Ethernet controllers/vendors (summary)

[Chuck Privitera]

   Thanks to all of you who responded to my request for advice
on which Ethernet controller/vendor to use. Since I've received
many requests asking me to forward my findings, I thought I'd
post them instead.
   The responses I've received indicate only a few things:

   1. The Interlan board is used widely and people
      are very pleased with both the board and the vendor
      responsiveness. (although it is NOT much exercised
      i.e. rarely need to call Interlan)

   2. The 3com board is old and trouble prone. Hard to bring
      up and keep going. Problems are blamed on the early
      introduction of 3com (one of the first to offer Ethernet).
      Rumor has it that 3com is no longer supporting the
      Unibus Ethernet card anymore anyways.

   3. The DEUNA received varied responses. One person stated
      they thought it was a poor piece of engineering, while
      another praised it (with a note "considering the driver
      was developed under eunice"). Also, I am told that the
      DEUNA takes about twice the power and Unibus resources
      as the Interlan.

   It seems clear to me that Interlan is the best choice. It is the
most dependable and the vendor is responsive when they are needed.
I hope this information will help some of you. Sorry if this came
out too late, I just returned from 2 weeks vacation.

		Thanks again all you respondants,

-- 
		Chuck Privitera,  Computer Consoles Inc.
		{allegra,seismo}!rochester!ritcv!ccivax!crp