Computer/Embedded Technology


PC/104-Plus board with two StarFabric interfaces

6 February 2008 Computer/Embedded Technology

The MSMSF104+ from Digital-Logic is a highly integrated, PC/104-Plus compatible peripheral board with two StarFabric interfaces. The MSMSF104+ works with all common PC/104-Plus CPU boards and provides a data rate of up to 2,5 Gbps via two off-the-shelf RJ45 cables. The new peripheral board expands the capabilities of the PCI bus by providing higher levels of scalability and reliability to PCI-based systems and by using the advanced features of StarFabric.

StarFabric is a fully transparent serial PCI bus extension that expands the capability of the backplane bus outside of a computer casing over a length of up to 10 metres. The fast transmission technology is based on a switched network (Fabric) of serial interconnections and a bridge between the parallel PCI bus and this network. As StarFabric uses the PCI bus alternatively either as transparent or non-transparent bridge to the network, the PCI software and driver may be used unchanged. With the help of StarFabric switches, up to 1000 network nodes can communicate with each other and it is possible to build clusters by linking several CPU units to a network. In addition, StarFabric is remarkable for its hot-plug capability and its DOS and Windows software compatibility.

The MSMSF104+ works in different operating modes. In root mode, it is connected with a PC/104-Plus CPU board and operates as a typical periphery board with bridge functionality as a transceiver. In leaf mode the board works as a receiver and operates with one to three periphery boards. In this case the MSMSF104+ takes over all functions of a CPU, ie, it generates the PCI clocks, interrupts, GNT/REQ, reset signals, and the 3,3 V and 5 V voltages. As soon as the CPU is started with the root mode StarFabric chip, all PCI chips are initialised and provided with device numbers. This applies also to all periphery boards that are connected via the StarFabric network.



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Unlock enhanced wireless performance
Computer/Embedded Technology
Duxbury Networking has introduced Cambium Networks’ Deep Virtual Circuit (Deep VC) technology, a free upgrade for the PMP 450 platform that will transform wireless broadband performance across the country.

Read more...
Computing in industrial environments
Vepac Electronics Computer/Embedded Technology
The Panasonic Toughbook CF-33/CF33 Tablet is a 12,0-inch fully rugged device with hot-swappable twin batteries and highly configurable capabilities.

Read more...
DDR5 DRAM series
Vepac Electronics Computer/Embedded Technology
Innodisk has announced its DDR5 6400 DRAM series featuring the industry’s largest 64GB single-module capacity.

Read more...
Generate waveforms at 10 GS/s
Vepac Electronics Computer/Embedded Technology
New flagship arbitrary waveform generator cards from Spectrum Instrumentation generate waveforms with 2,5 GHz bandwidth and 16-bit vertical resolution.

Read more...
Quad-port 10GBASE-T controller
Rugged Interconnect Technologies Computer/Embedded Technology
he SN4-DJEMBE, available from Rugged Interconnect, is a networking adaptor card for CompactPCI Serial systems, equipped with four individual controllers for 10GBASE-T.

Read more...
HPE policy management platform
Computer/Embedded Technology
Duxbury Networking has announced the availability of the HPE Aruba ClearPass policy management platform, that enables business and personal devices to connect to an organisational level, in compliance with corporate security policies.

Read more...
IoT gateways
Brandwagon Distribution Computer/Embedded Technology
IoT Gateways are hardware and software devices that are responsible for collecting data from connected devices, managing communication between devices and the cloud, and processing and analysing the data before sending it to the cloud for further analysis.

Read more...
1.6T Ethernet IP solution to drive AI and hyperscale data centre chips
Computer/Embedded Technology
As artificial intelligence (AI) workloads continue to grow exponentially, and hyperscale data centres become the backbone of our digital infrastructure, the need for faster and more efficient communication technologies becomes imperative. 1.6T Ethernet will rapidly be replacing 400G and 800G Ethernet as the backbone of hyperscale data centres.

Read more...
Keeping it cool within the edge data centre
Computer/Embedded Technology
The creation of more data brings with it the corresponding need for more compute power and more data centres, which, in turn, can create unique challenges with regards to securing the environment and cooling the IT loads.

Read more...
NEX XON becomes Fortinet partner
NEC XON Computer/Embedded Technology
This designation demonstrates NEC XON’s ability to expertly deploy, operate, and maintain its own end-to-end security solutions, helping organisations to achieve digital acceleration.

Read more...