Realtek PDF datasheets for RTL8101

The Realtek RTL8101E Fast Ethernet controller combines an IEEE 802.3 10/100Base-T compliant Media Access Controller (MAC), PCI Express bus controller, and embedded memory. With state-of-the-art DSP technology and mixed-mode signal technology, the RTL8101E offers high-speed transmission over CAT 5 UTP cable or CAT 3 UTP (10Mbps only) cable. Functions such as Crossover Detection & Auto-Correction, polarity correction, adaptive equalization, cross-talk cancellation, echo cancellation, timing recovery, and error correction are implemented to provide robust transmission and reception capability at high speeds.

The device supports the PCI Express 1.0a bus interface for host communications with power management and is compliant with the IEEE 802.3u specification for 10/100Mbps Ethernet. It also supports an auxiliary power auto-detect function, and will auto-configure related bits of the PCI power management registers in PCI configuration space.

Advanced Configuration Power management Interface (ACPI)—power management for modern operating systems that are capable of Operating System-directed Power Management (OSPM)—is supported to achieve the most efficient power management possible. PCI Message Signaled Interrupt (MSI) is also supported.

In addition to the ACPI feature, remote wake-up (including AMD Magic Packet™, Re-LinkOk, and Microsoft® Wake-up frame) is supported in both ACPI and APM (Advanced Power Management) environments. To support WOL from a deep power down state (e.g., D3cold, i.e. main power is off and only auxiliary exists), the auxiliary power source must be able to provide the needed power for the RTL8101E.

The RTL8101E is fully compliant with Microsoft® NDIS5 (IP, TCP, UDP) Checksum and Segmentation Task-offload features, and supports IEEE 802 IP Layer 2 priority encoding and IEEE 802.1Q Virtual bridged Local Area Network (VLAN). The above features contribute to lowering CPU utilization, especially benefiting performance when in operation on a network server.

The device also features next-generation interconnect PCI Express technology. PCI Express is a high-bandwidth, low-pin-count, serial interconnect technology that offers significant improvements in performance over conventional PCI and also maintains software compatibility with existing PCI infrastructure.

The RTL8101E is suitable for multiple market segments and emerging applications, such as desktop, mobile, workstation, server, communications platforms, and embedded applications.

The Realtek RTL8101L is a highly integrated and cost-effective single-chip Fast Ethernet controller that provides 32-bit performance, PCI bus master capability, and full compliance with IEEE 802.3u 100Base-TX specifications and IEEE 802.3x Full Duplex Flow Control. It also supports the Advanced Configuration Power management Interface (ACPI), PCI power management for modern operating systems that are capable of Operating System Directed Power Management (OSPM) to achieve the most efficient power management possible. The RTL8101L no longer supports CardBus mode (the RTL8139C does).

In addition to the ACPI feature, the RTL8101L supports remote wake-up (including AMD Magic Packet, LinkChg, and Microsoft® wake-up frame) in both ACPI and APM environments. The RTL8101L is capable of performing an internal reset through the application of auxiliary power. When auxiliary power is applied and the main power remains off, the RTL8101L is ready and waiting for a Magic Packet or Link Change to wake the system up. Also, the LWAKE pin provides 4 different output signals including active high, active low, positive pulse, and negative pulse. The versatility of the RTL8101L LWAKE pin provides motherboards with Wake-On-LAN (WOL) functionality.

The RTL8101L also supports Analog Auto-Power-down, that is, the analog part of the RTL8101L can be shut down temporarily according to user requirements or when the RTL8101L is in a power down state with the wakeup function disabled. In addition, when the analog part is shut down and the IsolateB pin is low (i.e. the main power is off), then both the analog and digital parts stop functioning and the power consumption of the RTL8101L is negligible. The RTL8101L also supports an auxiliary power auto-detect function, and will auto-configure related bits of their own PCI power management registers in PCI configuration space.

PCI Vital Product Data (VPD) is also supported to provide the information that uniquely identifies hardware (i.e., the OEM brand name of the RTL8101L LAN card). The information may consist of part number, serial number, and other detailed information.

To provide cost down support, the RTL8101L is capable of using a 25MHz crystal or OSC as its internal clock source.

The RTL8101L keeps network maintenance costs low and eliminates usage barriers. It is the easiest way to upgrade a network from 10 to 100Mbps. It also supports full-duplex operation, making 200Mbps bandwidth possible at no additional cost. To improve compatibility with other brands’ products, the RTL8101L is also capable of receiving packets with InterFrameGap no less than 40 Bit-Time. The RTL8101L is highly integrated and requires no ‘glue’ logic or external memory.

The RTL8101L includes a PCI and Expansion Memory Share Interface (Realtek patent) for a boot ROM and can be used in diskless workstations, providing maximum network security and ease of management.