Solved: Need advice before changing NICs / high interrupts

[BerSerK]

Hi,

I recently build a pfsense with 3 realtek nic and they suck, so I want to change them for Intel PRO/100 cards but what Intel chipset should I choose ?  82557, 82558, 82559 ???

I have 3 nic in my setup, what are the steps to change the cards without messing my setup ?

Thanks!

[Cry Havok]

They are all supported by the fxp driver so they'll all work.

I'd probably suggest switching instead to the Intel Server grade Gbit cards.  They'll cost more, but they'll perform better.

As for how to change, "it depends".  You could either switch all the cards at once (noting the MAC address of each card) and then assign them in the web interface.  Alternatively, switch them one at a time, booting between each to assign them.  Either way will be fine, the first is quicker, the second gives you less chance to get the cards confused.

[sas12356]

I Can Recommend this one. works great. http://cgi.ebay.com/Portwell-Intel-ABN-172-Dual-Port-10-100-1000-PCI-X-Card_W0QQitemZ160215777379QQihZ006QQcategoryZ51196QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[BerSerK]

The system I have doesn't have PCI-X so I have to stick to standard PCI.

I was looking at those cards : http://cgi.ebay.ca/9-LOT-INTEL-PRO-100-82559-NETWORK-CARD-PCI-ETHERNET_W0QQitemZ160215980643QQihZ006QQ

The specs of my system ;
Celeron 466MHz
256MB RAM PC133
3 realtek nics
CF to IDE adapter

Do you think switching to PCI Intel Pro/100 will lower the interrupt time my processor is having right now with realtek cards ?

I have about 80% interrupts on the cpu when I download a file from a server in my DMZ to a PC in my LAN at about 8 MB/s, is that good or normal ?

Thanks! ;)

[BerSerK]

I got those cards finally, they are PCI server adapter.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130018388284

Do you guys think they will help my interrupt situation ?

Thanks

[sas12356]

@BerSerK:

The system I have doesn't have PCI-X so I have to stick to standard PCI.

I was looking at those cards : http://cgi.ebay.ca/9-LOT-INTEL-PRO-100-82559-NETWORK-CARD-PCI-ETHERNET_W0QQitemZ160215980643QQihZ006QQ

The specs of my system ;
Celeron 466MHz
256MB RAM PC133
3 realtek nics
CF to IDE adapter

Do you think switching to PCI Intel Pro/100 will lower the interrupt time my processor is having right now with realtek cards ?

I have about 80% interrupts on the cpu when I download a file from a server in my DMZ to a PC in my LAN at about 8 MB/s, is that good or normal ?

Thanks! ;)

pci-x also fit pci fine.

[sullrich]

@sas12356:

pci-x also fit pci fine.

Granted the 5v notch is not blocked.  I have a pro 1000 PCI-X card here and it will not fit in a normal pci slot.

[BerSerK]

@sas12356:

pci-x also fit pci fine.

I'm so dumb I didn't know that…

What do you think of the cards I got ?

[cmb]

@BerSerK:

I got those cards finally, they are PCI server adapter.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130018388284

Do you guys think they will help my interrupt situation ?

Absolutely. I have several of those particular cards, they're significantly better than Realteks.

You said you were getting about 8 MB/s, which is about 64 Mbps. The Intel cards will increase that, but whether they'll get you to 100 Mb wire speed depends on the speed of your CPU.

[BerSerK]

good to hear! Thanks

The speed I get is not my main concern, I just don't want to flood the CPU with interrupts with normal daily stuff like transferring files on the network.

Thanks for the support guys, now I just have to wait for the delivery truck. ;)