New architecture helps unleash myriad of applications
The EB7-x8 sports an architecture that implements true modularity and scalability. With the launch of this product, Magma has decoupled the Host Connection mechanism from the PCI Express Expansion Chassis backplane. An Expansion Interface Card that plugs into one particular PCI Express slot of the Expansion Chassis communicates with the Host through a Host Interface Card in the Host machine. The communication media, copper or fiber, and the number of PCI Express lanes resulting in the overall communication bandwidth are configurable with the selection of combination of these two cards.
Transforming EB7-x8 to a Standalone System
The EB7-x8 can be easily transformed into a Host Computer/Server with 8 slots of PCI Express when a Root Complex SBC (Single Board Computer) is installed in one particular slot. That means the remaining 7 PCIe slots can be populated with any combination of PCI Express I/O cards needed in the System. Moreover, with space and power provided for up to four 3.5” internal hard drives, the chassis could transform into a powerful workstation.
EB7-x8 for Clustering and I/O Virtualization Applications
The EB7-x8 is ideally suited for configuring it to act as a concentrator box that can be used for powerful I/O Virtualization solutions. The built-in ability of its chassis to allow for peer to peer communication between its slots as well as its ability to communicate with multiple Root Complex Port sources with its complementary Universal Host Adaptor card lends itself to very elegant and immensely cost effective I/O virtualization applications.
The EB7-x8 with Magma’s Universal Host Adaptor allows for a new paradigm for clustering servers using the PCI Express as the network fabric.
This modular and scalable technology is unsurpassed in the industry for its performance potentials and ease of integration and low software overhead.
Benefits
* Industrial solution for adding up to 7 PCI Express I/O cards to one computer
* Individual PCI Express cards can be turned off without powering down entire computer
* Supports Multi-cast for peer to peer communication between slots
* Each of the I/O cards in the 7 PCIe slots can derive auxiliary power
* Supports Hot Swappable feature with user selectable bypass of this feature
* Provides space and power for up to four 3.5’ internal hard drive
