| HardwareComparison | PcmciaBridges |

1. What's the Big Deal?

These little babies are the perfect thing for converting the random Pentium you find lying on the side of the road into high-powered super-nodes. A dual-slot PCMCIA adapter and a pair of PCMCIA wireless cards of choice is all it takes. Be careful though! Some "PCMCIA bridges" (sometimes called "carrier" cards) are special purpose: they're warranted to work only with designated cards, or only with plain ole memory. Make sure you know what it is you're buying.

Most of the ISA-PCMCIA bridges only support 5v 16-bit (Type I). Some of the PCI-PCMCIA cards support 32-bit CardBus (Type II), which is required for D-Link based client cards. Type III supports 32-bit such as removable drive cards.

1.1. Summary Table

* Linux Notes: See Linux Drivers section, below.

** Per images, Koutech, Link Depot, StarTech, and SYBA appear to be "twins". 2 LEDs.
Incl. sh. := including shipping. NF := Not Found. NR := Not Required

2. Devices

2.1. PCI

Many of the PCI-based devices require a http://www.pcisig.com/specifications/conventional. (Most older Pentium boards use PCI 2.0 chipsets.) You can download the conf91e.zip utility to find what version your bus is. You will need a DOS-bootable floppy for this to work.

2.1.1. ActionTec

ActionTec makes the PC750. It's a front-bay PC Card reader, unlike several of these rear-bay in-the-card 802.11 bridge cards. The advantage is that you can insert the card in the front, without reaching around the back of the system; the downside is that it's only a 16-bit PCMCIA reader; you can't do 32-bit Cardbus.
The Cardbus spec says you can't go more than 1.5 inches from controller to card, since it runs at 33MHz; front-bay PCMCIA bridges are connected to the controller card by a 12" flat cable. You can tell the difference between a PCMCIA and Cardbus card, by the extra grounding and ridges that Cardbus cards have on the top.
The PC750 card has a TI PCI1225 chipset; under Mandrake 8.0, it's just detected as a normal PCMCIA bridge. Nothing special needs to be done to get it running. (Edited: prior user reported no Win2K support.) The reader is supported under Windows 2000; the card installs itself with Win2K's own drivers, and then you just install the Winroute IRQ routing software provided on the CD. One user has a PC750 installed on two Win2K machines, and can hot-swap Sandisk flashdisks and Callunacard Type III hard drives without a problem (no experience yet with LAN or comms cards). (Edited:) XP support is also provided courtesy of built-in drivers; another user reports that the PC750 plays nicely with his two Cisco 350's.

2.1.2. Elan - Enterasys

2006/04/06

2.1.2.1. Summary

PCI to PCMCIA adapter or bridge, Type III (that is, accepting cards Type I {16-bit PC Card}, Type II (32-bit CardBus), and Type III (32-bit devices such as removable drives)).
Elan P111, rebadged as
Enterasys RoamAbout PCI Carrier Card RBTBX-PC
Enterasys RoamAbout PCI Card Adapter RBTBX-PC
Apparently to seem proprietary, Enterasys does not call these products a bridge or a PCI to PCMCIA adapter. Enterasys calls wireless client network interface cards (NIC) "RoamaAbout PC cards" : )` [Hereafter as "Roamabout" so as not to link to non-existent page.]

Chipset maker ENE (ene) is apparently a licensee of TI, sharing series numbers.
Enterasys is apparently a distributor for Elan, having Elan P111 on the printed circuit board (PCB) and in the software files. The adapter card is "assembled in China", per the box but not noted so on the device.

Prices list P111 single-slot $99 [!] psism.com reader]. Available on-line for about 1/2 - 2/3 that. These have appeared on eBay for $22-$63 including shipping, March '06. Various Type III-compatible bridges with Ricoh chipsets have been $10-$28 including shipping, not counting the NIB (new in box) no-name listings from China (~$26), March '06.

2.1.2.2. Elan P111

• Chipset TI or ene [per image, per one in-hand]. Per image and per in-hand: late model, highly integrated chipset with few other components on the PCB].
• Supports Type I, II, and III card sizes. Slot has ejector lever.

• Uses industry standard [TI] 1410 or 1211 controller chip, proven on all classes of processor, chipset and motherboard manufacturer. Yenta compliant, PCI2.2 compliant, PC99 compliant. Supports sleep and suspend modes. Intel 82365 compatible register set
  [ SCM1410 chip (based on the Texas Instruments TI 1410) TB-030.pdf, p.9 of 9.]

• Comes with device drivers for Windows95(osr2+), 98, 98SE, Millennium Edition, NT4, 2000 and XP with support also for Linux and MacOS9 as standard. DOS driver also available at extra cost [included on CD as no longer supported].
  Elan Digital Systems Ltd, Fareham, UK
  p111.php]

Troubleshooting Elan PCI to PCMCIA Adapters
To download drivers fill in our request form, driver.php. [Registration required.]

[Includes] automated service which can recognise most common problems using our p-series help form [Registration required].
[...]
Controller Chip: Your adapter will have a chip near the middle which is by far the largest chip on the board. Etched onto the chip is the make and model number. The manufacturer may be ENE, Texas Instruments (TI), Cirrus Logic (may be labelled "Basis") or Ricoh. You can also get this information from the Windows Device Manager. phelp.php]

ENE is apparently a licensee of TI, sharing series numbers. Early versions (pre-Nov. 2001) had bugs, since corrected, that they are since functionally equivalent to Ricoh. The TI/ENE chipsets are highly integrated; their PCBs have very few other components. (Compare images.) The ORiNOCO bridge uses an equivalent chipset, "the SCM1410 chip (based on the Texas Instruments TI 1410 PCI controller)." [ "ORiNOCO Technical Bulletin 030 / F November 2001", TB-030.pdf, p.9 of 9. ]

FAQ index

2.1.2.2.1. P-Series Technical Data

These data and specifications apply to all of our current models of PCI/PCMCIA adapter:

• Rear Slot Models : P111*, P222*, P115, P128, P228
• Front Bay / External Models : P423, P424, P313, P113, P118 , P114, P119, P224
• 'Combination' Models : P116, P117, P122.

*The P111 and P222 support 32bit/CardBus PC Cards. All other models are 16-bit only.

Front Slot & External Models :

* TI-PCI1420 or Ene-CB1420 (double slot models) P-series data.php]

Troubleshooting Elan PCI to PCMCIA Adapters Index

PCMCIA Card Services
See Linux section, below.

At Elan, the [Linux] PCMCIA Card Services versions 3.1.19 and 3.2.7 have been most extensively tested against, but we have every reason the believe that later versions also function correctly. P-series Linux.php]

Enterasys Networks [...] [markets] to enterprise customers Info]

P-Series Drives - Troubleshooting Elan PCI to PCMCIA Adapters at PCDTShoot.

P-Series Diagnostic Utility allows you to test your PC for correct BIOS support. It also provides diagnostics for debugging installation problems. If you require technical support from Elan, please use it to gather information to send to our support team. PCDrivesDiagU, download at www.TeamPCTechnology.com

Instructions
P-Series Diagnostic, P-Series Info/Software PSeries Diagnostics Utility, [No date found] 37K
TeamPcTechnology 307_driver.exe, product detail 307, product_list.

2.1.2.3. Enterasys

Rebadged Elan P111. Tech info below, '03 sample chipset ID "ene CB-1410Q BO".

Enterasys has more than 20 years of experience [so since ~1986] and over 640 patents corporate].
Corporate Headquarters, and Engineering.
Andover, MA 01810 locations].

RBTBX-PC Roamabout PCI Adapter Card
This carrier supports both 16-bit 802.11b PC Cards and 32-bit 802.11a/b/g MultiMode Cardbus Cards. [No PCMCIA specs] products/wireless/indoor/]

Enterasys Graphics Library

Enterasys Graphics Library]

2.1.2.3.1. Drivers

File ID: 608.160
File Size: 2,026,958 bytes
File Name: RBTBX-PC_Elan507.zip
Uploaded: 2002 Mar 17 8:20
Case Num: 479929
Comments: PCI RBTBX drivers
RBTBX-PC_Elan507.zip file-info 608.160
File ID: 225.843
File Size: 49,412 bytes
File Name: RBTBX-PC_ELAN-PCI_ReleaseNotesV50703.pdf
Uploaded: 2003 Mar 17 8:23
Case Num: 479929
Comments: PCI Install guide

Rochester, NH 03866 (USA)
Elan Digital Systems PCI Carrier Card Software
Version 5.07.03 | February 2003
Please check the Elan Digital Systems web site, drivers, frequently to ensure that you have the latest driver release.
[01:58 Tue28Mar06 driver.php, registration required.]
pdf download from file-info 225.843.

[From search.]

2.1.2.3.2. Compatibilities

Hardware Compatibility: IEEE 802.11 Roamabout PC Card, CSIBD-, CSICD-, CSILD-, RBTBF- [802.11a, -b, -g].

RBTBF Roamabout 802.11a PC Card (R2 Only) 9033774.pdf]

"enterasys 'b' PC Cards, 9033362.pdf" There are 3 variations of the Roamabout [802.11b] PC Card: World (CSICD), Standard (CSIBD), and Hi-Gain Matched (CSILD). 9033362.pdf]

CSIBD
Roamabout PCI Adapter Card (2nd Generation)
Document ID: TB1324-9 Date: 21 Mar 2001 at 09:20:22
The Roamabout PCI adapter card facilitates installation of Roamabout PC cards into computers that do not have PC card slots, but do have an available PCI bus slot. The adapter card is targeted for Microsoft Windows PC99 compliant PC's (PCI slots only PC's)that have BIOS supporting PCI 2.2 or higher. If the PC has an ISA slot it is not PC99 compliant, so use the ISA Adapter (CSIBB-IP) [...]

NOTE: There is an Enterasys license shipped in the kit; however, during the installation the install shield displays a Lucent license. Click 'I agree' and continue the install. This will be changed in the next release. tb1324-9]

2.1.3. Koutech

Koutech IO-PPC110 supports 16-bit (PCMCIA 2.1/JEIDA 4.2) and 32-bit (CardBus) PC card with 3.3V/5V operation.
Per newegg images, Koutech, Link Depot, StarTech, SYBA appear to be "twins".

2.1.4. Link Depot

Link Depot pci-pcmcia supports 16-bit (PCMCIA 2.1/JEIDA 4.2) and 32-bit (CardBus) PC card with 3.3V/5V operation. Drivers not found at Link Depot support index for model (may be no drivers or firmware updates), Feb.'06.
Per newegg images, Koutech, Link Depot, StarTech, SYBA appear to be "twins".

2.1.5. ORiNOCO

This adapter appears as several similar model names.
ORiNOCO Model PCIC1CR20 (012500-D), part number 901501;
"8422 - ORiNOCO World 11b PCI Adapter Gold" in 802.11b_PCI_Adapter.pdf
Lucent Model PCIPC, part number 015219 REV. A (REV. 1.0)
Chipset TI PCI1410

ORiNOCO 11b PCI Adapter, Wireless LAN Access for PCI-Enabled Desktop Computers
8422-WD ORiNOCO 11b PCI Adapter
2 LEDs: Power, Network Activity. [Card Type I, II, likely not III] Datasheet]

Product Support Proxim ORiNOCO and Lucent ORiNOCO/ WaveLAN 802.11b
Datasheet, 8422-WD (11b PCI (integrated pc card), 802.11b_PCI_Adapter.pdf

Drivers, W95 through XP in win95pci.zip Apr.'04, as described in readme/pci.txt, Mar.'02. Live link to later updates NF, Mar.'06.

Support at support.proxim.com

---

... PCI adapter restrictions
ORiNOCO Technical Bulletin 030 / F November 2001

2. There are several PCI standards utilized by manufacturers. The ORiNOCO PCI adapter requires the PC99 standard. Usually the PC99 compliance is clearly advertised by the manufacturer. [p.1 of 9]
Windows 98 and ME
The adapter is automatically recognized and installed by the Plug and Play functions of Windows 98 and ME. [p.3 of 9]
Versions of existing PCI adapter.

The new version D, PCI adapter will use the SCM1410 chip (based on the Texas Instruments TI 1410 PCI controller). The newest drivers can be found on http://www.orinocowireless.com/template.html?section=m52&envelope=90. [Jan.'06 page NF, host NF] [p.9 of 9]
TB-030.pdf]

---

eBay seller advised, "This PCI Adapter is plug n play for most operating systems. We have difficulty getting these PCI Adapters to work with Windows 2000 [machines], but it can be done. We have never been able to make these work on Linux machines." Mar.'06.

See also Linux section, below.
==> Link to drivers for Linux? To "orinoco_plx"?

2.1.6. PLX chipset devices

A number of PLX-based devices exist. I don't think they are true bridges, but the newer Linux kernels support them under wavelan cards, and maybe others.

(Edited:) PLX Tech chipset, PLX 9052-based PCI to PCMCIA adapter. Accton Technology Corp., acquired by Eumitcom Technology Inc.

SuSE Linux 8.1, Linux distros. Use orinoco_plx. (The Linksys, D-Link, and Netgear adapters use this chip.) Win XP will recognize automatically. [Source URL not recorded.] Mar.'06.
See also Linux section, below.
==> Link to orinoco_plx drivers for Linux?

2.1.7. Ricoh chipset devices

Ricoh also makes chipsets (technical info) for PCI-PCMCIA bridges. Linux support is great in the post-2.4.4 kernels. No luck with 32-bit CardBus support in 2.2.x kernels (16-bit okay).
(Edited:) Antec makes a front-bay PCMCIA (not Cardbus) reader, the Antec DataChute, which uses a Ricoh chipset. Neoseeker has a review as datachutepci.

(Edited:) Ricoh is a very common, well-supported chipset for 3d-party cards such as Koutech IO-PPC110, Link Depot PCI-PCMCIA, StarTech PCI2PCMCIA1, and SYBA SD-PCI-PCM, though particularly for no-name brands, not necessarily the RL5c475-series. Cards based on RL5c475 may or may not implement support for Type III, cards based on RL5c475 II usually do. Check.

Although the Ricoh bridges supposedly require a PCI 2.2-compliant PCI bus, it's possible to get them working on a PCI 2.1-compliant bus, as detailed by martybugs in ppro.cgi.

The CarryUSA PCD-RP-101CS PCI bridge with Ricoh R5C475II works* with the EnGenius EL-2511CD series PCMCIA cards.

---
Added Sep. 28th [<='05] by Chris Cole

* If you encounter a compatibility problem (Code 12 error) with the EnGenius EL-2511CD EXT2 PCMCIA (and possibly others?) inserted in a CarryUSA PCD-RP-101CS PCI while in an Asus A7N8X (or any other nForce 2) motherboard running Windows XP, try the following:
Device Mananger --> Computer --> ACPI Uniprocessor PC --> Update Driver --> Install Software From List Or Specific Location --> Don't Search. I will choose the driver to install... --> Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) PC.
Reboot a couple of times, and the card combination should work.

2.1.8. Siemens

Siemens SS1023 PCI to PCMCIA bridge card reported may not work with EnGenius EL-2511CD EXT2 PCMCIA. The SS1023 reportedly will work with ORiNOCO Gold running Linux.

2.1.9. SMC (aka Envoy; Sun rebadge)

SMC-2532W-B + PCI to PCMCIA bridge. Per envoydata.com swapboxFAQs.pdf, PCI 2.2 compliant and [...] PCI header type 2.
Envoy Data, Tempe AZ
Install9x.pdf
Swapbox PCI Drivers, Windows 9x driversATA.zip

2.1.10. StarTech

Kit includes CD, printed manual guide (same for both models), 13 Apr. '04 (B), per PCI2PCMCIA2.pdf. No drivers found listed at startech, Feb.'06.

newegg image oblique view shows 2 LEDs, Ricoh chipset.
Per newegg images, Koutech, Link Depot, StarTech, SYBA appear to be "twins".

2.1.11. SYBA

Per newegg image {oblique view) 2 LEDs, (top view) Ricoh chipset
Per newegg images, Koutech, Link Depot, StarTech, SYBA appear to be "twins".
Per newegg CustRating, documentation is reportedly extremely limited (but very little is needed since the device is generic).

2.1.12. TI 1410 chipset devices

Texas Instruments (technical info) reported TI 1410 to be issue-free, but we had terrible intermittant problems with them in HP Vectra XE310 machines, using the Intel 810 chipset. Lucent, who OEM these adapters, told us that there are "known issues" with these cards and this chipset. They unofficially recommended adapters made by Buffalo Tech, using Ricoh chipsets. There were a few adapters that used a TI 1225 chipset that worked fine, but they were the older rev.
(Edited:) One user recalls reading a discussion thread on which PCI-to-PCMCIA adapters properly supported CardBus, the Buffalo unit was mentioned as one unit that definitely did support CardBus, and was readily available on-line. (Try PriceGrabber and search for "Buffalo PCI"). (Edited:) See the note in the Elan section, above or the ORiNOCO section, above; the TI 1410 problems were corrected post-Nov. '01.

2.2. ISA

2.2.1. Adtron

Adtron also makes a number of cards for bridging. Most of them are based on the Vadem VG-365, which works great under both Windows and Linux. The Linux driver for the 465 and the 365 are the same. I don't know the difference in the chipsets... anyone? Vadem became Amphus; here is VG-469 cutsheet product brief.pdf, Oct.'94, and technical info data manual.pdf, Jul.'95.

2.2.2. Cirrus Logic

Cirrus Logic made an ISA (implementing 16-bit) chipset for bridging. No info (yet) on Linux support, but Windows '95 autodetects and loads drivers for Cirrus Logic 6710.

3. Linux Drivers

3.1. Kernel Linux Note

The i82365 driver in the 2.4 kernel tree does not support any PCI adapters post in forum thread, Apr.'01]; the driver only supports ISA bus bridges. The "yenta_socket" driver supports only CardBus bridges (Cirrus PD6729 is not a CardBus bridge), and it does not have any settings for overriding the interrupt delivery mode.
Current information on PCMCIA support for recent 2.6 kernels is available at kernel.org pcmcia.html, Mar.'06. See also Linux under P-Series Technical Data, above, and Linux modules i82365, yenta_socket on the TexasIntstrument1410 page.
==> Link to Linux drivers for Ricoh?

Linux card service,
datasheets

3.2. PCMCIA Card Services

The Linux software package that deals with PCMCIA cards is "pcmcia-cs", available from pcmcia-cs.sourceforge.net as a download file, for which the latest version is (edited:) 3.2.8, 16 July '04.

The Linux pcmcia-cs package is officially deprecated. It can only be used with 2.4 and older kernels. Current information on PCMCIA support for recent 2.6 kernels is available at kernel.org pcmcia.html, Mar.'06.

3.3. Linux PCMCIA How-to

David Hinds, dahinds@users.sourceforge.net. v2.119, 29 December 2003
How to install and use PCMCIA Card Services for Linux, and answers to some frequently asked questions; dealing with unsupported cards, Contents. [Latest version, Apr.'06]

4. Sources

4.1. PCI

Compusa is your best bet, but the larger Office-X & Staples tend to have them. Call in advance. $30-$50 CompUSA OfficeDepot OfficeMax Staples

Moonblink Wireless pd pci.cfm

Alternatively, you can find these on eBay. Search for "PCI PCMCIA" or Carrier, and you'll get several results for ORiNOCO PCI cards and the like; going price as of May 2003 seems to be about $30-40, (Edited:) Mar.'06 lots, including no-name, price range includes shipping. (Edited:) See also the Elan-Enterasys Summary section, above.

Another alternative is front-bay PCMCIA readers; the two branded units available are the Antec DataChute, and the ActionTec PC750. Going price for a new unit seems to be about $40-60. Remember that front-bay readers cannot do 32-bit Cardbus. (Edited:) Other makes appear on eBay, Mar.'06. These are obsolete (Type I, 16-bit PC Card only), so they're boadcious cheap.

The EnGenius (no bridge cards by Senao were even locatable) EL-2011PCI should work with the EL-2511CD EXT2 PCMCIA. Lowest price $39 w/free shipping at miradex.com (currenty on back order?) or system3x.com (much better company) will pricematch this with free shipping. $45 plus $10 shipping at Netgate.com

The EnGenius EL-2011PCI bridge card is getting difficult to find and as of Sep.'03 production may be behind or even stopped: Various on-line stores report it out of stock and EnGenius warehouse substituted a (much more expensive) CarryUSA PCD-RP-101CS PCI card (Ricoh R5C475II) to me instead (ordered through system3x.com). The EL-2011PCI is from the older 2011 series, not the 2511. Neither Senao nor EnGenius show the EL-2011PCI or any pure PCI bridge cards anymore at their sites, Sep.'03.

The Buffalo Technologies Airstation WLI-PCI-OP model can be found at several places on-line, average price $30, Sep.'03.
Check dealtime.com xPC WLI_PCI_OP, not available; xPF WLI_PCI_OP, Mar.'06.
Computers4sure.com 342 10-pack, $234, no longer available, Mar.'06. Computers4sure is an OfficeDepot company.

---
Added Nov. 29, 2003 by Haudy Kazemi.
I found these other single- and dual-socket PCI to PCMCIA adapters that the MeshAP folks are selling: "PCI CardBus Controller (Single Socket) Supports 3.3v/5v operation" for $40 http://www.ultramesh.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=44

"PCI CardBus Controller (Dual Socket) Supports 3.3v/5v operation" for $90, per ultramesh. They also have multipacks of these adapters, the 200mw SMC card ($79), and a 12dBi omni ($89) at ultramesh.

2006/04/06
List price P111 single-slot $99 [!] psism.com reader]. Available on-line for about 1/2 - 2/3 that. These have appeared on eBay for $22-$63 including shipping. Various Type III-compatible bridges with Ricoh chipsets have been $10-$28 including shipping, not counting the NIB (new in box) no-name listings from China (~$26).

4.2. ISA

ISA cards can be found on Ebay for $10. Hard to find at retail stores. While still listed at some sites it may then say "discontinued". Check if it is in stock.

Cabletron Enterasys Roamabout ISA Carrier CSIBB-IP ($56), and also an AVAYA 4588-910 ISA ($60), are "expensively" available at SuperWarehouse.com

The Buffalo Technologies Airstation ISA model (# WLI-ISA-OP) can be found at several places on-line: Provantage.com $29.50.
Otherworld Computing WLI-ISA-OP $44.

CategoryTerminology Category[NIC] CategoryClientAdapters/802.11g