Configuring The Ethernet Controller; Failover For Redundant Ethernet - IBM Netfinity 4500R User Reference Manual

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IBM® Netfinity® 4500R User's Reference

Configuring the Ethernet controller

When you connect your server to the network, the Ethernet controller automatically
detects the data-transfer rate (10Mbps or 100Mbps) on the network and then sets the
controller to operate at the appropriate rate. That is, the Ethernet controller will adjust
to the network data rate, whether the data rate is standard Ethernet (10BASE-T), Fast
Ethernet (100BASE-TX), half duplex (HDX), or full duplex (FDX). The controller
supports half-duplex (HDX) and full-duplex (FDX) modes at both speeds.
The Ethernet controller is a PCI Plug and Play device. You do not need to set any
jumpers or configure the controller for your operating system before you use the
Ethernet controller. However, you must install a device driver to enable your
operating system to address the Ethernet controller. The device drivers are provided
on the ServerGuide CDs.

Failover for redundant Ethernet

The IBM Netfinity 10/100 Fault Tolerant Adapter is an optional redundant network
interface card (NIC adapter) that you can install in your server. If you install this NIC
adapter and connect it to the same logical segment as the primary Ethernet controller,
you can configure the server to support a failover function. You can configure either
the integrated Ethernet controller or the NIC adapter as the primary Ethernet
controller. In failover mode, if the primary Ethernet controller detects a link failure, all
Ethernet traffic associated with it is switched to the redundant (secondary) controller.
This switching occurs without any user intervention. When the primary link is
restored to an operational state, the Ethernet traffic switches back to the primary
Ethernet controller. The switch back to the primary Ethernet controller can be
automatic or manually controlled, depending on the setup and operating system.
Note that only one controller in the redundant pair is active at any given time. For
example, if the primary Ethernet controller is active, then the secondary Ethernet
controller cannot be used for any other network operation.
Note: Your operating system determines the maximum number of IBM Netfinity
10/100 Fault Tolerant Adapters that you can install in your server. See the
documentation that comes with the adapter for more information.
Configuring for failover: The failover feature currently is supported by Windows
NT Server, and IntraNetWare. The setup required for each operating system follows.
Windows NT Server: To install the IBM Netfinity 10/100 Fault Tolerant Adapter device
drivers:
1. Add the redundant NIC adapter according to the instructions that are provided
with the adapter.
2. Use the ServerGuide CDs to install the AMD PCNet Ethernet Family adapter
device driver.
3. Do not select the Grouping box at this point; you must first restart the machine.
4. From the Windows NT Server desktop, select Control Panel, then select the
Network icon, then select the Adapters tab.
5. Highlight one of the adapters that will be in the redundant pair and then click the
Properties... button.
6. Check the Grouping box. This will show the possible combinations for redundant
pairs.
7. Select the adapter pair you want and then select OK. Note that the integrated
Ethernet controller is located at PCI bus A, slot 2.
8. Select Close to exit from the Network setup.