LAN/NIC problem

[dkryder]

What is the difference between the HW method and the SW patch ?

What we are trying to do is to enable only the Tx-delay and to disable ONLY the Rx-delay.  Both approaches are a hardware solution ;  one sets the GMAC register with a program call ( this uses the longsleep kernel patch to achieve the hardware result ) , and the other uses a physical resistor on the board to 'pull-down' the line to ground which will also afffect the same hardward change -- namely , the Rx-delay will be disabled  and only the Tx-delay will be enabled. 

This either works or it doesn't.  It is sad to hear that register setting is not working for people;  I am preparing to implement the resistor fix on my ubuntu board ( my non working board );  I'll be reporting back here with the results soon.  In the mean time it would be interesting to note which ones ( if any ) the register setting to disable the Rx-delay is actually working in the field. 

Twleve out of twelve boards were 'fixed' in the lab by setting the register;  so something is 'off' in the field. Just a note,  setting Rx-delay = 0  does not work since that setting still results in a 2ns delay regardless;  the Rx-delay actually has to be disabled.

it occurs to me that using a program call to set a hardware register is a software solution. that , to me, is one of the basic reasons/purposes of software, the manipulation of the present hardware to achieve a goal.  can you explain to me why it is not?  thanks.