Ampro Corporation COM 830 manual Security Features, Suspend to Ram, Ampro Tech Notes

Chapter 2 Specifications

Security Features

The COM 830 can be equipped optionally with a “Trusted Platform Module” (TPM 1.2). This TPM 1.2 includes co-processors to calculate efficient hash and RSA algorithms with key lengths up to 2,048 bits as well as a real random number generator. Security sensitive applications like gaming and e-commerce will benefit also with improved authentication, integrity and confidence levels.

Suspend to Ram

The Suspend to RAM feature is available on the COM 830.

Ampro Tech Notes

The COM 830 has some technological features that require additional explanation. The following section will give the reader a better understanding of some of these features. This information will also help to gain a better understanding of the information found in the System Resources section of this manual as well as some of the setup nodes found in the BIOS Setup Program description section.

Comparison of I/O APIC to 8259 PIC Interrupt mode

I/O APIC (Advanced Programmable Interrupt controller) mode deals with interrupts differently than the 8259 PIC.

The method of interrupt transmission used by APIC mode is implemented by transmitting interrupts through the system bus and they are handled without the requirement of the processor to perform an interrupt acknowledge cycle.

Another difference between I/O APIC and 8259 PIC is the way the interrupt numbers are prioritized. Unlike the 8259 PIC, the I/O APIC interrupt priority is independent of the actual interrupt number.

A major advantage of the I/O APIC found in the chipset of the COM 830 is that it's able to provide more interrupts, a total of 24 to be exact. It must be mentioned that the APIC is not supported by all operating systems. In order to utilize the APIC mode it must be enabled in the BIOS setup program before the installation of the OS and it only functions in ACPI mode. You can find more information about APIC in the IA-32 Intel Architecture Software Developer's Manual, Volume 3 in chapter 8.

NOTE You must ensure that your operating system supports APIC mode in order to use it.

Intel® Matrix Storage Technology

The ICH7M-DH provides support for Intel® Matrix Storage Technology, providing both AHCI and integrated RAID functionality.

AHCI

The ICH7M-DH provides hardware support for Advanced Host Controller Interface (AHCI), a new programming interface for SATA host controllers. Platforms supporting AHCI may take advantage of performance features such as no master/slave designation for SATA devices (each device is treated as a master) and hardware-assisted native command queuing. AHCI also provides usability enhancements such as Hot-Plug.

RAID

The industry-leading RAID capability provides high performance RAID 0 and 1 functionality on the 2 SATA ports of ICH7M-DH. Software components include an Option ROM for pre-boot configuration and boot functionality, a Microsoft* Windows* compatible driver, and a user interface for configuration and management of the RAID capability of ICH7M-DH.

18 Reference Manual COM 830