1000BASE-T

Automatic Crossover Algorithm

Daniel Dove
Principal Engineer, LAN Media Technology
HP Workgroup Networks Division

Workgroup
H IEEE 802.3AB - February 1998 Networks
1
Division
 OBJECTIVES

o Automatic determination of MDI or MDIX configuration

o Interoperability with existing products

o Rapid Resolution of MDI or MDIX configuration
o Robust ( No pathological lock-up)
o Easily Implemented

Workgroup
H IEEE 802.3AB - February 1998 Networks
2
Division
 Straight Through Cable
( traditional solution )

10BASE-T 10BASE-T
Media Dependent Interface Media Dependent Interface

1 1
Transmit Pair 2 2 Receive Pair

3 3
4 4
Receive Pair Transmit Pair
5 5
6 6
7 7
8 8

Modular Connector (RJ-45) Modular Connector (RJ-45)

NIC HUB
(Repeater or Switch)

Workgroup
H IEEE 802.3AB - February 1998 Networks
3
Division
 Crossover Cable
( traditional solution )

10BASE-T 10BASE-T
Media Dependent Interface Media Dependent Interface

1 1
Receive Pair Receive Pair
2 2
3 3
4 4
Transmit Pair Transmit Pair
5 5
6 6
7 7
8 8

Modular Connector (RJ-45) Modular Connector (RJ-45)

HUB HUB
(Repeater or Switch) (Repeater or Switch)

Workgroup
H IEEE 802.3AB - February 1998 Networks
4
Division
 Crossover Switch for 2-pair System
( logical representation )

Media 10BASE-T
Switch Media Dependent Interface

1
Transmit Pair Transmit Pair 2

3
4
Receive Pair
Receive Pair 5
6
7
8

Modular Connector (RJ-45)

NIC
Repeater or Switch

S[0] S[1] S[2] S[3] S[4] S[5] S[6] S[7] S[8] S[9] S[10]
T T T T T T T T T T T

Clocked with ~ 55mS period

Reset every ~ 1.4 with asynchronous timer
Initialized to random seed value

Workgroup
H IEEE 802.3AB - February 1998 Networks
5
Division
 Control Algorithm

RESET
A_timer = TRUE
& Link_Det = FALSE

NIC_MODE

Switch_mode <- End_node

A_timer = ~1.4 seconds RND(Slot_Time) = 1 * Link_Det = FALSE

Slot_Time = 55mS
Link_Det = 802.3 Link Pulse or
HUB_MODE
802.3u Parallel Detect Criteria
Switch_mode <- Hub

RND(Slot_Time) = 0 * Link_Det = FALSE

Workgroup
H IEEE 802.3AB - February 1998 Networks
6
Division
 Probability of Run Length Alignment
0.6
* Corrected Chart after
2/12/98 Presentation

0.5

0.4
Probability

0.3

0.2

0.1

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Run Length

Workgroup
H IEEE 802.3AB - February 1998 Networks
7
Division
 Conclusions

ü Automatic determination of MDI or MDIX configuration

S State Machine Controlled MDI configuration

ü Interoperability with existing products

S Since existing products don’t switch, connection is guaranteed within two cycles

ü Rapid Resolution of MDI or MDIX configuration

S Normal algorithm resolves within 500mS

ü Robust ( No pathological lock-up)

S Extremely rare (2e-22) case resolves via asynchronous reset

ü Easily Implemented
S For 1000BASE-T all four pairs are capable of transmitting and receiving
S Very low logic cost
S For 10 and 100T may be implemented with CMOS switches

Workgroup
H IEEE 802.3AB - February 1998 Networks
8
Division