Hi Has there been any updates about the Dual Gigabit addon for UDOO X86, that was mentioned as "Second News" in [1]? - I've tried to search the forum, but didn't find anything .. :-/ Regards, Rune Andresen [1]: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/udoo/udoo-x86-the-most-powerful-maker-board-ever/posts/1550921
It's mentioned at the end of the user manual, page 60 - http://download.udoo.org/files/UDOO_X86/Doc/UDOO_X86_MANUAL_Rel.1.0.pdf Looks handy!
The only problem is that means you give up the ability to plug in the wifi+bluetooth board into the m2 slot. Still there may be instances when it is a good idea (e.g. Using a UDOO as a firewall/router).
There are two M.2 slots. The Ethernet adapter appears to use the M.2 slot for the SATA drive, leaving the M.2 slot for wireless functionality available.
That card (B+M keys) is for top-slot (NGFF socket 2 key-B) and in this configuration, the slot is in PCIe mode (not SATA mode.) Per user manual page 60 picture, it appears that the big chip (PCIe bridge) is splitting PCI x1 (1 lane) into two to go to two gigE MAC ICs (smaller chips.) I am curious why the original design did not go for the 2-lane design (one each for the gigE chip) and skip the PCIe bridge bottleneck. (I guess the maximum compatibility for existing PCI x1 slot is the real reason.) On that note, when will this dual-gigE M.2 adapter be available? ccs_hello
Why do you think that would be bottleneck? Single v2.0 lane speed is 0.5 gigabytes/s i.e. 4 gigabits/s which is enough for dual gigabit ethernet.
I think it goes for implementation, especially on the PCIe bridge. Looking into commercial dual or quad gigE NIC card, they are either on x4 or x16 for good reasons. Anyway, if it's x1, it is what it is. I'll live with it. Just to point out UDOO x86's NGFF B-key slot has two PCIe lanes in there. Use them both or lose one of the two. Why not just use both of them anyway and at the same time, save the cost of a PCIe bridge chip (lower power consumption as well.) ccs_hello
