The Am79C972 PCnet-FAST+ device is a highly integrated 10/100 Mbps PCI Ethernet controller optimized for managed networked PC applications. The PCnet-FAST+ device implements advanced power-saving features by fully supporting the OnNow and ACPI power management initiatives. It also supports fully functional operation over the industrial temperature range (-40ºC to +85ºC) making it the ideal solution for a broad range of networking applications including Ethernet adapters, single-board computers, telecommunications, and industrial control and computing.

The PCnet-FAST+ controller includes an IEEE 802.3-compliant Ethernet Media Access Controller (MAC) with full Auto-Negotiation of 10 or 100 Mbps and half- or full-duplex operation, and a Media Independent Interface (MII) for connection to any standard IEEE 802.3 compliant 10/100 Mbps physical layer (PHY) device. It also contains a high performance 32-bit PCI bus master interface and Direct Memory Access (DMA) architecture, as well as large, flexible internal memory buffers, to provide high speed data throughput and low CPU and system bus utilization. In addition, the PCnet-FAST+ controller is offered with AMD’s extensive suite of industry-proven PCnet software drivers, remote boot ROM firmware and a complete set of supporting utilities and design tools. This comprehensive Fast Ethernet solution helps system OEMs get to market quickly with products that lower the total cost of ownership of networked systems.

Enhanced Power Management
The PCnet-FAST+ controller complies with the OnNow Network Device Class power management specification, which was co-authored by AMD and includes AMD’s patented Magic Packet™ technology for remote PC wake-up and power-on. It also fully complies with both the Advanced Configuration Power Interface (ACPI) and PCI Bus Power Management specifications by supporting the power management states (D0-D3) and wake-up events, the optional Power Management Event (PME) pin, and the required configuration and data registers. This low power 3.3V device is ideally suited for PC97, PC98, and Net PC systems requiring advanced power management.

Optimized Performance
The PCnet-FAST+ controller implements a 32-bit bus mastering PCI interface and supports higher-level PCI commands for fast, intelligent data transfer. It also integrates a powerful DMA buffer management unit and features unlimited burst length, look-ahead packet processing, programmable inter-packet gap and receive frame queuing to provide high data throughput with minimal processor overhead. When coupled with AMD's 32-bit performance-tuned software drivers, the PCnet-FAST+ Fast Ethernet controller provides optimal system and network performance. And by integrating 12 Kbytes of on-chip memory, the largest of its class in the industry, the product meets the performance demands of networked PC and internetworking applications alike.

Compatibility and Reliability
The PCnet-FAST+ controller is offered with AMD's proven Pcnet software supporting all major network operating systems from Microsoft, Novell, IBM and SCO. It is also broadly supported by third-party embedded software providers such as Linux, Wind River VxWorks, ISI, QNX and Lynx. By supporting IEEE 802.3 Auto-Negotiation and MII standards, networking component and system compatibility is guaranteed. 3.3/5V PCI signaling support ensures broad system compatibility. With features like large flexible buffers, an external address filtering interface, and industrial temperature support, the PCnet-FAST+ controller is the best solution for internetworking, telecommunications and embedded Ethernet applications.