Sunday Aug 26, 2007

N in Nemo (NICs powered by GLDv3 framework)

The GLDv3 project (a.k.a Nemo) was originally integrated in Solaris in 2005, the new generation of Generic Lan Driver Architecture was implemented with three modules, MAC, DLS, and DLD. After then, Clearview project further modified the API introduced by Nemo, Nemo MAC-Type Plugin Architecture was implemented and WiFi type of MAC was originally supported by GLDv3.

When Nemo was initially integrated, bge(Broadcom GbE) and xge(Neterion Xframe 10GbE) were ported to the new framework as two example NIC drivers. Because the interfaces have been evolving, external developers and ISVs have not been able to take the advantage of  powerful new GLDv3, but Sun's internal development teams have ported most popular NIC drivers from DLPI or GLDv2(Generic Lan Driver) to GLDv3 framework. I'll try to list all Nemo based drivers so people can check out code from OpenSolaris to learn the latest GLDv3 architecture. 

  Driver Name   Driven NICs   Solaris Release   Comment
 bge  Broadcom Gigabit Ethernet  Solaris 10, OpenSolaris  
 nge  nVidia onboard Gigabit Ethernet  Solaris 10 update, OpenSolaris  
 e1000g  Intel Gigabit Ethernet (8254x, 8257x...)  Solaris 10 update, OpenSolaris  
 rge  Realtek Gigabit Ethernet RTL8169/8110  Solaris 10 update, OpenSolaris  
 xge  Neterion Xframe I/II 10 Gigabit Ethernet  Solaris 10, OpenSolaris  
 nxge  Neptune 10GbE  Solaris 10 update, OpenSolaris  
 ixgb  Intel 82597EX 10GbE  Solaris 10, OpenSolaris  
 rtls  Realtek Fast Ethernet  in progress  
 chxge  Chelsio 10GbE  in progress  
 ce  Cassini Gigabit Ethernet  in progress  
 hme  Sun hme Fast Ethernet  in progress  
 eri  Sun eri Fast Ethernet  in progress  

NOTE: This list is uncompleted, and more information will be added. Only Ethernet drivers are listed for now. Will add WiFi and other Nemo base drivers.

It's not easy to keep this list up to date on my blog, so I would like update the driver list on Device Driver Community so that everyone can seach Solaris supported NIC drivers and driver development statuses easily. But what a pity I don't know how to program HTML. :(

 

Comments:

yes, this is what I want for some times.
good.

Posted by alex on September 06, 2007 at 01:47 AM PDT #

I'm not able to plumb the nxge NIC interface after reboot with LDOMS on SUN T2000. If I unbind the LDOMS then restat the server "nxge" will plumb. If LDOMS are bind then after reboot nxge will not plumb

Posted by Deepak Mandloi on November 28, 2007 at 03:07 AM PST #

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