VPD Support

15

This chapter presents the theory of operation information about the 21555 Vital Product Data (VPD) support. See Chapter 16 for specific information about the VPD registers.

The 21555 provides VPD support through its serial ROM interface. Note that VPD support in the Expansion ROM as described in the PCI Local Bus Specification, Revision 2.2, is transparent to the 21555 and is not described in this document.

VPD is stored in the last 3K bits (384 bytes) of the serial ROM. The first 1K bits (128 bytes) of the VPD space are designated as read only and cannot be written from the VPD serial ROM register interface. The upper 2K bits (256 bytes) are designated as read/write from the VPD serial ROM register interface. Only VPD data can be accessed through this interface. To read or write any serial ROM location, the CSR serial ROM access mechanism should be used, as described in Chapter 9 .

15.1Reading VPD Information

A read can occur to any location in VPD space. Valid VPD byte addresses are 17F:000h. To read VPD information from the serial ROM, the following steps must be taken:

1.The VPD address and VPD Flag bits are written. This requires a write to bytes E7:E6h, where the low 9 bits carry the VPD byte address and bit 15 is a 0 (zero), indicating a read operation. The 21555 adds the VPD base address, 080h, to the VPD byte address to obtain the serial ROM address and perform a read of 4 bytes. The VPD address has no alignment requirements; it can start on any byte boundary.

2.The VPD Flag bit is polled. When the 21555 returns a 1, the read is complete.

3.The VPD information can be read from the VPD Data register at bytes EB:E8. Byte 0 contains the data at the location referenced by the VPD Address register. Bytes 3:1 contain successive bytes.

The 21555 always performs a 4-byte read, regardless of the VPD byte address. Therefore, when the VPD byte address is one of the last 3 bytes in VPD space, the serial ROM address wraps. The remaining 1, 2, or 3 bytes contain invalid data and should be ignored.

The VPD Address and VPD Data registers should not be written while a VPD read operation is taking place, otherwise results are unpredictable.

21555 Non-Transparent PCI-to-PCI Bridge User Manual

119

Page 118 Page 120
Page 119
Image 119
Intel 21555 user manual VPD Support, Reading VPD Information
Page 118 Page 120

21555 specifications

The Intel 21555 is a prominent microprocessor developed by Intel, designed to cater to a variety of computing needs. This processor marks a significant step forward in Intel's lineup and underscores the company's commitment to advancing technology in personal computing, enterprise solutions, and beyond.

One of the standout features of the Intel 21555 is its advanced architecture. It utilizes a multi-core design, enabling improved performance through parallel processing. This architecture allows multiple applications to run seamlessly without a decline in speed. The cores are built on a cutting-edge manufacturing process that enhances energy efficiency while maintaining high clock speeds.

The Intel 21555 supports a wide range of technologies, including Intel Turbo Boost, which enables dynamic adjustments to the processor’s performance based on workload demands. This feature allows the processor to accelerate its speed during intensive tasks, providing users with a responsive experience when it matters the most.

Another key characteristic of the Intel 21555 is its support for integrated graphics. With Intel UHD Graphics technology, users can enjoy enhanced visuals for everyday tasks such as video playback, web browsing, and light gaming. This eliminates the need for a separate graphics card for many users, particularly in home office or light gaming scenarios.

Security is a significant focus in the design of the Intel 21555. It includes built-in hardware-based security features like Intel Trusted Execution Technology and Secure Boot. These features help protect against various types of threats, ensuring that user data remains secure from malicious attacks.

The Intel 21555 is also optimized for use with Intel's platform technologies, including Intel Optane memory and Intel Rapid Storage Technology. These technologies work together to deliver faster boot times and improved system responsiveness, making computing more efficient for users.

Furthermore, the Intel 21555 is designed to support virtualization technologies, allowing multiple operating systems to run concurrently without compromising performance. This is particularly useful for developers and businesses that rely on virtualization for testing and development environments.

In summary, the Intel 21555 is a powerful and versatile processor that reflects Intel's ongoing innovation in the computing space. With its multi-core architecture, enhanced graphics capabilities, strong security features, and advanced technologies, it stands out as an excellent choice for a wide range of applications, serving both casual users and professionals alike.
Top Page Image Contents