Hardware Wanted

I am looking for a 100Mbit or better network card that I can plug into my Indigo2 workstation. The 10Mbit card is way too slow..

You might want to specify if you'll take any, just the "E100 and clones" (3com EISA) or you want the Phobos GIO card.

I just acquired my first SGI machine (Indigo2) so I am not sure what I need other than knowing the 10Mbit is too slow.. lol..

Any suggestions/advice would be appreciated.

I was going to tell you about the Phobos E100 / 3c597 (EISA) and Phobos G160 (GIO64) cards, but Ian took care of it already .

I just want to add a third option: FDDI. FDDI is not ethernet but another transport (fiber optics). It also runs at 100Mb/s and generally works very well with SGI MIPS hardware. If you've got a Linux server with a free PCI slot to install a PCI FDDI card and route for you, you can connect the two with a point to point connection.

The G160 card is the best option for most people because it is the least hassle. You don't see them much anymore, though. FDDI cards are more common and cheaper than G160 cards, but you will have to segment your LAN and will need a router.

I've used all three (3c597, G160 and FDDIXpress). I'm not using the EISA cards anymore. I can probably dig one up if you're interested, but I can't really recommend them.

Seconded on the 3c597 ... I did all that hack-the-driver stuff back when I had a Barney-box and it never seemed to work very well.

The FDDI route is not going to work for me so I guess its down to GIO vs EISA...

So are you guys saying that the 3c597 EISA card is a pain to get running and doesnt work well?

I will keep my eye out for a GIO card then.. Thanks!

I use the 3c597 in my R4400 IMPACT Indigo2. It works fine, but there are certain limitations (you cannot netboot with it, and getting it to transition to "UP" after connecting the cable can sometimes be a bit baffling).

You might try contacting B&B Solutions in Laval, Quebec. I bought a G160 from them at a very reasonable price. Mind you, that was a couple of years ago so they might not have any more.

If they don't, I might be persuaded to part with mine. (It's not in use at the moment.)

Thanks for the tip! I came across them on eBay while hunting for upgrades. I sent them an email asking about some parts and was waiting to hear back.

There is one Phobos G160 card on ebay right now (not mine):
http://cgi.ebay.fr/Phobos-Ethernet-f-SGI-Silicon-Graphics-Indigo2-/140904801789?pt=Klassische_Computer&hash=item20ce94a5fd#ht_500wt_1414

If needed, I probably have a copy of the driver disk somewhere.

Thanks!

G160 drivers are also available for download from Ian Mapleson's SGI Depot at http://www.sgidepot.co.uk/depot/

Did you get it? Seems a bargain for whoever did! I tried an EISA card but could not get it working (one-way traffic only, as far as could tell) so endedup getting a G160 for about 4-5 times this one. An indulgence, but bringing my I2 up to top spec (384MB RAM, 250MHz R4400) became a slight obession, which you'll probably understand!

I actually managed to get a G160 for $25USD ! It is being shipped along with my new Fuel workstation.. lol..

Great! Thanks!

My G160 is on its way.