1 Linux* Base Driver for the Intel(R) PRO/100 Family of Adapters
2 ==============================================================
12 - Command Line Parameters
14 - Additional Configurations
21 This file describes the Linux* Base Driver for the Intel(R) PRO/100 Family of
22 Adapters, version 2.1.x. This driver includes support for Itanium(TM)-based
29 The following Intel network adapters are compatible with the drivers
32 Controller Adapter Name Board IDs
33 ---------- ------------ ---------
35 82558 PRO/100+ PCI Adapter 668081-xxx, 689661-xxx
37 82558 PRO/100+ Management Adapter 691334-xxx, 701738-xxx,
40 82558 PRO/100+ Dual Port Server Adapter 714303-xxx, 711269-xxx,
43 82558 PRO/100+ PCI Server Adapter 710550-xxx
45 82550 PRO/100 S Server Adapter 752438-xxx (82550)
46 82559 A56831-xxx, A10563-xxx,
47 A12171-xxx, A12321-xxx,
48 A12320-xxx, A12170-xxx
53 82550 PRO/100 S Desktop Adapter 751767-xxx (82550)
54 82559 748592-xxx, A12167-xxx,
55 A12318-xxx, A12317-xxx,
61 82559 PRO/100+ Server Adapter 729757-xxx
63 82559 PRO/100 S Management Adapter 748566-xxx, 748564-xxx
65 82550 PRO/100 S Dual Port Server Adapter A56831-xxx
67 82551 PRO/100 M Desktop Adapter A80897-xxx
69 PRO/100 S Advanced Management Adapter 747842-xxx, 745171-xxx
71 CNR PRO/100 VE Desktop Adapter A10386-xxx, A10725-xxx,
72 A23801-xxx, A19716-xxx
75 PRO/100 VM Desktop Adapter A14323-xxx, A19725-xxx,
76 A23801-xxx, A22220-xxx,
80 To verify that your adapter is supported, find the board ID number on the
81 adapter. Look for a label that has a barcode and a number in the format
82 A12345-001. Match this to the list of numbers above.
84 For more information on how to identify your adapter, go to the Adapter &
87 http://support.intel.com/support/network/adapter/pro100/21397.htm
89 For the latest Intel PRO/100 network driver for Linux, see:
91 http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df/support_intel.asp
94 Command Line Parameters
95 =======================
97 The following optional parameters are used by entering them on the command
98 line with the modprobe or insmod command using this syntax:
100 modprobe e100 [<option>=<VAL1>,<VAL2>,...]
102 insmod e100 [<option>=<VAL1>,<VAL2>,...]
104 For example, with two Intel PRO/100 PCI adapters, entering:
106 modprobe e100 TxDescriptors=32,128
108 loads the e100 driver with 32 TX resources for the first adapter and 128 TX
109 resources for the second adapter. This configuration favors the second
110 adapter. The driver supports up to 16 network adapters concurrently.
112 The default value for each parameter is generally the recommended setting,
113 unless otherwise noted.
115 NOTE: Giving any command line option the value "-1" causes the driver to use
116 the appropriate default value for that option, as if no value was
123 This parameter holds the maximum number of small packets (less than 128
124 bytes) in a bundle. Suggested values range from 2 to 10. See "CPU Cycle
128 Valid Range: 0-1 (0=off, 1=on)
130 The value 1 (on) causes small packets (less than 128 bytes) to be bundled.
131 See "CPU Cycle Saver."
134 Valid Range: 0-4 (1=10half;2=10full;3=100half;4=100full)
136 The default value of 0 sets the adapter to auto-negotiate. Other values
137 set the adapter to forced speed and duplex.
138 Example usage: insmod e100.o e100_speed_duplex=4,4 (for two adapters)
141 Valid Range: 0-1 (0=off, 1=on)
143 This parameter controls the automatic generation(Tx) and response(Rx) to
144 Ethernet PAUSE frames. flow_control should NOT be set to 1 when the
145 adapter is connected to an interface that does not support Ethernet PAUSE
146 frames and when the e100_speed_duplex parameter is NOT set to zero.
149 Valid Range: 0-65535 (0=off)
151 This parameter holds the number of time units (in adapter terminology)
152 until the adapter generates an interrupt. The recommended value for
153 IntDelay is 1536 (upon initialization). Suggested values range from
154 512 to 2048. See "CPU Cycle Saver."
157 Valid Range: 0-1 (0=off, 1=on)
159 Inter Frame Spacing (IFS) aims to reduce the number of Ethernet frame
160 collisions by altering the time between frame transmissions. When IFS is
161 enabled the driver tries to find an optimal IFS value. It is used only at
167 This parameter defines the number of receive descriptors allocated by
168 the driver. Increasing this value allows the driver to buffer more
169 incoming packets before the driver is required to service an interrupt.
170 The maximum value for Itanium-based systems is 64.
175 This value is the number of transmit descriptors allocated by the driver.
176 Increasing this value allows the protocol stack to queue more transmits at
177 the driver level. The maximum value for Itanium-based systems is 64.
180 Valid Range: 0-1 (0=off, 1=on)
181 Default Value: 0 for 82558-based adapters
182 1 for 82559, 82550, and 82551-based adapters
183 On uploads the micro code to the adapter, which enables CPU Cycle Saver.
184 See the section "CPU Cycle Saver" below.
185 Example usage: insmod e100.o ucode=1
187 Not available on 82557-based adapters.
190 Valid Range: 0-1 (0=off, 1=on)
192 On allows Rx checksum offloading for TCP/UDP packets. Requires that the
193 hardware support this feature.
195 Not available on 82557 and 82558-based adapters.
201 CPU Cycle Saver reduces CPU utilization by reducing the number of interrupts
202 that the adapter generates.
204 When CPU Cycle Saver is turned off, the adapter generates one interrupt for
205 every frame that is received. This means that the operating system stops what
206 it is doing and switches to the network driver in order to process the
209 When CPU Cycle Saver is on, the adapter does not generate an interrupt for
210 every frame it receives. Instead, it waits until it receives several frames
211 before generating an interrupt. This reduces the amount of time spent
212 switching to and from the driver.
214 CPU Cycle Saver consists of these arguments: IntDelay, BundleMax and
215 BundleSmallFr. When IntDelay is increased, the adapter waits longer for
216 frames to arrive before generating the interrupt. By increasing BundleMax,
217 the network adapter waits for the number of small frames (less than 128 bytes)
218 specified to arrive before generating the interrupt. When BundleSmallFr is
219 disabled, the adapter does not bundle small packets. Such small packets are
220 often, but not always, control packets that are better served immediately;
221 therefore, BundleSmallFr is disabled by default.
223 For most users, it is recommended that CPU Cycle Saver be used with the
224 default values specified in the Command Line Parameters section. However, in
225 some cases, performance problems may occur with CPU Cycle Saver. If such
226 problems are observed, we recommend turning off this feature by setting
233 For general information, go to the Intel support website at:
235 http://support.intel.com
237 If an issue is identified with the released source code on the supported
238 kernel with a supported adapter, email the specific information related to
239 the issue to linux.nics@intel.com.
245 This software program is released under the terms of a license agreement
246 between you ('Licensee') and Intel. Do not use or load this software or any
247 associated materials (collectively, the 'Software') until you have carefully
248 read the full terms and conditions of the LICENSE located in this software
249 package. By loading or using the Software, you agree to the terms of this
250 Agreement. If you do not agree with the terms of this Agreement, do not
251 install or use the Software.
253 * Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.