Ethernet Controller Troubleshooting Chart - IBM eServer 200 xSeries User Reference Manual

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Ethernet controller troubleshooting chart

You can use the following troubleshooting chart to find solutions to 10/100 MBps
Ethernet controller problems that have definite symptoms.
Table 12. Ethernet troubleshooting chart.
Ethernet controller
problem
The server stops running
when loading device drivers.
The LAN activity light does
not light (when available).
Data is incorrect or sporadic.
The Ethernet controller
stopped working when
another adapter was added
to the system.
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IBM xSeries 200: User's Reference
Check for operating system-specific causes for the problem.
Make sure that the device drivers on the client and system are using the same
protocol.
Test the Ethernet controller.
The way you test the Ethernet controller depends on which operating system you
are using (see the Ethernet controller device driver README file).
The PCI BIOS interrupt settings are incorrect.
Check the following:
• Determine if the IRQ setting assigned to the Ethernet controller is also assigned to
another device in the Configuration/Setup Utility program.
Although interrupt sharing is allowed for PCI devices, some devices do not function
well when they share an interrupt with a dissimilar PCI device. Try changing the
IRQ assigned to the Ethernet controller or the other device. For example, for
NetWare Versions 3 and 4 it is recommended that disk controllers not share
interrupts with LAN controllers.
• Make sure that you are using the most recent device driver available from the World
Wide Web.
• Run the network diagnostic program.
If the problem remains, call for service.
Check the following:
• Make sure that you have loaded the network device drivers.
• The network might be idle. Try sending data from this workstation.
• Run diagnostics on the LEDs.
Check the following:
• Make sure that you are using Category 5 cabling when operating the system at 100
MBps.
• Make sure that the cables do not run close to noise-inducing sources like
fluorescent lights.
Check the following:
• Make sure that the cable is connected to the Ethernet controller.
• Make sure that your PCI system BIOS code is current.
• Reseat the adapter.
• Determine if the IRQ setting assigned to the Ethernet adapter is also assigned to
another device in the Configuration/Setup Utility program.
Although interrupt sharing is allowed for PCI devices, some devices do not function
well when they share an interrupt with a dissimilar PCI device. Try changing the
IRQ assigned to the Ethernet adapter or the other device.
If the problem remains, call for service.
Suggested action