[Info-vax] Additional ethernet (e.g. 100BASE-TX) NIC for Multia/UDB?

[Hans Vlems]

On 29 jan, 21:51, Hans Bachner <H... at Bachner.priv.at> wrote:
> MG <marcog... at SPAMxs4all.nl> wrote:
> > The one PCI slot is vacant in my Multia/UDB (or equivalent LCA4 Alpha
> > system, e.g. AXPpci166 MT) Alpha system) and I was wondering, which
> > DEC/Compaq ethernet NIC would be ideal and is known to 'work'?  I do
> > not need SRM-support, as long as it works once booted up into VMS
> > and/or Tru64 UNIX, that would be more than fine for me.  The on-board
> > DEC "Tulip" works remarkably well (even in half-duplex) and I'm not
> > exactly 'relying' on this system, so it's not /too/ important.
>
> > I naturally won't assume a "DEGXA" would even remotely work, I don't
> > even think it did in a PWS 500au (from what I recall when I tried it).
> > But, what about a DE500-series NIC?
>
> Well, the problem with the DEGXA will be its physical size, I believe.
> Isn't that a 64bit PCI card (though should work in a 32bit PCI slot)? I
> guess the card just won't fit into the box. Beyond that, the DEXGA needs
> OpenVMS V7.3-1 at least, and the Multia support kits that I know about
> end with V7.2.
>
> Having said that, I'd give the DE500 a try; the DE450 is an alternative,
> but not 100 mbit capable. I'm curious enough to grab a Multia from the
> shelf, blow the dust off and just try it - but I won't have the time for
> the next few weeks :-(
>
> Hans.

The Multia 7.2 driver kit works on VMS v7.3 too.
The Multia runs under V7.3 for at least one hour before something
nasty happens that crashes the system.
I do not know whether that is a heat problem or VMS instability on an
unsupported platform.
Since I have enough other Alpha's the Multia is not often used.
Hans