Configuring Ethernet Teams

Configuring Ethernet PCI Adapters

Use the PROSet utility to configure Ethernet PCI adapters into teams. Keep the following notes, guidelines, and restrictions in mind when you create a team:

•If you disable a team but subsequently make and apply any changes in the PROSet utility, PROSet enables the team again. Clicking Apply in the PROSet utility enables all teams. To disable the teams again, use Device Manager or My Network Places.

•Each port on a dual-port Ethernet PCI adapter appears as a separate adapter in PROSet.

•Generally, assign Ethernet PCI adapters of only one media type (fiber optic or copper) to a team. For instance, you should assign only U574 PCI adapter ports (fiber optic) to a team, or only U575 PCI adapter ports (copper). You could also assign embedded 10/100/1000-Mbps Ethernet PCI adapter ports (copper) and U575 PCI adapter ports (copper) to a team.

•Manually configure values for the data rate and duplex mode of Ethernet PCI adapters that operate at 10 or 100 Mbps (see “Configuring Link Speed and Duplex Mode” on page 2-16). Although these values are set automatically by default, automatic settings can result in unreliable connections and inaccurate reporting of link activity and duplex mode. Always use the same data rate and duplex mode values for all members of a team.

•PROSet supports 2-8 Ethernet PCI adapters (ports) in a team. For teaming purposes, some switches might require you to populate sets of two- or four-switch ports at a time. Determine the requirements of the switch that you are using, and add the appropriate number of adapters to the team.

•There is no minimum or maximum number of teams in PROSet; teams are limited only by the number of adapters available in your system and how you allocate them.

•For fault tolerance, create teams that contain Ethernet PCI adapters from different I/O elements. Only teams with Ethernet PCI adapters in different I/O elements are fault tolerant. (See “Locating Ethernet PCI Adapters” on page 2-15for information about using PROSet to locate Ethernet PCI adapters.)

•NEC Solutions (America), Inc. does not support the creation of Express Teams. PROSet Express Teams provide a quick way of teaming all ports of a multiport Ethernet PCI adapter. Because the ports are in the same adapter and I/O element, an Express Team is a single point of failure.

•NEC Solutions (America), Inc.does not support the teaming of third-party Ethernet PCI adapters with Express5800/320Ma Ethernet PCI adapters. Only Express5800/320Ma Ethernet PCI adapters have been tested for compatibility and fault tolerance in Express5800/320Ma systems.

To configure Ethernet PCI adapters into fault-tolerant teams, perform the procedures described in the following sections, in the order listed.

2-14Express5800/320Ma: PCI Adapter Guide