Frequently Asked Questions

The following FAQ list was generated using standard responses provided to PCI-SIG members by Technical Support and PCI-SIG Administration. For questions relative to the PCI Specifications, please reference the specifications themselves as the authoritative text. 

Compliance

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My product passed the tests at the last Compliance Workshop but I do not find my product on the Integrators List yet, am I missing something?

Two things are required to get a product on the Integrators List. The first is passing the required Compliance Workshop tests (both compliance and interoperability tests) and the second is to submit a correctly filled out Product Listing Request Form. If your product passed all of the testing requirements, then it is possible PCI-SIG has not yet received your Product Request Form. We require that you fill out an electronic copy of the Product Listing Request Form and send to compliance@pcisig.com. The Product Listing Request form is provided on the PCI-SIG website on our Developers web page and can also be accessed directly by clicking on the above link.

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Now that Compliance Checklists are no longer required as one of the requirements for a product to be added to the Integrators List, why does the PCI-SIG now require submission of a Product Listing Request Form following a Compliance Workshop?

The Product Listing Request Form provides a means for each company to indicate their preference as to how they would like their qualifying product/s listed. It also allows each company some control as to when their product/s will be listed. Waiting to submit the Product Listing Request Form ensures that products will not be added to the Integrators list until they are ready.

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The product I am bringing to the plugfest is a Compliance Workshop. What are the usual procedures at a workshop that PCI-SIG provides to help us control access to our products which we bring to the workshop?

Overall, each vendor is responsible for maintaining their own desired level of confidentiality for their products at a Compliance Workshop. The PCI-SIG does provide some basic procedures that should be helpful to vendors in accomplishing this. When submitting products for testing, each vendor provides their own naming convention for the product to be tested. The product name can be as descriptive or as abstract as the vendor desires. Testing at the Compliance Workshop is usually handled within private testing rooms at a hotel. Each vendor participant doing testing is issued a badge with the person's name and company name. Testing participants should limit access to the test rooms to only participants that have a proper badge. Testing with a specific vendor is optional.

PCI Conventional

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Where can I get version 3.0 of the Conventional PCI specification?

Specifications are available online to PCI-SIG members on our Specifications web page.

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How do ECNs affect the base specification? What ECNs were incorporated into the Conventional PCI 3.0 specification?

ECNs (Engineering Change Notifications) are improvements to the specification that are officially approved, but don't demand a full-scale revision to the specification. The list of ECNs that were incorporated into version 3.0 of the specification is included within the specification.

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How does a customer know whether or not a product is compliant with the current specification?

Developers of PCI products are bound by an honor code to ensure that their products are compliant to the most current version of the PCI specification. A list of products that have passed Compliance and Interoperability testing at previous Compliance Workshops, known as the Integrators List, is available on our Integrators List web page.

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What is the difference between version 2.3 and version 3.0 of the Conventional PCI? specification?

Version 3.0 is an evolutionary release of the PCI specification that includes edits to provide better readability and incorporate Engineering Change Notices (ECNs) that have been developed since the release of version 2.3. The Conventional PCI 3.0 specification also completes the migration to 3.3V-only slots by removing support for 5.0V-only keyed add-in cards. Version 3.0 is the current standard for Conventional PCI, to which vendors should be developing products

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When will the next Compliance Workshop be held to test for PCIe 3.0 compliance?

See the latest schedule of Compliance Workshops and their locations on our Events web page.

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Do other PCI specifications rely on the Conventional PCI 3.0 specification?

PCI Version 3.0 continues to provide the backbone technology for multiple bus specifications: PCI-X, PCI Hot-Plug, Low Profile PCI, and Mini PCI.

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How do I get technical support for the PCI 3.0 specification?

Technical support is one of the many benefits of membership. Send your questions to pcitech@pcisig.com.

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What is a Universal Card? Does version 3.0 support Universal Cards?

Universal Cards are cards that have two keys, which provide a means for vendors to design one card that supports both 3.3V and 5.0V slots. Version 3.0 of the PCI specification removes support for 5.0V-only adapter slots. However, both the Universal Cards and 3.3V Cards continue to be supported by the Conventional PCI 3.0 specification.

General Information

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How do ECNs affect the base specification?

ECNs are improvements to the specification that are officially approved by PCI-SIG yet don't demand a full-scale revision to the specification. All approved ECNs are considered part of the current specification and must be implemented to maintain compliance. For a list of the most current ECNs, please visit our Specifications web page.

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Who controls the development and enhancement of the PCI bus specification?

PCI-SIG is the industry organization that is chartered with maintenance of the PCI bus specification. Formed in June 1992, PCI-SIG effectively places ownership and management of the PCI specifications in the hands of the developer community. PCI-SIG works to support new requirements to the specification while maintaining backward compatibility for all PCI revisions and addenda. PCI-SIG works on behalf of the entire industry, not specific vendor interests.

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How do I contact the PCI-SIG office?

Please use the Contact Us form available on our Contact Us web page.

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How can I order PCI specifications?

Information on ordering PCI specifications is available on our Ordering Information web page.

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How does a customer know whether or not a product is compliant with the current specification?

Developers of PCI products are bound by an honor code to ensure that their products are compliant to the most current version of the PCI specification. A list of compliant products, known as the Integrators List, is available to members only at PCI-SIG's website at www.pcisig.com.

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How do I request a password?

If your company is a member and you are visiting for the first time, select the Members Log In link from the Membership drop-down menu and select Register Now! to receive a username and password. If you have forgotten your password, select the Forgot your password? link to receive a new password.

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Where is the list of all PCI vendor IDs?

A list of the vendor IDs can be found on our Member Companies web page.

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What are the benefits of PCI-SIG membership?

PCI-SIG membership is an important element in developing PCI products. Only PCI-SIG members are allowed to participate in compliance workshops and technology seminars, they receive free technical support and automated updates on ECNs, and they are proactively informed of ongoing news of the PCI-SIG and the development of PCI products and specifications.

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How do I get technical support for PCI specifications or ask other PCI technical questions??

Technical support for PCI-SIG specifications is one of the many benefits of membership. Technical Support may be reached at pcitech@pcisig.com.

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How do I get a vendor ID number?

Vendor ID assignments are given upon joining PCI-SIG.

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Is PCI-SIG primarily a U.S. organization?

PCI-SIG is a global organization bringing benefits and technical support to companies throughout Europe, Japan, Asia and North America. The PCI-SIG engages in workshops and seminars for its international members in order to keep the global developer audience up to date on PCI technology. PCI-SIG currently has more than 700 member companies.

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How do I pay via credit card?

PCI-SIG utilizes a secure online portal for credit card payments. Entering your credit card information authorizes PCI-SIG to charge your card the amount invoiced.

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How do I (un)subscribe to the PCI mailing lists?

Please email PCI-SIG Administration with your request.

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Where can I obtain PCI-SIG specifications?

Specifications are available on our Specifications web page for members and can be ordered by non-members from our Ordering Information web page.

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Does PCI-SIG support Open Source projects related to the PCI Specifications?‎

PCI-SIG does not currently support any Open Source projects.  The use of Open ‎Source code that implements all or a portion or portions of the PCI Specification is at the users own risk, ‎and PCI-SIG disclaims any liability associated with such unaffiliated and unsponsored code.  ‎Typically, Open Source projects have their own licensing terms that would apply to use of ‎code, and the fact that code or code segments reference or implement portions of PCI ‎Specifications give rise to no relationship between PCI-SIG and such Open Source projects.‎  PCI-SIG recommends members seek legal advice to determine that they can comply with legal requirements imposed by applicable licenses when using such Open Source projects.

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Who leads the PCI-SIG?

PCI-SIG is led by a Board of Directors whose current members are listed on our Board of Directors web page.

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What are the requirements for PCI-SIG membership?

Membership information is available on our Membership web page.

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Where is the PCI specifications order form?

The order form is available on our Ordering Information web page.

PCI-X

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Why is the time-to-market for PCI-X 266 and PCI-X 533 shorter than that of other technology transitions?

The transition to PCI-X 266 and PCI-X 533 is shorter than that of other technologies because it leverages and reuses much of the technology in the PCI-X 1.0 specification. The architecture, state machine, bus functional model, device drivers, signals and signal functionality, pin-outs, connector, test suites, form factors, layouts, and design tools are all either identical to PCI-X 1.0, or are highly leveraged.

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What features are introduced in the PCI-X 2.0 specification?

The PCI-X 2.0 specification introduces features such as Error Correction Code (ECC), 1.5V signaling, source-synchronous strobes, device ID messages, and a 16-bit version. The ECC improves the robustness of the interface. Likewise, the 1.5V signaling and strobes improve the performance so that the bus can run at 533MHz. Device ID messages are designed to enable a whole new class of peer-to-peer transfer applications. The 16-bit version of the bus is designed for embedded applications where bandwidth can be traded-off to reduce device pin counts.

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PCI-X 533 electrical parameters appear as "design goals" in the specification. What does this mean, and when will the final numbers be released?

The PCI-X Electrical and Mechanical Specification includes fully validated and released parameters for PCI-X 266 and "design goals" for PCI-X 533. "Design goals" have been fully validated to guarantee interoperability, but are not fully released. This allows for the possibility of further refinement of the PCI-X 533 design parameters to improve manufacturing yields.

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Is PCI-X 2.0 backward compatible with all generations of PCI?

Yes. PCI-X 2.0 is logically backward compatible to all previous generations and speed grades of PCI and PCI-X. PCI-X 266 and PCI-X 533 devices are electrically compatible with 3.3V and 1.5V IO buffers only; they are not compatible with 5V PCI.

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What speed grades are in the PCI-X 2.0 specification?

There are four speed grades in the PCI-X 2.0 specification: PCI-X 66, PCI-X 133, PCI-X 266, and PCI-X 533. The PCI-X 66 and PCI-X 133 speed grades were included in the PCI-X 1.0 specification; they support 66MHz, and 133MHz PCI-X respectively. 100MHz PCI-X has been implemented in the market by using PCI-X 133 adapter cards. Both PCI-X 266 and PCI-X 533 are new to PCI-X 2.0; they are the 266MHz and 533MHz versions of the specification. All four speed grades are included in the PCI-X 2.0 specification.

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Does PCI-X 2.0 support only point-to-point loads? Or, does it support multi-drop too?

PCI-X 2.0 supports both point-to-point loads and multi-drop loads. A PCI-X bus running at 66MHz can support four card slots. A PCI-X bus running at 100MHz can support two slots (when using PCI-X 133 adapter cards). At higher speeds (PCI-X 133, PCI-X 266, and PCI-X 533) one slot is supported.

In embedded environments where components are soldered down and connectors aren't used there exists the possibility for multiple loads at 133MHz. However, these electrical environments are not defined in the specification, since interoperability isn't an issue in embedded applications. It is left to the user to validate multiple embedded loads at the higher clock frequencies.

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How can I get a copy of the PCI-X 2.0 specification?

A benefit of membership in the PCI-SIG is access to both published specifications and draft specifications. The specification is also available for purchase by non-members (additional information is available on our Ordering Information page). Current specifications can be obtained on our Specifications web page.

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How are PCI-X versions 1.0 and 2.0 related to PCI? Are they the same?

PCI-X 2.0 is the next generation of PCI. It builds upon previous generations of PCI including the electricals, protocols, signals names and functions, connectors, etc. It also maintains backward compatibility with conventional PCI. It is the next logical advance in the world's most popular PC bus. There have been many generations of PCI, which all build upon each other. The PCI bus began with a 32-bit / 33MHz specification. Over time, to increase performance, 64-bit and 66MHz versions were introduced. To increase the bus speed and reduce latency PCI-X 1.0 was developed, with a maximum clock speed of 133 MHz. PCI-X 1.0 also introduced improved protocols, such as the split-transaction protocol which allows more efficient use of bus bandwidth, resulting in throughput gains beyond the simple increases in clock speed and bus width. Because of the demand for even higher throughput and to improve error correction, the PCI-X 2.0 specification was developed. It extends the bus frequency to 266 MHz and 533MHz and adds advanced features like Error Code Correction (ECC), while still maintaining backward compatibility to the first generation.

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How can the 16-bit versions of PCI-X be used?

The 16-bit application of PCI-X is uniquely suited for applications that require a reduced cost interface. The 16-bit functionality can be implemented either by creating a stand-alone 16-bit bus, or by breaking a 64-bit bus into four different segments of 16-bits each. For example, a peer-to-peer bridge with a 64-bit PCI-X 533 interface on its secondary side could alternatively implement four independent buses, each 16 bits wide, to support four independent loads each running at 533MHz. This capability may be particularly interesting for embedded applications.

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Why does PCI-X 2.0 provide such cost-effective bandwidth?

PCI-X 2.0 is highly cost-effective throughout the entire cost structure. PCI-X 2.0 uses very little silicon for its protocol engine and uses very little silicon for its physical interface. It requires minimal redesign from earlier versions of PCI, maintains the same low cost connector, uses similar design tools and testing methodology and equipment. It uses the same board form factor that has already been designed into previous systems and requires no new BIOS, device drivers, or operating systems. For high-bandwidth systems it maintains similar pin counts to serial technologies.

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What are the target applications for PCI-X 266 and PCI-X 533?

The target applications for PCI-X 2.0 technology are the workstation and server segments of the computer industry.

PCI Express

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What is the PCI Express External Cable specification?

The PCI Express External Cabling specification was developed to address multiple market segment cable requirements to extend PCI Express protocol and functionality across arbitrary distances and packaging that cannot be met using existing backplane trace connectivity.

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What and how many PCI Express architecture specifications are there?

The PCI Express architecture suite of specifications can be described as follows:

PCI Express Base Specification: the core specification for the multi-layered PCI Express architecture. It is currently at revision 1.1.
PCI Express Card Electromechanical Specification: the ATX-based form factors.
PCI Express Mini Card Electromechanical Specification: the BTO/CTO mobile platform form factor.
PCI Express to PCI/PCI-X? Bridge Specification: the bridging architecture to enable PCI Express components to function with legacy PCI devices.
PCI Express x16 Graphics 150W-ATX: the considerations for power and thermal issues in the next generation of platforms with leading-edge graphics and multimedia applications to deliver higher performance capabilities.
PCI Express ExpressModule?: a hot-pluggable modular form factor defined for servers and workstations.

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What is the compliance program for ExpressCard products?

The ExpressCard compliance program is now being run by the USB-IF. For full details, visit https://www.usb.org/members.

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What is the PCI Express Wireless Form Factor (WFF)?

WFF is a form factor being developed within PCI-SIG by member companies focused on the unique requirements associated with integrating existing and new wireless technology into a wide range of usage models, e.g. portable notebook computers.

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How can PCI Express developers build components that can be integrated into ExpressCard products?

First, developers must use silicon that has passed the PCI-SIG compliance program. PCI Express components that successfully pass the PCI-SIG compliance tests may be useable in an ExpressCard module if they allow for a module design which meets the additional requirements (e.g., power management, power and thermal) detailed in the ExpressCard standard.

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How does PCI-SIG ensure product interoperability?

PCI-SIG holds regular Compliance Workshops in various locations around the world to satisfy the needs of its members. These workshops are intended for members to demonstrate their product's interoperability with those of other PCI-SIG members. Member products that successfully demonstrate interoperability at a workshop are listed on the PCI-SIG Integrators List. Member products that conform to the PCI Express architecture may use the PCI Express logo (registered trademark of PCI-SIG) subject to the PCI-SIG Trademark and Logo Usage Guidelines.

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How does ExpressModule improve the way Servers and Workstations are built and serviced?

The ExpressModule form factor provides Servers and Workstations with a modular I/O adapter that is closed chassis hot-pluggable. The design of ExpressModule frees the I/O adapter from direct connection to the system board, thus allowing greater flexibility in system design. Server I/O Modules can be placed in the front or back of the system, vertical or horizontal, or above system I/O board. The Server I/O Modules flow-through cooling model increases system venting while providing adapter developers an airflow scheme, thus improving reliability for both adapters and systems. The standard management features promote remote service while the modular enclosure enables customer service and upgrades.

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Who developed the ExpressCard standard?

The ExpressCard standard was created by a broad coalition of PCMCIA member companies, including Dell, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Intel, Lexar Media, Microsoft, SCM Microsystems and Texas Instruments. PCMCIA developed the new standard with assistance from the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) and PCI-SIG. PCMCIA was a non-profit trade association founded in 1989 to establish technical standards for PC Card technology and to promote interchangeability among computer systems. In 2010, PCMCIA transferred its technology assets to the USB-IF and dissolved as an organization.

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What prompted the creation of PCI Express architecture?

The interconnect demands of emerging computing and communications platforms exceed the capabilities of traditional parallel buses such as PCI. Innovations such as 10GHz and higher CPU speeds, faster memories, high-end graphics, gigabit networking and storage interfaces, and high-performance consumer devices have driven the need for a system interconnect with much greater bandwidth scalability and lower cost of implementation. PCI Express architecture uniquely meets these varying market segment requirements.

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What is the PCI Express ExpressModule?

The ExpressModule Specification is a PCI Express modular form factor defined for Servers & Workstations. Its ease-of-use packaging and integrated features provide benefits to many customers and system integrators (OEM, IHV, VAR and End-users). The ExpressModule enables and promotes fundamental improvements in the way Servers & Workstations are built and serviced.

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