Network (midplane) ports (2): Each of the two ports to the IBM BladeCenter H midplane consist of 4 balanced-differential 3.125GBaud signals in each direction, 8b/10b encoded, 10+10 Gbit/s data rate, full-duplex. The HSEC ports connect through the BladeCenter H midplane to HSSM switches or passthru modules in bays 7 and 9. Depending on the software release used, the ports can operate with either Ethernet or Myrinet protocols at the Data Link layer. When operating in Ethernet mode, the ports support Ethernet flow control as defined by IEEE 802.3x. (See this Guide to Myri-10G PHYs (pdf).)

PCI Express host port: This HSEC is a PCI Express x8 (8 lane) device. It is capable of exchanging data with a host blade at up to 2 GBytes/s (250 MBytes/s per lane) data rate in each direction, full-duplex. The port is fully compliant with the PCI Express Base Specification Rev. 2.0 (2.5 GT/s only).

Optional PCI Express capabilities supported: Advanced Error Reporting, Function-Level Reset, Device Serial Number, up to 16 outstanding read requests, up to 4KB MaxPayloadSize for all packet types, MSI and MSI/X, SMBus access.

Optional PCI Express capabilities to be supported in upcoming firmware releases: Address Translation Services, Single Root I/O Virtualization and Sharing, Alternative Routing-ID Interpretation.

These HSECs have been tested in operation in HS21, HS21 XM, LS21, LS42, and QS22 blades, and in other IBM blades that are not yet announced. The PCI Express add-in card versions of these interfaces have been tested and qualified in many commercially available motherboards and with all of the common PCI Express chip sets. See this tabulation for the test results with different motherboards and chip sets.

HSEC processor and SRAM: The HSEC is based on a Myricom custom-VLSI chip, the Lanai Z8ES, which includes a programmable RISC, a set of packet engines, and 2MB of fast SRAM. The RISC, packet engines, and SRAM inside the Lanai-Z8ES chip operate at a clock rate of 364.6MHz. Byte parity is generated and checked on all on-chip memories.

EEPROM: 1MB, which includes the firmware required for PCI device initialization and an Etherboot (UEFI- and PXE-compatible) driver. The driver loads the matching firmware as required by the mode in which the HSEC is operating. The EEPROM can be re-programmed in-place by the Lanai Z8ES.

Physical characteristics: The HSEC circuit board is approximately 159mm (6.25in) by 127mm (5in) in its longest dimensions, and weighs ~82g (~0.18lb).

Power: The HSEC is powered from 3.3V from the PCI Express connector, 1.0A (3.3W) maximum, 0.9A (3.0W) typical.

Environmental (Enterprise range): Operating: Temperature 10C to 70C up to 7,000 foot altitude. Relative humidity 8% to 80%, non-condensing. Storage: Temperature -40C to 70C. Relative humidity 90% @ 65C. Contact Myricom for HSECs qualified for the BladeCenter H Telco range.

Applicable Specifications: This HSEC complies with the BladeServer Base Specification For I/O Expansion Cards, Rev. 2.40. The network ports are 4 x 3.125Gb/s Ethernet Tx/Rx Agents as defined in the BladeServer Base Specification and Design Guide for SERDES High-Speed Electrical Signaling, Rev. 2.21. In addition, this product successfully passed the Blade.org Compliance Program, which includes functional tests, shock & vibration tests, temperature tests, and tx/rx signal-integrity tests.

Reduction of Hazardous Substances: These NICs are RoHS-compliant under the server exemption.

Myricom-supported software: These HSECs may use the included (bundled) Myri10GE software for 10-Gigabit Ethernet operation, or optional software distributions including MX-10G, Video Pump, Sniffer10G, or DBL. This software is distributed from the Myricom Software & Customer Support page.

Last updated: 12 September 2009