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66AK2H14/12 switch capabilities

Other Parts Discussed in Thread: 66AK2H14, 66AK2H12

We're in the process of designing a new system which contains the following networking components:

1) A 66AK2H14/12 (for number-crunching)

2) An IO board (leds, LCD, buttons, etc)

3) An external controller (like a PC, used for configuration).

We'd like to have the system divided into 2 separate networks (eg, they have to be completely isolated and will use different subnet masks):

1)  The IO board (2) connects to the 66AK2H14/12 (1) on a private network, such that the the IO board can be controlled by the 66AK2H14/12. 

2) The 66AK2H14/12 connects to the external controller (3).

When looking at the 66AK2H12, we noticed it has a built-in switch but only a single a NETCP which connects to it. My question is if we can configure this switch in such a way that we create 2 networks and such that the 66AK2H12 is part of both these networks and such that it can "talk" to both the external controller AND to the IO board. The external controller should only "see" the  66AK2H12 and nothing else.

We noticed some VLAN bit-mask: is this something we could use?

The 66AK2H14 seems to have 2 switches built in and 2 NETCPs, so this should definitely work for us....but it is also quite a bit more expensive.

Thanks,

Dirk

  • Dirk,

    Yes, your understanding about the NETCP is correct.

    The Network Coprocessor having Packet Accelerator,Security Accelerator and Ethernet Subsystem(5-port switch).

    You are trying to use this as it is along with one more switch.

    For this case, you can use 10-Gigabit Ethernet (10-GbE) Switch Subsystem (66AK2H14 only).

    This 10GbE can communicate with the Device core. Meantime, I will check with the hardware design team and let you know the details.

  • Thanks, I appreciate your help. If we can create 2 separate networks with a 66AK2H12 that would be great. If not, we can fallback on the 66AK2H14 , but like I said, the price is quite a bit higher.

    Cheers,

    Dirk

  • Hi Pubesh, I did not get the information I need yet: did the design team get back with details yet? I am still hopeful we can configure the switch on the 66AK2H12 in such a way that we can get 2 networks. Is the VLAN mask an option?

    Thanks,
    Dirk

  • Dirk,
    Apologize for the delay.
    Q: Is the VLAN mask an option?
    A: Yes. Please refer transport netlib UG for more detail.
    processors.wiki.ti.com/.../TransportNetLib_UsersGuide
  • Dirk,

    It seems that, you are planing to connect the 66AK2H14 to two separated networks <different IP masks>, running the 66AK2H14 neither as a Bridge (for Ethernet traffics between the two ports), NOR a router (for IP packets) amount traffics between the two ports.

    If that is true, then you can simply use 2 of the four Ethernet ports (the 66AK2H14 has 4 1G Ethernet ports) -- one connects to the IO board, and another one connects to the external controller.

    The simple configurations will be -- bypassing the NETCP's switch <programming the ALE of the switch in bypass mode for the two used ports> and bypassing the PA <Packet Accelerator for TCP/UDP/IP classification, etc>, and let the Linux Kernel to handle all the IP routings for the cases of two networks.

    Regards!
    Wen

  • That's exactly what I was looking for, thanks!