[K12OSN] Affordable Eprom source

[Robert Arkiletian]

On 1/16/07, Calvin Dodge <caldodge at gmail.com> wrote:
> On 1/16/07, Petre Scheie <petre at maltzen.net> wrote:
>
> > e.g., Marvel.  However, I have also read, although I don't know if this is accurate or
> > not, that part of the reason that Realtek chips, and the cards they appear on, are so
> > inexpensive is that they push more of the processing of the networking back onto the
> > system's CPU.  In other words, I have seen them derisively referred to as the 'winmodem'
>
> The design has word-alignment issues, requiring extra work on the part
> of the CPU to transmit/receive data.  Donald Becker (originator of
> many Linux NIC drivers) referred to it as "a stunningly bad design
> choice".

I *think* this reference is towards the 8139 not the new gigabit stuff
from Realtek. But I'm not 100%.

>
> I think they're suitable for diskless workstations, but I wouldn't use
> them in a server.
>
> > criticisms of Realtek chips may be just propaganda from friends of Intel & 3Com, and
> > that extra $40 may be wasted.  I'm not certain.  I'd be curious as to anyone else's opinion.
>
> I prefer Intel NICs, FWIW.  That's not some generic Intel prejudice on
> my part - all my home systems (and most which I assemble for others)
> use Athlon 64s. The Linux server companies I'm familiar with (Penguin,
> ABMX) also seem to concur on Intel NICs.
>
> Calvin
>
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-- 
Robert Arkiletian
Eric Hamber Secondary, Vancouver, Canada
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