Re: PCMCIA question...

[strat@atfs0.dsd.northrop.com (Scott Stratmoen)]

> 	I just got thinking:  Why do we have to load some silly driver(s)
> just to make use of our PCMCIA slots?  We don't have to do that for most
> cards that get stuck in your desktop ISA/EISA/VLB/PCI slots!  Why couldn't
> PCMCIA be designed to be rather transparent (but functional) to the
> operating system, just like a "normal" bus design such as the above?
> 
> 	Has anybody ever had to load a driver to make their internal
> ISA modem work?  I didn't think so.  So why do we have to do so to make
> a PCMCIA modem work?

All that is really required for a PCMICA is a point enabler. The point
enabler maps the modem's I/O (really serial port) onto one of the normal
com port (well known addresses). In addition it updates a table in the
bios such that the com port exists, as far as the bios is concerned.
After the point enabler has accomplished these two tasks, it can exit
and free up memory.

Thus for a PCMCIA modem, there is very little SW required. At this point
you should be asking why the card can't have the SW in it. Well.... The
problem is that PCMCIA cards are now used in powerbooks, Suns, etc...
Which driver does one provide? All? Does any one firm understand all of
these platforms?

-- 
Scott A. Stratmoen | strat@ast.dsd.northrop.com
                   | (708) 259-9600 (ex 24762)