[2286] in linux-net channel archive
Re: PCI network cards
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (nelson@crynwr.com)
Fri Mar 29 11:53:44 1996
Date: 29 Mar 1996 15:51:12 GMT
From: nelson@crynwr.com
To: Alan Cox <alan@cymru.net>
Cc: I.J.G.M.Janssen@et.tudelft.nl (Ivo Janssen),
submit-linux-dev-net@ratatosk.yggdrasil.com
In-Reply-To: <199603291421.OAA14742@snowcrash.cymru.net>
Alan Cox writes:
> > So: it works, but isn't this just a hack. I think I'm better of with a
> > kernel which supports my PCI-card directly. Now, only some of the more
> > expensive cards (3COM) are supported.
>
> Probably not. I suspect any cheap PCI ne2000 probably only uses 16bit
> transfers anyway. You are already getting the benefits of the faster bus.
> Beyond that only a decent NIC chip will help.
Not to mention the fact that the NE2000 takes a fair amount of CPU
twiddling. Doesn't matter on DOS or Windows, but a real operating
operating system can sure make use of those cycles. The bus-mastering
adapters (with DEC 21x4x and AMC PC-Net/PCI enet controllers) seem to
work pretty well.
-russ <nelson@crynwr.com> http://www.crynwr.com/~nelson
Crynwr Software | Crynwr Software sells packet driver support | PGP ok
11 Grant St. | +1 315 268 1925 voice | If you would seek peace,
Potsdam, NY 13676 | +1 315 268 9201 FAX | first seek freedom
