System Management

The PCH provides various functions to make a system easier to manage and to lower the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of the system. Features and functions can be augmented using external A/D converters and GPIOs, as well as an external micro controller.

The following features and functions are supported by the PCH:

• First timer timeout to generate SMI# after programmable time:
  • The first timer timeout causes a SMI#, allowing SMM-based recovery from OS lock up
• Second hard-coded timer timeout to generate reboot:
  • This second timer is used only after the first timeout occurs
  • The second timeout allows for automatic system reset and reboot if a HW error is detected
  • Option to prevent reset the second timeout via HW strap
• Various Error detection (such as ECC Errors) indicated by host controller:
  • Can generate SMI#, SCI, SERR, SMI, or TCO interrupt
• Intruder Detect input:
  • Can generate TCO interrupt or SMI#.