Silicon Image Storage Processor Supports Intel’s Latest PC Chipsets

Silicon Image, Inc., in semiconductors and intellectual property for the secure storage, distribution and presentation of high-definition content, announced SteelVine support for the latest generation of Intel PC chipsets with the release of its Advanced Host Controller Interface (AHCI) version 1.2 Serial ATA (SATA) driver.

Designed for compatibility with Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 and future versions of Window’s operating systems using Microsoft’s latest Storport driver architecture, Silicon Image’s AHCI driver allows PC OEMs to create cost optimized motherboard designs that embed SteelVine storage processors and port multipliers.

The Silicon Image AHCI driver takes full advantage of the Serial ATA architecture and provides seamless operation between Intel’s chipsets and Silicon Image’s SteelVine(TM) storage processors renowned for their ease of use in motherboard RAID solutions.

"At Silicon Image we focus on bringing innovative and cost-effective technology enhancements to industry standards for digital content delivery," said Conrad A. Maxwell, senior product line manager at Silicon Image. "This new product offering represents a significant improvement in motherboard and eSATA support as our AHCI driver allows all drives to be visible without the need for an additional discrete port multiplier aware SATA controller."

Designed to take advantage of Silicon Image’s high-bandwidth SteelVine storage solutions already implemented in high-volume motherboard applications, the new AHCI driver is compatible with Silicon Image port multipliers and storage processors that provide multi-RAID modes, like SAFE33, as well as standard RAID modes. Using this driver saves the cost of a discrete SATA controller while still allowing full access to all SteelVine functions. Further integration is offered through a bundle that includes motherboard installation software and supports Silicon Image’s hot plug mechanism over eSATA.