Introduction

10/100 PCI Fast Ethernet Card

Thank you for choosing the D-Link Server Card, the value leader among Fast Ethernet adapters for PCI−Bus server computers. This introductory chapter will be useful if you are new to Fast Ethernet and other new technologies used by the Server Card. Otherwise, skip ahead to the Installation chapter.

Fast Ethernet

Fast Ethernet is a network technology specified by IEEE Standard 802.3u. It extends the traditional 10Mbps Ethernet technology to achieve 100Mbps transmission and reception, while retaining the same CSMA/CD Ethernet protocol. Thus while Fast Ethernet provides a tenfold increase in network capacity, it is wholly compatible with traditional 10Mbps Ethernet network facilities

Auto-Negotiation

Auto-negotiation is an IEEE 802.3-specified procedure for negotiating the highest data flow capability between the device (in this case, our Adapter) and its link partner (some other device). The data flow information to be negotiated consists of the data speed (10Mbps or 100Mbps) and data transfer (half-duplex or full-duplex communication). The physical process of auto-negotiation requires only a few milliseconds to choose the fastest communications capability between the two devices.

Adaptive Load Balancing

Adaptive Load Balancing balances server traffic among as many as four like adapters, providing redundant links and easy scalability in 100Mbps increments, up to 800Mbps. Traffic is automatically distributed among multiple adapters or among multiple ports in a four-port adapter – without the time and expense of segmenting the network.

Fault Tolerance

Adapter Fault Tolerance safeguards vital network links with transparent backup connections using multiple link adapters. If a link fails, traffic is automatically transferred to the remaining adapters or to the remaining port on a dual-port adapter. This allows user applications and the server to stay up and running.

Server Card Features

Designed for versatility and performance, the Server Adapter provides the following features:

•Load Balancing of incoming and outgoing traffic to achieve the greatest performance.

•Instant failover without loss of connection or data.

•Operation in a univeral PCI Bus master slot of a Pentium computer, independent of CPU speed.

•PCI Bus Master memory access, for high throughput and low CPU demand.

•32-bit Intelligent Ethernet controller.

•Compliance with IEEE 802.3u 100BASE-TX and 10BASE-T Ethernet standards.

•4 RJ-45 connectors for network cable connection.

•100Mbps Fast Ethernet or 10Mbps Ethernet data transfer, selected via auto-negotiation.

•Full-duplex or half-duplex operation, selected by auto-negotiation.