Part Numbers and Prices
Part Number DescriptionKNE40T Single Unit 10BASE-T Adapter KNE40T/6 6-Pack 10BASE-T Adapters KNE40T/20 20-Pack 10BASE-T Adapters KNE40BT Single Unit Dual-Interface Adapter KNE40BT/6 6-Pack Dual-Interface Adapters KNE40BT/20 20-Pack Dual-Interface Adapters
- PCI Local Bus Ethernet Adapter
- Compliant with IEEE 802.3 and PCI Local Bus 2.0 Specifications
- QStart Graphical User Interface Configuration and Diagnostics
- Bus Master Architecture Providing Low CPU Utilization
- Supports 10BASE-T Twisted Pair and 10BASE2 Coaxial Cabling
- Supports Burst Mode with Burst Size up to 32 Bytes
- Supports Zero Wait State PCI Master Operation
- Supports Promiscuous Mode
- Auto Negotiation for Full and Half Duplex Environments
- RPL (Remote Program Load) Boot ROM support
- Auto Media Sensing
- Diagnostic Link and Activity LEDs
- FCC Class A and CE Approved (FCC Class B Pending)
- 100% Tested
- Lifetime Warranty
- Toll Free Technical Support
The rate of innovation and dramatic performance improvements in
the computer industry are often discussed. Processing power is
said to double every year and a half. Software applications rapidly
grow in power and features. Graphics gain resolution and sound
gains fidelity.
It is, however, the case that most of the PCs in use today feature
the same Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus featuring a
16-bit bus width, maximum throughput up to Eight Megabytes Per
Second (8MBps) and providing for only manual adapter installation
that was launched over ten years ago with the IBM AT PC.
Since 1985, the industry has released improved buses that have
met with limited market acceptance: the IBM Micro Channel bus
launched in 1987 featuring a 32-bit bus width, up to 40MBps throughput
and proprietary automatic adapter installation; the EISA bus launched
in 1989 featuring a 32-bit bus width, 33MBps maximum throughput
and automatic adapter installation; and the VESA Local Bus launched
in 1992 featuring a 32-bit bus width, up to 200MBps throughput
and limited automatic adapter installation. Still, the ISA bus
has remained dominant. With the introduction of the Pentium processor
in 1994, Intel realized that the venerable ISA bus was now completely
ill-equipped to take advantage of the company's flagship processor's 64-bit
architecture. Additionally, the throughput requirements of graphical
application software and operating systems had caused the industry
to realize that a successor was needed to the ISA bus. And with
the home computing market exploding, a fail-safe automatic means
of adapter installation had become a necessity.
As a result of these factors, Intel designed, and released into
the public domain, a bus specification that was well suited to
the 64-bit Pentium processor, eliminated bus bottlenecks and featured
trouble-free automatic adapter installation.
The Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus features a full
32-bit bus width and provides up to 132MBps maximum throughput.
PCI Local Bus Architecture allows peripheral devices to directly
access CPU resources with minimal latency. Additionally, PCI's
inherent Plug-and-Play capability, frees users of setting parameters
like I/O port addresses, IRQs, and DMA channels making installation
easy and eliminating conflicts with other system peripherals.
PCI offers a better performance balance between the CPU and the
expansion bus than earlier bus architectures. Physically, the
PCI expansion bus is treated as a chip on the motherboard with
no division between the local and peripheral buses, resulting
in better I/O performance. The PCI specification limits maximum
bus latencies and helps to eliminate one of the most significant
performance limitations found in many ISA, EISA, Micro Channel
and VESA systems. PCI also provides for concurrency, meaning that
the bus can execute more than one function simultaneously, such
as data transfer over Ethernet and a floating point calculation
resulting in better performance than bus architectures that do
not support concurrency.
PCI systems typically come equipped with two buses: the high speed
PCI Local bus consisting of usually three slots and a slower expansion
bus that is compatible with ISA, EISA or Micro Channel adapters.
Historically, the PCI bus slots have been populated by system
integrators, resellers and end users with peripherals with high
data transfer requirements such as graphics adapters and SCSI
hard drive controllers.
In addition, however, the data transfer capabilities of the PCI
bus are also ideal for eliminating the bottlenecks caused by today's
large data files such as imaging and CAD files. The PCI bus's
high clock speeds and linear burst mode capabilities enable high-speed
data transfers without the time and expense of network segmentation,
switching technology, or revamping the whole network with Token
Ring or 100Mbps technology. PCI Ethernet adapters, like all PCI
adapters, feature a full 32-bit software structure (i.e. 32-bit
registers, internal 32-bit data transfers, 32-bit data transfer
to the bus, and 32-bit addressing capability) for maximum performance.
By installing a PCI card in servers, minimal amount of CPU utilization
for I/O functions is required offering better server performance.
By installing a PCI adapter in a workstation, application programs
will run faster during heavy network traffic. By lowering wire
speed transfer times, it is the perfect platform for today's
bandwidth- intensive applications.
In the past, networking professionals have, in many cases, opted
for installing non-PCI adapters on the expansion bus of PCI systems
due to their lower cost relative to PCI adapters. As PCI Ethernet
adapter prices continue to decline, networking professionals are
better able to take advantage of the significantly better performance
of PCI adapters without as great a price premium.
Performance. EtheRx PCI adapters are based on the Digital
Equipment Corporation 21041 Ethernet controller, the most popular
PCI Ethernet controller in the industry. The DEC controller allows
the EtheRx PCI to be configured as a Bus Mastering adapter which
provides for better throughput and lower CPU utilization than
PCI Ethernet slave controllers that are also on the market. The
optimized device drivers provided with EtheRx PCI further result
in better performance than many other DEC-based PCI Ethernet adapters.
Below are preliminary tests comparing a PCI Ethernet adapter in
half-duplex mode with Kingston's best performance ISA card, the
KNE-2100 series Bus Mastering adapter in the same PCI system.
The test was performed in a Novell 3.12 server environment. The
PCI adapter's performance index (average throughput / CPU utilization)
is 85% higher than the KNE-2100.
As you can see, with the PCI adapter, average throughput has a
15% increase, the CPU utilization is down 60% and the bus utilization
is also down 88%. This indicates the CPU has more time to perform
other functions, such as processing today's graphics intensive
programs, and the bus will have more time to move other data across
the system.
Compatibility with Network Operating Systems. EtheRx PCI
comes complete with a full suite of drivers: ODI for DOS, Novell
Server Drivers, NDIS2 for DOS, NDIS2 for OS/2, NDIS3, Packet Drivers
and SCO LLI drivers providing for compatibility with Novell Netware
v4.x, 3.x, 2.x, Netware Lite, Personal Netware, Microsoft LAN
Manager, Windows NT v3.1, 3.5 and 3.51, Windows for Workgroups
3.11, Windows 95, DEC Pathworks, Banyan VINES, Artisoft LANtastic
v4.1, 5.0 and 6.0, SCO UNIX, and FTP PC/TCP software. Certification
is pending for all popular Network Operating Systems.
Media Compatibility. EtheRx PCI is available in two versions:
KNE40T which has an RJ-45 interface for twisted pair cable 10BASE-T
Ethernets and the KNE40BT which has both an RJ-45 and a BNC interface
for thin coaxial cable 10BASE2 Ethernets. The dual interface adapter
automatically senses the type of media connection. With these
two versions, EtheRx PCI meets the cable interface requirements
of the vast majority of Ethernet networks.
Hardware Compatibility. EtheRx PCI is fully compliant with
PCI Local Bus Specification Revision 2.0. This assures users of
complete compatibility and trouble free installation in all PCI
compliant systems.
Easy Installation. While it's true that the PCI specification
provides for Plug and Play installation, Kingston makes PCI Ethernet
adapter installation even easier with the inclusion of Kingston's
QStart graphical user interface integrated installation configuration
and diagnostics utility. QStart picks up where Plug and Play leaves
off. First, QStart automatically runs a four step diagnostics
program. Next, QStart prompts the user to select the appropriate
operating system and then, upon selection, copies the appropriate
drivers and files to the system disk. From there, completion is
as easy as re-starting the system and logging on to the server.
In addition, through an agreement with Novell, Kingston's QStart
integrates Netware Universal Client Drivers for easy NETX and
VLM installations in Netware environments. With Netware representing
over fifty percent of Ethernet Network Operating Systems, QStart
makes adapter configuration even easier for more than half of
all installations.
Full Duplex Support. Unlike other PCI Ethernet adapters,
EtheRx PCI supports Full Duplexing when the adapter is connected
to a Full Duplex Switching hub. This feature allows Ethernet performance
to as much as double to 20Mbps. EtheRx PCI senses the type of
hub it is connected to and auto negotiates between full and half
duplex for optimum performance.
RPL (Remote Program Load) Boot ROM Support. EtheRx PCI
is the ideal adapter for diskless workstations which are common
in larger Ethernet environments. By adding a low-cost Boot ROM
to the Kingston adapter the system can load all required software
from the server thus decreasing system cost and improving system
security.
Hardware Diagnostics. EtheRx PCI features two LED status
lights: 10BASE-T Link and Transfer status for ease of trouble-shooting.
The adapter additionally automatically detects, and corrects if
necessary, the receive polarity of 10BASE-T twisted pair cabling.
Low Cost. With a suggested retail price of less than US$100.00,
EtheRx PCI allows networking professionals to realize the performance,
ease of installation and feature advantages of PCI Ethernet adapters
without the high price premium placed on competing adapters.
Warranties and Technical Support. Like all Kingston network
adapters, EtheRx PCI is covered by a lifetime warranty. The adapter
is supported by free and comprehensive technical support staffed
by Novell Certified Engineers. Technical support is toll-free
in the United States and Canada.
EtheRx PCI Ethernet adapters bring the performance and plug-and-play
functionality of PCI bus adapters together with the compatibilty,
reliability and value pricing of all Kingston networking products.
EtherRX PCI features QStart, Kingston's easy-to-use configuration
and diagnostics program that picks up where plug-and-play leaves
off, making EtherRX PCI installation virtually automatic.
Network Interface Standards:..............IEEE 802.3, Ethernet
Network Adapters:
Cable Type Supported:
Operating Distance:
Data Transfer/Bus Width/Bus Type:
Diagnostic LEDs:....................................Link and Activity Status
IRQ Settings:...........................................INTA (set by PCI BIOS)
DMA:.......................................................Req# and GNT# (from PCI Bus)
I/O Base Addresses:................................0000h-FFFFh (set by PCI BIOS)
Boot ROM:...............................................Optional
Boot ROM Address:................................Set by PCI BIOS
Software Compatibilty:
EMI:..........................................................FCC Class A
Warranty:..................................................Lifetime
10BASE-T - An implementation of the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet
standard on 22 to 26 gauge unshielded twisted-pair wiring. 10BASE-T
compliant adapters require an RJ-45 media interface.
10BASE2 - An implementation of the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet
standard on RG-58 thin coaxial cabling. 10BASE2 compliant adapters
require a BNC media interface.
802.3 - Defined by the IEEE, these standards govern the
use of the CSMA/CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Detection)
network access method used by Ethernet networks.
BNC - Biconic Connector. The type of interface used on
a 10BASE2 compliant Ethernet adapter and allows for connection
to RG-58 thin coaxial cabling.
Bus - The path upon which data is transferred through a
computer system.
Bus Mastering - During packet transfers, a Bus Mastering
adapter possesses the bus ownership and takes control of the address,
data and control lines resulting in better adapter performance
than a non-Bus Mastering adapter.
Concurrency - A basic PCI function that allows the CPU
to perform other functions such as floating -point calculations
while data transfer continues between the Ethernet adapter and
other devices across the bus.
DMA - Direct Memory Access. A DMA compliant adapter is
able to access the system's main memory without the intervention
of the CPU.
Full Duplexing - An Ethernet mode that allows an adapter
to send and receive data simultaneously. By transferring and receiving
data at the same time, Full Duplex mode as much as doubles performance
to 20Mbps.
IEEE - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
A professional organization that formulates and sets standards
for computers and communications in the United States.
Linear Burst Mode - Peripheral devices expect to receive
data from the system's main memory in linear address order. This
means that large amounts of data or bursts are read from-or written
to a single address, which is then automatically incremented for
the next byte in the stream.
Local Bus - The peripheral functions are local to the CPU
without going through the 8MBps ISA bus providing for better performance.
PCI -Peripheral Component Interconnect. Developed by the
PCI Special Interest Group (SIG), PCI provides a non-proprietary
local-bus standard that offers a high-speed data path for multiple
peripheral devices and is designed to be processor independent.
Plug-and-Play - (PnP) A specification developed by Intel
and Microsoft that allows full auto-configuration of PC adapters.
PCI compliant devices contain registers with the device information
required for PnP and are thus inherently PnP compliant.
Promiscuous Mode - An Ethernet mode that allows an adapter
to receive all types of data packets on the network. It is often
used for network diagnostics.
Remote Program Load (RPL) - Generally referred to as Remote
Booting. It allows system boot up without a local boot device
such as a floppy or hard drive. The system files are located in
the servers. This is a feature required by diskless workstations.
Thin Coaxial - RG-58 cabling. The type of cable (media)
used in 10BASE2 Ethernet networks that connects to an adapter
with BNC interface.
Twisted Pair - 22 to 26 gauge unshielded wire. The type
of media used in 10BASE-T Ethernet networks that connects to an
adapter with an RJ-45 interface.
Wait State - Equal to one bus cycle. The more wait states
an adapter requires of the bus, the lower the performance of the
system in general.
How to contact us, in general.
Server CPU Throughput Performance
Card Utilization Avg. KBps. Index
ISA Adapter 8 812.66 101.58
PCI Adapter 5 937.54 187.51
Technical Specifications
Overview
Highlights
Specifications
KNE-40T................................................RJ-45/Unshielded Twisted-Pair
KNE-40BT..............................................RJ-45/Unshielded Twisted Pair and BNC/Thin-Coaxial
KNE-40T................................................Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) AWG 22, 24, 26
KNE-40BT..............................................Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) and RG-58/Thin-Coaxial
KNE-40T................................................100 m (328') maximum hub to node length
KNE-40BT..............................................100 m (328') for UTP, 185 m (607') for Thin-Coaxial cable
KNE-40T and KNE-40BT.......................Bus Master DMA/32 bit/PCI Bus
Novell Netware v3., 4.x, Netware Lite, Personal Netware
Microsoft LAN Manager, Windows NT(T); v3.1, 3.5, 3.5I
Windows for Workgroups 3.1, 3.11, Windows95, OS/2 Warp
OS/2 LAN Server, DEC Pathworks, Banyan VINES
Artisoft LANtastic v5.0, 6.0, SCO UNIX, and FTP PC/TCP software.
Drivers for EtheRx Network Adapters
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