===== Other Hardware =====

Alpha systems used expansion cards and peripherals for graphics, storage, network, sound, USB, serial, and input. Digital sold many of these as options under its own part numbers, often rebadged from other vendors. Whether a card works on an Alpha depends on three things: whether the [[software:firmware|firmware]] can initialize it (and, for storage and network cards, boot from it), whether its Linux driver works on Alpha, and whether the card's addressing and bus requirements suit the system.

==== Choosing a card ====

The table summarizes commonly used cards, with the current kernel driver and whether the SRM console can boot from them. SRM boot support varies by system and console version; the sections below give the details.

^ Type ^ Card ^ Current driver ^ SRM boot ^
| Graphics | ATI Radeon 7500 and later PCI and AGP Radeons | ''radeon'' (KMS) [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/drivers/gpu/drm/radeon/radeon_drv.c?h=v7.3-rc1|drivers/gpu/drm/radeon/radeon_drv.c]], Linux 7.3)] | Not applicable; many older consoles cannot initialize a Radeon [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2002-April.mbox#L1474|"Re: Looking for a "good" video card for a DS5305"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 2 Apr 2002)] |
| SCSI | NCR/Symbios/LSI 53C8xx | ''sym53c8xx'' [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/drivers/scsi/sym53c8xx_2/sym_glue.c?h=v7.3-rc1|drivers/scsi/sym53c8xx_2/sym_glue.c]], Linux 7.3)] | Yes, except the 53C885 [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2000-July.mbox#L505|"Re: PWS433a and tru64"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 4 Jul 2000)] |
| SCSI | LSI 53C1010 | ''sym53c8xx'' [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/drivers/scsi/sym53c8xx_2/sym_hipd.c?h=v7.3-rc1|drivers/scsi/sym53c8xx_2/sym_hipd.c]], Linux 7.3)] | Only with consoles that know the chip, reportedly those of the DS20L and of API's boards with SRM 5.8 or later; [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2001-October.mbox#L2472|"RE: Tekram DC390U3W & pws433"]], Christopher C. Chimelis, axp-list, 3 Oct 2001)] [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2001-October.mbox#L3073|"Re: Tekram DC390U3W & pws433"]], Christopher C. Chimelis, axp-list, 3 Oct 2001)] not on the AlphaServer 1200 [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2003-July.mbox#L6817|"Re: Hardware question: AS1200, SRM, LSI 53c1010"]], Jay Estabrook, debian-alpha, 11 Jul 2003)] |
| SCSI | QLogic ISP1020, ISP1040 | ''qla1280'' [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/drivers/scsi/qla1280.c?h=v7.3-rc1|drivers/scsi/qla1280.c]], Linux 7.3)] | Yes [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2000-July.mbox#L505|"Re: PWS433a and tru64"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 4 Jul 2000)] |
| SCSI | QLogic ISP1080, ISP12160 | ''qla1280'' [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/drivers/scsi/qla1280.c?h=v7.3-rc1|drivers/scsi/qla1280.c]], Linux 7.3)] | Not on the AlphaServer 1200 [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2002-December.mbox#L5021|"Re: General questions about alphaserver 1200 (533AU2)"]], Noah Ackerman, debian-alpha, 9 Dec 2002)] |
| SCSI | Adaptec AIC-7xxx (2940UW, 39160) | ''aic7xxx'' [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/drivers/scsi/aic7xxx/aic7xxx_osm.c?h=v7.3-rc1|drivers/scsi/aic7xxx/aic7xxx_osm.c]], Linux 7.3)] | With SRM 5.8 on the 164LX and 164SX, and 5.9 on the DS10, DS20, ES40, and XP1000 [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2001-April.mbox#L35378|"Re: Alpha PC164, SRM, and Adaptec 2940UW"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 11 Apr 2001)] |
| RAID | Mylex DAC960 | ''myrb'' [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/drivers/scsi/myrb.c?h=v7.3-rc1|drivers/scsi/myrb.c]], Linux 7.3)] | Yes [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2003-February.mbox#L19351|"DAC960 Alpha support (was: Re: Redhat 7.2 on a DEC ALPHA 2100)"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 26 Feb 2003)] |
| SATA | Silicon Image SiI 3112, 3124 | ''sata_sil'', ''sata_sil24'' [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/drivers/ata/sata_sil.c?h=v7.3-rc1|drivers/ata/sata_sil.c]], Linux 7.3)] [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/drivers/ata/sata_sil24.c?h=v7.3-rc1|drivers/ata/sata_sil24.c]], Linux 7.3)] | No [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2011-May.mbox#L4373|"Re: Recent experience with IDE/SATA PCI cards on alpha?"]], Michael Cree, debian-alpha, 15 May 2011)] |
| Ethernet | DE500 and other DC2114x (Tulip) cards | ''tulip'' [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/drivers/net/ethernet/dec/tulip/tulip_core.c?h=v7.3-rc1|drivers/net/ethernet/dec/tulip/tulip_core.c]], Linux 7.3)] | Yes for the DE500; [(>{{wiki:software:firmware:alphaserver_4000_4100_v6.0_firmware_release_notes.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 4100/4000 Firmware Release Notes, V6.0}}, September 2001, p. 3-4)] the console is particular about third-party Tulip cards [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1999-December.mbox#L47109|"Re: PC164, SRM and ethernet"]], Matthew Jacob, axp-list, 29 Dec 1999)] |
| Ethernet | Intel 8255x (DE600) | ''e100'' [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/e100.c?h=v7.3-rc1|drivers/net/ethernet/intel/e100.c]], Linux 7.3)] | On EV6 consoles and some EV56 consoles, such as the 164LX and 164SX [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2000-August.mbox#L31580|"Re: How to setup my 3 Com 3C509B ISA cards for Alpha machine?"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 2 Aug 2000)] [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2000-September.mbox#L1114|"Re: srm and scsi controllers."]], Jay Estabrook, debian-alpha, 6 Sep 2000)] |
| Gigabit Ethernet | Intel PRO/1000 (PCI and PCI-X) | ''e1000'' [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/e1000/e1000_main.c?h=v7.3-rc1|drivers/net/ethernet/intel/e1000/e1000_main.c]], Linux 7.3)] | Not reported |
| Gigabit Ethernet | Broadcom BCM570x (DEGXA) | ''tg3'' [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/drivers/net/ethernet/broadcom/tg3.c?h=v7.3-rc1|drivers/net/ethernet/broadcom/tg3.c]], Linux 7.3)] | Not reported |
| USB 2 | NEC-based cards | ''ehci-pci'' [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/drivers/usb/host/ehci-pci.c?h=v7.3-rc1|drivers/usb/host/ehci-pci.c]], Linux 7.3)] | Not applicable [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2012-June.mbox#L2873|"Re: new video card (was Re: USB cards for PWS 433au)"]], Bob Tracy, debian-alpha, 28 Jun 2012)] |

==== Common problems ====

=== PCI slot voltage, width, and speed ===

PCI cards are keyed for 5 V or 3.3 V signaling, or are universal cards that fit both kinds of slot. A card keyed for one voltage does not fit a slot for the other, and forcing it in can damage it. [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_es45:alphaserver_es45_service_guide.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer ES45 Service Guide}}, p. 1-20)] The EV56 motherboards such as the AlphaPC 164LX have 5 V PCI connectors, and supply +3.3 V to cards that need it. [(>{{wiki:hardware:motherboards:pc164lx:pc164lx_technical_reference_manual.pdf?linkonly|AlphaPC 164LX Motherboard Technical Reference Manual}}, p. 4-7)] Among the EV6 systems, the DS10 and ES40 accept both 3.3 V and 5 V cards, [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_ds10:alphaserver_ds10_technical_summary.pdf?linkonly|Compaq AlphaServer DS10 Systems Technical Summary}}, p. 6)] [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_es40:alphaserver_es40_technical_summary.pdf?linkonly|Compaq AlphaServer ES40 Systems Technical Summary}}, p. 8)] while the DS15 accepts only 3.3 V cards. [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_ds15:alphaserver_ds15_technical_summary.pdf?linkonly|HP AlphaServer DS15 System Technical Summary}}, p. 6)] The DS25 and ES45 have 5 V slots at 33 MHz and 3.3 V slots at 66 MHz: a 3.3 V card works only in a 66 MHz slot, a universal card works in any slot, and a 33 MHz card in a 66 MHz slot slows the whole bus to 33 MHz. [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_es45:alphaserver_es45_quickspecs.pdf?linkonly|HP AlphaServer ES45 QuickSpecs, Version 54}}, p. 5)] [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_ds25:alphaserver_ds25_quickspecs.pdf?linkonly|HP AlphaServer/AlphaStation DS25 QuickSpecs, Version 21}}, p. 4)] All the slots of the ES47 tower use 3.3 V signaling, with PCI-X at up to 133 MHz and a 1.5 V AGP slot, [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_es47:alphaserver_es47_tower_quickspecs.pdf?linkonly|HP AlphaServer ES47 Tower and AlphaStation ES47 Tower QuickSpecs, Version 20}}, p. 8)] and the GS1280's standard I/O drawer has 5 V PCI slots alongside its PCI-X slots. [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_gs1280:alphaserver_gs1280_quickspecs.pdf?linkonly|HP AlphaServer GS1280 Systems QuickSpecs, Version 22}}, p. 14)] For the AGP slot of the UP1500, see [[hardware:motherboards:up1500#known_issues|UP1500]].

The DS10, ES40, and DS15 accept both 32-bit and 64-bit PCI cards, [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_ds10:alphaserver_ds10_technical_summary.pdf?linkonly|Compaq AlphaServer DS10 Systems Technical Summary}}, p. 6)] [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_es40:alphaserver_es40_technical_summary.pdf?linkonly|Compaq AlphaServer ES40 Systems Technical Summary}}, p. 8)] [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_ds15:alphaserver_ds15_technical_summary.pdf?linkonly|HP AlphaServer DS15 System Technical Summary}}, p. 6)] but the XP1000 guide says not to use 64-bit cards in 32-bit slots. [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_xp1000:professional_workstation_xp1000_installation_and_setup_guide.pdf?linkonly|Compaq Professional Workstation XP1000 Installation and Setup Guide}}, p. 3-2)] The Personal Workstation's 64-bit slots have their own restrictions; see [[#personal_workstation_64-bit_slots|Personal Workstation 64-bit slots]].

No Alpha system has PCI Express slots: even the EV7 systems offer only PCI-X, PCI, and AGP. [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_gs1280:alphaserver_gs1280_quickspecs.pdf?linkonly|HP AlphaServer GS1280 Systems QuickSpecs, Version 22}}, p. 22)] PCI Express cards can be used only through PCIe to PCI bridge adapters, with mixed results. Under NetBSD, a USB 3 card on such an adapter works in a DS20L, but the adapter is not detected at all in a DS25. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/netbsd-port-alpha-mbox/gmane-2018-December.mbox#L1|"PCI on Alpha issues and DS20L usability"]], John Klos, port-alpha, 6 Dec 2018)] A Radeon HD 5000 series card with an on-board PCIe to PCI bridge works in a DS15 under Linux. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2020-August.mbox#L229|"DS15 with kernel 5.8.1"]], Ivan C. N., debian-alpha, 17 Aug 2020)]

=== x86 option ROMs ===

PC cards carry x86 code in their option ROMs, and Alpha firmware must run a graphics card's video BIOS in an x86 emulator to initialize it. When the console cannot initialize a card, the system can still be used with a [[documentation:srm#serial_console|serial console]], and the X server's own x86 emulator may be able to initialize the card once Linux is running. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2009-October.mbox#L5944|"Re: X11 server on alpha -- update"]], Michael Cree, debian-alpha, 27 Oct 2009)]

Newer video BIOSes are often too much for older consoles. nVidia Riva cards could not be used as the primary card because of 32-bit instructions in their BIOS, [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1999-June.mbox#L34466|"Re: Diamond Viper550 PCI"]], Jeff Garzik, axp-list, 25 Jun 1999)] and no nVidia cards worked with the LX164 and SX164 consoles until nearly the last firmware releases. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2002-September.mbox#L4322|"Re: Well supported PCI graphics card for 164SX"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 6 Sep 2002)] The ATI Rage 128 and Radeon do not work with the BIOS emulators of most older systems. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2002-April.mbox#L1474|"Re: Looking for a "good" video card for a DS5305"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 2 Apr 2002)]

SRM V5.6 for the AlphaServer ES40 added "an X86 bios emulator" to support the KZPCC-CE RAID controller. [(>{{wiki:software:firmware:alphaserver_es40_v7.3_firmware_release_notes.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer ES40 V7.3 Firmware Release Notes}}, April 2007, p. 38)] On these systems ''show bios'' lists controllers with an expansion ROM, and ''run bios'' runs a card's ROM, for example the KZPCC-CE's configuration utility. [(>{{wiki:software:firmware:alphaserver_ds20_v7.3_firmware_release_notes.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer DS20 V7.3 Firmware Release Notes}}, April 2007, p. 5)] Some cards' settings, such as the Adaptec 7895's, could only be changed with DOS-style utilities run under AlphaBIOS. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1999-May.mbox#L41463|"Re: Question about SCSI on DP264 motherboard"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 18 May 1999)]

=== Sparse and dense bus access ===

The core logic of older systems can only reach PCI and ISA memory through "sparse" address spaces. X servers that assume dense access, such as the nVidia server, do not work on systems that require sparse access, [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2001-June.mbox#L12190|"Re: XFree support of Alpha"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 17 Jun 2001)] and neither do Matrox Millennium cards on EV5 systems with sparse access. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2004-October.mbox#L2929|"AC-0.9 Testing Results (was: Re: Alpha Core ISO Images)"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 15 Oct 2004)] Among systems that current kernels support, the [[hardware:chipsets#21172|21172]] (CIA-2) systems use sparse I/O addressing. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1998-March.mbox#L18328|"RE: Re: ev56 optimization -> illegal instruction"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 14 Mar 1998)]

=== DMA addressing ===

ISA bus-master cards do not work, because Alpha systems have "no PCI DMA windows in the address range 0 - 16Mb, which makes "true" ISA devices (24-bit addresses) unsupported". [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1999-June.mbox#L34907|"Re: Kernel questions (not mine)"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 25 Jun 1999)]

PCI cards that can only address part of the 32-bit space may fail. The SB Live's EMU10K1 "is incapable of issuing addresses larger than 512MB-1". [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2002-July.mbox#L11087|"Re: SoundBlaster Live (emu10k1) on PWS433"]], Jay Estabrook, debian-alpha, 18 Jul 2002)]

Network cards that only place receive buffers on 32-bit boundaries, such as those using the VIA Rhine, leave IP headers misaligned and cause floods of unaligned access traps unless the driver copies packets. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2001-December.mbox#L6642|"Re: Kernel unaligned accesses"]], Ivan Kokshaysky, axp-list, 11 Dec 2001)]

=== Personal Workstation 64-bit slots ===

The Miata (Personal Workstation a and au series) has a small table of cards allowed in its 64-bit PCI slots, which are in front of the PCI-PCI bridge. With an unrecognized card in one of these slots, SRM refuses to boot; the card can be moved to a 32-bit slot behind the bridge. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2002-September.mbox#L2942|"Re: 3d on alpha?"]], Jay Estabrook, debian-alpha, 4 Sep 2002)] The check can be disabled with ''set pci_device_override -1'', but the early Pyxis core logic has a scatter-gather DMA erratum (see [[hardware:chipsets#21174|Chipsets]]). [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2003-October.mbox#L3263|"Re: pci cards supported by SRM?"]], Jay Estabrook, debian-alpha, 9 Oct 2003)] A graphics card can run in a 64-bit slot with the override set, but cards that use DMA risk data corruption there, and the workaround mentioned in the boot messages is incomplete. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/comp-os-linux-alpha-mbox/googlegroups-2003-March.mbox#L5674|"Re: Problems with X on a Personal Workstation 500a"]], Måns Rullgård, comp.os.linux.alpha, 14 Mar 2003)] Storage controllers in particular should not be installed in the 64-bit slots of a first-generation Personal Workstation. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2012-June.mbox#L1331|"Re: USB cards for PWS 433au"]], Michael Cree, debian-alpha, 24 Jun 2012)]

==== Cards known to work with current kernels ====

Most of the cards below are PCI or PCI-X cards that also fit the 64-bit slots of the later systems. The console generally cannot boot from any of them; see [[#booting_from_srm|Booting from SRM]]. Reports since 2011 are:

^ Type ^ Card ^ Driver ^ Reported in ^ Notes ^
| Gigabit Ethernet | Intel PRO/1000 MT (82546GB), and other Intel PCI and PCI-X gigabit cards | ''e1000'' | DS15, Linux 5.8 [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2020-August.mbox#L229|"DS15 with kernel 5.8.1"]], Ivan C. N., debian-alpha, 17 Aug 2020)] | Works [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2012-July.mbox#L1|"Re: USB cards for PWS 433au"]], Alan Young, debian-alpha, 1 Jul 2012)] |
| Gigabit Ethernet | Broadcom BCM5703 (Digital's DEGXA), and other Broadcom cards | ''tg3'' | DS20E, DS25, ES45 | Needs firmware from ''linux-firmware'', which the Debian installer does not include [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2019-July.mbox#L1737|"Re: systemd woes continue"]], Frank Scheiner, debian-alpha, 17 Jul 2019)] |
| SATA | Silicon Image SiI 3112 and 3124 | ''sata_sil'', ''sata_sil24'' | XP1000, Personal Workstation | "Works well" [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2011-May.mbox#L4373|"Re: Recent experience with IDE/SATA PCI cards on alpha?"]], Michael Cree, debian-alpha, 15 May 2011)] [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2008-May.mbox#L289|"RE: Problem installing debian on alpha personal workstation"]], Uwe Schindler, debian-alpha, 1 May 2008)] |
| SATA | Marvell PCI-X cards | ''sata_mv'' | XP1000 | Problems with older kernels, fine by 2011 [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2011-May.mbox#L4373|"Re: Recent experience with IDE/SATA PCI cards on alpha?"]], Michael Cree, debian-alpha, 15 May 2011)] |
| SAS | LSI SAS1068 | ''mptsas'' | DS15, Linux 5.8 [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2020-August.mbox#L229|"DS15 with kernel 5.8.1"]], Ivan C. N., debian-alpha, 17 Aug 2020)] | |
| Graphics | ATI Radeon 7500 (RV200) and later PCI and AGP Radeons | ''radeon'', with KMS | Personal Workstation, XP1000, DS15 | The Radeon 7500 is recommended. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2018-October.mbox#L260|"X11 on Alpha running Debian "sid""]], Bob Tracy, debian-alpha, 8 Oct 2018)] See [[#pc_graphics_cards|PC graphics cards]]. A Radeon HD 5000 series card with an on-board PCIe to PCI bridge works in a DS15 [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2020-August.mbox#L229|"DS15 with kernel 5.8.1"]], Ivan C. N., debian-alpha, 17 Aug 2020)] |
| USB 2 | NEC-based cards | ''ehci-hcd'' | | See [[#usb|USB]] |

Some notes on these:

  * **SATA disks cannot be booted by SRM.** [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2011-May.mbox#L4373|"Re: Recent experience with IDE/SATA PCI cards on alpha?"]], Michael Cree, debian-alpha, 15 May 2011)] A common arrangement is to keep ''/boot'' on a disk that SRM can read, such as a small SCSI disk or a PATA flash module on the onboard IDE controller, and the root file system on SATA. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2016-February.mbox#L2136|"Re: Compatible IDE controllers (preferably for an ES45)"]], awinbow, debian-alpha, 25 Feb 2016)]
  * **AHCI** controllers are not enabled in Debian's Alpha kernel configuration, [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2018-December.mbox#L1429|"Re: Use SMP kernel for Alpha (udeb) builds"]], Bob Tracy, debian-alpha, 8 Dec 2018)] and no reports of them working on Alpha are known.
  * **Radeon.** Since Linux 6.3, ''radeon'' can be loaded as a module; [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/torvalds/c/b6b17a8b3ecd|"alpha: fix R_ALPHA_LITERAL reloc for large modules"]], Linux 6.3)] from about Linux 3.11 until then, the module was too large to load on Alpha, failing with "Relocation (type 4) overflow", and had to be built into the kernel. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2013-August.mbox#L808|"Re: new radeon firmware for 3.11.0-rcX"]], Michael Cree, debian-alpha, 25 Aug 2013)] The driver needs current firmware from ''linux-firmware''. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2013-August.mbox#L713|"new radeon firmware for 3.11.0-rcX"]], Bob Tracy, debian-alpha, 22 Aug 2013)] Linux 5.11 introduced a hard lockup with a Radeon HD 4350 in an XP1000, bisected to the driver's new memory allocator; no fix has been reported. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2021-April.mbox#L137|"Re: X11 system lockup with 5.11.0 kernel"]], Michael Cree, debian-alpha, 5 Apr 2021)]
  * **USB 3.** No reports of xHCI cards under Linux on Alpha are known. Under NetBSD, a USB 3 card works on the DS20L, even through a PCIe to PCI adapter. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/netbsd-port-alpha-mbox/gmane-2018-December.mbox#L1|"PCI on Alpha issues and DS20L usability"]], John Klos, port-alpha, 6 Dec 2018)]
  * **Intel gigabit cards:** the PCI and PCI-X cards use the ''e1000'' driver and work well. ''e1000e'' is the driver for Intel's PCI Express cards, which need a PCIe slot that no Alpha has. Likewise, the newer LSI SAS cards (''mpt2sas'', ''mpt3sas'') are PCI Express cards.

==== Graphics ====

^ Digital part ^ Name ^ Chip ^ Current Linux driver ^
| PBXGA-AA, -BA, -CA | ZLXp-E1, -E2, -E3 | DC21030 (TGA) | ''tgafb'' |
| PBXGB-AA, -CA | PowerStorm 3D30, 4D20 | TGA2 | VGA text console only |
| PB2GA-JA, -JB, -JC, -JD | S3 Trio64, Trio64V+ | S3 Trio64 | ''s3fb'' |
| PB2GA-FA, -FB | ATI Mach64 | ATI Mach64 | ''atyfb'' |
| SN-PBXGK-BB | ELSA GLoria Synergy (PowerStorm 4D10T) | 3Dlabs Permedia 2 | ''pm2fb'' |
| SN-PBXGF-AB | 3Dlabs Oxygen VX1 | 3Dlabs Permedia 3 | ''pm3fb'' |
| SN-PBXGD-AD, -AE | PowerStorm 300, 350 | Evans & Sutherland REALimage | None |
| | PowerStorm 4D40 | Intergraph MSMT259, with a Cirrus GD5440 | None |
| SN-PBXGI-AD | PowerStorm 4D51T | Intergraph | None |
| 3X-PBXGG-AA, -AB | ATI Radeon 7500 PCI, AGP | ATI Radeon | ''radeon'' |

The table is compiled from Digital's supported options lists, [(>''AlphaServer 1000A 5/333, 5/4xx, 5/5xx Supported Options List'', Digital, April 14, 1997, "Video")] [(>''AlphaServer 400 Supported Options List'', Digital, November 11, 1996, "Graphics/Multimedia")] Systems and Options Catalogs, [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:personal_workstation:personal_workstation_a_au_series_catalog.pdf?linkonly|Compaq DPW Enhanced a-Series & au-Series}}, Systems and Options Catalog, September 2000, p. 6)] firmware release notes, [(>{{wiki:software:firmware:alphaserver_es45_v7.3_firmware_release_notes.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer and AlphaStation ES45 V7.3 Firmware Release Notes}}, April 2007, p. 14)] and QuickSpecs. [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_es47:alphaserver_es47_tower_quickspecs.pdf?linkonly|HP AlphaServer ES47 Tower QuickSpecs}}, November 2003, p. 15)] The driver column gives the kernel's framebuffer driver; XFree86 and early X.Org also had X drivers for these cards (''tga'', ''s3'', ''ati'', and ''glint''), which have since been reduced to basic 2D support or removed (see [[#pc_graphics_cards|PC graphics cards]]). Of the PowerStorm cards, only the 3D10, 3D30, 4D10T, and 4D20 had X drivers. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2002-October.mbox#L16133|"Re: Rawhide problems: TGA2 and SMP crash"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 25 Oct 2002)] The Intergraph MSMT259 cards found in AlphaStation 500s sold for Windows NT are PowerStorm 4D40s. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/tru64-unix-managers-mbox/2002-March.mbox#L24404|"SUMMARY: Intergraph Graphics Cards"]], David Bannon, tru64-unix-managers, 12 Mar 2002)]

=== TGA and TGA2 ===

The ZLXp-E cards use Digital's DC21030 "TGA" chip. The ZLXp-E1 is 8-plane, the E2 24-plane, and the E3 24-plane with a Z-buffer and 16 MiB. The Multia has the equivalent of an E1 built into the motherboard. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1996-October.mbox#L44573|"Re: TGA graphics stuff (feature question)"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 27 Oct 1996)] The kernel's ''tgafb'' driver supports all three. [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/Documentation/fb/tgafb.rst?h=v6.10|Documentation/fb/tgafb.rst]], Linux 6.10)] The ZLXp-L cards use a different accelerator chipset and are not supported. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1998-November.mbox#L21028|"Re: ZLXp-L Graphics Cards"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 8 Nov 1998)]

The TGA2 cards, the PowerStorm 3D30 and 4D20, use a Cirrus VGA chip for the text-mode console and the TGA2 chip for accelerated X. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2002-January.mbox#L18272|"Re: Graphics in my PWS433au Miata"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 23 Jan 2002)] The kernel framebuffer driver does not support them, but they can be used with the standard VGA text console driver. [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/Documentation/fb/tgafb.rst?h=v6.10|Documentation/fb/tgafb.rst]], Linux 6.10)] The PBXGB-AA's switch should be set to position six (1024x768 at 72Hz). [(>{{wiki:software:firmware:alphaserver_es40_v7.3_firmware_release_notes.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer ES40 V7.3 Firmware Release Notes}}, April 2007, p. 20)] The PowerStorm 350 has no X driver. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2002-December.mbox#L10236|"Re: 7.2 iso's and Powerstorm video card"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 9 Dec 2002)]

=== ATI Mach64 ===

The ATI Mach64 was a lower-cost option for the AlphaStation 200 4/100; its jumper JU10, which enables the card's interrupt request, must be installed in that system. [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphastation_200:alphastation_200_mach64_installation_guide.pdf?linkonly|AlphaStation 200 4/100 mach64 Graphics Accelerator Installation Guide}}, February 1995, pp. 1-3)]

=== PC graphics cards ===

In reports from 2001 to 2008, cards that worked well with the X servers of the time included:

  * the ELSA GLoria Synergy, which passed both console and X tests on an AlphaServer 1200, [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2002-April.mbox#L5533|"Re: Looking for a "good" video card for a DS5305"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 4 Apr 2002)]
  * Permedia 3 cards such as the Oxygen VX1, which have 32 MiB of memory and a fast RAMDAC, [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2002-April.mbox#L1474|"Re: Looking for a "good" video card for a DS5305"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 2 Apr 2002)]
  * the Matrox Millennium I and II, G200, and G400, [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2008-April.mbox#L4242|"fedora x install"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 28 Apr 2008)]
  * the 3dfx Voodoo3 3000, [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2005-April.mbox#L4378|"Another test iso image from AC1.0"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 18 Apr 2005)]
  * ATI Radeons, which are the best choice for EV6 and later systems. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2008-April.mbox#L4437|"fedora x install"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 28 Apr 2008)]

S3 Trio64 cards are unreliable, particularly in the AlphaStation 200 and 400, [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2000-March.mbox#L17110|"Re: more pain in the arse"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 10 Mar 2000)] and the Trio64V+ works poorly. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2003-July.mbox#L2797|"Re: XF86 for S3 Trio 64 164SX"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 11 Jul 2003)] On the UP1000, UP1100, and UP1500, the AGP slot operates only as a PCI slot; see [[hardware:motherboards:up1000#known_issues|UP1000]].

The ''radeon'' KMS driver is the only X.Org driver known to work on Alpha today; the older X drivers for cards such as the Permedia 2 and S3 Trio64V2 have been reduced to basic 2D support or removed. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2016-April.mbox#L636|"Re: Multia state of support"]], Michael Cree, debian-alpha, 3 Apr 2016)] [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/gentoo-alpha-mbox/2021-October.mbox#L532|"Re: [gentoo-alpha] Alpha gfx card support for Xorg"]], Jason Howe, gentoo-alpha, 15 Oct 2021)] The ''radeon'' X driver requires the kernel's mode setting, since its user mode setting code was removed. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/gentoo-alpha-mbox/2014-December.mbox#L310|"Re: [gentoo-alpha] Re: radeon questions"]], Alex Deucher, gentoo-alpha, 11 Dec 2014)] In 2021 a PCI Radeon HD 3450 ran a 1920x1200 display from a DS20. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/gentoo-alpha-mbox/2021-October.mbox#L532|"Re: [gentoo-alpha] Alpha gfx card support for Xorg"]], Jason Howe, gentoo-alpha, 15 Oct 2021)]

=== Console restrictions ===

  * On the AlphaServer 4000 and 4100, "VGAs configured as console display devices must be in PCI0." [(>{{wiki:software:firmware:alphaserver_4000_4100_v6.0_firmware_release_notes.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 4100/4000 Firmware Release Notes, V6.0}}, September 2001, p. 3-5)]
  * On the ES40, "Only one VGA graphic controller card, that is VGA-Enabled, is supported in PCI0 bus slots." [(>{{wiki:software:firmware:alphaserver_es40_v7.3_firmware_release_notes.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer ES40 V7.3 Firmware Release Notes}}, April 2007, p. 20)]
  * With SRM V5.9 and earlier on the ES40, an Adaptec controller in a lower-numbered slot than an Oxygen VX1 "may cause a console hang". [(>{{wiki:software:firmware:alphaserver_es40_v7.3_firmware_release_notes.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer ES40 V7.3 Firmware Release Notes}}, April 2007, p. 19)]
  * On the UX164 (Ruffian), the VGA card must be in the single 64-bit slot, because it is in front of the built-in PCI-PCI bridge. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1998-June.mbox#L26949|"Re: Installing Linux on AlphaPC 164UX"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 12 Jun 1998)]
  * The AlphaServer 800's onboard S3 Trio64 must be disabled with jumper J27 to use another VGA card. [(>{{wiki:software:firmware:alphaserver_800_users_guide.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 800 User's Guide}}, November 1997, p. 11-9)]

==== Storage ====

^ Digital part ^ Description ^ Chip ^ Linux driver ^
| KZPAA | PCI single-ended SCSI | NCR 53C810 | ''sym53c8xx'' (''ncr53c8xx'' in older kernels) |
| KZPDA | PCI fast wide single-ended SCSI with PCI-PCI bridge | QLogic ISP1020 | ''qla1280'' (''qlogicisp'' in older kernels) |
| KZPBA-CA, -CB | PCI UltraSCSI, single-ended and differential | QLogic ISP1040B | ''qla1280'' (''qlogicisp'' in older kernels) |
| KZPSA | PCI fast wide differential SCSI | Intel i960 and Symbios 53C720 | None |
| KZPSC | PCI RAID, 1 to 3 channels | Mylex DAC960PD | ''myrb'' (''DAC960'' in older kernels) |
| KZPAC | PCI UltraSCSI RAID, 1 to 3 channels | Mylex DAC960PU | ''myrb'' (''DAC960'' in older kernels) |
| KZPEA | PCI dual-channel Ultra3 SCSI | Adaptec AIC-7899 | ''aic7xxx'' |
| KZPCC-CE | PCI three-channel Ultra2 RAID | DPT | ''dpt_i2o'' to Linux 5.19 |
| KGPSA | PCI Fibre Channel | Emulex LightPulse | ''lpfc'' |

The table is compiled from the AlphaServer 4100 firmware release notes, [(>{{wiki:software:firmware:alphaserver_4000_4100_v6.0_firmware_release_notes.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 4100/4000 Firmware Release Notes, V6.0}}, September 2001, p. 3-4)] the ES40 firmware release notes, [(>{{wiki:software:firmware:alphaserver_es40_v7.3_firmware_release_notes.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer ES40 V7.3 Firmware Release Notes}}, April 2007, pp. 9, 38)] and the kernel's ''myrb'' driver, which names the KZPSC and KZPAC. [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/drivers/scsi/myrb.c?h=v6.10|drivers/scsi/myrb.c]], Linux 6.10)] The KZPBA-CA is a QLogic ISP1040B, [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1999-October.mbox#L53498|"Re: ds10 install query"]], Peter Rival, axp-list, 29 Oct 1999)] and the KGPSA-CA is an Emulex adapter, not a QLogic one. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2000-December.mbox#L13600|"Re: FC with fabric topology"]], Peter Rival, axp-list, 12 Dec 2000)] The KZPSA is a Digital design, not a Mylex card, [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2001-November.mbox#L3270|"Re: KZPSA driver (repost?)"]], Peter Rival, axp-list, 5 Nov 2001)] using a Symbios 53C720 and an Intel i960. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2001-November.mbox#L854|"KZPSA driver?"]], Barry Roberts, axp-list, 1 Nov 2001)] The ''dpt_i2o'' driver was removed in Linux 6.0. [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/torvalds/c/b04e75a4a8a8|"scsi: dpt_i2o: Remove obsolete driver"]], Linux 6.0)]

=== Booting from SRM ===

The AlphaServer 4000 and 4100 SRM console can boot from the KFPSA, KZPDA, KZPSA, KZPSC, KZPAC, KZPBA, KZPAA, and CIPCA storage adapters, the DE435, DE450, DE500, and DEFPA network adapters, the floppy drive, and the CD-ROM. It "does not support any EISA options as boot devices." [(>{{wiki:software:firmware:alphaserver_4000_4100_v6.0_firmware_release_notes.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 4100/4000 Firmware Release Notes, V6.0}}, September 2001, p. 3-4)] The SRM console for evaluation boards and OEM motherboards has drivers for the NCR 810 and QLogic ISP1020 SCSI controllers, and the DC21040 and DE205 Ethernet controllers. [(>{{wiki:hardware:motherboards:common:srm_console_user_guide.pdf?linkonly|Alpha SRM Console for Alpha Microprocessor Motherboards User's Guide}}, September 1997, p. 1-3)]

For third-party cards, the SRM console supports QLogic ISP1020 and ISP1040 SCSI controllers and most NCR/Symbios controllers except the 885. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2000-July.mbox#L505|"Re: PWS433a and tru64"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 4 Jul 2000)] The consoles do not support BusLogic cards. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1997-June.mbox#L15694|"Re: Any1 with a working PC164!"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 13 Jun 1997)] Later SRM releases added some Adaptec controllers, the Intel EEPro100, the NCR/Symbios 896, and some Mylex RAID controllers. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2000-September.mbox#L1114|"Re: srm and scsi controllers."]], Jay Estabrook, debian-alpha, 6 Sep 2000)] SRM can boot from Adaptec cards on the AlphaPC 164LX and 164SX with firmware 5.8, and on the DS10, DS20, ES40, and XP1000 with 5.9. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2001-April.mbox#L35378|"Re: Alpha PC164, SRM, and Adaptec 2940UW"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 11 Apr 2001)] Some DVD drives are incompatible with the SRM console, usually because of their block size. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2002-December.mbox#L12579|"Re: would like to do more upgrades"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 10 Dec 2002)]

=== Mylex DAC960 ===

Digital sold Mylex DAC960 RAID controllers with its own firmware. The Linux driver required firmware 2.73 or later, but many of the older DAC960s sold by Digital have Digital's custom firmware 2.70 or older. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2003-March.mbox#L2019|"Re: digital server 7305, DAC960PU"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 4 Mar 2003)] The kernel accepts firmware 2.70 on Alpha. [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/drivers/scsi/myrb.c?h=v6.10|drivers/scsi/myrb.c]], Linux 6.10)] SRM can boot from DAC960 volumes. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2003-February.mbox#L19351|"DAC960 Alpha support (was: Re: Redhat 7.2 on a DEC ALPHA 2100)"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 26 Feb 2003)]

=== Other storage controllers ===

  * **QLogic:** the AlphaPC 164LX errata note "Compatibility problems ... between the AlphaPC 164LX motherboard and QLogic SCSI controller chips (ISP1020 and ISP1040)." [(>{{wiki:hardware:motherboards:pc164lx:pc164lx_technical_reference_manual_errata.pdf?linkonly|AlphaPC 164LX Motherboard Errata Sheet}}, June 1997, p. 1)]
  * **Adaptec:** the 2940UW and 39160 worked in 2004 tests. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2004-October.mbox#L2929|"AC-0.9 Testing Results (was: Re: Alpha Core ISO Images)"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 15 Oct 2004)] The KZPEA must have its bus termination jumpers installed, or the console may hang. [(>{{wiki:software:firmware:alphaserver_es40_v7.3_firmware_release_notes.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer ES40 V7.3 Firmware Release Notes}}, April 2007, p. 20)]
  * **IDE:** the AlphaPC 164 uses a CMD646 for onboard IDE. [(>{{wiki:hardware:motherboards:pc164:pc164_user_manual.pdf?linkonly|AlphaPC 164 Motherboard User's Manual}}, p. 3)] An add-in PCI controller, such as one using a CMD649 or Promise chip, is an alternative to weak onboard IDE. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2004-April.mbox#L2047|"Second IDE port not working on PC164"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 8 Apr 2004)]

==== Network ====

^ Digital part ^ Description ^ Chip ^ Linux driver ^
| DE205 | ISA Ethernet | | |
| DE422 | EISA Ethernet | | |
| DE425 | EISA Ethernet | | ''de4x5'' to Linux 5.18 |
| DE434, DE435 | PCI Ethernet | DC21040 | ''de2104x'' or ''tulip''; ''de4x5'' to Linux 5.18 |
| DE450 | EtherWORKS Turbo PCI 10 | DC21041 | ''de2104x'' or ''tulip''; ''de4x5'' to Linux 5.18 |
| DE500 | Fast EtherWORKS PCI 10/100 | DC2114x | ''tulip''; ''de4x5'' to Linux 5.18 |
| DE600, DE602 | PCI 10/100 Ethernet | Intel 8255x | ''e100'' (''eepro100'' in older kernels) |
| DEGPA | Gigabit Ethernet | Alteon | ''acenic'' |
| DEFEA, DEFPA | EISA and PCI FDDI | | ''defxx'' |

The DE450's chip is the DC21041. [(>''EtherWORKS Turbo PCI 10 Adapter'', Digital infosheet, 9 October 1995, p. 2)] The DE600 is based on the Intel 82557, 82558, or 82559, and works with the EV6 consoles and some EV56 consoles, such as those of the LX164 and SX164. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2000-August.mbox#L31580|"Re: How to setup my 3 Com 3C509B ISA cards for Alpha machine?"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 2 Aug 2000)] The ''defxx'' driver supports the DEFEA and DEFPA. [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/tree/drivers/net/fddi/defxx.c?h=v6.10|drivers/net/fddi/defxx.c]], Linux 6.10)] The ''de4x5'' driver was removed in Linux 5.19. [(>[[https://git.kernel.org/torvalds/c/32c53420d2a0|"eth: de4x5: remove support for Generic DECchip & DIGITAL EtherWORKS PCI/EISA"]], Linux 5.19)]

At 100 Mbit/s, the 21142 and 21143 sometimes need boot arguments to force the ''tulip'' driver to use a specific media type. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1999-March.mbox#L57005|"Re: XP1000 and Linux"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 18 Mar 1999)] Digital recommended against DE500 auto-negotiation when the network speed is known, because it can delay booting considerably. [(>{{wiki:software:firmware:alphaserver_4000_4100_v6.0_firmware_release_notes.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 4100/4000 Firmware Release Notes, V6.0}}, September 2001, p. 3-7)] The SRM console is particular about third-party Tulip cards. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1999-December.mbox#L47109|"Re: PC164, SRM and ethernet"]], Matthew Jacob, axp-list, 29 Dec 1999)]

Other cards reported to work include NE2000 clones, [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1996-March.mbox#L8828|"Re: Ethernet card question"]], David Mosberger, axp-list, 28 Mar 1996)] the RTL8139, [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2002-May.mbox#L12933|"Re: Realtek 8139 metwork card"]], Falk Hueffner, debian-alpha, 18 May 2002)] the RTL8169, [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2005-June.mbox#L30|"GigE on ES4x servers"]], Balint Cristian, axp-list, 1 Jun 2005)] and the DEGPA-SA with the ''acenic'' driver. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2005-June.mbox#L1|"GigE on ES4x servers"]], Gary Molenkamp, axp-list, 1 Jun 2005)]

==== Sound ====

  * The Miata has a built-in ES1888, which is compatible with the Sound Blaster Pro. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1998-July.mbox#L23336|"Re: Sound on Miata (PWS500a)"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 9 Jul 1998)] Under ALSA it works with ''snd-sb8''. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2003-October.mbox#L9574|"Re: 2.6.0-test9 partial success"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 28 Oct 2003)]
  * The M-Audio Revolution 7.1 works on the XP1000 and PWS 600au. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2008-April.mbox#L1|"Re: M-Audio Revolution 7.1 sound card causing crash on Alpha"]], Michael Cree, debian-alpha, 1 Apr 2008)]
  * The SB Live cannot address Miata's DMA window (see [[#dma_addressing|DMA Addressing]]).

==== USB ====

Onboard USB is not recommended; an add-in card is the better option. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2002-December.mbox#L12579|"Re: would like to do more upgrades"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 10 Dec 2002)] VIA USB controllers in particular have problems on Alpha, [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2012-June.mbox#L1840|"Re: USB cards for PWS 433au"]], Michael Cree, debian-alpha, 24 Jun 2012)] and USB cards for Alpha should use an NEC controller. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/debian-alpha-mbox/2012-June.mbox#L2873|"Re: new video card (was Re: USB cards for PWS 433au)"]], Bob Tracy, debian-alpha, 28 Jun 2012)]

==== Serial and multiport cards ====

Drivers that access registers in bus memory need porting to Alpha. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1996-March.mbox#L2952|"RE: How to complete a Jensen system..."]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 10 Mar 1996)]

Digital's own serial options included the DigiBoard-based CXI01 multiport cards and the PBXDA PCI 4, 8, and 16-port asynchronous adapters. [(>''AlphaServer 2100A Supported Options List'', Digital, March 4, 1997)] [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:personal_workstation:personal_workstation_a_au_series_catalog.pdf?linkonly|Compaq DPW Enhanced a-Series & au-Series}}, Systems and Options Catalog, September 2000, p. 7)]

==== Keyboards and mice ====

Digital's PC-style keyboards were the LK411 and the LK471 (for Windows NT and UNIX), and the LK461 had the OpenVMS layout. [(>''AlphaServer 1000A 5/333, 5/4xx, 5/5xx Supported Options List'', Digital, April 14, 1997, "KB & Mouse")] The SRM console switches to the serial console if the keyboard is unplugged, [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1998-July.mbox#L2188|"Re: installation on PC164LX, SRM 5.1-3, serial console"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 1 Jul 1998)] and is more selective about keyboards than AlphaBIOS. [(>[[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2000-April.mbox#L6165|"Re: WAS: RE: SRM serial -> keyboard NOW: 5300 server won't boot"]], Ivan Kokshaysky, axp-list, 7 Apr 2000)] On the ES40, removing the mouse at the SRM console stops the keyboard from responding until the mouse is plugged back in. [(>{{wiki:software:firmware:alphaserver_es40_v7.3_firmware_release_notes.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer ES40 V7.3 Firmware Release Notes}}, April 2007, p. 20)] The EV7 systems use USB keyboards and mice. [(>{{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_es47:alphaserver_es47_tower_quickspecs.pdf?linkonly|HP AlphaServer ES47 Tower QuickSpecs}}, November 2003, pp. 15-16)]

==== Conflicting information ====

The following sources conflict with each other or with the account given above. They are listed here for further investigation.

  * **KZPBA chip**
    * {{wiki:software:firmware:alphaserver_4000_4100_v6.0_firmware_release_notes.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 4100/4000 Firmware Release Notes, V6.0}}, September 2001, p. 3-4: "KZPBA (PCI Qlogic ISP1020 16b FWD SCSI)"
    * {{wiki:hardware:systems:personal_workstation:personal_workstation_a_au_series_catalog.pdf?linkonly|Compaq DPW Enhanced a-Series & au-Series}}, Systems and Options Catalog, September 2000, p. 6: "SN-KZPBA-CA Q-Logic 1040B Wide UltraSCSI adapter"
  * **KZPSA chips**
    * [[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2001-November.mbox#L2749|"RE: KZPSA driver?"]], Christopher C. Northrop, axp-list, 5 Nov 2001: "KZPSA is actualy A Mylex DAC960"
    * [[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2001-November.mbox#L2848|"Re: KZPSA driver?"]], Island Computers, axp-list, 5 Nov 2001: "The KZPSA is a Qlogic based High Voltage Wide Differential card"
    * Peter Rival and Barry Roberts (cited above) say it is neither.
  * **Name of the S3 Trio64 PowerStorm**
    * [[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/1997-August.mbox#L15364|"Re: TGA2 (aka PBXGB-AA or 3D30)"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 19 Aug 1997: "3D20 S3 Trio64"
    * [[https://github.com/alphalinux/mailing-list-archives/blob/main/axp-list-mbox/2002-October.mbox#L16133|"Re: Rawhide problems: TGA2 and SMP crash"]], Jay Estabrook, axp-list, 25 Oct 2002: "3D10 S3 Trio64 (NT only)"
  * **Linux support for the Radeon 7500 on EV7 systems**
    * {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_es47:alphaserver_es47_tower_quickspecs.pdf?linkonly|HP AlphaServer ES47 Tower QuickSpecs}}, November 2003, p. 15, lists the Radeon 7500 as a Red Hat Linux 7.2 supported option.
    * {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_es47:alphaserver_es47_es80_quickspecs.pdf?linkonly|HP AlphaServer ES47/ES80 QuickSpecs}}, July 2007, p. 46, does not mark it as supported on Linux.

==== Documentation ====

^ Document ^ Part number ^ Date ^
| {{wiki:hardware:other:kzpsa_a12_release_notes.pdf?linkonly|Release Notes KZPSA SCSI Storage Adapter Module}} | EK-KZPSA-RN.M01 | July 1999 |
| {{wiki:software:firmware:alphaserver_4000_4100_v6.0_firmware_release_notes.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer 4100/4000 Firmware Release Notes, V6.0}}, with the list of SRM boot devices | | September 2001 |
| {{wiki:software:firmware:alphaserver_es40_v7.3_firmware_release_notes.pdf?linkonly|AlphaServer ES40, ES40cv, ES40lp, TS40, and TS20 V7.3 Firmware Release Notes}}, with option-specific console notes | | April 2007 |
| {{wiki:hardware:systems:alphaserver_es47:alphaserver_es47_es80_quickspecs.pdf?linkonly|HP AlphaServer/AlphaStation ES47 Tower, AlphaServer ES47, and AlphaServer ES80 Systems QuickSpecs, Version 25}}, with option support by operating system including Red Hat Linux 7.2 | DA-11922 | July 2007 |

See also the Systems and Options Catalogs listed on the [[software:operating_systems#documentation|Operating Systems]] page, with option part numbers.

{{tag>hardware}}