Chapter 7. Networking

Table of Contents

7.1. Finding a network interface
7.2. Configuring a network interface
7.3. Using the network to obtain files

ABLE has basic networking facilities allowing it to transfer data using the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) running over Internet Protocol (IP).

ABLE has drivers for a common set of Ethernet adaptors encompasing those found on Simtec Electronics boards and common PCI cards. The supported cards include those based upon Davicom DM9000 chipset, Tulip chipset, Realtek chipset and the traditional NE2000 based devices. ABLE does not currently have support for serial based protocols such as Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP) or Point to Point Protocol (PPP) but there is provision for XModem protocol (see Section 6.4, “XModem source”)

IP network settings can set maunually or be retrieved from the network from a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) or Bootstrap Protocol (BOOTP) server.

To transfer files ABLE uses the Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) protocol. TFTP is a very simple protocol it lacks the ability to list directory contents, has no authentication or encryption mechanisms and performs its transfers in lock-step with only one packet on the network at any time which reduces its performance. Despite its lack of facilitys it is sufficient for retreving files.