Where can I get the latest Intel® Network drivers?
    Gigabit NICs:     http://support.intel.com/support/network/sb/CS-006120.htm
    10 Gigabit NICs:    http://support.intel.com/support/network/adapter/pro100/sb/cs-008402.htm 
    10/100 Mbps NICs:    http://support.intel.com/support/network/sb/cs-006103.htm
    Zircom Mobile Adapters: http://www.intel.com/support/network/sb/cs-006121.htm

Do Intel adapters support promiscuous mode, and if so how do I enable it?
 

What do the numbers and letters on the bar code label on Intel adapters mean?
There are various numbers and letters printed on the bar code on Intel adapters. Depending on the model and age, these numbers can appear in different locations. Here is a general guide to the markings.

• 6 digits - 3 digits (e.g. 761767-003) - This is the adapter printed board assembly number. The first six digits (which may include letters) are the number we use to absolutely identify the product. The 3 digits following represent minor revisions that have no effect on functionality and can be ignored.

• 12 characters (e.g. 0007E90018EA) - This is the MAC address, also known as the Ethernet ID. This address is stored on the card. Every network adapter built has a unique MAC address. This number uniquely identifies the adapter on the network.

• 5 digits (e.g. 36013) - This number is a manufacturing code used by Intel for internal tracking purposes.

Note: There are other 6 digit - 3 digit numbers on the adapters at various locations, such as the number on the metal bracket and the MP and PB numbers silk-screened onto the board. These represent individual component part numbers and should be ignored when identifying the adapter.

Which driver is used in my operating system?
Here is a list of PRO/100 drivers and the associated operating systems. Windows operating systems will select the proper driver automatically during the installation.

Does the adapter have a BIOS, and should I update the firmware?
Intel® PRO/100 adapters do not have a "BIOS" of any kind. The firmware stored in the flash chip on the adapter is the Intel® Boot Agent. This agent is used to remote boot the computer, and is for use either in diskless workstations (that boot the OS from a server, not a local disk drive), or in conjunction with network management programs that can use the PXE protocol to download service modules prior to the OS booting. If you are not using the Boot Agent, you can ignore it or turn it off.

How can I stop the Boot Agent Message from showing up when I boot?
To prevent the Boot Agent from trying to remote boot your computer, enter your computer BIOS setup and find the boot order settings (sometimes referred to as the Boot Device Priority). If your computer supports the automatic detection of bootable devices, the Intel Boot Agent should be listed. It may be listed as "IBA" followed by the revision number. Move the Boot Agent down in the order so that is after the hard drive.

If the Boot Agent is not listed in the BIOS boot order setting, your computer may not support the automatic detection standard. In that case, you can change the setting in the Boot Agent configuration menu. To enter the Boot Agent setup, press the Control key and the letter S at the same time as soon as the Boot Agent message appears on the screen during boot-up time. This will bring up the Boot Agent menu. Change the Boot Order on that screen.

You can turn off the boot agent entirely by using the IBAUTIL utility. This utility is supplied in the Boot Agent download, and in the archive PROUTIL.

This applies to:

Intel® Boot Agent Intel® PRO/100 ISA Adapter Intel® PRO/100 M Desktop Adapter Intel® PRO/100 PCI and EISA Adapters Intel® PRO/100 S Desktop Adapter Intel® PRO/100 S Management Adapter Intel® PRO/100 VE Desktop Adapter Intel® PRO/100 VM Network Connection Intel® PRO/100+ Adapter Intel® PRO/100+ Management Adapter Intel® PRO/100B Adapter