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What's the best ethernet card?

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griztown   07-12-2001 at 09:42:39 PM

I'm playing around with some of my old PC's trying to build a small cluster and am interested in what kind of ethernet cards to get. Is there any difference between say an Intel, 3COM, D-Link, Netgear or Linksys? I already have an integrated Intel EtherExpress Pro 100 in my main system.

Thanks

"Here's to feeling good, all the time!" - Kosmo Kremer

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FatBurger   07-12-2001 at 10:46:42 PM
- 0 +

What are you building these for?
I would think any of them would be fine.

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Spdy_Gonzales   07-12-2001 at 11:28:57 PM
- 0 +

I don't think there are any performance issues among them. Going price is about $15.00

I wonder...what is the speed of gravity?

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griztown   07-12-2001 at 11:38:13 PM
- 0 +

I'll be using the cluster for Computational Fluid Dynamics. But I'm really building this mainly to learn the ins and outs of networking and parallel programming. However, I would like to get the best one whichever that happens to be. Though it seems that they are all pretty much the same.

"Here's to feeling good, all the time!" - Kosmo Kramer

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FatBurger   07-13-2001 at 12:01:42 AM
- 0 +

The Netgear 310tx is really good. ($20) I just got one.

But if you're learning about networks, then get a whole bunch of different network cards, then you can learn the ins and outs of different brands.

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griztown   07-13-2001 at 12:17:29 AM
- 0 +

Good point, however, I'm a little more interested in the software side than the hardware side. At least in regards to different fast ethernet cards. Now the difference between the high end ones would be fun, but who has the money. Not me.

"Here's to feeling good, all the time!" - Kosmo Kramer

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wolverinero79   07-13-2001 at 12:18:45 AM
- 0 +

I personally like the Linksys things, because they are as cheap as everything else, but the difference for me has been that the drivers NEVER fail or present errors on install (something that can be EXTREMELY annoying with any hardware). I got mine for 15 i think. 10/100, WOL, Full-Dup, all the goodies, u know :smile:

Althons and Pentiums are just melted rock. Who’s rock is better? Who cares, let’s play some games

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FatBurger   07-13-2001 at 12:30:30 AM
- 0 +

I'd have to agree. Linksys stuff is awesome considering how dirt cheap it all is.

However, for a specific card, I'll stick to my recommendation of the Netgear FA310tx. If you want to spend $20 instead of $10 (for a Linksys).

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Whoever thinks up a good sig for me gets a prize :wink:

Reply to FatBurger
griztown   07-13-2001 at 01:16:54 AM
- 0 +

I have a friend who has a Linksys and he's had problems using gnutella. He said it was a problem common to the Linksys. Along with my integrated Intel, I also have a Netgear FA310TX which has given me no problems. However, I read on Ars Technica some recommendations for their Hot Rod that seemed to indicate that Intel's were the best so I thought I'd check. Anyway, thanks for all the help.

"Here's to feeling good, all the time!" - Kosmo Kramer

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Stick_e_Mouse   07-13-2001 at 03:05:05 AM
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Get the cheapest NIC you can find. I got myself a pair of $10 no-name NIC and did NOT notice difference in performance when compared to my old 3COM.

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dhlucke   07-13-2001 at 07:22:55 AM
- 0 +

I think d-link is fine; I've used 3 of them at least. I don't think you should worry too much about it since the difference won't be that big speedwise. I like the idea of trying a couple of different brands since you could learn a bit more about them, and you could always share what you find out.

<font color=red>Yeah, I took a crap on your lawn. Whatcha gonna do about it?</font color=red>

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dhlucke   07-13-2001 at 07:25:15 AM
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Realistically the only speed difference you will notice will be with regards to the hub...

<font color=red>Yeah, I took a crap on your lawn. Whatcha gonna do about it?</font color=red>

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FatBurger   07-13-2001 at 05:40:27 PM
- 0 +

Which is why I never touch hubs. Only switches are allowed to touch my NIC :)

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Whoever thinks up a good sig for me gets a prize :wink:

Reply to FatBurger
griztown   07-13-2001 at 07:05:34 PM
- 0 +

Yeah, I decided to stay away from hubs and got a D-Link DSS-8+ switch. I can see no reason to buy a hub.

"Here's to feeling good, all the time!" - Kosmo Kramer

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