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 2.2.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 If the driver is built as a module, the following optional parameters are
98 used by entering them on the command line with the modprobe or insmod command
101 modprobe e100 [<option>=<VAL1>,<VAL2>,...]
103 insmod e100 [<option>=<VAL1>,<VAL2>,...]
105 For example, with two Intel PRO/100 PCI adapters, entering:
107 modprobe e100 TxDescriptors=32,128
109 loads the e100 driver with 32 TX resources for the first adapter and 128 TX
110 resources for the second adapter. This configuration favors the second
111 adapter. The driver supports up to 16 network adapters concurrently.
113 The default value for each parameter is generally the recommended setting,
114 unless otherwise noted.
116 NOTE: Giving any command line option the value "-1" causes the driver to use
117 the appropriate default value for that option, as if no value was
124 This parameter holds the maximum number of small packets (less than 128
125 bytes) in a bundle. Suggested values range from 2 to 10. See "CPU Cycle
129 Valid Range: 0-1 (0=off, 1=on)
131 The value 1 (on) causes small packets (less than 128 bytes) to be bundled.
132 See "CPU Cycle Saver."
135 Valid Range: 0-4 (1=10half;2=10full;3=100half;4=100full)
137 The default value of 0 sets the adapter to auto-negotiate. Other values
138 set the adapter to forced speed and duplex.
139 Example usage: insmod e100.o e100_speed_duplex=4,4 (for two adapters)
142 Valid Range: 0-1 (0=off, 1=on)
144 This parameter controls the automatic generation(Tx) and response(Rx) to
145 Ethernet PAUSE frames. flow_control should NOT be set to 1 when the
146 adapter is connected to an interface that does not support Ethernet PAUSE
147 frames and when the e100_speed_duplex parameter is NOT set to zero.
150 Valid Range: 0-65535 (0=off)
152 This parameter holds the number of time units (in adapter terminology)
153 until the adapter generates an interrupt. The recommended value for
154 IntDelay is 1536 (upon initialization). Suggested values range from
155 512 to 2048. See "CPU Cycle Saver."
158 Valid Range: 0-1 (0=off, 1=on)
160 Inter Frame Spacing (IFS) aims to reduce the number of Ethernet frame
161 collisions by altering the time between frame transmissions. When IFS is
162 enabled the driver tries to find an optimal IFS value. It is used only at
168 This parameter defines the number of receive descriptors allocated by
169 the driver. Increasing this value allows the driver to buffer more
170 incoming packets before the driver is required to service an interrupt.
171 The maximum value for Itanium-based systems is 64.
176 This value is the number of transmit descriptors allocated by the driver.
177 Increasing this value allows the protocol stack to queue more transmits at
178 the driver level. The maximum value for Itanium-based systems is 64.
181 Valid Range: 0-1 (0=off, 1=on)
182 Default Value: 0 for 82558-based adapters
183 1 for 82559, 82550, and 82551-based adapters
184 On uploads the micro code to the adapter, which enables CPU Cycle Saver.
185 See the section "CPU Cycle Saver" below.
186 Example usage: insmod e100.o ucode=1
188 Not available on 82557-based adapters.
191 Valid Range: 0-1 (0=off, 1=on)
193 On allows Rx checksum offloading for TCP/UDP packets. Requires that the
194 hardware support this feature.
196 Not available on 82557 and 82558-based adapters.
202 CPU Cycle Saver reduces CPU utilization by reducing the number of interrupts
203 that the adapter generates.
205 When CPU Cycle Saver is turned off, the adapter generates one interrupt for
206 every frame that is received. This means that the operating system stops what
207 it is doing and switches to the network driver in order to process the
210 When CPU Cycle Saver is on, the adapter does not generate an interrupt for
211 every frame it receives. Instead, it waits until it receives several frames
212 before generating an interrupt. This reduces the amount of time spent
213 switching to and from the driver.
215 CPU Cycle Saver consists of these arguments: IntDelay, BundleMax and
216 BundleSmallFr. When IntDelay is increased, the adapter waits longer for
217 frames to arrive before generating the interrupt. By increasing BundleMax,
218 the network adapter waits for the number of small frames (less than 128 bytes)
219 specified to arrive before generating the interrupt. When BundleSmallFr is
220 disabled, the adapter does not bundle small packets. Such small packets are
221 often, but not always, control packets that are better served immediately;
222 therefore, BundleSmallFr is disabled by default.
224 For most users, it is recommended that CPU Cycle Saver be used with the
225 default values specified in the Command Line Parameters section. However, in
226 some cases, performance problems may occur with CPU Cycle Saver. If such
227 problems are observed, we recommend turning off this feature by setting
234 For general information, go to the Intel support website at:
236 http://support.intel.com
238 If an issue is identified with the released source code on the supported
239 kernel with a supported adapter, email the specific information related to
240 the issue to linux.nics@intel.com.
246 This software program is released under the terms of a license agreement
247 between you ('Licensee') and Intel. Do not use or load this software or any
248 associated materials (collectively, the 'Software') until you have carefully
249 read the full terms and conditions of the LICENSE located in this software
250 package. By loading or using the Software, you agree to the terms of this
251 Agreement. If you do not agree with the terms of this Agreement, do not
252 install or use the Software.
254 * Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.