High-Performance Ethernet Modes; Teaming Mode; Priority Packet Mode - IBM eServer xSeries 345 Type 8670 User Manual

and sets the controller to operate at the appropriate rate. In addition, if the Ethernet
port that the server is connected to supports auto-negotiation, the Ethernet
controller will set the appropriate duplex state. 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), Gigabit Ethernet (1000BASE-T), half
duplex (HDX), or full duplex (FDX). The controller supports half-duplex (HDX) and
full-duplex (FDX) modes at all speeds.
For information on configuring your Ethernet controller, see the Intel Ethernet
Software CD that comes with your server. For updated information on configuring
your Ethernet controller, go to the IBM Support Web site at
http://www.ibm.com/pc/support and navigate to the area for your specific server
type. From this area you can download documentation, the most current device
drivers for your server, and software that supports advanced networking functions.
The Ethernet controller is a PCI Plug and Play device. You do not need to set any
jumpers or configure the controller for the operating system before you use the
controller. However, you must install a device driver to enable the operating system
to access the controller. The device driver is provided on the ServerGuide Setup
and Installation

High-performance Ethernet modes

If you install an optional Ethernet adapter, or use both Ethernet ports on your
server, you can use optional modes, such as teaming, priority packets, and virtual
LANs, which provide higher performance and throughput for the server. These
modes apply to the integrated Ethernet controller and to the controllers on the
supported Ethernet adapters.

Teaming mode

Teaming options increase throughput and fault tolerance when running with
Windows NT, Windows 2000, or NetWare 4.1x or later.
v Adapter fault tolerance (AFT) provides automatic redundancy for the Ethernet
v Adaptive load balancing (ALB) enables you to balance the transmission data
v Cisco Fast EtherChannel (FEC) creates a team of 2 to 4 Ethernet controllers to

Priority Packet mode

Priority Packet is a traffic-prioritization utility that you can use to set up filters to
process high-priority traffic before normal traffic. You can send information from
critical nodes or applications with an indicated priority. Because you set this priority
at the host or entry point of the network, the network devices can base forwarding
decisions on priority information defined in the packet.
Priority Packet information is available on the IBM
http://www.ibm.com/networking/support.
Priority Packet prioritizes traffic based on priority filters. These are parameters you
assign to outgoing (transmit) packets. Using the Priority Filter wizard, you can set
up predefined or custom priority filters based on a node (MAC) address, Ethernet
™
CD.
controller. If the primary controller fails, the optional Ethernet adapter takes over.
Adapter fault tolerance supports from 2 to 4 controllers per team.
flow among 2 to 4 Ethernet controllers. ALB also includes the AFT option. You
can use ALB with any 100BASE-TX or 1000BASE-T switch.
increase transmission and reception throughput. FEC also includes the AFT
option. You can only use FEC with a switch that has FEC capability.
®
Networking Web site at
Chapter 2. Configuring your server
29