IBM 867431X Hardware Maintenance Manual - Page 113

Note: The 100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet standard requires that the cabling in the network be Category 5 or higher. Configuring the Ethernet controller: When you connect the server/workstation to the network, the Ethernet controller for that Ethernet port automatically detects the data-transfer rate (10 Mbps or 100 Mbps) on the network and then sets the controller to operate at the appropriate rate. In addition, if the Ethernet port that the server/workstation is connected to supports auto-negotiation, the Ethernet controller will set the appropriate duplex state. That is, the Ethernet controller will adjust to the network data rate, whether the data rate is standard Ethernet (10BASE-T), Fast Ethernet (100BASE-TX), half duplex (HDX), or full duplex (FDX). The controller supports half-duplex (HDX) and full-duplex (FDX) modes at both speeds. The Ethernet controller is a PCI Plug and Play device. You do not need to set any jumpers or configure the controller for your operating system before you use the Ethernet controller. However, you must install a device driver to enable your operating system to address the Ethernet controllers. The device drivers are provided on the serverGuide CDs. Failover for redundant Ethernet: When you connect your server to the network, the Ethernet controllers automatically detect the data transfer rate (10 Mbps) or or 100 Mbps) on the network and then set the controllers to operate at the appropriate rate. The IBM 10/100 Ethernet Adapter or the IBM 10/100 EtherJet PCI family of adapters are optional redundant network adapters that you can install in your server. You can configure either one of the integrated Ethernet controllers or the Network adapter as the primary Ethernet controller. In failover mode, if the primary Ethernet controller detects a link failure, all Ethernet traffic associated with it is switched to the redundant (secondary) controller. This switching occurs without any user intervention. When the primary link is restored to an operational state, the Ethernet traffic switches back to the primary Ethernet controller. High Performance Ethernet Modes: Your Ethernet controller supports optional modes, such as teaming, priority packets, and virtual LANs, which provide higher performance and throughput for your server/workstation. Teaming Mode: Your Ethernet controller provides options, called teaming options. These options increase throughput and fault tolerance when running with Windows NT 4.0 or NetWare 4.1x or later. v Adapter fault tolerance (AFT) provides automatic redundancy for your adapter. If the primary adapter fails, the secondary adapter takes over. Adapter fault tolerance supports from 2 to 4 adapters per team. v Adaptive load balancing (ALB) allows you to balance the transmission data flow among 2 to 4 adapters. ALB also includes the AFT option. You can use ALB with any 100BASE-TX switch. v Cisco Fast EtherChannel (FEC) creates a team of 2 to 4 adapters to increase transmission and reception thoughput. FEC also includes the AFT option. You can only use FEC with a switch that has FEC capability. Teaming requires you to use both of the integrated Ethernet controllers. For additional information about the teaming modes, refer to the documentation that comes with these additional adapters. Priority Packet Mode: Priority Packet is a traffic-prioritization utility that enables you to set up filters to process high-priority traffic before normal traffic. You can send information from critical nodes or applications with an indicated priority. Installing options 105