up to 6 PCI Express Root Ports, supporting the PCI Express Base
Specification, Revision 1.1. Each Root Port supports 2.5 GB/s bandwidth in each
direction (5 GB/s concurrent). PCI Express Root Ports 1–4 can be statically configured
as four x1 Ports or ganged together to form one x4 port. Ports 5 and 6 can only be used
as two x1 ports.
Note:
The integrated Gigabit Ethernet controllers data lines for 1000 MB/s speed are
multiplexed with PCI Express* Root Port 6 and therefore unavailable if a Gigabit
Ethernet PHY is connected. The use of a 10/100 MB/s PHY does not consume PCI
Express Root Port 6 and therefore the port is available to be utilized as a x1 Port.
Serial ATA (SATA) Controller
The ICH10 has two integrated SATA host controllers that support independent DMA
operation on up to six ports and supports data transfer rates of up to 3.0 GB/s
(300 MB/s). The SATA controller contains two modes of operation – a legacy mode
using I/O space, and an AHCI mode using memory space. Software that uses legacy
mode will not have AHCI capabilities.
The ICH10 supports the Serial ATA Specification, Revision 1.0a. The ICH10 also
supports several optional sections of the Serial ATA II: Extensions to Serial ATA 1.0
Specification, Revision 1.0 (AHCI support is required for some elements).
AHCI
The ICH10 provides hardware support for Advanced Host Controller Interface (AHCI), a
new programming interface for SATA host controllers. Platforms supporting AHCI may
take advantage of performance features such as no master/slave designation for SATA
devices—each device is treated as a master—and hardware-assisted native command
queuing. AHCI also provides usability enhancements such as Hot-Plug. AHCI requires
appropriate software support (e.g., an AHCI driver) and for some features, hardware
support in the SATA device or additional platform hardware. See Section 1.3 for details
on component feature availability.
®
Intel Matrix Storage Technology
The ICH10 provides support for Intel® Matrix Storage Technology, providing both AHCI
(see above for details on AHCI) and integrated RAID functionality. The industry-leading
RAID capability provides high-performance RAID 0, 1, 5, and 10 functionality on up to
6 SATA ports of ICH10. Matrix RAID support is provided to allow multiple RAID levels to
be combined on a single set of hard drives, such as RAID 0 and RAID 1 on two disks.
Other RAID features include hot spare support, SMART alerting, and RAID 0 auto
replace. Software components include an Option ROM for pre-boot configuration and
DatasheetCDI / IBL #: 373635
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INTEL [ INTEL ]
