[realtek] Re: [tulip] Flash EEPROM problems

[Donald Becker]

On Tue, 27 Jun 2000, Bernd Dammann wrote:
> On Jun 27,  9:50am, Donald Becker wrote:
> > On Tue, 27 Jun 2000, Bernd Dammann wrote:
> > 
> > > libflash.c I found a list of supported Flash EEPROMS, and I got hold
> > > of an Atmel AT29C256 (12PC).

Note that you'll probably need 5V programming Flash, since you most boards
don't have 12V available.

> > A plain RTL8139, or a rtl8139-A, -B, or -C?
> > I don't recall offhand which chip can write the Flash parts, but earlier
> > chips often cannot write Flash.
> > 
> D-Link has relabeled the chip, and on the adapter it says DL10038.
>     Ethernet controller: Realtek 8139 (rev 16).

Neither the RTL8129 nor original RTL8139 supports flash write.
Hopefully this is one of the later chips RTL8139A/B/C, which does support
writes.

> > Same issue -- which Tulip chip?
> > 
> DEC 21140-AF (it says on the chip), /proc/pci says

The 21140 doesn't support Flash writes.
The 21140A supports Flash up to 256KB using 120ns or faster parts.
The 21143  supports Flash up to 256KB using 240ns or faster parts.

Both the 21140A and 21143 chips require two additional 8 bit latches (two
small 20 pin parts near the boot ROM socket).

> Bus  0, device  11, function  0:
>     Ethernet controller: DEC DC21140 (rev 34).

21140A, step 2.

> If I succeed in finding an Ethernet card that can do the job, do you
> think it will be possible to move the Flash ROMs to the Ethernet cards
> I have and use them as BootROM?  

Yes.  Look up 'etherboot'.

Donald Becker				becker@scyld.com
Scyld Computing Corporation		http://www.scyld.com
410 Severn Ave. Suite 210		Beowulf Clusters / Linux Installations
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