Configuring the Ethernet Controller
If a device driver is causing a memory-address conflict, refer to your
operating-system documentation or the documentation supplied with the device
drivers.
Configuring the Ethernet Controller
Your Netfinity 5000 server comes with an Ethernet controller on the system board.
The Ethernet controller provides 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX support through the
RJ-45 connector on the back of your server.
When you connect your server to the network, the Ethernet controller 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. 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).
This process is also known as
auto-negotiation
. This auto-negotiation occurs
without software intervention. The controller supports half-duplex (HDX) and
full-duplex (FDX) modes at both speeds.
Auto-negotiation works only if the hub or switch to which your server is connected
also supports auto-negotiation. If the hub or switch does not support
auto-negotiation, the speed (10 Mbps or 100 Mbps) will still be detected correctly,
but half-duplex mode will always be selected. A full-duplex switch that does not
support auto-negotiation will not attach to the Netfinity 5000 server in full-duplex
mode.
In this case, if you want the network to operate in full-duplex mode, you must
manually override the settings to obtain a full-duplex connection. To do this, your
server must have a device driver that supports manual overrides. Use the
ServerGuide CDs to install this device driver. Refer to the “ServerGuide and
Netfinity Manager Information” section of this
Server Library
for instructions on
installing device drivers. The ServerGuide CDs contain IBM Update Connector, a
dial-up
3
program that keeps your BIOS and device drivers current. Verify that you
have installed the appropriate device driver. Also, refer to your Ethernet
documentation for additional information on operating modes, manual overrides,
and device drivers (see “Related Publications” on page xii).
Attention:
The 10BASE-T Ethernet and the 100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet cabling in the
network must be Category 5 or higher to meet various standards, including
electromagnetic compatibility.
You must install a device driver to enable your operating system to address the
Ethernet controller. Use the ServerGuide CDs to install this device driver.
Refer to the information in the “ServerGuide and Netfinity Manager Information”
section of this
Server Library
for instructions on installing device drivers, or for
more information about the ServerGuide CDs.
Fast Ethernet operates at a data rate of up to 100 Mbps. However, except for the
different operating speeds, Fast Ethernet and standard Ethernet are structurally
3
Response time will vary, depending on the number and nature of calls received.
32 Netfinity 5000 Server Hardware Information and Procedures
