Configuring Ethernet PCI Adapters
2-14 Express5800/320Ma: PCI Adapter Guide
Configuring Ethernet Teams
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 t eams again, use De vice 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 U574PCI 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 differ ent
I/O elements. Only teams with Ethernet PCI adapters in different I/O elements are
fault tolerant. (See “Locating Ethernet PCI Adapters” on page2-15 for informat ion
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.