The Quadra's on-board Ethernet has the same functionality as the Ethernet
or EtherTalk NB card. But it's about 15-20% faster because it uses DMA,
doesn't rely on NuBus data transfers, and the chip is operating at the
faster system bus clock rate.
The Quadra's on-board Ethernet is implemented using the National DP83932
SONIC Ethernet controller chip. This device includes an IEEE 802.3
encoder/decoder (ENDEC), media access control (MAC) unit, separate 32-byte
send and receive FIFOs, and DMA controller in one device. SONIC is housed
in a 132-pin PQFP package. A small ROM provides the Ethernet global
address (which provides a unique 48-bit identity for each Quadra built).
The SONIC controller includes DMA capability. It will request the bus and
transfer data between its internal registers and main memory.
The Apple AUI (AAUI) connector provides outside connection. The AAUI
connector is compatible with any of the FriendlyNet drop boxes that
provide transceivers for thick net, thin net, or 10BaseT networks.