The RTL8306G is a 6-port Fast Ethernet switch controller that integrates memory, six MACs, and five physical layer transceivers for 10Base-T and 100Base-TX operation into a single chip.
The RTL8306G support a Dual MII/RMII interface for external devices to connect to the 6th MAC, 5th MAC, and 5th PHY. The external device could be a routing engine, HomePNA, HomePlug, or VDSL transceiver depending on the application. In order to accomplish diagnostics in complex network systems, the RTL8306G provides a loopback feature in each port.
The RTL8306G supports several advanced QoS functions with four-level priority queues to improve multimedia or real-time networking applications, including:
- Multi priority assignment
- Differential queue weight
- Port-based and queue-based rate limitation
For multicast applications, the RTL8306G supports IGMPv1/v2/v3 and MLDv1/v2 snooping.
To meet security and management requirements, the RTL8306G supports IEEE 802.1x Port-based/MAC-based Access Control, provides a Port Mirroring function, and also supports five 32-bit MIB Counters on each port.
The RTL8306G supports 16 VLAN groups. These can be configured as port-based VLANs and/or 802.1Q tag-based VLANs. The RTL8306G also supports advanced VLAN setting method for external processor to maintain more than 16 VLAN groups. A VLAN tag or a Realtek proprietary tag can be inserted or removed at the output port. The inserted tag can carry useful information for Router and Gateway applications, such as the source port and the priority of the packet.
The RTL8306G contains a 2K-entry address lookup table and a 16-entry CAM. A 4-way associative hash algorithm avoids hash collisions and maintains forwarding performance. The 2K-entry table provides read/write access from the SMI interface, and each of the entries can be configured as a static entry that does not automatically age out and can only be controlled by the external management processor. For IGMP/MLD snooping application, each of the 2K entries can be configured as a multicast entry that indicates the matched packets will be forwarded to specific multi ports. For IEEE 802.1x application, each of the 2K entries can be configured as an authorized or unauthorized entry.
Maximum packet length can be 1536 or 1552 bytes according to the initial configuration (strapping upon reset). Three types of independent storm filter are provided to filter packet storms, and an intelligent switch engine prevents Head-of-Line blocking problems. The filtering function is supported for IEEE 802.1D specified reserved multicast addresses (01-80-C2-00-00-02 and 01-80-C2-00-00-04 to 01-80-C2-00-00-0F).
The RTL8306G provides flexible LED functions for diagnostics, with four combination modes. An externally managed processor can control the LEDs via SMI.
GreenEthernet Features include:
- Link-On and Cable Length Power Saving
The RTL8306G provides link-on and dynamic detection of cable length and dynamic adjustment of power required for the detected cable length. This feature provides high performance with minimum power consumption.
- Link-Down Power Saving
The RTL8306G implements link-down power saving on a per-port basis, greatly cutting power consumption when the network cable is disconnected.
To simplify the peripheral circuit, the RTL8306G can use a low-cost PNP transistor to generate 1.8V from a 3.3V power supply.
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