Ethernet Controllers
Contents
Internal Ethernet controller
A variety of Ethernet controllers is integrated into almost all models starting with the introduction of the A, T and X series.
The Ethernet controller is located on either a MiniPCI card, Communications Daughter Card (CDC), or integrated on the systemboard.
3COM Fast Ethernet (10/100)
MiniPCI cards featuring this chip:
Intel Fast Ethernet (10/100)
CDC and MiniPCI cards featuring this chip:
- Ethernet Daughter Card (EDC)
- Intel 10/100 Ethernet Mini-PCI Adapter with 56K Modem
- Intel PRO/100 SP Mobile Combo Adapter
- Mini-PCI Ethernet card
- Xircom 10/100 EtherJet Mini PCI Adapter with 56K Modem
In addition, this chip is integrated into select systemboards of the following machines:
Intel 82550GY
Intel 82558
Intel 82562ET
Intel 82562EZ
Driver: e100 (The 'e100' driver is the suggested driver, but 'eepro100' should also work.)
Intel Gigabit (10/100/1000)
Chipset: Intel PRO/1000 MT Mobile Ethernet
Driver: e1000
This chip is integrated into select systemboards of the following machines:
Intel 82540EP
Intel 82541GI
Intel 82573L (PCI-Express)
Note: This chip supports Auto-MDIX, meaning you will never need a crossover ethernet cable.
Note: The first signs of explicit support for this chip in 2.6 kernels is with 2.6.12-rc2.
Note: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3.0 (2.4 kernel based) begins 82573L support with Update 7.
Note: Some users report issues: Problem_with_e1000:_EEPROM_Checksum_Is_Not_Valid
Note: Some users have reported latency problems with e1000 driver. It seems, that switching off Interupt Throttle Rate (ITR) helps.
Note: Additional configuration options from Intel
For Gentoo users - compile e1000 as a kernel module and add 'options e1000 InterruptThrottleRate=0,0' to /etc/modules.d/e1000
Broadcom Fast Ethernet (10/100)
This chip is integrated into select systemboards of the following machines:
Broadcom BCM5901
Broadcom BCM5751F
Broadcom Gigabit (10/100/1000)
Chipset: Broadcom BCM5751M
Driver: tg3 or bcm5700
This chip is integrated into select systemboards of the following machines: