PCI-AD-X16HE-PS-MD User’s Guide – Serial Cables
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Packaging
The PCI-AD-X16HE-PS-MD includes the following components.
PCI-AD-X16HE-PS-MD Adapter Board
Low profile bracket
Anti-static bag
Getting started guide
Pre-Installation Questions
Certain steps should be taken prior to installing the PCI-AD-X16HE-PS-MD. You should determine the following configuration
requirements.
Which PCIe slot and system will the card be installed in?
Will the board act as a host adapter or target adapter?
What is the speed and link width of the slot that the card will be installed in?
What is the operating environment in which the card will be installed?
What type and length of cables will be used?
How to establish proper operational conditions, temperature and air-flow.
PCIe Slot Determination
The PCI-AD-X16HE-PS-MD supports PCIe Gen1, Gen2 and Gen3 speeds and x1, x2, x4, x8 and x16 link-widths. The slot width and
speed will affect the performance of the card. The card can be physically installed in a x4, x8 or x16 connector. The card will auto
configure to the slot speed and width.
PCI-AD-X16HE-PS-MD Host / Target Configuration
The PCI-AD-X16HE-PS-MD can act as either a host adapter or target adapter. The PCI-AD-X16HE-PS-MD has a DIP switch bank to
control these functions. The DIP switch labeled SW1 can be found close to the upper edge of the board. The main configuration
options are host or target operations . The default DIP switch setting is transparent host x16 operations. Additional settings are
target operations, two x8 links, four x4 links, alternativce edge clock routing and quad edge target.
Operating Environment
To maximize life time for the product and maintain the warranty, please honor the specified operating temperature and make sure
the specified air flow is present. Special care should be considered when PCI-AD-X16HE-PS-MD is used in office type cabinets in
combination with other high energy consuming PCIe devices, e.g. not active cooled GPUs:
Operating Temperature: 0°C - 55°C (32°F - 131°F), Air Flow: 150 LFM
Operating Temperature with AOC: 0°C - 45°C (32°F - 113°F), Air Flow: 150 LFM
Operating Temperature: 0°C - 50°C (32°F - 122°F), Air Flow: ~0 LFM
Relative Humidity: 5% - 95% (non- condensing)
Cable Connections
The PCI-AD-X16HE-PS-MD is designed to support both long and short copper cables as well as active optical cables (AOC). The
default configuration supports cables between 0.5 and 9 meters or fiber cables. If you are connecting the PCI-AD-X16HE-PS-MD to a
compliant target device not designed by Serial Cables, other settings or limitations may apply.
The PCI-AD-X16HE-PS-MD cable connector is compliant to the SFF-8644 industry specification and supports standard x4/x8 Mini-
SAS HD cables or x4/x8 PCI Express 3.0 cables compliant to the PCIe External Cabling Specification 3.0. Four x4 or two x8 cables are
needed for full PCIe x16 connectivity.
PCI Express 3.0 Cables
When used with cables compliant to the new PCIe External Cable standard 3.0, the PCI-AD-X16HE-PS-MD card will transmit a CMI
Reset message downstream. The card can be connected to a PCI-AD-X16HE-PS-MD in Target mode or any PCIe device compliant to
the new cable standard. Support for additional CMI messages are being implemented and will be available with the next firmware
maintenance release, please contact Serial Cables for details.
