Category 5 or better Ethernet cabling is required with RJ-45 connectors. If you plan to implement a Gigabit Ethernet connection, ensure your network infrastructure is capable of the necessary throughput to match the server’s I/O capacity.

You will need to provide Ethernet cables for the onboard 10/100/1000 Ethernet controller.

Adapter teaming

The Broadcom controller is capable of participating in an adapter team for the purposes of failover, load balancing, and port trunking. The choice of adapters to team with the onboard controller depends on whether you have a copper-only network or a mixed copper/fiber network. Our recommendations are:

￿If you have a copper Gigabit environment, use the Broadcom-based NetXtreme 1000T Ethernet adapter, part 31P6301. Alternatively, use the Intel PRO/1000 XT Server adapter, part 22P6801. Note that the 22P6801 is only supported in specific slots — see the following for details:

http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/compat/x440/ibm_22P6801.html

￿If you have a mixed fiber/copper Gigabit server switch network, use the Broadcom-based 22P7801, NetXtreme 1000 SX Fiber Ethernet adapter.

You can also team the onboard Gigabit card with 10/100 cards such as 06P3601 and 22P4901, but this not a recommended configuration. You can also team with the older Gigabit fiber card, 06P3701.

Adapter teaming and failover works by using software additional to the adapter driver to provide the failover functionality.

When installing the on-board Broadcom controller in an adapter team with an Intel-based Gigabit controller, we recommend you install the Broadcom controller driver, then the Broadcom Advanced Server Program (BASP) software and finally the driver for the Intel-based controller. Only install a single adapter teaming package. Do not use the Intel advanced teaming software.

Detailed instructions for installing the individual driver and failover packages are available with the driver software.

For the latest network adapter drivers and software for the x440 server, go to the

x440 driver matrix:

http://www.pc.ibm.com/qtechinfo/MIGR-39747.html

For details about compatibility, see the ServerProven LAN adapter page:

http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/compat/lan/matrix.html

Chapter 3. Planning 73

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IBM 440 manual Adapter teaming