---
name: "xe"
section: "4"
platform: "linux"
package: "freebsd-manpages"
version: "6.0-5"
release: "Debian 4.0 (Etch)"
platforms: ["linux", "openbsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/xe/4"
---

# xe(4)

Xircom PCMCIA Ethernet device driver

## NAME

**xe** – Xircom PCMCIA Ethernet device driver

## SYNOPSIS

To compile support for the

**xe** driver into your kernel, place the following line in your kernel configuration file:

**device xe**

Alternatively, to load the

**xe** driver at boot time, place the following line in [loader.conf(5)](/loader.conf/5.md):

```
if_xe_load="YES"
```

## DESCRIPTION

The **xe** driver supports PCMCIA Ethernet adapters based on Xircom CE2- and CE3-class hardware. This includes devices made by Xircom along with various OEM manufacturers.

Please note that the **xe** driver only supports PCMCIA cards and their Ethernet functions. **xe** does not support the on-board modem device located on some version of the Ethernet/modem combo cards. In particular, Xircom RealPort2 cards are not supported by this driver.

The **xe** driver supports the following media types:

- **autoselect**

  Enable autoselection of media type and options.

- **10Base2/BNC**

  Select 10Mbps operation on a BNC coaxial connector.

- **10BaseT/UTP**

  Select 10Mbps operation on a RJ-45 connector.

- **100BaseTX**

  Select 100Mbps operation.

Note that 100BaseTX operation is not available on CE2-class cards, while the 10Base2/BNC mode is only available on CE2-class cards. Full-duplex operation is currently not supported. For more information on configuring network interface devices, see [ifconfig(8)](/ifconfig/8.md).

## HARDWARE

The **xe** driver supports the following cards:

- Xircom CreditCard Ethernet (PS-CE2-10)

- Xircom CreditCard Ethernet + Modem 28 (PS-CEM-28)

- Xircom CreditCard Ethernet + Modem 33 (CEM33)

- Xircom CreditCard 10/100 (CE3, CE3B)

- Xircom CreditCard Ethernet 10/100 + Modem 56 (CEM56)

- Xircom RealPort Ethernet 10 (RE10)

- Xircom RealPort Ethernet 10/100 (RE100)

- Xircom RealPort Ethernet 10/100 + Modem 56 (REM56, REM56G)

- Accton Fast EtherCard-16 (EN2226)

- Compaq Microcom CPQ550 Ethernet/Modem PC Card

- Compaq Netelligent 10/100 PC Card (CPQ-10/100)

- Intel EtherExpress Pro/100 PC Card Mobile Adapter 16 (Pro/100 M16A)

- Intel EtherExpress Pro/100 LAN/Modem PC Card Adapter (Pro/100 M16B)

Other similar devices using the same hardware may also be supported.

## DIAGNOSTICS

- xe%d: Cannot allocate ioport

  - xe%d: Cannot allocate irq

  A fatal initialization error occurred while attempting to allocate system resources for the card.

- xe%d: Unable to fix your %s combo card

  A fatal initialization error occurred while attempting to attach an Ethernet/modem combo card.

- xe%d: watchdog timeout: resetting card

  The card failed to generate an interrupt acknowledging a transmitted packet. May indicate a PCMCIA configuration problem.

- xe%d: no carrier

  The card has lost all contact with the network; this usually indicates a cable problem.

## SEE ALSO

[pccard(4)](/pccard/4.md), [ifconfig(8)](/ifconfig/8.md)

## HISTORY

The **xe** driver first appeared in FreeBSD 3.3.

## AUTHORS

The **xe** device driver was written by Scott Mitchell ⟨rsm@FreeBSD.org⟩. This manual page was written by Scott Mitchell ⟨rsm@FreeBSD.org⟩, and Tom Rhodes ⟨trhodes@FreeBSD.org⟩.

## BUGS

Supported devices will fail to attach on some machines using the NEWCARD PC Card framework.

Automatic media selection is usually unreliable.