Out in Front: July 4, 1996

A new 10/100-Mbps, full-duplex, Ethernet controller, PCnet-Fast from Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), features Magic Packet technology, which remotely awakens networked PCs. The AM79C971 has a glueless, bus-mastering, PCI 2.1 interface with integrated DMA that supports unlimited burst length. It also integrates a 10- BaseT transceiver, a flexible buffer architecture, and independent TX and RX FIFO devices. Network-driver software is compatible with AMD's earlier PCnet products.

Magic Packet resolves the conflict between an energy-saving user who turns off the networked PC when not in use and a network manager accessing the PC over the network to upgrade software or perform routine backups. The technology accomplishes this task by sending a Magic Packet frame to a node in sleep mode. The frame alerts the node to wake up. The node may include power-supply circuitry that powers down the system, except for the LAN controller. AMD is promoting Magic Packet as an industry standard and is licensing the technology royalty-free for a one-time fee of $1000. OEMs that purchase controller products from AMD receive a free license to Magic Packet.

The AM79C971 is available for sampling in 160-pin PQFPs and costs $19.50 (10,000).

—by Stephen Kempainen

Advanced Micro Devices, Sunnyvale, CA. (800) 222-9323, http://www.amd.com.