Broadcom BCM5703CKHB Gigabit Ethernet Controller: Features and Integration Guide
The Broadcom BCM5703CKHB is a highly integrated single-port Gigabit Ethernet controller designed to deliver robust networking performance for server and high-end workstation applications. As part of Broadcom's proven NetXtreme® family, this controller combines advanced features with hardware reliability, making it a cornerstone for building stable and efficient network infrastructures.
A key strength of the BCM5703CKHB lies in its full hardware support for TCP/IP offloading. This includes TCP/UDP/IP checksum offload and TCP segmentation offload (TSO), significantly reducing CPU overhead by handling complex network processing tasks on the controller itself. This allows the host system's processor to dedicate more resources to primary applications, enhancing overall system performance and efficiency.
The controller is built with a 64-bit/66MHz PCI or PCI-X interface, ensuring ample bandwidth to handle Gigabit line-rate traffic without becoming a bottleneck. This backward compatibility with PCI standards provides flexibility for integration into a wide range of legacy and modern systems.
For network administrators, the BCM5703CKHB offers advanced manageability features. It supports Wake-on-LAN (WOL) for remote system activation and is fully compatible with ACPI power management specifications, aiding in the development of energy-efficient systems. Furthermore, its integration with Preboot eXecution Environment (PXE) allows for diskless booting, which is crucial for centralized management in enterprise and data center environments.
Integration Guide: Key Considerations
Successful integration of the BCM5703CKHB involves both hardware and software elements.
1. Hardware Design: The controller requires a 3.3V power supply and is designed for a 33/66MHz PCI bus. Careful attention to PCI layout guidelines is essential to signal integrity. Proper termination and decoupling are necessary to ensure stable operation at high speeds.
2. Driver Installation: Broadcom provides reliable drivers for all major operating systems, including Windows Server, Linux, and VMware ESXi. It is critical to use the latest driver version available from the official Broadcom support website to ensure stability, performance, and access to all advanced features.
3. Configuration: Upon installation, the controller's offload capabilities (like Jumbo Frames and TSO) are often enabled by default. However, these should be verified and configured within the device driver settings in the OS to match the network environment for optimal performance.
4. Troubleshooting: Common integration issues often relate to driver conflicts or incorrect PCI bus enumeration. Ensuring the system BIOS is updated and that the PCI slot is configured correctly can resolve many initial problems.
ICGOOODFIND: The Broadcom BCM5703CKHB remains a reliable and feature-rich solution for Gigabit connectivity, offering critical performance offloading, broad OS support, and proven stability for demanding enterprise applications.
Keywords: Gigabit Ethernet, TCP Offload Engine, PCI-X Interface, Network Controller, Hardware Integration
