there's no reason it needs to be isa, i have pci slots too. it's just the only card i have that qualifies as plan 9 supported hardware
ok ;-) i ass-u-med that you were stuck with a real antique out of no choice.
This being the case, buy an Intel Pro/100[0] PCI card. Accept no substitutes. They run everywhere, and your time is worth much more than the $10 difference in price vs. fighting an el-cheapo NIC.
--lyndon