TECHNICAL INFORMATION DOCUMENT

TITLE:              PTF157 - EtherExpress16 Driver Update
DOCUMENT ID:        TID300147
DOCUMENT REVISION:  B
DATE:               25JAN95
ALERT STATUS:       Yellow
INFORMATION TYPE:   Symptom Solution
README FOR:         PTF157

PRODUCT and VERSION:
UnixWare 1.1

ABSTRACT:

This file contains PTF157 - EtherExpress16 Driver Update.  This patch 
contains an updated driver for the Intel EtherExpress16 network adapter 
cards.  This patch should be installed on all UnixWare 1.1.1, 1.1.2 
or 1.1.3 systems which have the EtherExpress16 (ee16) driver installed.


SYMPTOM

Transfer of large files causes network interface to "hang"

SOLUTION

Apply the ptf157 file.


Installation Instructions:

DATATYPE: datastream

1.  Download the ptf157.Z and ptf157.txt files to the /tmp directory  
    on your machine.

2.  Read the release notes contained in this file and follow the          
    instuctions to add the packages to your system.

3.  Now become root, uncompress the file and add the package to your 
    system using the following commands:

        $ su
        # uncompress /tmp/ptf157.Z
        # pkgadd -d /tmp/ptf157 ptf157

Solution Specifics

General Description.
-------------------

The updated driver installed by this patch resolves a problem that 
can cause the current driver to stop working when transmission of a 
large file to another system is attempted.  The problem has only been 
observed on systems equipped with the faster processors; it is the 
result of "overdriving" the board when sending it a buffer to 
be transmitted.

Due to variations in different models of the EtherExpress16 cards, 
the driver no longer attempts to update the board configuration 
with the UnixWare system configuration data (this was only possible 
when a single card was present). In all cases, it is now necessary 
to configure the card using the EtherExpress16 configuration utility 
and to provide the configuration details to the UnixWare system.

New Features.
------------

None

Software Notes and Recommendations.
----------------------------------

This patch should be installed on all UnixWare 1.1.1, 1.1.2 or 
1.1.3 systems which have the EtherExpress16 (ee16) driver installed.  
Although it is only needed on systems with higher-speed processors, 
it can be installed on any system.

This patch requires one of UnixWare Update 1.1.1, 1.1.2 or 1.1.3 and 
also the ee16 driver to be installed on the system.  The package will 
NOT install if the required system configuration is not present.

If this PTF is first installed on a UnixWare 1.1.1 or 1.1.2 system 
and Update 1.1.3 is subsequently installed, reinstallation of this 
PTF is required.  It does not have to be reinstalled following the 
installation of Update 1.1.2.

Hardware Notes and Recommendations.
----------------------------------

This PTF is targeted for the i386, i486 and Pentium CPU's.

Installation Instructions.
-------------------------

This PTF consists of 1 3.5 inch floppy.  Insert the floppy into the drive and,
while logged in as root, type

     pkgadd -d diskette1

and follow the instructions output by pkgadd.

Troubleshooting.
---------------

If, before installing this patch, you wish to determine whether or not you
need it, you may do so by:

- create a very large file (should be at least 30MB or larger)
- attempt to send it to another system via rcp

If the transfer is successful, you probably don't need this patch.  
If, on the other hand, the transfer "hangs" and you find your network 
is no longer usable, you should install this patch before rebooting your system.