*BSD News Article 78069


Return to BSD News archive

Newsgroups: comp.unix.bsd.freebsd.misc
Path: euryale.cc.adfa.oz.au!newshost.carno.net.au!harbinger.cc.monash.edu.au!munnari.OZ.AU!news.mel.connect.com.au!news.mira.net.au!news.vbc.net!samba.rahul.net!rahul.net!a2i!olivea!spool.mu.edu!uwm.edu!cs.utexas.edu!howland.erols.net!newsfeed.internetmci.com!in2.uu.net!news.interactive.net!onyx.interactive.net!not-for-mail
From: ritz@onyx.interactive.net (Chris Mauritz)
Subject: Re: 100BaseT tuning considerations?
X-Newsreader: TIN [UNIX 1.3 unoff BETA release 960817]
X-Nntp-Posting-User: ritz
Sender: news@interactive.net (System Administrator)
Organization: IBS Interactive, Inc.
Lines: 31
Message-ID: <DxKIq4.ICq@interactive.net>
References: <4vin1s$4um@server.cs.vt.edu> <4vsr44$iom@hpindda.cup.hp.com> <514p1f$75h@nyx10.cs.du.edu>
X-Trace: 842445003/9956
X-Nntp-Posting-Host: onyx.interactive.net
Date: Wed, 11 Sep 1996 12:30:04 GMT

Timothy Hu <thu@nyx10.cs.du.edu> wrote:
: In article <4vsr44$iom@hpindda.cup.hp.com>, Rick Jones <raj@cup.hp.com> wrote:
: >Carl Harris (ceharris@mal.com) wrote:

: >How much CPU does it take for the system to drive 10 Mbit Ethernet to
: >saturation? Since the MTU does not increase between 10BT and 100BT
: >(nor 1000BT?), the host does not become any more "efficient" at
: >sending bulk data.

: This depends on you NIC. The Intel PRO/100B has a pretty sophisticated
: and powerful processor on their NIC. Going full bore, it results in
: only about 5-10% of your CPU being used for networking. Cheapo NICs
: result in > 50% CPU utilization.

Or if you want a faster card with lower cpu utilization, get one
based on the DEC chipset (the SMC 10/100 cards come to mind). 
Network Computing did a head to head test of the Intel/3COM/SMC
10/100 NICs not too long ago.  The SMC had the best overall
throughput and lowest cpu utilization.  The Intel had slightly
lower throughput and slightly higher cpu utilization.  The 3COM
card had *significantly lower throughput* and *significantly
higher cpu utilization*.

Cheers,

Chris
-- 
Christopher Mauritz         | For info on internet access:
ritz@interactive.net        | finger/mail info@interactive.net OR
IBS Interactive, Inc.       | http://www.interactive.net/