From: andreas@fly.mgen.uni-heidelberg.de (Andreas Helke) Subject: Re: Why aren't all Ethernet cards the same? Date: Tue, 3 Aug 1993 00:19:35 GMT
In article <1993Aug2.171519.4991@newshub.ariel.yorku.ca> cs911461@ariel.yorku.ca (CHRISTIAN D. ARMOUR) writes:
>Hi guys,
>
>Here's a question that occurred to me as I was reading the
>NET-2 FAQ: how come Linux only supports certain ethernet
>boards (like the 3Com 3c503)? I always though that all
>boards were basically identical and interchangeable with
>each other.
They can talk to each other on the cable, but the communication with the pc
is different for every card.
>
>I need to know this because I'm considering purchasing
>some boards but am a little turned off of the 3Com on
>account of its price.
>
>Any suggestions?
>
There are many different ways to connect a ethernet cable with a pc, you can
transfer the data with io ports or a RAM window, you can do busmastering or
not etc. Since the performance difference between differnt cards is
relativly minor and the latest and greatest ethernet board will probably
lack the driver for your preferred OS, it is still a good idea to go with a
novell ne2000 clone (not ne2100 this is a quite different card). These cards
cost less then $100.
Andreas