3Com Fast Etherlink XL PCI TX

3Com Fast Etherlink XL PCI TX ... Parallel Tasking II technology and the DynamicAccess software, both of which bring greater performance and intelligence to the NIC.

3Com's patented Parallel Tasking technology (which came with previous models of the Fast EtherLink XL) revolutionized NIC performance by accelerating the speed at which packets are transferred from the network wire to the NIC. Parallel Tasking II technology, designed specifically for PCI, takes 3Com's NIC performance to the next level by improving the speed that data is passed from the NIC to the host PC. This is achieved by exploiting the latest development in PCI chip and bus design. Formerly, a NIC was limited to transferring data across the PCI bus in a maximum of 64 bytes at a time for one bus master operation. In order for one full 1514-byte packet to be transferred to the host PC, 24 separate bus master operations were required, resulting in an inefficient bus. With Parallel Tasking II performance, the NIC can stream up to a full Ethernet packet over the bus during a bus master operation, greatly increasing the efficiency of the PCI bus. The results are faster throughput and improved system performance, which allows desktop and server applications to perform better. DynamicAccess software turns network interface cards into active network components, enabling a true end-to-end solution in which all devices collaborate to create the most manageable, highest-performing networks possible. DynamicAccess software includes: traffic prioritization, through Class of Service, for giving priority to time-sensitive data to deliver improved performance for multimedia and business-critical applications; distributed RMON (dRMON) SmartAgent software enabling comprehensive, affordable network management, including full RMON support, in switched and high-speed environments; Fast IP software for scaling internetworking performance by minimizing the bottlenecks that routers may cause; and efficient multicast control for expanding bandwidth by automatically filtering unwanted multi-cast traffic before it can flood the LAN. This version comes with an integrated MBA and Remote Wake Up capabilities that enable network managers to power-on PCs from a central location for after-hours updates and servicing of desktops (PC must be equipped with a motherboard that has a 3-pin Remote Wake Up connector. Also requires a Desktop Management Application which is able to generate a Magic Packet Remote Wake Up signal.) This adapter provides one RJ-45 port for 10 or 100Mbps Ethernet networks. There are three LEDs. The LED marked '10 LNK' glows green to indicate operation in 10 Mbps mode and link integrity with a 10BASE-T hub. The LED marked '100 LNK' glows green to indicate operation in 100 Mbps mode and link integrity with a 100BASE-T hub. The LED marked 'ACT' flashes yellow when there is link activity in either 10BASE-T or 100BASE-T mode.