82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller Specification Update

Implication: Data transfer performance is substantially reduced due to error packets.

Workaround: None.

Status: Intel resolved this erratum in the A1 stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.

8. 48 Bit Preambles Sent in 10Mb and 100Mb Operation

Problem: The 82543GC device transmits 48 bit preambles instead of 56 bit preambles for 10Mb and 100Mb operation.

Implication: Certain 10Mb and 100Mb repeaters will only tolerate 56 bit preambles, so packets transmitted by the 82543GC controller will be incompatible. A product example is the Intel InBusiness 4 Port Fast Hub, which is based on a Broadcom 5205 repeater device.

Workaround: None.

Status: Intel resolved this erratum in the A1 stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.

9. CRS Detection Takes Too Long in MII Half-Duplex Mode

Problem:

When the 82543GC controller is operated in half-duplex mode, it can take up to 16 bit times to detect Carrier

 

Sense (CRS) assertion.

Implication:

The IEEE specification is 8 bit times. Functional problems are not anticipated in operating networks, however.

Workaround:

None.

Status:

Intel resolved this erratum in the A1 stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.

10. DMA Early Receive Function Does Not Work

Problem:

When DMA early receive operation is enabled on the 82543GC device and a DMA receive underrun occurs, the

 

controller may erroneously place data into the packet descriptors.

Implication:

The early receive function cannot be used.

Workaround:

None.

Status:

Intel does not plan to resolve this erratum in a future stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.

11. ILOS Bit Copied Incorrectly from EEPROM to Speed Bits

Problem: When the 82543GC controller loads configuration information from EEPROM, it maps the Invert Loss of Signal (ILOS) bit into the Speed Selection bits in the device control register.

Implication: Both the ILOS and Speed settings will be incorrect.

Workaround: Software should write correct bit values into the control register.

Status: Intel resolved this erratum in the A1 stepping of the 82543GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller.

12. Gigabit Half-Duplex Mode Operates Incorrectly

Problem: Several problems prevent proper gigabit half-duplex operation.

Implication: Do not use GMII half-duplex operation. GMII full-duplex and MII (10/100Mb) half-duplex modes are unaffected.

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