9fans archive / 1997 / 07 / 64 /    prev next

From: beto@ncu... beto@ncu...
Subject: [9fans] ne2000
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 97 12:27:37 PDT

In <199707230448.64603.out.baker@pla...>
 David Hogan <dhog@lor...> wrote:

> > the datsheets and application notes for the dp8390 explain most of what you need
> > to know about the wrteched ne2000. they're available on-line at the national
> > semiconductor website.
> 
> Thanks, I'll check it out.
> 
> > no matter how cheap you say it is, it's not worth the money.
> 
> After looking at the driver code, I have to agree.  Reading in
> packets using INSx -- what is this, the stone age??
> 
> The target application is talking to an ISDN gateway, so
> efficiency isn't crucial.  But if cable modem ever arrives,
> I'll probably want a better ethernet card (or if I get
> a second computer...).
> 
> So, which ethernet cards do PCI bus mastering?  :-)

PCI Cogent Ethernet and Fast Ethernet adapters are very good.
We get 60% of a 100mbits link using UDP. These are not
supported on the release, but you could get the information to
write a driver from Digital Semiconductor 
(DECchip 21140A PCI Fast ethenet Lan Controller). 
The interface is very similar to a lance controller 
and it does scatther send (up to two).