The MPC8308-RDB reference platform is ideal for hardware and software development for embedded applications, including consumer printers, wireless access points, industrial control and factory automation equipment. It leverages the low-cost MPC8308 PowerQUICC II Pro communications processor, built on Power Architecture technology, which is designed to meet the requirements of several low-end embedded networking applications with high-speed peripherals while striving for low power consumption and a small-footprint package design. The MPC8308-RDB integrates leading-edge external components: 5 x Gigabit Ethernet ports, 1 x USB 2.0, x1 mini PCI Express connector and an SD/MMC card interface. The MPC8308 microprocessor supports dual 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet controllers, single-lane PCI Express, USB 2.0 controller, enhanced SDHC controller for SD memory interface, dual universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (DUART), serial peripherals, general-purpose I/O and system timers. This high level of integration in the MPC8308 processor helps to lower overall system costs, improve performance and simplify board design. The highspeed peripheral mix, combined with cost effectiveness, makes the MPC8308 processor a unique offering in the marketplace. The MPC8308-RDB incorporates a preinstalled board support package (BSP) containing a boot loader (u-boot)--a generic Power Architecture technology system based on the Linux kernel. The u-boot and Linux kernel reside in the on-board flash memory and launch when the board is powered up.