Hello. Just getting started on reading the Orin AGX module datasheets. I am working on a high level spec and block diagram for a custom AGX-Orin carrier board. This carrier board needs to have two gigabit ethernet ports. Curious what options there are to implement this. Both ports will be heavily utilized.
Option A:
PORT 1: Utilize the RGMII port and required GIGE PHY + magnetics.
PORT 2: Connect to (1/4) MGBE and implement a PHY like Marvel AQR113C single port + magnetics.
Option B:
Both PORT 1/2: Connect to the (2/4) MGBE fabric with a DUAL (or QUAD, whichever is actually available) port MGBE PHY + magnetics.
I am not too comfortable yet with the driver side (need to present some hardware options to the software team) and so it may make more sense to go with one over the other.
This custom carrier board also needs to implement:
(1) USB 3.0
(1) 4x PCIe M.2 NVME SSD
If I am interpreting the this table correctly I must utilize Configuration #1 to implement these features. This points me to Option A, deploying a gige phy on the native rgmii interface and a single port MGBE PHY.
@WayneWWW any thoughts on using a PCIe to gigabit ethernet controller vs an MGBE PHY? Microchip LAN7430, for example, uses a single lane PCI 3.1 (2.5 GT/s) with a built in MAC and PHY.
Locating stock of Marvel MGE AQR113C has been problematic.
@WayneWWW The Microchip data sheet claims Linux driver support. There is another twist, USB 3.1 to GIGE, via LAN7801 (lots in stock).
Software Support for LAN 7801:
Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and 10 drivers (Microsoft Certified)
Linux driver
OS X and macOS driver
uBoot support
UEFI support
PXE support
FreeBSD support
For the MGBE to GIGE PHY: will still need a Linux driver, yes?
Intel i350AM2 (2* GigE) and i350AM4 (4* GigE) are popular options in the PC server world. These are very capable controller chips with PCIe Gen2 x4 and very good and mature Linux support.
