# PCIe Slot Allocation Map

## Router/Switch/Storage Controller Server

This document provides the PCIe slot allocation map for the Router/Switch/Storage Controller server, ensuring optimal lane distribution and avoiding conflicts.

## Slot Allocation

### Visual Slot Map

```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│              Router Server PCIe Slots                    │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                           │
│  [x16_1]  Intel QAT 8970 (PCIe 3.0 x16)                 │
│           └─ Crypto acceleration (TLS/IPsec/compression)  │
│                                                           │
│  [x8_1]   Intel X550-T2 (2× 10GbE RJ45)                 │
│           └─ Future uplinks or direct server links      │
│                                                           │
│  [x8_2]   LSI 9207-8e (SAS HBA #1)                      │
│           └─ External storage shelves (2 shelves)        │
│                                                           │
│  [x8_3]   LSI 9207-8e (SAS HBA #2)                      │
│           └─ External storage shelves (2 shelves)        │
│                                                           │
│  [x4_1]   Intel i350-T4 (4× 1GbE WAN)                   │
│           └─ 4× Spectrum WAN connections                │
│                                                           │
│  [x4_2]   Intel i350-T8 (8× 1GbE LAN)                   │
│           └─ Remaining servers and appliances           │
│                                                           │
│  [x4_3]   Intel i225 Quad-Port (4× 2.5GbE LAN)         │
│           └─ Direct to ML110, R630, key services        │
│                                                           │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```

## Detailed Slot Configuration

### Slot x16_1: Intel QAT 8970

- **Card:** Intel QuickAssist Technology 8970
- **Interface:** PCIe 3.0 x16
- **Lane Usage:** x16 (full bandwidth)
- **Purpose:** Crypto acceleration for TLS/IPsec/compression
- **Priority:** High (ensures bandwidth and stability)
- **Thermal:** High power consumption, ensure adequate cooling
- **Software:** qatlib drivers, OpenSSL QAT engine

**Rationale:** QAT card requires maximum bandwidth for crypto operations. x16 slot ensures no bottlenecks.

### Slot x8_1: Intel X550-T2

- **Card:** Intel X550-T2 (2× 10GbE RJ45)
- **Interface:** PCIe 3.0 x8
- **Lane Usage:** x8 (full bandwidth)
- **Purpose:** Future 10GbE uplinks or direct server links
- **Priority:** High (future expansion)
- **Thermal:** Moderate
- **Software:** Intel PROSet drivers

**Rationale:** 10GbE requires x8 lanes for full bandwidth. CPU-connected slot preferred.

### Slot x8_2: LSI 9207-8e (SAS HBA #1)

- **Card:** LSI 9207-8e (SAS2308, IT mode)
- **Interface:** PCIe 3.0 x8
- **Lane Usage:** x8 (full bandwidth)
- **Purpose:** External storage shelves (2 shelves)
- **Priority:** High (storage performance)
- **Thermal:** Moderate
- **Software:** mpt3sas driver, IT mode firmware
- **Cables:** 2× SFF-8644 Mini-SAS HD cables

**Rationale:** Storage HBAs require x8 lanes for optimal performance. CPU-connected slot preferred.

### Slot x8_3: LSI 9207-8e (SAS HBA #2)

- **Card:** LSI 9207-8e (SAS2308, IT mode)
- **Interface:** PCIe 3.0 x8
- **Lane Usage:** x8 (full bandwidth)
- **Purpose:** External storage shelves (2 shelves)
- **Priority:** High (storage performance)
- **Thermal:** Moderate
- **Software:** mpt3sas driver, IT mode firmware
- **Cables:** 2× SFF-8644 Mini-SAS HD cables

**Rationale:** Second HBA for redundancy and additional storage capacity.

### Slot x4_1: Intel i350-T4

- **Card:** Intel i350-T4 (4× 1GbE ports)
- **Interface:** PCIe 3.0 x4
- **Lane Usage:** x4 (full bandwidth)
- **Purpose:** 4× Spectrum WAN connections
- **Priority:** High (WAN connectivity)
- **Thermal:** Low
- **Software:** Intel PROSet drivers, OpenWrt mwan3
- **Cables:** 4× Cat6 Ethernet cables

**Rationale:** 4× 1GbE requires x4 lanes. WAN connectivity is critical.

### Slot x4_2: Intel i350-T8

- **Card:** Intel i350-T8 (8× 1GbE ports)
- **Interface:** PCIe 3.0 x4
- **Lane Usage:** x4 (full bandwidth)
- **Purpose:** Remaining servers and appliances
- **Priority:** Medium
- **Thermal:** Low
- **Software:** Intel PROSet drivers, OpenWrt firewall zones
- **Cables:** 8× Cat6 Ethernet cables

**Rationale:** 8× 1GbE can operate on x4 lanes (2 Gbps per lane is sufficient).

### Slot x4_3: Intel i225 Quad-Port

- **Card:** Intel i225 Quad-Port (4× 2.5GbE ports)
- **Interface:** PCIe 3.0 x4
- **Lane Usage:** x4 (full bandwidth)
- **Purpose:** Direct to ML110, R630, and two key services
- **Priority:** High (key server connectivity)
- **Thermal:** Low
- **Software:** Intel PROSet drivers, OpenWrt firewall zones
- **Cables:** 4× Cat6 Ethernet cables

**Rationale:** 4× 2.5GbE requires x4 lanes for full bandwidth.

## Lane Budget Analysis

### Total Lane Requirements

| Slot | Lanes | Component | Bandwidth |
|------|-------|-----------|-----------|
| x16_1 | 16 | Intel QAT 8970 | ~16 GB/s |
| x8_1 | 8 | Intel X550-T2 | ~8 GB/s |
| x8_2 | 8 | LSI 9207-8e #1 | ~8 GB/s |
| x8_3 | 8 | LSI 9207-8e #2 | ~8 GB/s |
| x4_1 | 4 | Intel i350-T4 | ~4 GB/s |
| x4_2 | 4 | Intel i350-T8 | ~4 GB/s |
| x4_3 | 4 | Intel i225 Quad | ~4 GB/s |
| **Total** | **52** | | **~52 GB/s** |

### CPU Lane Availability

- **Typical Xeon E-2100:** 16 PCIe 3.0 lanes from CPU
- **Chipset lanes:** Additional lanes from PCH (varies by chipset)
- **Total available:** Typically 24-40 lanes depending on chipset

**Note:** Ensure motherboard supports sufficient PCIe lanes. Most server motherboards provide adequate lane budget through CPU + chipset combination.

## Thermal Considerations

### High-Power Components

1. **Intel QAT 8970 (x16_1):**
   - Power consumption: ~25-30W
   - Ensure adequate airflow
   - Consider slot spacing if possible

2. **LSI 9207-8e HBAs (x8_2, x8_3):**
   - Power consumption: ~10-15W each
   - Moderate thermal load
   - Ensure proper cooling

### Cooling Recommendations

- Ensure adequate case airflow
- Consider slot spacing for high-power cards
- Monitor temperatures during operation
- Use server-grade case with proper ventilation

## Slot Priority and Conflict Resolution

### Priority Order

1. **Critical (Must have):**
   - x16_1: QAT 8970 (crypto acceleration)
   - x4_1: i350-T4 (WAN connectivity)
   - x8_2/x8_3: LSI HBAs (storage)

2. **High Priority:**
   - x8_1: X550-T2 (future expansion)
   - x4_3: i225 Quad (key server connectivity)

3. **Medium Priority:**
   - x4_2: i350-T8 (remaining servers)

### Conflict Resolution

If lane budget is insufficient:

1. **Option 1:** Use chipset-connected slots for lower-priority NICs
2. **Option 2:** Reduce some x8 slots to x4 if card supports it
3. **Option 3:** Use onboard NICs for some connections
4. **Option 4:** Upgrade to CPU with more PCIe lanes

## Physical Installation Notes

### Installation Order

1. Install QAT card first (x16_1) - highest priority
2. Install storage HBAs (x8_2, x8_3) - critical for storage
3. Install WAN NIC (x4_1) - critical for connectivity
4. Install LAN NICs (x4_2, x4_3) - complete network setup
5. Install 10GbE NIC (x8_1) - future expansion

### Cable Management

- Label all cables at both ends
- Use cable management accessories
- Document cable routing
- Ensure cables don't obstruct airflow

## Verification Checklist

- [ ] All cards physically installed in correct slots
- [ ] All cards detected in BIOS/UEFI
- [ ] All cards detected in OS
- [ ] Drivers installed and verified
- [ ] All ports functional
- [ ] Thermal monitoring active
- [ ] Cable labeling complete
- [ ] Documentation updated

## Related Documentation

- [Hardware BOM](hardware-bom.md) - Complete bill of materials
- [Complete Architecture](complete-architecture.md) - Full architecture overview
- [Network Topology](network-topology.md) - Network configuration