Caution – Do not use excessive force when installing the adapter into the PCI slot. You might damage the adapter’s PCI connector. If the adapter does not seat properly when you apply even pressure, remove the adapter and carefully reinstall it.

9.Secure the adapter to the PCI slot using the screw you removed in Step 6.

10.Detach the wrist strap and close the system unit.

11.Connect the Ethernet cables.

a.Connect one end of the Ethernet cable to the port on the card.

b.Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to an active Ethernet network. We are observing that the EMI shielding around the PCI slots is quite flimsy.

When we install a PCI card, sometimes, the EMI shielding become loose and touches the metal traces/pins at the back of the card. For the Quad Gigabit card (x4444a), the shield actually touches the LED pins and makes the link/activity LEDs go off/on by itself.

Also, when a full length PCI card is pulled out, it can easily pull the complete EMI shield with it.

Note – Green LEDs will not light until the correct driver is installed.

▼To Verify the Hardware Installation

After you have installed the Sun GigaSwift Ethernet adapter, but before you boot your system, perform the following tasks to verify the installation. Refer to the your Solaris documentation for the detailed instructions.

Note – Verification is not required if your system supports DR. Verification is not supported if your system is running Solaris 9 x86 software.

1.Power on the system, and when the banner appears, press the Stop-A key sequence to interrupt the boot process and display the OpenBoot (ok) prompt.

Chapter 2 Installing the Adapter 9

Page 30 Page 32
Page 31
Image 31
Sun Microsystems GigaSwift Ethernet Adapter manual To Verify the Hardware Installation
Page 30 Page 32

GigaSwift Ethernet Adapter specifications

The Sun Microsystems GigaSwift Ethernet Adapter is a high-performance network interface card that was designed to provide advanced connectivity solutions for enterprise environments. Launched in the early 2000s, this adapter caters to the increasing demands for speed and efficiency in networking, especially amidst the rise of data-intensive applications.

One of the standout features of the GigaSwift Ethernet Adapter is its capability to support gigabit Ethernet technology, delivering data transfer rates of up to 1 Gbps. This allows organizations to boost their network throughput significantly, ensuring that bandwidth-intensive applications, such as video conferencing, online collaboration, and large file transfers, can be handled without significant lag or disruption.

The adapter utilizes a PCI-X interface, which enhances its performance compared to traditional PCI interfaces. This allows for higher bandwidth operations, making the GigaSwift suitable for servers and workstations that require robust connectivity. It is backward compatible with earlier Ethernet standards, which means it can seamlessly communicate with existing network infrastructures, preserving investments in legacy technologies.

Another critical characteristic of the GigaSwift Ethernet Adapter is its support for various networking protocols. It is designed to operate in diverse networking environments, supporting both full-duplex and half-duplex modes, which maximizes its efficiency in data transmission. This flexibility makes it an ideal choice for heterogeneous networks where different devices and standards coexist.

Furthermore, the adapter features advanced error detection and correction technologies, ensuring reliable transmission of data over the network. With features such as flow control and jumbo frame support, it enhances the efficiency and performance of large-scale data transfers.

The GigaSwift also comes equipped with diagnostic and management utilities, allowing network administrators to monitor the network performance effectively. This is crucial for identifying bottlenecks and optimizing network configurations to ensure peak operational efficiency.

Overall, the Sun Microsystems GigaSwift Ethernet Adapter is an essential tool for businesses looking to upgrade their networking infrastructure. Its combination of speed, versatility, and reliability allows enterprises to adopt next-generation networking solutions while maintaining compatibility with existing systems, ultimately contributing to a more robust and efficient IT environment.
Top Page Image Contents