CPU
CPU
CPU
CPU
CPU
CPU
CPU
CPU
Chip
Set
x16
x4
Memory
ASIC
Chipset
PEX 8613
FPGA
memory
Endpoint
PEX 8613
x16
x4
x4
Figure 5. Embedded Systems
Failover Storage Systems
The PEX 8613’s Dual Cast feature proves to be very
useful in storage systems. In the example shown in
Figure 6, the Dual Cast feature enables the PEX 8613 to
copy data coming from the host to two downstream ports
(see yellow traffic patterns) in one transaction as
opposed to having to execute two separate transactions
to send data to the backup chassis. By offloading the
task of backing up data onto the secondary system,
processor and system performance is enhanced.
Figure 3. Fan-in/out Usage
Network Interface Cards
The PEX 8613 can also be utilized in communications
applications such as Network Interface Cards (NICs).
NICs, like the one shown in Figure 4, can utilize the
PEX 8613 for its fan-out capabilities. In the example
below, the PEX 8613 is being used on a Dual-port 10-
Gigabit Ethernet (GE) NIC card. The PEX 8613 utilizes
a x4 link to connect to the host and two x4 downstream
links to fan-out to the 10GE ports. The peer-to-peer
communication feature of the PEX 8613 allows the
endpoints to communicate with each other without any
intervention or management by the host.
Dual-Port NIC
Dual-Port NIC
10 GE
10 GE
MAC/PHY
CPU
CPU
CPU
CPU
Chipset
Memory
PEX 8613
x4
MAC/PHY
x4
PEX 8613
x4
Backup Chassis
PEX 8613
x4
x4
FC
FC
PEX 8613
x4
x4
FC
FC
Figure 4. 10GE NIC Fan-Out
Embedded Systems
The PEX 8613 is well suited for embedded applications
as well. Embedded applications, like the example shown
in Figure 5, commonly use a number of independent
modules for functions such as control plane processing,
data acquisition, or image processing to name a few
possibilities. Figure 5 represents an embedded system
utilizing a PEX 8613 to fan-out to two ASICs/FPGAs.
8 Disk Chassis 8 Disk Chassis
Figure 6. Dual Cast in Storage Systems
PLX [ PLX TECHNOLOGY ]
