i42e

The i42e is a computer expansion card designed by Intel in the early 1990s. It is part of the Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) series of cards, which were developed by IBM and later adopted by other manufacturers, including Intel.

The i42e is a network interface card (NIC) that provides a 10BASE2 Ethernet interface to the system. The card uses the Media Independent Interface (MII) to connect to the MCA bus and can operate at a speed of 10 Mbps. The i42e is also known to work with the 10BASE5 and 10BASE-T Ethernet standards.

The card is typically used in servers and workstations that require high-speed networking capabilities. It is also compatible with various operating systems, including NetWare and Unix. In addition to Ethernet, the i42e can be used for other purposes such as switching and bridging.

The i42e is largely a relic of the early expansion card era and is no longer manufactured or widely supported. However, its legacy can be seen in the development of modern network interface cards and server architectures. Despite its age, the i42e remains a testament to the innovative spirit of the PC hardware industry in the 1990s.

As a historical artifact, the i42e continues to be of interest to collectors and enthusiasts of vintage computer hardware. While functional examples are difficult to find, documentation and specifications for the i42e are still available through various sources and can provide valuable insights into the development of networking technology in the early days of the PC industry.