Subject: netbooting an OF 1.0.5 macppc with SUNW,hme on PCI
To: None <port-macppc@netbsd.org, port-sparc@netbsd.org>
From: Erik Fair <fair@clock.org>
List: port-sparc
Date: 03/01/2000 04:04:21
I had this idea. Since Apple's initial OF implementation sucks (in 
particular, the driver for the onboard ethernet is totally useless), 
I figured, why not find a PCI Ethernet card with decent Fcode on it, 
and try netbooting with that?

Who would have better IEEE 1275 support on a PCI card than Sun? As it 
happens, Sun makes a card called the "SunSwift" (model X1032A) which 
is a combo Qlogic 1040B SCSI (isp*), and SUNW,hme with an Intel (DEC) 
21152 PCI-PCI bridge on it. I've got one (eBay is your friend; these 
suckers retail new for over $1000 (how does Sun get away with 
incredible premiums like that?)).

My first attempt at sticking this card into an 8500 failed for 
mechanical reasons (Sun did not notch the top-front of the bezel, and 
the 8500 case has a plastic stopper there, presumably to prevent side 
to side wobble while the card is in slot). Fortunately, I have other 
1st generation PCI PowerMac hardware here with more forgiving 
mechanics, which I will try later.

However, a quick perusal of the NetBSD source tree shows that no one 
has written a PCI frontend (dev/pci/if_hme.c) for the SUNW,hme 
(probably because this is a moderately rare item, and mostly seen on 
Sbus). Is this a quick job?

	curious,

	Erik <fair@clock.org>