NEXTSTEP for Intel Processors Release 3.3
System Driver Overview

Driver: EISABus
Driver Overview: NeXTanswer #1784
Last Update: November 14, 1997

Availability Information

A version of this driver is on the CDROM
Newer Released Driver in NeXTanswers*:  Yes, Version 3.31, as NeXTanswer #2062
Newer Beta Driver in NeXTanswers*:  Yes, Version 3.36, as NeXTanswer #2061

Driver Name / Installer .pkg: EISABus
Driver Type: System
Driver Scope: Generic-System
Supported Components: 
PC Bus / Interface Supported by Driver**: 
Supported Connectors: 
Access Mode: 
Adapter Memory: 

General Overview notes: This is a required driver that provides basic bus support for all system buses on Intel platforms.  Without this driver, NEXTSTEP will not boot

Supported Products / Add-on Adapters:


Supported Products / Systems (ie integrated into PC System):


Special Features of Driver / Driver Notes:
In order to better support various bus configurations, bus support was removed from the kernel and split into several bus drivers.  All other bus drivers currently rely on the EISABus driver for basic services.

Known Problems


Driver Version Notes

3.31 Allows Plug and Play to be turned off.  This is required for Compaq's IBM Token Ring AutoSense 16/4 board to work in their PnP-Bios equipped machines ie. the Compaq Deskpro 5100 and Prolinea 575.
3.32 Added "Force Cold Boot" switch to inspector panel.  When this switch is turned on, the machine will be forced to go through a cold boot sequence every time it reboots
3.35 Significant improvements to Plug and Play support.  /usr/Devices/PnPDump is provided as a useful debugging tool.
3.36 - Updated PnP ID matching routine in order to work with ESS1868 based sound cards.


Future Planning

Future / Update Planning:  
Reason for New Driver / Update: 
New Driver / Update Timeframe:  

New Driver / Update Description: 
Version 3.32 adds a "Force Cold Boot" switch to the inspector panel in Configure.  When this switch is turned on, the machine will be forced to go through a cold boot sequence every time it reboots.

Version 3.35 has significant improvements to Plug and Play support.

Note: Information contained in the "Future Planning" section of this document does not constitute a commitment on the part of NeXT to complete the planned development work.

* - Any NeXTanswer number that is blank indicates that a driver will not be released for this version of NEXTSTEP.

** - Indicates information that is inclusive of the entire capability of this driver. Not all devices supported by this driver may include all features listed. Check any available NeXTanswers and the hardware manual for the device for additional information.

Product Vendor
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