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bgodden

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Forcing 10BaseT for eepro100

I've just installed Red Hat 5.1 on a Pentium Pro and can't get eth0 to intialize.  I am using an Intel EtherExpress Pro 100B network card. I think, from reading lots of docs, that my problem may to two-pronged:
1. eepro100 driver uses the same IRQ as the Adaptec 2940.
2. I am using 10BaseT and I may need to load the driver as a module and force use of 10 MB ethernet because the NWay autonegotiation is not working.

I have read up on the documentation(Ethernet HOWTO) and there appears to be a solution, but I am too much of a newbie to figure it out.  

Can anyone give me some advice to get the eth0 up and running?

Thanks much!
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vx

I read the following (http://cesdis.gsfc.nasa.gov/linux/drivers/eepro100.html):

In most cases no transceiver override option need be set. A notable exception is when connecting to a older ethernet switch that operates in full-duplex mode but does not do NWay autonegotation. The driver options flags are recognized:

 Hex   Decimal  Meaning
 0x10  16       Force Full-Duplex operation (must be used with 0x20 or 0x40)
 0x20  32       Force 100mbps-only operation
 0x40  64       Force 10mbps-only

i.e.:
The option flags are passed as follows when loading the driver as a module

        insmod eepro100.o debug=1 options=0x20,0,0x50

The option flags are passed as follows when using the driver as a built-in

          ether=0,0,0x20,eth0 ether=0,0,0,eth1 ether=0,0,0x50,eth2


About the IRQ's: I don't think it really matters, I believe a have some double IRQ's in my system (with Intel EtherExpress100B!) as well.
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ASKER

Well, I got impatient and bought RH 5.2 and it appears auto-sensing for this has been fixed so it worked after install.  This, however, is a excellent answer and I think would be helpful if anyone else digs it up.  

One thing I would like you to add to it though is the answer to: "Are the options for the built-in driver used at the boot: prompt during boot-up or hard-coded somewhere else?"

Request acceptance for you answer and I will.
Cheers!
Avatar of bgodden

ASKER

Well, I got impatient and bought RH 5.2 and it appears auto-sensing for this has been fixed so it worked after install.  This, however, is a excellent answer and I think would be helpful if anyone else digs it up.  

One thing I would like you to add to it though is the answer to: "Are the options for the built-in driver used at the boot: prompt during boot-up or hard-coded somewhere else?"

Request acceptance for you answer and I will.
Cheers!
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vx

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ASKER

Thanks vx