2.4 Serial Ports (CN3 and Rear I/O)

The MIC-3358 offers one serial ports: COM1 in RS-232. With limited front panel access, one COM1 (CN3) can be connected via a RJ-45 to RS- 232 adaptor and COM2 (CN9) interface has to be connected via rear I/O module (RIO-3309C) for implement. These ports allow users to connect to serial devices (a mouse, printers, etc.) or a communication network. You can select the address for each port to disable it, using the BIOS Advanced Setup program, covered in Chapter 5. Different devices imple- ment the RS-232 standard in different ways. If you are having problems with a serial device, be sure to check the pin assignments for the connec- tor. The IRQ and address range for both ports are fixed. However, if you wish to disable the port or change these parameters later, you can do this in the system BIOS setup. The table below shows the settings for the MIC-3358 board's ports:

Table 2.1: MIC-3358 serial port default settings

Port

Address

Default

COM1

3F8, 3E8

IRQ4

COM2

2F8, 2E8

IRQ3

2.5 Ethernet Configuration (PU1 , Rear I/O and J3)

The MIC-3358 is equipped with dual high performance 32-bit PCI-bus Gigabit Ethernet interfaces which are fully compliant with IEEE 802.3u 10/100/1000Base-TX specifications. Users can select front GbE or rear GbE or 2.16 by BIOS. Users can choice LAN1 connector either via front RJ-45 jack (PU1) in MIC-3358 or rear RJ-45 (CN16) in rear module. Another one Gigabit LAN connector (CN15) has to go through RIO mod- ule (RIO-3309C).

Moreover, the MIC-3358 supports PICMG 2.16 complaint with Packet Switching Backplane Specification via J3 connector, it will installed in PICMG 2.16 backplane as switch-fabric applications blade server

27

Chapter2

Page 35
Image 35
Intel MIC-3358 user manual Serial Ports CN3 and Rear I/O, Ethernet Configuration PU1 , Rear I/O and J3

MIC-3358 specifications

The Intel MIC-3358, also known as the Intel Many Integrated Core (MIC) architecture, represents a pivotal innovation in high-performance computing and parallel processing. This product is part of Intel's Xeon Phi family and was specifically designed to tackle demanding workloads, making it a popular choice for research institutions and industries requiring significant computational power.

One of the standout features of the MIC-3358 is its many-core architecture, which integrates numerous processor cores on a single chip. This allows for massively parallel processing capabilities, enabling the execution of multiple tasks simultaneously. With a total of 60 cores, the MIC-3358 can deliver exceptional performance for applications such as scientific simulations, data analytics, and machine learning.

The architecture of the MIC-3358 is notable for its x86 compatibility. Unlike traditional GPUs, the MIC-3358 can run standard x86 applications unmodified, ensuring seamless integration into existing workflows and simplifying development. This feature helps users leverage their existing software tools and libraries without requiring extensive porting or adaptation.

Another key technology is the incorporation of advanced memory architecture, featuring a high-bandwidth memory system. The MIC-3358 supports GDDR5 memory, enabling rapid data transfer rates that are crucial for performance-intensive applications. This, combined with an efficient memory architecture, helps overcome memory bandwidth limitations often encountered in high-performance computing.

The MIC-3358 also includes support for Intel's advanced vector extensions (AVX) and AVX-512, which enhance the processing of vector operations and allow for more efficient data handling. This makes the MIC-3358 particularly effective for workloads that involve large datasets and require complex mathematical computations.

Energy efficiency is another defining characteristic of the MIC-3358. Despite its high core count, the architecture is designed to deliver optimal performance per watt, making it suitable for large data centers where power consumption is a crucial factor.

In summary, the Intel MIC-3358 stands out due to its many-core architecture, x86 compatibility, high-bandwidth memory support, advanced vector instructions, and energy efficiency. These features collectively position it as a powerful solution for high-performance computing challenges, enabling a wide array of applications across various sectors. As the demand for computational resources continues to grow, the MIC-3358 remains a vital component in the landscape of advanced computing technologies.