FAQs
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What PCIe versions does HPTT support?
A: HPTT currently supports PCIe Gen1 and Gen2 x1 devices, utilizing Xilinx GT channels to implement the physical layer. Gen3 and higher are under development for future support.
Q2: Does HPTT support hot-plugging of PCIe devices?
A: No. HPTT is not designed for hot-plugging. All PCIe devices should be mounted and secured before system power-on to ensure stable operation and detection.
Q3: Can HPTT operate in virtualized environments (e.g., VMware, KVM, Hyper-V)?
A: Partial support is possible but not guaranteed. Since HPTT integrates on a low hardware level and depends on PCIe passthrough, virtual environments may introduce compatibility issues.
Q4: Is the mounted PCIe device’s function affected during DMA operations?
A: No. The mounted PCIe device retains its full original functionality. HPTT merges DMA requests without disrupting normal operation or altering the device behavior.
Q5: How is HPTT firmware updated?
A: Firmware updates are performed via a secure flashing interface. Updates are device-specific and require configuration matching the PCIe sub-card’s protocol.
Q6: Can HPTT be detected by PCIe traffic analyzers or protocol sniffers?
A: While basic system tools cannot detect HPTT, specialized low-level PCIe analyzers could potentially observe anomalous packet patterns. However, HPTT minimizes such traces using controlled channel merging and rate-limiting mechanisms.
Q7: Does HPTT support PCIe devices with integrated power delivery or auxiliary power?
A: Support for such devices is limited. HPTT is optimized for self-powered PCIe x1 devices, and compatibility may vary if the device requires external or motherboard power control.
Q8: What is the maximum DMA bandwidth achievable with HPTT?
A: On PCIe Gen2 x1 lanes, HPTT can theoretically support up to 500 MB/s, but real-world throughput depends on system conditions and concurrent sub-card traffic.
Q9: How secure is the firmware from reverse engineering?
A: HPTT firmware includes obfuscation and channel protection to deter unauthorized analysis. However, like any hardware-based tool, physical access could still pose security risks.
Q10: Can HPTT work without the PCILeech tool?
A: HPTT is optimized for PCILeech-based DMA payloads, but it can be adapted to work with other tools that support low-level PCIe memory access, given proper firmware configuration.