The MARVELL 88E6097FA2-LGO1I000: A Deep Dive into a 10-Port Managed Gigabit Ethernet Switch IC

In the realm of high-performance networking infrastructure, the integration of robust, feature-rich, and highly integrated components is paramount. The MARVELL 88E6097FA2-LGO1I000 stands as a quintessential example of such a component, engineered to deliver advanced switching capabilities for a diverse array of managed network applications. This 10-port managed Gigabit Ethernet switch IC is designed to meet the rigorous demands of modern enterprise, industrial, and carrier-grade equipment.

At its core, the 88E6097 is a highly integrated Layer 2+ managed switch. It features nine fully integrated Gigabit Ethernet PHYs and one additional MAC port, which can be configured for a 10th copper Gigabit connection or uplinked via a high-speed SERDES interface to another switch or a host processor. This flexible port configuration allows designers to create a variety of switch architectures, from standalone 10-port switches to systems with fiber uplinks, without the need for additional physical layer transceivers, thereby reducing both board space and system cost.

A key strength of this IC lies in its comprehensive management suite. It supports a wide array of advanced features including VLANs, QoS, ACLs, and IGMP snooping. These capabilities are crucial for segmenting network traffic, prioritizing critical data streams, enforcing security policies, and efficiently managing multicast traffic—a necessity for voice and video applications. Management is facilitated through multiple industry-standard interfaces: a dedicated SMI (Serial Management Interface) for register access, and an optional high-bandwidth SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) or I2C for enhanced control and visibility into switch operations.

The device is further hardened with robust security and traffic management protocols. It incorporates Rate Limiting and Storm Control to prevent malicious or erroneous traffic from overwhelming the network. For precise timing synchronization, a feature critical in industrial automation and telecommunications, the switch supports IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP), ensuring time-sensitive data is delivered with minimal jitter and latency.

Built on Marvell's proven and power-efficient architecture, the 88E6097FA2-LGO1I000 is packaged in a 176-pin LQFP (Low-Profile Quad Flat Package), making it suitable for space-constrained designs while still offering excellent thermal performance. Its extended temperature range support also makes it a viable solution for challenging industrial environments.

ICGOOODFIND: The Marvell 88E6097FA2-LGO1I000 is a highly integrated and versatile solution that consolidates advanced Layer 2+ switching, comprehensive management, and robust security features into a single chip. It effectively balances high performance with design flexibility, making it an excellent choice for developers building the next generation of managed network switches.

Keywords:

Managed Switch

Gigabit Ethernet

Layer 2+ Switching

Network Management

Quality of Service (QoS)