User`s guide

KwikNet System Configuration

DAK

Ethernet Parameters (continued)

Transmit Packet Queue Limit

The KwikNet Ethernet Network Driver queues packets for transmission until they can be

accepted for transmission by the Ethernet device driver. This parameter defines the

maximum number of packets which the network driver will queue.

Number of ARP Cache Entries

The KwikNet Ethernet Network Driver uses the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) to

associate a specific hardware Ethernet address with a particular IP address. This

parameter defines the maximum number of ARP address pairs which KwikNet can

maintain in its ARP data cache for all supported networks.

If your network interfaces are interconnected with only a few other hosts, set this

parameter to the number of such interconnections.

ARP Entry Age Limit

This parameter defines the length of time, measured in seconds, that an ARP address pair

can reside in the ARP cache before it is purged. Any ARP entry whose age exceeds this

time limit will not be used for address resolution.

Update ARP Table on Receive

Check this box if you want KwikNet to update its ARP table every time it receives a

packet. By doing so, KwikNet can avoid having to periodically send ARP requests for

foreign IP addresses that are being actively used for communication. However, there will

be a performance penalty, since every received packet will checked for an ARP cache

match. Leave this box unchecked for best performance and a reduced memory footprint,

albeit with more ARP requests than might otherwise be necessary.

Bypass Ethernet Link Layer

If this box is checked, KwikNet will bypass some of its more general link layer processing

if the network interface supports Ethernet. Doing so can improve performance with a

very minor increase in code size. If you are using an Ethernet interface and can afford

the memory penalty, check this box for best performance. Otherwise, leave this box

unchecked.

Receive Buffer Alignment

This parameter defines the memory alignment of all KwikNet packet buffers, whether used

for transmitting or receiving Ethernet packets. This alignment permits some Ethernet

devices with DMA engines to write received data directly to the KwikNet packet buffer.

If you have multiple Ethernet devices which will benefit from such alignment, enter the

worst case (maximum) receive buffer alignment required by the devices.