[wellylug] Multi port NIC

[Ewen McNeill]

In message <42599B78.4090409 at gmail.com>, William Hamilton writes:
>Hi all.  I am looking for recommendations for multi port NICs with good 
>Linux (Debian) support.

I've used Dlink DFE-570TX and DFE-580TX cards before with good success.
The -570TX cards are Tulip based and should work with any kernel in the
last 3-4 years; the -580TX cards are Sundance based (IIRC) and may
require a more recent kernel (mine is running with a 2.4.26 kernel).
There are also some server (eg, Compaq) multiport PCI cards which tend
to be Intel EEPro100 based and generally work fine (and least the 2-3
year old Dual-EEpro100 ones that I have are fine).

Beware that an N-port multiport card is noticably more expensive than 
N * single port cards, so if you have the PCI slots single port cards may
well be the best way to go.  (Eg, the Dlink cards are around $500 for 4
ports, but 4 * fairly good single port cards is much cheaper than that,
and 4 * cheap cards is a LOT cheaper than that.)

Ewen