Dual GbE PCI-X Card Adds Bypass Capability

Addressing system crashes and power-down scenarios, the PCI-8246 two-port Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) PCI-X card now provides a bypass capability to directly connect the GbE signals on the two GbE ports. This feature relies on an array of mechanical relays to control the physical routing of the GbE signals using two communication states: normal and bypass. A programmable watchdog timer controls the relay switch to automatically enable the bypass mode, ensuring a continual network connection in case of system failure. The card employs an Intel 82546EB dual port GbE controller to provide auto-negotiation for 10/100/1000 Mb/s full and half duplex communications, and it supports both 32-bit and 64-bit PCI and PCI-X buses at speeds up to 133 MHz. Price is $190 each in OEM quantities. ADLINK TECHNOLOGY AMERICA INC., Irvine, CA (866) 423-5465.