Fermi Linux Hardware Support

Linux Hardware Compatibilities

One of the most important decisions one makes when deciding to run Linux is what hardware to select. Fermi Linux is based on REDHAT and thus the most complete place to go is to the Red Hat Hardware Compatibility page. There are rapid changes being made in PC hardware. These cause challenges for hardware selection as these newer products maynot be fully supported. We are trying to keep up with these changes and have documented our findings below. There are 4 areas that need special consideration. These are Ethernet, Video, Scsi Add On, and motherboards. The Monitorslist is just a list of some monitors that people have liked. There are certainly other good monitors out there. If you find a a good or bad monitor please let us know. We will put it in the list so that others may share in this knowledge. Lists has been created of Linux hardware that has been used at Fermilab. Some have had problems while others have worked well. These lists are intended to help one decide what hardware to select. One of the problems with the "generic" linux hardware support lists is they do not always indicate problem areas such as performance problems. We are always looking for input. The vendors listed below are listed as only examples of places where I have found these components and do not suggest any endorsement of these companies. Also the prices indicated are only a price that was once available. Prices will vary. Items in purple are updated for Fermi Linux 5.2.1 .

There are a couple of areas that we do not support. We do not support any sound cards. This may change in the future. We also do not support any tape drives on the desktop. We may support tape drives in the future for data transfer. We will be only supporting CD qualified scsi tape drives at that time.

We have created a document to help with the procurement process. It lists defaults and specifications for Linux systems. You may include it in your procurement specifications. If included you need to fill out the "Configuration" section with things like CPU Speed, etc. The document is available in Microsoft Word 97 and Postscript format.

Ethernet Cards

**Ethernet Cards for Linux**
Vendor	Description	Part No.	status	chip	price	Notes
Netgear	10/100 PCI	FA310TX	good/bad	tulip	30.00	Good 10/100 PCI Choice, beware of newer version . WAS good now bad.
Intel	10/100 PCI		good	82559	90	OK
Kingston	EtherRx 10/100 PCI	KNE100TX	good	tulip		Good if you can find it.
3Com	Etherlink III - ISA - 10 TX	3C509B	good	3com		Good 10 only ISA choice.
3Com	PCI 10/100 XL tx	3C905-TX	not so good	3com	90	OK at 10. At 100 driver hangs. Micron and Gateway sell.
3Com	PCI 10/100 XL tx	3C905B-TX	not so good	3com	90	Problems with card being recognized.
SMC	Etherpower PCI 10/100TX		good	tulip		good choice but has been replaced with the II
SMC	Etherpower II 10/100	SMC9432TX	not so good	epic		Not as good. but does work. See above for better.
LinkSys	Etherfast 10/100 PCI TX	LNE100tx	tested/2 versions available	tulip		works, 2 versions

Video Cards

**2000Video Cards For Fermi Linux**
Vendor	Model	Chipset	Support	X Product / os	Notes	date updated
Many		S3 Virge	YES	XFree 3.3.2	Good Solution, Cheap
Many		S3 Trio	YES	XFree 3.3.2	Cheapest.
Many		Nvidia Riva	Reserved YES	XFree 3.3.2	Install Problem. Does not share interrupts. Solution is to arrange PCI cards until it works.
Many		Rendition Verite
Many		Intel 740	NO	XI - $100	NO FERMI SUPPORT
Diamond	3D 2000/3000	Virge	YES	XFree 3.3.2	good card. Been workhorse.
Diamond	Viper330	Riva	Reserved YES	XFree 3.3.2	Install Problem. See Riva above.
Diamond	G460	Intel 740	NO	XI - $100	NO FERMI SUPPORT
Diamond	Fire GL1000	Permedia 2	NO	X SUSE	NO FERMI SUPPORT
ATI	Xpert XL	Rage Pro	YES	XFree 3.3.2
Matrox	Mystique	Matrox	YES	XFree 3.3.2
Matrox	Millinnium II	Matrox 2164	YES	XFree 3.3.2
Matrox	M200		YES	3.3.3.1/ 5.2.1	Really nice card	8/16/99
STB	Velocity 128	Riva	Reserved YES	Xfree 3.3.2	Same problem as Diamond Viper 330
Diamond	Monster 3D	Voodoo	NO		Not a standalone video card. Does work with Linux Quake. NO FERMI SUPPORT
Creative	3d Blaster Voodoo	Voodoo	NO		NO FERMI SUPPORT
Diamond	V770 Ultra	Nvidia TNT2	manual update	3.3.3.1 / 5.2.1	Download nvidia driver	8/16/99
Creative	3d Blaster TNT2	Nvidia TNT2	manual update	3.3.3.1 / 5.2.1	Download nvidia driver	8/16/99
3dfx	2000/3000/35000	voodoo3	3d support only	glide/opengl	download glide	8/16/99

MonitorsV770 Ultra

**Monitors for Linux**
Vendor	Model	Size	Resolution	Status	Price Range	Notes
Hitachi	SuperScan	19"		Excellent
IIyama	VisionMaster 450	19"	1600x1200@80	Excellent	700	Local Vendor - Eternal Graphics
Hitachi	SuperScan	21"		Excellent	1000	Micron 21
IIyama	VisionMaster 501 502	21"	1600x1200@75 1800x1440@74	Excellent	1000 1060
CTX	PL7	17"	1280x1024	Good	270

Motherboards

**Motherboards for Linux**
Vendor	Model	CPU's	Chipset	Scsi	Video	Ethernet	Fermi Support	OS Version	Notes
Intel	DK440LX	2	LX	Adaptec 7895	no	Intel 82559 10/100	YES	5.0.2	local vendors
Intel	N449BX	2	BX	SYMBIOS 876 Dual	CL	Intel 82559 10/100	YES	5.0.2	local vendors
Intel	AL440LX	1	LX	no	no	no	YES	5.0.0	Used by Dell, Micron, Gateway
Intel	SE440BX	1	BX	no	no	no	YES	5.0.2	Used by Dell, Micron, Gateway
Intel	NL440BX	1	BX	SYMBIOS 875	no	no	YES	testing
DTK	77	2	BX	no	no	no	NO	no rec	Does not find cdrom on install. Not Recommended
Intel	SC450NX	4 Xeon	NX	2 LVDS	no	no
Intel	LX440GX+	2 PII/III	GX	Adaptec Ultra		Intel 82559 10/100	In Testing

Scsi Add On

**Add on Scsi Cards**
Vendor	Model	Fast/wide	SE / Diff	Uses	Notes
SYMBIOS	SYM20810	Narrow	SE	cd-r, exabyte	Cheap , tests good
SYMBIOS	SYM8751SP	Ultra/Wide	SE	Fast Disks	tests good
SYMBIOS	SYM8751D	Ultra/Wide	Diff	Fast External Disks	More expensive but good
BusLogic	BT958/BT958D	Ultra/Wide	SE/Diff	Fast Internal/External Disks	Hangs have been reported

Older Motherboards

The PCFARMS have used many different motherboards and other hardware.

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