NASLite Network Attached Storage

Ok, I have looked at the Hardware guide, but am having a real hard time tracking down a Gigabit network card that matches anything in the list. Finally dawned on me that it was chipsets listed and not model numbers of actual cards. Not very many shopping sites include the chipset on the card.

Can some of you kind folks with real world experience with Gigabit network cards (copper) recommend a good card or two. If possible please include actual model numbers so that I can track info down on them.

Thanks,
Scott

3Com 3C996B-T or the 3C2000T (both are discontinued but should still be out there) should do the trick. Also look at Intel, to many too list. Netgear cards are another good bet. I think the Netgear GA311 is the card that Ralph uses for testing. I'm using the GA621 in my box (SC fibre connector on it though) and it hauls ass!

Mike

I too am on the hunt for a replacement for my 3COM 3C905B-TX 100Mbit NIC. The GA311 uses realtek chipset which, in my opinion, makes it less of an attractive alternative. Although I'm sure it does the job if Ralph uses it The Intel PRO/1000 MT cards (the GT ones are not supported, yet) can be found on ebay for around $20.

I have used about 8 of these cards http://www.linkskey.com/detail.php?Productid=98&ProductName=LKG-6100
Fast Gigabit speed Got them at Newegg.com Installed with out a hitch appears to support jumbo frames in windows xp
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833117203

I just bought a really cheap one that seems to be recognized OK by NASLite2. It cost me $12.99 at Fry's, and it is based on the Realtek 8169 controller. It is the Trendnet TEG-PCITXR Gigabit PCI Adapter.

James

Here are two new gigabit nics: i use one model for my IPCOP firewall/router and my Nas boxes. I had the same experience with the other model not being recognized by the installers (the model numbers cited are on the front of the boxes, i othewise have no bias towards either).

1. WORKS...The Netgear gigabit PCI adapter, 10/100/1000 GA 311 works on my IPCOP, Naslite and Freenas boxes. I got them at Staples on a rebate sale for $20 each after rebate.

2. DOESN'T WORK...The Linksys Gigabit PCI adaoter 10/100/1000 EG1032, fails to be recognized on any of the above IPCOP or NAS boxes and i can't use it for those, it's not recognized by the installers. It will work and is recognized in my lan PC's using linux distros or with the driver for windows lan PC's, no problem for that.. Got it for the same $20 after rebate at CompUsa.

3. And older 10/100 nics i never bothered to examine that closely, i think a few are based on the realtek 8139 chips but they just work.

<3 IPCop

"3. And older 10/100 nics i never bothered to examine that closely, i think a few are based on the realtek 8139 chips but they just work."

There are no other 100BaseTX cards but the 3Com 3c905 cards. These are the best bar none. I had problems with a couple of others based on the realtec chips, they all went away with the install of the 3C905 cards. If you are going to run a 100Mb network then these are the only cards. They can now be had for less than $3.00 each and they have a life time warranty.

Mike

mikeiver1. The thread is about which gigabit cards work and i answered that for the model that did and the model that didn't for me, and my results were by simple discovery and as it turned out much later the results were the same between the cards for either Naslite, Freenas, Clark Connect or Ipcop, the latter being my first route of discovery.

About category 3 in my post re older nics using the realtek 8139 chips what happened with that is before i ever used the gigabit nics in my ipcop back then i tried some older nics i picked up at a used computer parts store and a few i used from old junkers i have around.

The way ipcop identifies the nics if it recognizes them is by the chip and several of the older nics that worked ipcop identified as realtek 8139(a) or such. All i know is they work and one of my ipcop machines is still running that type with no problem. I also tried a 3com and something ipcop identified as a 'tulip,' and others that also worked, i really didn't care as long as they worked. And as it turns out i had the same results with those also in freenas and naslite.

When i'm just testing a new concept for me like ipcop, freenas, Naslite, etc. i just put in the older nics ipcop recognized and find they work in these new installs and likewise with the ones that didn't. Then if i decide i'm going to go with the software i tested, i may use the gigabit nics, the install on most of these i've mentioned is fairly quick so a reinstall with gigabit nics is not an issue for me. First i want to see if i'm going to like the software. My switch is a Netgear Gigabit. That stays the same.

So when you say there aren't any other nics in my #3 older category and you prefer the 3coms, only thing i can say is those i mentioned work in my boxes with no problems and several of them are based on the realtek. The Linksys gigabit model i mentioned is the only one that didn't, an older Linksys (not gigabit, does). .I could have just left out the #3 category since they aren't gigabit nics but thought i'd pass along my results with those two and for those i didn't bother to look at model numbers..

If i go back to buy any more older nics at the compused store i'll look for the 3com models you mentioned but it's like maybe a hundred nics in a pile all priced the same, no gigabit nics in that of course (and there is a 30 day return on them).

I have had good luck with the Airnet AEG100. They use the RealTek RTL8169 chipset. The price is right too!

The Netgear 10/100/1000 GA 311 i iisted above as one that worked for me is identified by IPCop, etc. as a RTL 8169 and it works for me.

Mikeiver1, i've recently been testing quite a few setups requiring dual nics so i took your tip when i stopped by my local used computer store and picked up some of those 3Com types you mentioned out of their surplus stock in the bin.

Also the tech there whom i know suggested the intel pro 10/100 also as one of the best for non-gigabit nics and i got a couple of those. Both types work well in my test setups requiring dual nics, & i can't afford gigabit nics in all of them.