B. NETWORK INTERFACE

Select Duplex Mode (optional)

Duplexing is a performance option that lets you choose how the network interface or adapter sends and receives data packets over the network. This motherboard’s network interface can operate at full duplex only when connected to a full duplex 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX switching hub, or another full duplex network interface or adapter. To summarize:

•Auto (requires a full duplex network interface or adapter or switching hub with auto-negotiation capability). The network interface or adapter negotiates with the hub to send and receive packets at the highest rate. This is the default setting. If the hub does not provide auto-negotiation, the network interface or adapter runs at half duplex.

•Full duplex (requires a full duplex switching hub or network interface or adapter). The network interface or adapter can send and receive packets at the same time. This mode can increase network interface or adapter performance ca- pability. If the full duplex hub provides auto-negotiation, the network interface or adapter runs at full duplex. If the full duplex hub does not provide auto-negotia- tion, you need to set the network interface or adapter duplex mode manually (see following paragraphs)

•Half duplex. The network interface or adapter performs one operation at a time; it either sends or receives.

NOTE: If your hub is running at 100 Mbps and half duplex, your potential bandwidth is higher than if you run at 10 Mbps and full duplex.

Manually Configuring for Full Duplex

If your switch supports auto-negotiation with the N-way standard, duplex configuration is automatic and no action is required on your part. However, few switches in the current installed base support auto-negotiation. Check with your network system administrator to verify. Most installations will require manual configuration to change to full duplex.

Configuration is specific to the driver you’re loading for your network operating system (NOS), as shown in the following paragraphs. To set up the duplex mode, refer to the section below that corresponds to your operating system. The performance of the network interface or adapter may suffer or your network interface or adapter may not operate if your hub does not support full duplex and you configure the network interface or adapter to full duplex. Leave the network interface or adapter on half duplex if you are not sure what type of hub you are connected to.

DOS ODI, NDIS 2.01 Clients

Edit the NET.CFG or PROTOCOL.INI file. Add keywords to Link Driver section:

FORCEDUPLEX 2SPEED 100 (or 10 if 10BASE-T)
Duplex Mode

B. NETWORK

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