Intel Press Release

Intel Develops First Single-Chip Fast Ethernet Solution

Device Extends PC Chipset by Providing Advanced Network Capabilities for LAN-on-Motherboard Designs

HILLSBORO, Ore., April 21, 1997 -- Intel Corporation today announced the 82558, the industry's first single-chip Fast Ethernet solution for networking at speeds of 10 or 100 megabits per second (Mbps). The silicon device, available in sample quantities, will greatly enhance LAN-on-motherboard designs by integrating advanced networking and power-management capabilities that are keys to remotely managing connected PCs and to reducing the costs of business computing.

By combining the four functions of the media access controller, physical interface, line equalizer and management in a single chip, Intel is using its silicon and networking expertise to make high-performance LAN-on-motherboard (LOM) a competitive, cost-effective option for OEMs designing business PCs. With the 82558 chip on a motherboard, a business PC will be ready for networking and will allow the off-hours maintenance and advanced management promoted in the industry specification for Network PCs (Net PCs) and in Intel's Wired for Management (WFM) Baseline Specification.

"PC manufacturers now can readily offer Fast Ethernet connectivity and innovative management built directly onto the motherboard of PCs because of the network performance and manageability provided by the Intel 82558," said Mark Christensen, vice president of Intel's Internet and Communications Group and general manager of Intel's Network Products Division . "The Intel 82558 extends the PC chipset to include networking advances. The device will allow OEMs to deliver a low-cost, small, high-performance solution for either Net PCs or flexible managed PCs that allows off--hours maintenance and can be booted, managed and run from a remote server."

PC Chipset Extended for the Managed, Connected PC
In providing a high-performance networking solution, the Intel 82558 is extending the role of the business PC chipset to address the importance of network connectivity, and the growth of 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet, in business computing. Just as the PCI chipset solves the input/output (I/O) bottleneck within the PC, the new Intel 82558 solves the external LAN I/O requirements for today's high-performance networked computers.

"The PC chipset needs to keep pace with the microprocessor for internal I/O and with the network for external I/O," said Christensen. "Intel's development speed and core semiconductor skills are focused on delivering new levels of advanced networking capabilities."

The Intel 82558 controller extends the corporate PC chipset to support high performance Fast Ethernet connectivity and three key capabilities required by the Wired for Management Baseline and Net PC specifications for remotely managing PCs via the LAN:

  • ACPI Specification Compliance
    The 82558 employs power management features in accordance with the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) specifications supporting the defined D0-D3 power-down states and the ability to generate or respond to wake-up events for PCs. The Intel 82558 is the first Fast Ethernet controller compliant with the ACPI specifications outlined in the WfM Baseline and Net PC specifications.
  • Wake-On-LAN*
    The 82558 supports Wake-On-LAN* capability for remotely powering up a PC to perform automated management services such as software updates and virus scans during off hours. Wake-On-LAN is one of the technologies on which Intel and IBM* are cooperating within their Advanced Manageability Alliance. In addition to Magic Packet filtering, the Intel 82558 also supports programmable packet filtering.
  • Remote Boot Agent
    The 82558 contains a remote boot agent, Intel LANDesk® Service Agent, which enables the PC to be booted from a remote management server for complete configuration services, including operating system and application installation, upgrades, disk scans, formatting, and ongoing maintenance.

The Intel 82558 represents a significant stride in new silicon integration and manufacturing capabilities to deliver high quality, reliable networking solutions for high-volume motherboard applications. The chip delivers the performance needed for today's powerful Pentium® processors with MMX™technology, while delivering the manageability to further reduce the total cost of ownership of business networks. For instance, the Intel 82558 not only keeps CPU utilization low while maximizing data throughput, but it also optimizes the PCI bandwidth usage for Intel's newest chipsets, providing the highest PCI bandwidth utilization. To further reduce ownership costs the Intel 82558 uses drivers that are backward-compatible with the original Intel 82557 controller.

Four Chips in One for LAN-on-Motherboard
The Intel 82558 is the first single-chip Fast Ethernet solution for LAN-on-Motherboard designs, which provide networking connectivity without a network interface card. This single chip integrates four chips into one: a dual mode 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX physical interface with integrated line equalization, a MAC with internal transmit and receive FIFOs, an integrated management engine, and a 32-bit PCI bus master interface for a complete 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet interface without any external logic. The 82558 provides extremely high throughput with very low CPU utilization, offering 802.3x compliant flow control. To provide built-in protection against obsolescence, the 82558 incorporates Intel's Adaptive Technology, which allows updates to microcode for performance optimization with unique or emerging network requirements.

Intel Introduces New Physical Layer Device
The Intel 82555, also announced today, is the first single-chip 100Base-TX physical layer device incorporating line equalization for switches and hubs. The device offers digitally controlled adaptive equalization and transmission for superior noise immunity and very low emissions. The digital design of the 82555 also makes it easy to manufacture in high-volume production. In addition, this physical layer device meets the IEEE specifications for repeater operation and was designed and tested at both the system and silicon level for performance and quality.

Pricing and Availability
The Intel 82558 will succeed the Intel 82557 Fast Ethernet media access controller, which also supports the Wired for Management Baseline requirements and which is already used by leading PC OEMs. Limited samples of the Intel 82558 are available now. With each Intel 82558, OEMs receive a royalty-free license to the LANDesk Service Agent, which meets the pre-boot capability requirement in the Intel Wired for Management Baseline Specification and the reference specification for a Net PC. The Intel 82555 is in volume production now. It is priced at $18.70 in quantities of 1000.

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