I read "Writing Linux Device Drivers" and I am ready for some
practice. I am particularly interested in writing device drivers for
Ethernet cards and Wireless LAN cards. I tried to find the register
layout and programming information for Ethernet cards and wireless LAN
cards in the Internet but couldn't find any. Can anybody direct me to
where I can find technical refernces (programming and regsiter level
info) that allow me to write a device driver for an Ethernet or a
wireless card?

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Request for Question Clarification by haversian-ga on 11 Nov 2002 22:42 PST

Any card in particular?

Hello salah,

I have found some information for you that you should find of use. 
The 3Com 3C90x and 3C90xB NIC technical specifications can be found in
pdf form here: http://www.cscience.org/~coqueiro/linux/datasheets/3c90xb.pdf
. This guide should provide you with all the architecture and register
information you need.  As you probably know, the 3C90x card is one of
the most robust and well-supported cards out there, so this is
probably a very good choice of card to work with.

You will also find all sorts of useful technical information on
writing drivers and software for 3Com cards, as well as the 3Com and
Microsoft Network Driver Interface Specification at the following
link.  It requires you to register (at no cost) with 3Com:
http://support.3com.com/partners/developer/license.html .

Another good bet for a first time driver project would probably be
Intel cards.  Lots of information is available at the link below.  For
any of the products click on 'Docs' to the right of the product
description, and then you can view the datasheet and other
developer-oriented documents.  The link is:
http://developer.intel.com/design/network/products/ethernet/linecard_ec.htm

Hope you found this useful.

Search strategy: "register layout" 3com nic pdf 3c90x, "technical
reference" 3Com pdf

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Clarification of Answer by hibiscus-ga on 17 Nov 2002 00:48 PST

Hello salah, 

I've searched high and low for technical documents on wireless cards,
but to no avail.  While I would think that such information should be
available, the manufacturers are either keeping it private or hiding
it extremely well.  My best suggestion would be for you to contact
Intel or 3Com about this through their developer sites, and see if
they would be willing to supply you with these documents.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help to you on this one.

Thank you very much, that is exactly the answer I am looking for. I'd
appreciate it if you can provide me with one or two links for wireless
LAN cards as well.