Rating: 
Summary: Not structured for how to interface to a PCI device
Review: I am a software engineer, and as such, I was interested in learning how to write a device driver for a PCI card. While the author does an excellent job of describing and explaining the various register entries, it is difficult to find how all of the pieces fit together. I was hoping for a summary chapter on "these are the registers, and how they are used to talk to a device". Instead, the author hops around, and never seems to tie everything together.Perhaps I will understand better on my second (or third) reading...
Rating:
Summary: Not structured for how to interface to a PCI device
Review: I am a software engineer, and as such, I was interested in learning how to write a device driver for a PCI card. While the author does an excellent job of describing and explaining the various register entries, it is difficult to find how all of the pieces fit together. I was hoping for a summary chapter on "these are the registers, and how they are used to talk to a device". Instead, the author hops around, and never seems to tie everything together. Perhaps I will understand better on my second (or third) reading...
Rating: 
Summary: Great for filling in the gaps!!!!!
Review: I have recently had to undertake a PCI project that required detailed information on PCI configuration of devices, including P2P bridges. I have a couple of other resources, however, this book bridges the gap between software and hardware. Especially the chapters on configuration (Chaps 17, 18 and 19). I highly recommend it!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: A good PCI reference
Review: I really enjoyed the book. It has the technical detail and just the right amount of history.
Rating:
Summary: Simple, detailed, excellent.
Review: If you're looking for an extensive guide to the hardware workings of PCI, this is THE book. I read it, then bought the PCI spec (because I needed mechanical info). After looking through the spec, I realize that PCI System Architecture covers every aspect of conceptual, and almost all detail, information that is in the spec. As far as specs go, the PCI spec is very readable, but this book turns the PCI spec into a "for dummies" book in the sense that it's so easy to follow. Numerous and overlapping examples make it clear what's going on, and by the time you're done reading, you can do this stuff in your sleep. Only things absent were: (1) Mechanical info (though for $50, you really should buy the spec), (2) How to initiate transactions (in software) from an x86 PC, particularly burst transfers.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Book even for the novice.
Review: It is an Excellent Book on PCI, This was the first time I have ever read a BUS Spec. and coming out of college with little experience of the advance system level architecture, this book served a great deal in understanding the PCI from "Concepts to Implementation". Author has been very open on his understanding of the Specification, even on topics/details which are not so clear in the Actual PCI Specification. Its good to have a copy of the PCI Specification as well while reading the book.
Rating:
Summary: Very useful Book
Review: It's like somebody first throughly understood the PCI specs (from PCI SIG) and then explained in simple language.
Rating:
Summary: Good for a first dive into PCI but insificent in scope
Review: Much padding with information-less figures. The first 4 chapters are a review of EISA and of such low detail they are just filler (but I must admit it caused me to buy thier prior books on this subject). With the new bridge chips, it will be out of date soon, but a good "bed time read" on PCI concepts. Clearly better then attending the committee meetings. If you are about to decide on a chipset or build a real design, it does not have sufficient information for your needs, see the various solution vendors PDF files. If you are looking for easy to digest background, get it.
Rating:
Summary: Simple and very didactic
Review: Step by step, this book guides you over all the aspects of the PCI bus: Architecture, transactions, arbitration, PCI commands, interrupts, configuration, etc. The book refers to both 33 and 66 MHz PCI. The book language is clear, the diagrams are good and the division by subjects is well done. At the beginning of every chapter, you can see a summary of the contents of the chapter, as well as a short sentence about the previous and next chapters. NOTE: I am a hardware designer, and I think that hardware issues were well covered in the book. As I have seen from previous reviews, software designers think that there is not enough information in the book for them. Also, as already noted by other reviewers, mechanical aspects are not covered by the book.
Rating:
Summary: Simple and very didactic
Review: Step by step, this book guides you over all the aspects of the PCI bus: Architecture, transactions, arbitration, PCI commands, interrupts, configuration, etc. The book refers to both 33 and 66 MHz PCI. The book language is clear, the diagrams are good and the division by subjects is well done. At the beginning of every chapter, you can see a summary of the contents of the chapter, as well as a short sentence about the previous and next chapters. NOTE: I am a hardware designer, and I think that hardware issues were well covered in the book. As I have seen from previous reviews, software designers think that there is not enough information in the book for them. Also, as already noted by other reviewers, mechanical aspects are not covered by the book.
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