LAN Boot ROM

Common Options : Enabled, Disabled

 

Quick Review of LAN Boot ROM

Newer motherboards has Gigabit LAN controllers that boast throughputs of up to 1 Gbps (1000 Mbps). However, the newer Gigabit LAN controllers are only supported by newer operating systems. If you use older operating systems like MS-DOS or operating systems that do not have driver support , the Gigabit LAN controller will only operate in the 10/100 Mbps mode.

This is where the LAN Boot ROM BIOS option comes in.

When enabled, the motherboard will load the Gigabit LAN controller’s boot ROM when it boots up. This allows the LAN controller to operate at its full 1000 Mbps speed with operating systems that do not have proper driver support.

When disabled, the Gigabit LAN controller’s boot ROM will not be loaded when the motherboard boots up. The LAN controller will only operate at its full 1000 Mbps speed with proper driver support. Otherwise, it reverts to the 10/100 Mbps mode.

If you have multiple operating systems installed (and at least one do not have driver support for the LAN controller), enable this BIOS option to ensure the Gigabit LAN operates in its full 1000 Mbps mode in all operating systems.

If you are using only operating systems that have driver support for the Gigabit LAN controller, then you should disable the LAN Boot ROM BIOS option. This reduces the boot time (slightly) and frees up memory that would have been taken up by the boot ROM.

 

Details of LAN Boot ROM

Many motherboards have integrated LAN controllers with 1 or 2 LAN ports. Older motherboards come with 10/100 LAN controllers but newer motherboards has Gigabit LAN controllers that boast throughputs of up to 1 Gbps (1000 Mbps). However, the newer Gigabit LAN controllers are only supported by newer operating systems, using either a native (built-in) driver or a driver provided by the Gigabit LAN controller’s manufacturer.

Older operating systems like MS-DOS or operating systems that do not have driver support will not be able to utilize the Gigabit LAN controller’s full capabilities. If you use such operating systems, the Gigabit LAN controller will only operate in the 10/100 Mbps mode. This is where the LAN Boot ROM BIOS option comes in.

When enabled, the motherboard will load the Gigabit LAN controller’s boot ROM when it boots up. This allows the LAN controller to operate at its full 1000 Mbps speed with operating systems that do not have proper driver support.

When disabled, the Gigabit LAN controller’s boot ROM will not be loaded when the motherboard boots up. The LAN controller will only operate at its full 1000 Mbps speed with proper driver support. Otherwise, it reverts to the 10/100 Mbps mode.

Note that even if the LAN controller’s boot ROM is loaded, the driver will take over when you boot into an operating system with proper driver support. So, if you have multiple operating systems installed (and at least one do not have driver support for the LAN controller), enable this BIOS option to ensure the Gigabit LAN operates in its full 1000 Mbps mode in all operating systems.

If you are using only operating systems that have driver support for the Gigabit LAN controller, then you should disable the LAN Boot ROM BIOS option. This reduces the boot time (slightly) and frees up memory that would have been taken up by the boot ROM. The LAN boot ROM only uses 16 KB to 256 KB of memory, but why waste it if you won’t use it?

[adrotate banner=”5″]

 

Support Tech ARP!

If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!