PCI-bus, slots, and adapters, LAN adapters

2.4 PCI-bus, slots, and adapters

The IBM ^pSeries 610 Models 6C1 and 6E1 are compliant with Revision 2.1 of the peripheral component interconnect (PCI) specifications and implement two peer PCI busses:

a32-bit data bus operating at 33 MHz and a 64-bit bus operating at 50 MHz. There are five PCI slots available. Slots one and two are 64-bit capable and can run up to speeds of 50 MHz. Slot three is 64-bit capable, and slots four and five are 32-bit. Slots three, four, and five run at 33 MHz.

A variety of graphics, SCSI, Fibrechannel, LAN, WAN, asynchronous, and SSA adapter cards can be installed in the Models 6C1 and 6E1. Internal SCSI RAID is supported.

Note: Please refer to the PCI Adapter Placement Reference, SA38-0538, to find detailed information on where to plug in your adapters.

Hot plug capabilities for PCI adapters are not supported on the Models 6C1 and 6E1. However, they are available within the IBM ^pSeries and RS/6000 product line. The following specific systems support hot plug PCI capabilities at the time of writing:

RS/6000 Model F80

RS/6000 Model H80

RS/6000 Model M80

RS/6000 SP™ Expansion I/O Units

IBM ^pSeries 620 Models 6F0 and 6F1

IBM ^pSeries 660 Models 6H0 and 6H1

IBM ^pSeries 660 Model 6M1

IBM ^pSeries 690 Model 681

More specific information about selected adapters is provided in the next sections.

2.4.1 32-bit versus 64-bit PCI slots

Choosing between 32-bit and 64-bit slots influences slot placements and affects performance. Higher-speed adapters use 64-bit slots because they can transfer 64 bits of data in each data transfer phase. 32-bit adapters can typically function in 64-bit slots; however, 32-bit adapters still operate in 32-bit mode and offer no performance advantages in

a64-bit slot. Likewise, most 64-bit adapters can operate in 32-bit PCI slots, but will operate in 32-bit mode at a reduced performance potential.

2.4.2LAN adapters

As the Models 6C1 and 6E1 are considered to be a server they have to be connected through the local area network (LAN). LAN connection options include: Ethernet, Token-Ring, and ATM. IBM support a installation with NIM using Ethernet and Token-Ring adapters (use chrp as platform type).

2.4.3 Graphics accelerators

The IBM ^pSeries 610 Models 6C1 and 6E1 are servers and are not intended to serve as a workstation. Therefore, the GXT135P is the only adapter of choice. This adapter offers 2D functionalities for business graphics or Internet applications.

Chapter 2. Architecture and technical overview