Ethernet Controllers

From ThinkWiki
Revision as of 18:08, 3 October 2006 by B42 (Talk | contribs) (added R60 to list of machines with broadcom gigabit)
Jump to: navigation, search

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:

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)

Driver: tg3 or bcm5700

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: