Software Configuration and Card Diagnostics

# 6. Software Configuration and Card Diagnostics

Contents of this section

In most cases, if the configuration is done by software, and stored in an EEPROM, you will usually have to boot DOS, and use the supplied DOS program to set the cards IRQ, I/O, mem_addr and whatnot. Besides, hopefully it is something you will only be setting once. For those that don't have the DOS utility available, note that a fair number of NIC setup/driver disks (e.g. 3Com, SMC/WD and Allied Telesis NIC's) are available from `dorm.rutgers.edu` in the directory `/pub/novell/nic_drvs/` However, there are some cards for which Linux versions of the config utils exist, and they are listed here.

Also, Donald has written a few small card diagnostic programs that run under Linux. Most of these are a result of debugging tools that he has created while writing the various drivers. Don't expect fancy menu-driven interfaces. You will have to read the source code to use most of these. Even if your particular card doesn't have a corresponding diagnostic, you can still get lots of information just by typing `cat /proc/net/dev` -- assuming that your card was at least detected at boot.

In either case, you will have to run most of these programs as root (to allow I/O to the ports) and you probably want to shut down the ethercard before doing so by typing `ifconfig eth0 down` (Note: replace `eth0` with `atp0` or whatever when appropriate.)

## 6.1 Configuration Programs for Ethernet Cards

For people with wd80x3 cards, there is the program `wdsetup` which can be found in `wdsetup-0.6a.tar.gz` on Linux ftp sites. I am not sure if it is being actively maintained or not, as it has not been updated for quite a while. If it works fine for you then great, if not, use the DOS version that you should have got with your card. If you don't have the DOS version, you will be glad to know that the SMC setup/driver disks are available at the `dorm.rutgers.edu` site mentioned above. Of course, you have to have an EEPROM card to use this utility. Old, old wd8003 cards, and some wd8013 clones use jumpers to set up the card instead.

The Digital EtherWorks 3 card can be configured in a similar fashion to the DOS program `NICSETUP.EXE`. David C. Davies wrote this and other tools for the EtherWorks 3 in conjunction with the driver. Look on `sunsite.unc.edu` in the directory `/pub/linux/system/Network/management` for the file that is named `ewrk3tools-X.XX.tar.gz`.

Some Nat Semi DP83905 implementations (such as the AT/LANTIC and the NE2000+) are software configurable. (Note that this card can also emulate a wd8013!) You can get the file `/pub/linux/setup/atlantic.c` from Donald's ftp server, `cesdis.gsfc.nasa.gov` to configure this card. Be careful when configuring NE2000+ cards, as you can give them bad setting values which will require you to open the case and switch a jumper to force it back to sane settings.

The 3Com Etherlink III family of cards (i.e. 3c5x9) can be configured by using another config utility from Donald. You can get the file `/pub/linux/setup/3c5x9setup.c` from Donald's ftp server, `cesdis.gsfc.nasa.gov` to configure these cards. (Note that the DOS 3c5x9B config utility may have more options pertaining to the new ``B'' series of the Etherlink III family.)

## 6.2 Diagnostic Programs for Ethernet Cards

Any of the diagnostic programs that Donald has written can be obtained from this URL.

Ethercard Diagnostics

Allied Telesis AT1700 -- look for the file `/pub/linux/diag/at1700.c` on `cesdis.gsfc.nasa.gov`.

Cabletron E21XX -- look for the file `/pub/linux/diag/e21.c` on `cesdis.gsfc.nasa.gov`.

HP PCLAN+ -- look for the file `/pub/linux/diag/hp+.c` on `cesdis.gsfc.nasa.gov`.

Intel EtherExpress -- look for the file `/pub/linux/diag/eexpress.c` on `cesdis.gsfc.nasa.gov`.

NE2000 cards -- look for the file `/pub/linux/diag/ne2k.c` on `cesdis.gsfc.nasa.gov`.

RealTek (ATP) Pocket adaptor -- look for the file `/pub/linux/diag/atp-diag.c` on `cesdis.gsfc.nasa.gov`.

All Other Cards -- try typing `cat /proc/net/dev` and see what useful info the kernel has on the card in question.

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