Avalue EPI-LX800 - Manual (Page 21)

User’s Manual
EPI-LX800 Series User’s Manual 21
1.6.4 Ethernet
1.6.4.1 Realtek RTL8100C Ethernet Controller
The Realtek RTL8100(L) is a highly integrated and cost-effective single-chip Fast Ethernet
controller that provides 32-bit performance, PCI bus master capability, and full compliance
with IEEE 802.3u 100Base-T specifications and IEEE 802.3x Full Duplex Flow Control. It
also supports Advanced Configuration Power management Interface (ACPI), PCI power
management for modern operating systems that is capable of Operating System Directed
Power Management (OSPM) to achieve the most efficient power management.
The RTL8100(L) no longer supports hardware Boot ROM pins, and CardBus mode as
RTL8139C does. Besides the ACPI feature, the RTL8100(L) also supports remote wake-up
(including AMD Magic Packet*, LinkChg, and Microsoft® wake-up frame) in both ACPI and
APM environments. Especially, the RTL8100(L) is capable of performing internal reset
whenever there is (auxiliary) power applied to. Once the auxiliary power is on whereas the
main power still remains off, the RTL8100(L) is ready and is waiting for the Magic Packet*
or Link Change to wake the system up. Also, the LWAKE pin provides 4 different output
signals including active high, active low, positive pulse, and negative pulse. The versatility
of the RTL8100(L) LWAKE pin satisfies all kinds of motherboards with Wake-On-LAN
(WOL) function. The RTL8100(L) also supports Analog Auto-Power-down, that is, the
analog part of the RTL8100(L) can be shut down temporarily according to the user’s
requirement or when the RTL8100(L) is in power down states with the wakeup function
disabled. Besides, when the analog part is shut down and the IsolateB pin is low (i.e. the
main power is off), then both the analog and digital parts stop functioning and the
RTL8100(L) will achieve the most power saving and consume extremely minor power. The
RTL8100(L) also support aux. power auto-detect function, and will auto-configure related
bits of their own PCI power management registers in PCI configuration space.
The PCI Vital Product Data(VPD) is also supported to provide the information that uniquely
identifies hardware (Ex., the OEM brand name of RTL8100(L) LAN card). The information
may consist of part number, serial number, and other detailed information, and so on.
For sake of cost-down, the RTL8100(L) is capable of applying 25MHz crystal as its internal
clock source. And you also can use 25MHz OSC.
The RTL8100(L) keeps network maintenance cost low and eliminates usage barriers. It is
the easiest way to upgrade a network from 10 to 100Mbps. It also supports full-duplex
operation, making possible 200Mbps of bandwidth at no additional cost. To improve
compatibility with other brands’ products, the RTL8100(L) is also capable of receiving
packets with InterFrameGap no less than 40 Bit-Time. The RTL8100(L) is highly integrated
and requires no “glue” logic or external memory. It can be used in diskless workstations
with boot ROM code integrated in main BIOS, providing maximum network security and
ease of management.