
Overview
The Merlin
Fibre Channel Core Family is a second
generation of the field proven Fibre Channel protocol
controller architecture. Available in three basic
configurations, Merlin
is a cost-effective Fibre
Channel protocol controller, which delivers the highest
available Fibre Channel data rate to a wide range of
Storage Area Network (SAN) applications. Merlin’s
flexible architecture enables designers to choose only
the Fibre Channel features they need, reducing cost in
price-sensitive applications while preserving
performance in performance-critical applications.
Combined with other LSI Logic CoreWare cores and
customer-specific logic blocks, designers can create
high-performance, single-chip disk controllers, tape
controllers, RAID disk array controllers, intelligent
hubs, switches and Fibre Channel host adapters.
The Merlin
Fibre Channel Core Family complies
with the ANSI Fibre Channel Standard (FC-PH)
providing Class 3 service and supports the newly
adopted Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop-2 (FC-AL2)
Standard, the Fibre Channel protocol for SCSI (FCP),
the Private Loop Direct Attach (PLDA) Profile and the
Fabric Loop Attach Profile (FLA).
Benefits
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Meets all ANSI X3T.11 Fibre Channel Standard
requirements for Class 3 Arbitrated Loop-2
operation
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Meets all Fibre Channel Profile requirements for
transporting SCSI over both private and public loops
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End-product interoperability success using a
proven design architecture
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Delivers the highest available Fibre Channel data
rate to your applications
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Transmits and Receives simultaneously at the full
Fibre Channel data rate (2 X 100 MB/s)
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Offers the lowest-cost Fibre Channel topology
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Enables cost-effective single port
controllers
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Replaces two-host bus adapter cards with
a single chip in dual port applications
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Increases loop access and reliability
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Enables designers to develop fully
customizable Fibre Channel solutions
while maintaining interoperability
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Offers the lowest overhead class of service
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Buffers tuned to each customer’s price/
performance requirements
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On-chip exchange management tuned to each
customer’s price/performance requirements
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Key features can be tuned to meet exact
customer requirements
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Reduces initialization latency
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Supports multiple concurrent exchanges
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Highly automated FCP SCSI operations
reduces the need for processor intervention
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On-chip data is parity-protected at all times
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Simplifies code and hardware development
through access to core internal resources
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Integrates smoothly with other CoreWare
cores to enable complex designs while
reducing time to market
Data Sheet
Merlin
Fibre Channel Core Family
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Merlin Disk Controller