[updated: July 18, 2000] Scyld Computing has released a GPL Linux driver for the CATC NetMate USB-to-Ethernet Link. The NetMate connects systems to Ethernet LANs via a USB port. The Scyld driver adds plug-and-play USB support to systems incorporating the Linux 2.2 kernel, and supports several chip-level USB-to-Ethernet controllers (including one made by CATC).

The capability of the NetMate Ethernet Link to conform to USB 2.x and Ethernet IEEE specifications, and function as a full-speed USB device, derives from a custom Ethernet Link Controller ASIC made by CATC (Computer Access Technology Corporation), the USB-EL1210A. The USB-EL1210A combines the functions of a USB device controller and Ethernet controller within a single chip. Information on the CATC USB-EL1210A is available here.

The Scyld Linux USB-to-Ethernet driver is released under the GPL and can be downloaded here. A Scyld whitepaper about the driver (including the answer to “How does the speed of USB-based Ethernet compare with that of a 'normal' Ethernet controller?”) can be found here. Additional USB-to-Ethernet ICs, in addition to the CATC ASIC, are also supported by the driver (see referenced whitepaper).

Related story:
USB-to-Ethernet Linux driver supports plug & play

 
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