IBM eserver xSeries 350 User Reference Manual page 84

the server to support a failover function. You can configure either the integrated
Ethernet controller or the network 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. If the
appropriate device drivers are installed, 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, the secondary Ethernet controller
cannot be used for any other network operation.
Note: Your operating system determines the maximum number of IBM 10/100 Fault
Considerations when combining failover and hot-plug
functions: If your operating system supports hot-plug PCI adapters and the optional
redundant network adapter is installed in a hot-plug PCI slot, you can replace the
network adapter without powering off the server — even if it is the primary Ethernet
controller. Disconnecting the Ethernet cable from the primary Ethernet controller will
cause the Ethernet traffic to switch automatically to the secondary Ethernet controller.
This can be very useful if a faulty adapter causes a network problem, or if you want to
upgrade the primary adapter hardware.
Note: If you replace the primary adapter while the Ethernet traffic is being handled
Configuring for failover: The failover feature is supported by Microsoft Windows
NT Server and Novell IntraNetWare. The setup required for each operating system
follows.
Windows NT Server:
IBM offers hot-plug support for Windows NT Server Version 4.0. Failover can work
in conjunction with hot-plug support or independently. If you are not using hot-plug
support, go to "Windows NT Server failover setup" on page 73.
Windows NT Server hot-plug setup:
IBM Hot Plug PCI for Windows NT Server 4.0 package is available for download at
http://www.pc.ibm.com/support on the World Wide Web.
Type the brand type of server in the Server field, click Downloadable files, and look
for Hot Plug. The IBM Hot Plug PCI for Windows NT Server 4.0 package uses the
Intel Desktop Management Interface (DMI) to control hot-plug support for the
Ethernet controllers. The Ethernet controller in your computer is DMI compliant.
Download and install the following software in the order listed:
1.
2.
3.
Note: The order of installation is important. You must install the IBM Netfinity Hot
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IBM® xSeries 350: User's Reference
Tolerant Adapters that you can install in your server. See the documentation
that comes with the adapter for more information.
by the secondary Ethernet controller, the traffic does not automatically switch
back to the primary adapter when the primary adapter comes back online. See
"Configuring for failover".
IBM Netfinity PCI Hotplug for Windows NT 4.0 Failover DMI Agent
IBM Netfinity PCI Hotplug for Windows NT 4.0 Solution
IBM Netfinity 10/100 Fault Tolerant Adapter device drivers
Plug for Windows NT Server 4.0 package before you install the IBM 10/100
Fault Tolerant Adapter device drivers. If you install the adapter device drivers
before the PCI Hot Plug Solution package, the adapter device drivers will not
recognize the hot-plug code. This happens because the adapter device drivers