LINKSYS LNE100TX 10/100
PCI Ethernet Adapter
Last updated: 10/4/99
 Like
other Ethernet adapters I have seen recently, the LINKSYS LNE100TX is physically
smaller, measuring 2 3/16 by 5 7/8 inches, and has few capacitors than adapters
previously reviewed in the Digest. I counted three 85°C electrolytics
and one ceramic capacitor. While I can't second-guess the engineers
of this board on the number of capacitors, I can say that higher quality
105°C electrolytics would last longer. The LNE100TX uses a proprietary
LINKSYS LC82C115 all-in-one Ethernet controller to produce a low-cost, busmaster
adapter suitable for PCs. The card has the usual features and does
the usual things: auto-sense, and half and full-duplex modes.
Silk-screening and lay-out are quite good. There
are four LEDs: Link, Activity, 100 Mhz, and full-duplex. The RJ-45
socket fits snuggly. The board has a Wake-up LAN connector and comes
with a WOL cable. The WOL can be jumpered for Power Management
Event (PME), and high- and low-power Remote Wake-up support. The adapter
has a boot ROM socket (something I haven't used in many years).
The adapter, etc. is double boxed in a attractive
retail package.
The User's Guide is well-written and illustrated--better
than most I've seen with low-end adapters. It's treatment on network
cabling is fairly good, but too brief. Software installation is covered
extensively--I didn't read all of it. Trouble-shooting is weak. The
detail on WOL is just about right for a technician.
Software is provided on two floppy disks and
supports: Windows for Workgroups; Windows 95, 98, NT, LanMan, Novell; SCO
Unix; and Linux.
Installation was very easy with Windows 98
SE: shut-down, turn-off, and unplug computer; remove the cover; install
the board; plug-in and turn-on computer; insert either floppy and the Windows
CD when Windows asks for them; click when prompted to reboot after the files
are installed.
The LINKSYS
Web site is quite good, is easy to navigate, and has drivers,
manuals, etc. FAQs are extensive. The picture of the adapter
on the product page is not the same as LNE100TX I have and is pictured
on this page and is not the same as the one on their data sheet.
The street price for the LNE100TX is under
$20.00 and includes a limited lifetime warranty (a pretty safe warranty on
the manufacture's part as most people will not bother to return an item which
costs less than $20.00). I have had one in my computer for about a
month which was provided by my ISP to interface to an external cable MODEM. Although
this is not a speed-demanding use, the adapter has nonetheless performed
flawlessly in this capacity.
Larry
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