NEC EXPRESS 5800 User Manual page 34

1-20 System Overview
Preferred Primary Adapter
With multiple adapters installed, you can specify one as the Preferred Primary adapter. For
example if you have a server with a PRO/1000 server adapter as the primary adapter and a
PRO/100+ adapter as the secondary, you could configure the PRO/1000 server adapter to be the
preferred primary. In this scenario, if the PRO/1000 server adapter fails, the PRO/100+ will take
over. Then when the PRO/1000 server adapter is replaced, it will automatically revert to being the
primary adapter in the team.
If a Preferred Primary is not selected, PROSet will attempt to select the best adapter, based on
adapter model and speed.
Mixed Adapter Teaming
AFT supports up to eight server adapters per team, in any mix.
Adaptive Load Balancing
Adaptive Load Balancing (ALB) is a simple and efficient way to increase your server's transmit
throughput. With ALB you group server adapters in teams to provide an increased transmit rate
(up to 8 Gbps) using a maximum of eight adapters. The ALB software continuously analyzes
transmit loading on each adapter and balances the rate across the adapters as needed. Adapter
teams configured for ALB also provide the benefits of AFT. Receive rates remain at 100 Mbps or
1 Gbps depending on the primary adapter's capability.
To use ALB, you must have two to eight server adapters installed in your server or workstation
and linked to the same network switch.