Silicon Image Upgrades its SATA Controllers
Enhanced controllers support pre-boot port multiplier features and advanced Apple storage features for SATA.
This is a Press Release edited by StorageNewsletter.com on January 7, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Silicon Image, Inc. announced a Unified Extensible Firmware
Interface (UEFI) 2.1 Firmware upgrade to its SiI3132 and SiI3124 SATA
SteelVine controllers. Silicon Image is the first in the industry to
deploy the UEFI-certified storage controllers, which support enhanced
Port Multiplier (PM) features and advanced Apple storage features for
SATA. This upgrade to the SiI3132 and SiI3124 controllers supports
Silicon Image’s mission of delivering digital content everywhere.
UEFI is a new model for the interface between operating systems and
platform firmware and provides a standard, modern environment for
booting an operating system and running pre-boot applications. The
upgrade is currently used in Apple and Windows-based computers. The
UEFI specification is based on the EFI specification published by
Intel, with changes managed by the Unified EFI Forum.
Silicon Image has added two custom applications to the SiI3132 and
the SiI3124 SATA SteelVine controllers. The first new customization is
a complete PM driver embedded in the basic input/output system (BIOS)
option read-only memory (ROM). This feature enables users to boot from
their choice of PM ports, even when using different operating systems.
It also allows users to troubleshoot difficult storage issues in a
pre-boot environment, speeding up manufacturing and testing time. The
second new customization is expanded support for Apple OS storage, with
added target mode and removable media support. When using target mode
the SATA bus enables twice the speed of FireWire, making backup to a
user’s desktop hard drive much faster.
The SiI3132 and SiI3124 SATA SteelVine controllers are leading
SATA II controllers that support eSATA and FIS-based switching for
bandwidth aggregation. Above Native Command Queuing (NCQ) the
controllers support out of order data delivery, asynchronous signal
recovery, host initiated power management and hotplug, as well as all
of the advanced features of SATA II.
“By becoming the first SATA controller to fully adopt the UEFI 2.1
specification, Silicon Image is showing its commitment to providing our
controller customers with broad support and increased flexibility,”
said Conrad Maxwell, Silicon Image’s senior product line manager for
SteelVine products. “This firmware upgrade gives users more flexibility
when it comes to PM products. Developers now have the ability to use
off-the-shelf PM products and boot from any PM port.”
“As UEFI gains momentum in the industry toward becoming the boot
interface for the next generation of platforms, we applaud Silicon
Image’s leadership in deploying the UEFI 2.1 technology in their
SteelVine controllers,” said Tony Pierce, president of the UEFI Forum.
UEFI Forum members include: AMD, American Megatrends, Apple, Dell,
Hewlett-Packard Development, IBM, Insyde Software, Intel, Lenovo,
Microsoft and Phoenix Technologies.
“The UEFI specification and industry collaboration from a variety
of PC-related companies helps us all achieve interoperability that in
the end most benefits the consumers and businesses who buy our
products,” said Jeff Griffen, director of platform software engineering
of Intel Corp.’s Software and Solutions Group. “Intel has worked with
Silicon Image during UEFI testing and plugfests to help ensure their
products comply with the UEFI specification.”
Full production of the new controllers begins January 18, 2008.
There is no price increase for the upgraded SATA SteelVine controllers.
When purchased in large quantities, prices for the SiI3132 will remain
under $7 and under $20 for the SiI3124.
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