The Realtek RTL8411B/RTL8411BN is a network controller that combines a triple-speed Ethernet controller with a card reader controller on a single chip. Here are some key features and functions of the RTL8411B/RTL8411BN:
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Ethernet Controller: It is a 10/100/1000Mbps Ethernet controller that complies with IEEE 802.3 standards. It includes a Media Access Controller (MAC) and an Ethernet transceiver.
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PCI Express: The chip is equipped with a PCI Express bus controller, allowing it to interface with the host system using the PCI Express 1.1 bus interface.
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One-Time-Programmable (OTP) Memory: The device features embedded OTP memory, which replaces the need for an external EEPROM. This memory is typically used for storing configuration and identification data.
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Card Reader Controller: It integrates a PCI Express card reader controller, switching regulator, LDO regulator, and memory card access units into a single chip. It supports various memory card formats, including Memory Stick, Secure Digital, and MultiMediaCard.
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Power Management: The RTL8411B/RTL8411BN supports power management features compliant with the Advanced Configuration Power Management Interface (ACPI), which allows modern operating systems to efficiently manage power consumption. It also supports PCI MSI (Message Signaled Interrupt) and MSI-X.
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Wake-On-LAN (WOL): The chip supports Wake-On-LAN functionality, which allows a computer to be remotely powered on.
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Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE): It complies with IEEE 802.3az-2010 (Energy Efficient Ethernet) standards, which aim to reduce power consumption during periods of low network activity.
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Protocol Offload: The RTL8411B/RTL8411BN offloads some common network protocols to the NIC hardware, which helps prevent spurious wake-ups and further reduces power consumption.
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Proxy for Sleeping Hosts: It supports the ECMA (European Computer Manufacturers Association) proxy standard for sleeping hosts, which helps maintain network connectivity and presence via proxies, allowing higher-powered hosts to remain in sleep mode for longer periods.
The RTL8411B/RTL8411BN is a versatile chip that provides both Ethernet connectivity and card reader functionality. It supports various power management features to optimize energy efficiency, making it suitable for a range of computing applications.