Magma P13RR-TEL Appendix B Need More Slots?, Multiple PCI Expansion System Configurations

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M A G M A

Appendix B Need More Slots?

Multiple PCI Expansion System Configurations

The PCI Local Bus Specification defines the PCI bus as a hierarchical bus, where PCI to PCI Bridges (PPBs) may be used to add "levels" to the PCI bus hierarchy. Because hierarchies are organized systems arranged into different levels, you can take advantage of this automatic organizing and layering to expand the number of available PCI slots beyond the number available in your computer’s motherboard.

You can easily add two or more Magma expansion systems to your current system in either a "fan-out" or "daisy-chain" configuration. Each of these configurations has advantages and uses. To determine which type of configuration you wish to use, you should first understand a few basic facts:

1.In a desktop computer, the bios enumerates automatically behind PCI bridges. In the Magma configuration, the bios finds the Magma host card in a PCI slot. The bios configures it, and then looks beyond it to find any PCI cards installed in the expansion chassis. The bios then configures the cards and allocates resources. Empty PCI slots are ignored during configuration.

In theory, your computer “should” be able to travel across up to 255 PCI buses to identify and configure all installed PCI cards. Unfortunately, not all computers are created equal. The 255 PCI bus limit is actually a theoretical maximum. The practical limit is somewhat lower, but should still be a fairly large number.

In a desktop computer the bus numbers tend to be lower (0, 1, 2, etc.). Once the bios is finished configuring everything and assigning resources, the Operating System starts loading and activates the PCI cards found.

When adding more Expansion Systems to an existing system, be sure to connect and test them “one-at-a-time.” This will allow you to quickly resolve any connectivity, or other, issues right at the start. DO NOT INSTALL any 3rd Party PCI cards into any system until ALL attached systems are working correctly.

42Appendix B Need More Slots?

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Contents Slot PCI to PCI Expansion Copyright 2007 Mission Technology Group, Inc. DBA Magma Table of Contents Chapter Chassis Maintenance Preface AdvisoriesSafetyInstructions WhenWorkingInsideaComputerProtecting Against Electrostatic Discharge Electrostatic Discharge ESD WarningIv Preface Introduction General SpecificationsPre-InstallationInformation ToolsRequiredforInstallation PartsListHardware Installation Install PCI HostInterfaceCard Before you BeginAttachPCIExpansionandPowerCable Starting Up RechecktheInstallationApplying PowerCorrectly Shutting Down MAC Start UpVerify Installation Windows2000andXPMacOSX G M a Install 3rd Party PCI Cards Remove PCI Expansion Chassis CoverPCI Expansion InterfaceCard InstallPCICards inPCI Expansion Chassis System Should BeUp and Running FinishingTouches Rack Installations Remote Monitoring Getting StartedConfiguring Surveillance Pro Surveillance Pro 2 WebChassis Name IP AddressG M a Subnet Mask and Gateway Address Surveillance Pro 2 Email Notification Setup Smtp AddressFrom Email Address Administration Name and Password SetupRecipient’s Email Address Email Address #1 #4 Finalizing Surveillance Pro 2 Configuration Removing Faults From Surveillance ProChassis Maintenance Hot-SwappablePowerSupplyReplacing a Fan AdjustingtheDigital DisplayWindow Troubleshooting LocatetheProblemMy Computer Can’t Find the PCI Expansion System WindowsWhen Nothing Works My Computer Hangs During Power Up My PCI Card Doesn’t Work Support for 3rd Party PCI Cards Windows Error Codes Error Code Description/ActionOn the PCI to PCI Bridge Magma Technical Support Contacting Technical Support How to Get More HelpFrequentlyAskedQuestionsFAQ Magma Debug Utility PCIScope Software Utility G M a ReturningMerchandisetoMAGMA Magma Returns DEPT. RMA #Appendix a Bus Hierarchy BusHierarchyMultiple PCI Expansion System Configurations Appendix B Need More Slots?Fan-Out Verify your configuration Urati o nDaisy-Chaining ExpansionSystems Daisy-ChainingCombination Configurations PCI Card Conflicts Power-On Sequence forAdvanced ConfigurationsTroubleshooting AdvancedConfigurations G M a Finding the Problem Card Appendix C Compliance IndustryCanadaPage Manual P/N 09-09907-01-A1