What is meant by the terms “Server-Class” and “Graphics-class” as it relates to PICMG 1.3 board hardware?
Server and Graphics class refers to how the PCI Express electrical links are routed to the SHB’s card edge connectors A and B and how these links are in turn routed or “plumbed” to the option card slots and/or devices on a PICMG 1.3 backplane. Server-class SHBs usually feature two x8 PCI Express electrical links on edge connectors A and B plus either one x4 or four x1 PCIe links. Graphics-class SHBs usually feature one x16 PCI Express electrical link on edge connectors A and B plus either one x4 or four x1 PCIe links. The type of chipset utilized in an SHB design determines if the board is a server- or graphics-class SHB. Matching the class of a PICMG 1.3 SHB to the PICMG 1.3 backplane class results in the maximum use of all available option card slots and devices on a PICMG 1.3 backplane. Q: Does the PICMG 1.3 specification provide support for PCI Express Gen 2 products and can a PCI Express serial communication link support multiple PCI Express card slots like a PCI or PCI-X parallel
