MXS824 Users Guide
–
Dolphin Interconnect Solutions
Page 15
1, 2, or 4 cables can be used to create a x4, x8 or x16 connection to other compliant devices. If more than one cable is
used to create a wide link, the first cable must be connected to a width aligned port number.
Connecting a cable
Please carefully install the PCI Express cable connector into the connector housing on the adapter card or MXS824 Switch
box. Computer cables should always use strain relief to protect the connected equipment from excessive force via the
cable. This is especially important for cables between racks.
Disconnecting a cable
Carefully pull the thumb tab in the direction of the cable to release the cable from the connector house and eject the
cable.
MXS824 operating modes
The Dolphin PCI Express MXS824 switch has two main operational modes:
Transparent
and
Non-Transparent Bridge
(NTB)
mode. The switch operating mode is controlled by the MXS824 switch management software. The shipping default
configuration is support for 6 ports x16 NTB mode. Please consult the chapter Configuring the MXS824 switch on page 16
for more details.
Transparent mode port usage
In standard transparent mode, Ports P1, P2, P3 and P4 are always configured as a x16 upstream port. Port P1 should
always be used. If you want to create a x8 link, you should use port 1 & 2. To create a x16 link, you shold use port P1, P2,
P3 and P4. All other ports are configured as downstream ports. Separate configuration settings exists for creating 10 x8 or
20 x4 transparent downstream ports.
NTB mode port usage
Any port can be used in any order for all NTB configurations. If more than one cable is used to create a wide link, the first
cable must be connected to a width aligned port number. Separate configuration settings exists and must be enabled for
twelve x8 mode or 24 x4 mode. The six x16 mode is the shipping default.
Dolphins eXpressWare software and adapter cards will auto detect ports and automatically connect at the highest speed
possible. Customers writing their own low-level drivers need to contact Dolphin for further technical information.
Cascading switches
The MXS824 supports cascading multiple switches into larger PCI Express networks. The current firmware supports
connecting two switches.
Partitioning
–
mixed transparent and NTB usage
The switch supports partitioning into separate switch domains, enabling a single switch to be used as two or more
independent logical switch domains. The switch hardware prevents unintended data communication and reset /
configuration cycles to propagate between separate domains. This configuration requires custom firmware, please contact
Dolphin for more information.
