1 Linux* Base Driver for the Intel(R) PRO/100 Family of Adapters
2 ==============================================================
11 - Identifying Your Adapter
12 - Driver Configuration Parameters
13 - Additional Configurations
20 This file describes the Linux* Base Driver for the Intel(R) PRO/100 Family of
21 Adapters, version 3.2.x. This driver includes support for Itanium(TM)2 and
25 Identifying Your Adapter
26 ========================
28 For more information on how to identify your adapter, go to the Adapter &
31 http://support.intel.com/support/network/adapter/pro100/21397.htm
33 For the latest Intel network drivers for Linux, refer to the following
34 website. In the search field, enter your adapter name or type, or use the
35 networking link on the left to search for your adapter:
37 http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df/support_intel.asp
39 Driver Configuration Parameters
40 ===============================
42 The default value for each parameter is generally the recommended setting,
43 unless otherwise noted.
45 Rx Descriptors: Number of receive descriptors. A receive descriptor is a data
46 structure that describes a receive buffer and its attributes to the network
47 controller. The data in the descriptor is used by the controller to write
48 data from the controller to host memory. In the 3.0.x driver the valid
49 range for this parameter is 64-256. The default value is 64. This parameter
50 can be changed using the command
52 ethtool -G eth? rx n, where n is the number of desired rx descriptors.
54 Tx Descriptors: Number of transmit descriptors. A transmit descriptor is a
55 data structure that describes a transmit buffer and its attributes to the
56 network controller. The data in the descriptor is used by the controller to
57 read data from the host memory to the controller. In the 3.0.x driver the
58 valid range for this parameter is 64-256. The default value is 64. This
59 parameter can be changed using the command
61 ethtool -G eth? tx n, where n is the number of desired tx descriptors.
63 Speed/Duplex: The driver auto-negotiates the link speed and duplex settings by
64 default. Ethtool can be used as follows to force speed/duplex.
66 ethtool -s eth? autoneg off speed {10|100} duplex {full|half}
68 NOTE: setting the speed/duplex to incorrect values will cause the link to
71 Event Log Message Level: The driver uses the message level flag to log events
72 to syslog. The message level can be set at driver load time. It can also be
75 ethtool -s eth? msglvl n
77 Additional Configurations
78 =========================
80 Configuring the Driver on Different Distributions
81 -------------------------------------------------
83 Configuring a network driver to load properly when the system is started is
84 distribution dependent. Typically, the configuration process involves adding
85 an alias line to /etc/modules.conf as well as editing other system startup
86 scripts and/or configuration files. Many popular Linux distributions ship
87 with tools to make these changes for you. To learn the proper way to
88 configure a network device for your system, refer to your distribution
89 documentation. If during this process you are asked for the driver or module
90 name, the name for the Linux Base Driver for the Intel PRO/100 Family of
93 As an example, if you install the e100 driver for two PRO/100 adapters
94 (eth0 and eth1), add the following to modules.conf:
100 ---------------------
101 In order to see link messages and other Intel driver information on your
102 console, you must set the dmesg level up to six. This can be done by
103 entering the following on the command line before loading the e100 driver:
107 If you wish to see all messages issued by the driver, including debug
108 messages, set the dmesg level to eight.
110 NOTE: This setting is not saved across reboots.
115 The driver utilizes the ethtool interface for driver configuration and
116 diagnostics, as well as displaying statistical information. Ethtool
117 version 1.6 or later is required for this functionality.
119 The latest release of ethtool can be found at:
120 http://sf.net/projects/gkernel.
122 After ethtool is installed, ethtool-copy.h must be copied and renamed to
123 ethtool.h in your kernel source tree at <linux_kernel_src>/include/linux.
124 Backup the original ethtool.h as needed before copying. The driver then
125 must be recompiled in order to take advantage of the latest ethtool
128 NOTE: This driver uses mii support from the kernel. As a result, when
129 there is no link, ethtool will report speed/duplex to be 10/half.
131 NOTE: Ethtool 1.6 only supports a limited set of ethtool options. Support
132 for a more complete ethtool feature set can be enabled by upgrading
133 ethtool to ethtool-1.8.1.
135 Enabling Wake on LAN* (WoL)
136 ---------------------------
137 WoL is provided through the Ethtool* utility. Ethtool is included with Red
138 Hat* 8.0. For other Linux distributions, download and install Ethtool from
139 the following website: http://sourceforge.net/projects/gkernel.
141 For instructions on enabling WoL with Ethtool, refer to the Ethtool man
144 WoL will be enabled on the system during the next shut down or reboot. For
145 this driver version, in order to enable WoL, the e100 driver must be
146 loaded when shutting down or rebooting the system.
151 NAPI (Rx polling mode) is supported in the e100 driver. NAPI is enabled
152 or disabled based on the configuration of the kernel.
154 See www.cyberus.ca/~hadi/usenix-paper.tgz for more information on NAPI.
159 For general information, go to the Intel support website at:
161 http://support.intel.com
163 If an issue is identified with the released source code on the supported
164 kernel with a supported adapter, email the specific information related to
165 the issue to linux.nics@intel.com.
171 This software program is released under the terms of a license agreement
172 between you ('Licensee') and Intel. Do not use or load this software or any
173 associated materials (collectively, the 'Software') until you have carefully
174 read the full terms and conditions of the LICENSE located in this software
175 package. By loading or using the Software, you agree to the terms of this
176 Agreement. If you do not agree with the terms of this Agreement, do not
177 install or use the Software.
179 * Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.