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Am79C973/Am79C975 PCnet™-FAST III Product Brief
Single-Chip 10/100 Mbps PCI Ethernet Controller

The PCnet-FAST III device is AMD's third-generation fully integrated 10/100 Mbps PCI Ethernet controller optimized for managed networked PC applications. The integrated Serial Management Interface enables remote alerting of system events providing advanced management capabilities. Support for ACPI and OnNow power management with AMD's patented Magic Packet™ remote wake-up technology and compliance with Microsoft's PC98/PC99 requirements makes it the ideal solution for Fast Ethernet motherboard and network interface card (NIC) implementations.

The PCnet-FAST III controller integrates an IEEE 802.3-compliant Fast Ethernet media access controller (MAC) and 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX physical layer (PHY) with Auto-Negotiation into a single-chip device, reducing external system components and design costs. It also contains a high performance 32-bit PCI bus master interface and Direct Memory Access (DMA) architecture, as well as large, flexible internal memory buffers, to provide maximum network performance with minimal processor overhead.

In addition, the PCnet-FAST III controller is offered with AMD's Managed Performance Portfolio of software and firmware solutions that improve network and system performance and manageability. This extensive suite of industry-proven PCnet device drivers, management software and firmware, diagnostic utilities and support tools enables system OEMs to get to market quickly with products that help lower the total cost of ownership of corporate PC networks.

Advanced Integration
The PCnet-FAST III controller fully integrates all the elements required to implement a complete Fast Ethernet node into a single-chip device manufactured with advanced 3.3 Volt CMOS process technology for low-power operation. The device integrates a 32-bit bus mastering PCI interface, a powerful DMA buffer management unit and 12 Kbytes of SRAM to provide high speed data throughput and low CPU and system bus utilization. The integrated Fast Ethernet PHY not only supports 10/100BASE-TX and Auto Negotiation but also implements a 100BASE-FX interface for fiber applications.

Compatibility and Reliability
The PCnet-FAST III controller is offered with AMD's Managed Performance Portfolio of industry-proven PCnet software and remote management firmware supporting all major network operating systems and protocols from Microsoft, Novell, IBM and others. This comprehensive system solution fully supports PC98, PC99, and Wired for Management specifications enabling high performance, highly manageable Fast Ethernet products that are compatible with current and future industry standards.

Features
Benefits
Serial Management Interface (Am79C975) and AlertIT technology Enables remote alerting of critical system errors and events
Integrated 10/100 Mbps physical layer (PHY) Single-chip solution reduces external components and system design cost
100BASE-FX support with PECL interface Supports Fast Ethernet fiber implementations
ACPI/OnNow support and Magic Packet technology Remote wake-up and advanced power management owers total cost ownership
IEEE, PC98, PC99, Wired for Management compliance Ensures compatibility and support of current and future systems and networks
32-bit PCI bus master and DMA engine High data throughput and low CPU utilization frees processor for other tasks
Auto Negotiation of 10 & 100 Mbps and half- & full-duplex operation Automatically provides highest network performance and compatibility
12 Kbytes internal memory buffer space Offers optimal performance for networked PC and internetworking applications
Boot and flash ROM devices supported and remote boot firmware available Enables remote system setup and operation to help lower total cost of ownership
PCnet software drivers included Speeds time-to-market with reliable and compatible system solution
Comprehensive licensable technology and evaluation kit Enables quick time-to-market for OEMs
3.3V power supply with 5V tolerant I/O Low power consumption and system compatibility

Product Configurations
Am79C973 PCnet-FAST III

Each product configuration is available in a 160-pin PQFP or 176-pin TQFP package.

 



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