PM42084B1-FEI

Overview

The PM42084B1-FEI is a Switchtec PAX Gen 4 Advanced Fabric PCIe switch from Microchip Technology. It provides high-performance, non-blocking switching with up to 174 GBps capacity and supports 84 lanes across 44 ports. The device features hot- and surprise-plug controllers for each port and allows flexible lane bifurcation to x1, x2, x4, x8, or x16 configurations. It includes an integrated MIPS processor, advanced error containment mechanisms like DPC and AER, and comprehensive diagnostics including real-time eye capture. The package size is 40 mm × 40 mm.

Feature Summary

• Supports multi-host sharing of SR-IOV endpoints and virtualization of entire PCIe domains.
• Features advanced error containment including Downstream Port Containment (DPC) and Completion Timeout Synthesis (CTS).
• Includes comprehensive diagnostics with built-in PCIe analyzer, TLP generator, and real-time 2D eye capture capabilities.
• Integrates a MIPS processor and extensive I/O interfaces for enclosure management without requiring an external CPU.

Applications

• Scalable multi-host systems
• SR-IOV-enabled JBOFs
• Composable GP-GPU fabrics
• Disaggregated systems

Procurement Notes

Verify the exact part number PM42084B1-FEI against official Microchip documentation to ensure correct specifications. Confirm that the 40 mm × 40 mm package and 84-lane configuration match system requirements. Check for any specific firmware or SDK dependencies required for SR-IOV functionality.

Selection Notes

Select this model when 84 lanes and 44 ports are required within a 40 mm × 40 mm footprint. Consider alternatives like PM42100B1-FEI for higher lane counts or PM42052B1-F3EI for smaller form factors. Ensure compatibility with PCIe Gen 4 endpoints and verify support for required bifurcation modes.

Part Context

This component belongs to the Switchtec PAX Gen 4 Advanced Fabric PCIe Switch family. It complements other models in the series such as PM42100B1-FEI and PM42068B1-FEI, offering varying lane counts and port densities to suit different scalability needs in data center architectures.

Replacement Considerations

Direct replacements include other variants within the Switchtec PAX Gen 4 family, such as PM42100B1-FEI or PM42068B1-FEI, depending on lane and port requirements. Verify pinout and firmware compatibility before substitution.

FAQ

What is the maximum switching capacity of the PM42084B1-FEI?

The PM42084B1-FEI supports a switching capacity of up to 174 GBps.

Does the PM42084B1-FEI support SR-IOV?

Yes, it supports multi-host sharing of SR-IOV endpoints and virtualization of entire PCIe domains.

What diagnostic tools are integrated into the PM42084B1-FEI?

It includes a built-in PCIe analyzer, TLP generator, per-port performance counters, and real-time 2D eye capture capabilities.