[CentOS] Linux Kernel Physical Interface Limit

Wed Jul 14 14:53:36 UTC 2010
Brunner, Brian T. <BBrunner at gai-tronics.com>

Start with a 4 port PCI ethercard
http://www.cyberresearch.com/store/industrial-computers-rugged-pcs/industrial-computer-accessories-pc-peripherals/bus-adapters-expansion-chassis/bus-adapters-expansion-chassis-pci/PRO_3212_8873.2.htm

Expand a PCIex1 slot into several PCI slots, claiming 13 PCI slots possible.  I haven't tried to assure this is the max possible.
http://www.cyberresearch.com/store/industrial-computers-rugged-pcs/industrial-computer-accessories-pc-peripherals/bus-adapters-expansion-chassis/bus-adapters-expansion-chassis-pci/PRO_3212_8873.2.htm 

10 PCI slots and a PCIEx16 makes(?) 14 slots
http://www.cyberresearch.com/store/industrial-computers-rugged-pcs/industrial-computer-accessories-pc-peripherals/bus-adapters-expansion-chassis/bus-adapters-expansion-chassis-pci/PRO_3212_8873.2.htm

so 13 or 14 X 4 makes 52 or 56 etherchips on one system with COTS.

7 PCIeX16 slots (http://www.evga.com/articles/00501/) @PCIE->4PCI = 28 PCI slots; @x4 chips/slot is 112 (+2 on the mobo) is 1114 interfaces.

Useful?  Not my call.  Silly enough that somebody will try?  Probably.


> -----Original Message-----
> From: centos-bounces at centos.org 
> [mailto:centos-bounces at centos.org] On Behalf Of Tim Nelson
> Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 10:35 AM
> To: CentOS mailing list
> Subject: Re: [CentOS] Linux Kernel Physical Interface Limit
> 
> ----- "Brian T. Brunner" <BBrunner at gai-tronics.com> wrote:
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: centos-bounces at centos.org
> > > [mailto:centos-bounces at centos.org] On Behalf Of Eero Volotinen
> > > Sent: Tuesday, July 13, 2010 8:58 PM
> > > To: CentOS mailing list
> > > Subject: Re: [CentOS] Linux Kernel Physical Interface Limit
> > > 
> > > 2010/7/14 William Warren
> > > <hescominsoon at emmanuelcomputerconsulting.com>:
> > > >  I think it's baloney mainly because i can't find a 
> mention of it
> > 
> > > > anywhere.  Is there REALLY a limit on the number of
> > > physical network
> > > > interfaces in the Kernel?
> > > 
> > > can you really create hardware with huge number or real ethernet 
> > > controllers?
> > 
> > 13x4 = 52 ether chips is possible with COTS hardware.
> 
> Is there some sort of reference for this information? Where 
> does '13x4' come from?
> 
> --Tim
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