> 
> jwjr# tcpdump 
> tcpdump: listening on ne0
> 00:01:36.983616 arp who-has 10.0.0.1 tell 10.0.0.4
> 00:01:36.983656 arp reply 10.0.0.1 is-at 0:40:33:a0:b5:1e
> 00:01:37.989197 arp who-has 10.0.0.1 tell 10.0.0.4
> 00:01:37.989240 arp reply 10.0.0.1 is-at 0:40:33:a0:b5:1e
> 00:01:38.989095 arp who-has 10.0.0.1 tell 10.0.0.4
> 00:01:38.989132 arp reply 10.0.0.1 is-at 0:40:33:a0:b5:1e
> ^C
> 6 packets received by filter
> 0 packets dropped by kernel

I think you have some problem with interrupts, check what 
the kernel says and compare it with output of the 3com setup
utility. I could not make a new 3c589 work without running it.

-- 
Zdenek Salvet                                              salvet@ics.muni.cz 
Ustav vypocetni techniky Masarykovy univerzity, Brno
tel.: ++420-5-41 512 257                           Fax: ++420-5-41 212 747
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           If God had meant for us to be in the Army,
         we would have been born with green, baggy skin.