Computer Selection with Ethernet based Mesa Cards

Hi All,

I am trying to understand the limitations in computers as it applys to the ethernet based mesa boards, i.e. 7i92 to 7i76/7i77 or 7i76E
From my reading thus far small computers like raspberry don't have a real time ethernet connection and the newer intel NUC type computers don't fully support the kernel out of the box. How does latency play a factor in the ethernet based boards? I am building some smaller desktop CNC routers for a few people and I am looking for more of a go to small computer, so I am not always relying on old dells. Since the newer ethernet mesa boards don't require a parallel or PCI port on my computer I feel like it opens the doors up to all types of smaller computer options that will fit nicely inside a control box. Maybe even a computer like the new CL200 from Logic Supply.

- What are some smaller computers, that are new, that natively work with linuxcnc?
- How does latency/jitter effect the ethernet based boards and how should that effect my computer decision.


Thanks,

I would expect most of the Intel NUC type boards and Mini PCs to work OK with t he Debian Stretch/LinuxCNC test ISO

Latency is not terribly important as long as the Ethernet latency is not bad (longer than say 1/2 of the servo thread time),
Checking this requires looking at the various tmax parameters of a running system. (halcmd show param *.tmax)
and dividing these by the CPU clock speed

I should add that if your Ethernet MAC is an Intel chip you need to disable IRQ coalescing in the driver
(this is mentioned in the hm2_eth manual page)