Chapter 2. System board features

ŸDelayed transaction

ŸPCI parity checking and generation support

IDE bus master interface

The system board incorporates a PCI-to-IDE interface thatAT Attachmentcomplies Inwitherfacethe with Extensions.

The bus

masterfor the IDE interface

is integrated into the I/O hub of the Intel

PCI

2.1

compliant.

It

connects

directly

to

the

PCI

bus

and

is

designed

to allow

 

co

the

PCI

bus and IDE bus. The chip

set is capable of supporting PIO mode 0–4 devi

mode

0–3

devices, ATA 66 transfers up to 66 Mbytes/sec.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The

IDE

devices

receive

their

power

through a four-position

power

cable

containing

+

voltage.

When

adding

devices

to

the

IDE

interface,

one

device

is

designated

as

 

th

another

is designated

as

the slave

or

 

subordinate device. These designations are

 

d

or jumpers on each device. There are

two

IDE

ports,

one designated 'Primary'

and

 

th

allowing for

up

to

four

 

devices

to

be

attached. The

total

number

of

physical

IDE

d

the

mechanical

package

to

a

maximum

of

four.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For

the

IDE

interface,

 

no

resource

assignments

are

given

in

the

system

memory

or

the

access

(DMA)

channels. For

information

on

the resource assignments, see “Input/output

add

page 36

and

Figure 36

on

page 40

(for

IRQ

assignments).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

USB interface

Universal

serial bus (USB) technology is a standard feature of the computer. The s

the USB

interface

with

two

connectors

integrated

into

the

ICH (I/O controller

hub)

USB-enabled device can attach to

each

connector,

and

if

that device is a hub, mul

attach to the hub and be used

by

the

system. The

USB

connectors

use Plug and

Play

installed

devices. The

speed

of

the

USB

is

up

to 12 Mbps with a

maximum of

127

p

is compliant with Universal Host Controller Interface Guide 1.0.

 

 

 

Features

provided

by

USB

technology

include:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ÿ

Support

for hot-pluggable devices

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ÿ

Support

for

concurrent

operation

of

multiple

devices

 

 

 

 

 

Ÿ

Suitable for

different

device

bandwidths

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ÿ

Support

for

up

to

five

meters

length

from

host

to

hub

or from hub to hub

 

 

Ÿ

Guaranteed bandwidth

and

low latencies

appropriate

for

specific

devices

 

 

Ÿ

Wide

range

of

packet

 

sizes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ŸLimited power to hubs

For information on the connector pin assignments for the USB interface, see “USB port page 33.

Low

pin

 

count

(LPC)

bus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On

the

system

board, the Intel ICH1 bridge provides the interface between the p

interface

(PCI) and

LPC buses. The chip set is

used to convert PCI bus

cycles

to

chip set

also

includes all

the subsystems

of the ISA bus,

including two

cascaded in

DMA

controllers

with

four 8-bit and three 16-bit

channels,

three counters

equivalent

to

interval

timer,

and

power

management. The PCI

bus

operates

at

33 MHz.

 

 

Chapter 2. System board features5

Page 13
Image 13
IBM 6268, 6288, 6278 manual IDE bus master interface, USB interface, Bus

6278, 6268, 6288 specifications

The IBM 6278, 6288, and 6268 are part of IBM's extensive lineup of mid-range computers, specifically tailored for business environments in the late 1980s and early 1990s. These systems were designed to handle substantial data processing tasks, facilitating efficient business operations with robust performance and reliability.

The IBM 6278 was notable for its high-performance capabilities, making it suitable for a variety of applications ranging from transaction processing to complex computations. One of the main features of the 6278 was its multiprocessing capability, which allowed it to run multiple tasks concurrently. This was achieved through a combination of advanced hardware and software that optimized performance and resource allocation.

Similarly, the IBM 6288 was recognized for its versatility and scalability. This system incorporated enhanced memory management and was capable of handling larger workloads than its predecessors. The 6288 was designed with user-friendly interfaces and supported various input/output devices, making it easier for organizations to integrate into existing IT infrastructures. Additionally, it provided improved connectivity options, essential for modern networking needs at the time.

The IBM 6268, on the other hand, offered a balance between cost and performance, appealing to smaller businesses or those with less intensive data processing requirements. Despite being less powerful than the 6278 and 6288, the 6268 still managed to include essential features such as reliable data storage, effective processing speed, and compatibility with IBM's extensive software ecosystem.

All three models utilized IBM's proprietary operating systems, which were well-known for their robustness and security features. They were built with technologies such as error detection and correction, ensuring the integrity of data processing tasks. The architecture of these systems also allowed for easy upgrades, enabling businesses to expand their capabilities without a complete overhaul of their IT infrastructure.

In summary, the IBM 6278, 6288, and 6268 represented a significant advancement in mid-range computing technology during their era. Their main features encompassed multiprocessing, scalability, and user-friendly interfaces, making them valuable assets for businesses seeking reliable and efficient computing solutions. These systems laid the groundwork for future innovations in business computing, and despite their age, they remain a significant part of IBM's legacy in the computing industry.