To avoid Ethernet performance degradation on a Macintosh IIci, try any of these
three alternatives:
- Use an EtherTalk NB Revision L card, or
- Do not use on-board video (i.e. use a video card), or
- Use only black and white video (1-bit video)
If you're using EtherTalk software, the Ethernet performance can be improved
somewhat by starting the Macintosh IIci in 1-bit video and later switching to
2-bit or more video. We have found this workaround to be effective when using
EtherTalk software (AppleTalk), but not MacTCP software (for example, MacX.)
The Ethernet performance can also be improved somewhat, if you start the
Macintosh IIci in LocalTalk and then switch to EtherTalk. This wouldn't help
in the MacTCP case either, unless you are running MacTCP over EtherTalk, rather
than standard Ethernet.
To ensure that you avoid the Ethernet performance problems, use an EtherTalk
NB Revision L card, or use a video card, or use only black and white video.
Note that the Revision L EtherTalk NB card has been shipping since December of
1989.