METHOD TO ENABLE MINI-MEZZANINE OPEN COMPUTE PROJECT (OCP) PLUG-AND-PLAY NETWORK PHY CARDS

摘要

Methods for implementing mini-mezzanine Open Compute Project (OCP) plug-and-play Network PHY Cards (104) and associated apparatus. In accordance with one aspect, the MAC (Media Access Channel) and PHY (Physical) layer functions (108) in one or more communication protocol stacks are split between a MAC block (108) in a Platform Controller Hub (PCH) (102) or processor SoC (102) and a PHY card (104) installed in a mezzanine slot (106) of a platform and including one or more ports. During platform initialization operations, configuration parameters are read from the PHY card including a PHY card ID (118), and a corresponding configuration script (116) is selected and executed to configure the PHY card (104) for use in the platform. The configuration parameters (116) are also used to enumerate PCIe devices associated with physical functions and ports supported by the PHY card (104).