Legacy NIC configuration (non–Plug and Play, no jumpers): When installing a network interface card that does not support Plug and Play and has no physical jumpers, which method is used to set the required IRQ (interrupt request) for the adapter?

Introduction / Context:
Older network interface cards (NICs) sometimes lacked both Plug and Play (PnP) capability and physical jumper blocks. Technicians had to assign hardware resources such as IRQ, I/O base address, and sometimes DMA using vendor-provided tools. Knowing how these legacy cards are configured is vital when maintaining or restoring vintage systems.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The NIC has no jumpers or DIP switches.
• The NIC is not Plug and Play, so resources are not auto-assigned by BIOS/OS.
• Typical resources include IRQ, I/O port, and possibly DMA.

Concept / Approach:

Non-PnP, jumperless expansion cards commonly store settings in on-card nonvolatile memory (EEPROM). Vendors supply a DOS-based or utility-based configuration software that writes the chosen IRQ/I-O/DMA values to the card. BIOS setup (CMOS) does not directly set a particular card’s IRQ; at best it can reserve resources. The operating system can cooperate with settings, but it cannot program the hardware on such cards without the vendor utility.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Use system resource viewers or diagnostics to confirm the NIC responds at the configured I/O port and IRQ. Successful packet transmission or link activity confirms correct configuration.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• DMA: Some NICs use DMA, but DMA is not how you set the IRQ.
• CMOS: BIOS can reserve resources but does not program the NIC’s EEPROM.
• the OS: The OS relies on the card being configured; it typically cannot program non-PnP jumperless cards.
• None of the above: Incorrect because configuration software is the standard method.

Common Pitfalls:

Forgetting to document chosen IRQ/I-O; resource conflicts with sound cards or COM ports; mixing driver versions that assume different settings.

Final Answer:

configuration software