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Alacritech 2000-100001 User Manual

100 series, 1000 series server and storage accelerator
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Alacritech
Server and Storage
Accelerator User's Guide

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  • Page 1     Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...
  • Page 2 Disclaimer The information in this document is subject to change without notice. Alacritech reserves the right to change any portion of these products for reasons such as improving performance or enhancing functionality. Alacritech assumes no liability arising out of the application or use of these products for anything other than its intended purpose.

  • Page 3: Organization Of This Guide

    Organization of This Guide This guide is the primary reference and operation guide for the Alacritech 100 and 1000 Series Server and Storage Accelerators and contains the following sections: Chapter 1 - Introduction provides a general introduction to the 100 and 1000 Series Server and Storage Accelerators and the SLIC Technology on which they are based.
  • Page 4 Limited Media Warranty for the software media. Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Overview of Teaming and Failover Recommended Order of Implementation Windows NT 4.0 Teaming Configuration Windows 2000 Teaming Configuration Alacritech Accelerator Installation in Windows Powered NAS Appliance Installation Overview Adapter and Driver Installation Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide 6-10...
  • Page 6 Troubleshooting and Support Alacritech Automated Customer Support README Files on CD-ROM Troubleshooting Overview Installation Problems Event Log Errors Connectivity Problems Performance Problems Miscellaneous Problems Appendix A Network Software License Agreement and Warranty Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide 8-10 8-12...

  • Page 7: Introduction

    1 Introduction About this Guide This guide describes how to install software and operate the Alacritech 100 and 1000 Series Server and Storage Accelerators on a Windows NT 4.0 (Service Pack 4 and above) or Windows 2000 system. 1.1.1 Naming conventions...
  • Page 8 CPUs. SLIC Technology eliminates the burden of TCP/IP protocol processing on the host CPU. By offloading protocol processing, SLIC Technology frees the CPU for application processing, boosting both network and server performance. Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...

  • Page 9: Software Installation For Windows Nt

    ■ Accelerator. Software Installation This section covers the procedures for installing the software required for the 100 and 1000 Series Server and Storage Accelerators. Follow the appropriate procedure for your type of installation. Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...
  • Page 10 System with Networking Services Already Established If the Windows NT server computer has already been set up for networking services, follow this procedure. 1. Insert the Alacritech Driver Installation CD into the appropriate drive. 2. Open the Control Panel and double-click the Network icon.
  • Page 11 11. After the bindings are re-built, the Microsoft TCP/IP Properties dialog box appears. Select the [1] adapter (or the lowest numbered Alacritech adapter if there are multiple adapters in the system) from the Adapters pull- down menu and enter the IP Address, Subnet Mask and (if desired) Default Gateway for this port;...
  • Page 12 Installing the 100 and 1000 Series drivers while performing a networking installation will require that you swap the Alacritech Driver Installation CD with the Windows NT installation CD several times.
  • Page 13 Installing the 100 and 1000 Series drivers while performing a Windows NT operating system installation will require that you swap the Alacritech Driver Installation CD with the Windows NT installation CD several times. If the CDs are not swapped properly, the Windows NT network components will not be installed correctly.
  • Page 14 CD from your computer and replace it with the Alacritech Driver Installation CD and click the OK button. 5. The "Alacritech 100 and 1000 Series Adapter" option will appear. Click the OK button. 6. In the Windows NT Setup window, click the Next button.

  • Page 15: Uninstalling The Server And Storage Accelerator

    1. Open the Control Panel and double-click the Network icon. 2. In the Network dialog box, select the Adapters tab. 3. Select one of the Alacritech 100 or 1000 Series Server and Storage Accelerator entries associated with the adapter you wish to remove and click the Remove...
  • Page 16 4. Shut down the computer, and unplug the power cable. Failure to do so may endanger you, and may damage the adapter or computer. Note: Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerators use components that are sensitive to ESD. Proper ESD handling and storage should be followed.

  • Page 17: Operations And Management For Windows Nt

    To check the performance of your system, run Performance Monitor, specifying the variables you wish to monitor. Follow this procedure to check the performance of the 100 and 1000 Series Server and Storage Accelerator. Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...
  • Page 18 1. Run the performance Monitor application from the Start Menu, located under Programs in the Administrative Tools folder. 2. Under the Edit menu, select Add To Chart. Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...
  • Page 19 Server process, which is responsible for file sharing. Before the Alacritech 100 and 1000 Series Server and Storage Accelerator is installed, when clients are generating a lot of traffic to and from the server's file systems, your...
  • Page 20 (FastPath) and SlowBytes represents data moving through the host protocol stack, as it does with a conventional network interface card. 5. After the SLIC additions, your display should look similar to this: Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...
  • Page 21 SLIC protocol stack is referred to as SlowPath data. A "healthy" connection will be put into FastPath state as soon as the connection is established, and will stay in FastPath state until the connection is closed. Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...
  • Page 22 SlowPath, until the problem can be resolved. While the connection is in this SlowPath state, all TCP/IP processing is done by the host and the Alacritech 100 or 1000 Series Server and Storage Accelerator serves only to move Ethernet frames to and from the network, much like a conventional adapter.

  • Page 23: Running Adapter Diagnostics

    2. In the Network dialog box, select the Adapters tab. 3. Select one of the 100 or 1000 Series Server and Storage Accelerator ports. 4. Click the Properties button. 5. Select the Diagnostics tab. Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...
  • Page 24 6. Click the Run button. The adapter will then run through self-test of the IPP and the selected port of the adapter. A properly functioning board should display the following results: 7. Close the Network Control Panel by clicking the OK button. Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...

  • Page 25: Disabling Ipx/Spx And Netbeui

    NCPA. 1. Open the Control Panel and double-click the Network icon. 2. In the Network dialog box, select the Bindings tab. 3. In the Show Bindings pull-down menu, select all protocols. Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...
  • Page 26 3-10 Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...
  • Page 27 4. Right-click the IPX/SPX protocol and select Disable. Alternatively, select the IPX/SPX protocol and click the Disable button. Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide 3-11...
  • Page 28 It is recommended that you disable these protocols and not remove them. If you wish to remove them, go to the Protocols tab in the Network dialog box, highlight each protocol and click the Remove button. 3-12 Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...

  • Page 29: Disabling Slic Tcp/Ip Offload On Select Interfaces

    2. In the Network dialog box, select the Bindings tab. 3. In the Show Bindings pull-down menu, select all protocols. 4. Double-click the Alacritech SLIC TCP/IP Offload item to view the bound adapters. 5. Select the appropriate Alacritech Accelerator entry and click the Disable button.

  • Page 31: Software Installation For Windows 2000

    TCP offload capabilities of the Server and Storage Accelerator. All installations should be done with the Alacritech Setup utility. Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...

  • Page 32: Software Installation

    100 and 1000 Series Server and Storage Accelerators. Follow the appropriate procedure for your type of installation. Note: Running the Alacritech Setup program is the only way to correctly initially install Alacritech 100 or 1000 Series Server and Storage Accelerator drivers for Windows 2000.
  • Page 33 2. Click the Readme button if you wish to read the updated product information. Otherwise, check the Port Aggregation Driver box in the Alacritech 100 and 1000 Series Server and Storage Accelerator Setup window, and then click the Continue button.
  • Page 34 Storage Accelerator without Port Aggregation 1. Insert your Alacritech Driver Installation CD into the system. 2. In the Alacritech 100 and 1000 Series Server and Storage Accelerator Setup, click the Continue button. In the Reinstall Driver dialog box click the Yes button.

  • Page 35: Uninstalling The Server And Storage Accelerator

    3. Confirm “Uninstall a device” is selected in the selection list and click the Next button. 4. After a few seconds, a list of devices will appear. Select the first appropriate Alacritech 100 Series Server and Storage Accelerator or Alacritech 1000 Series Server and Storage Accelerator from the list and click the Next button.
  • Page 36 Note: Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerators use components that are sensitive to ESD. Proper ESD handling and storage should be followed. 9. Remove the computer cover, and remove the Alacritech 100 or 1000 Series Server and Storage Accelerator. Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...

  • Page 37: Operations And Management For Windows 2000

    To check the performance of your system, run Performance Monitor, specifying the variables you wish to monitor. Follow this procedure to check the performance of the 100 or 1000 Series Server and Storage Accelerator. Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...
  • Page 38 Server process, which is responsible for file sharing. Before the Alacritech 100 or 1000 Series Server and Storage Accelerator is installed, when clients are generating a lot of traffic to and from the server's file systems, your display should look similar to this: Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...
  • Page 39 Server process (green line). 3. With the 100 or 1000 Series Server and Storage Accelerator installed, add Alacritech information to the chart. In the Object field, select SLIC and in the Counter field, select FastBytes Total/sec and click the Add button. Next, in the Object field, select SLIC and in the Counter field, select SlowBytes Total/sec and click the Add button.
  • Page 40 4. After the SLIC additions, your display should look similar to this: Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...
  • Page 41 SLIC protocol stack is referred to as SlowPath data. A "healthy" connection will be put into FastPath state as soon as the connection is established, and will stay in FastPath state until the connection is closed. Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...
  • Page 42 SlowPath, until the problem can be resolved. While the connection is in this SlowPath state all TCP/IP processing is done by the host and the Alacritech 100 or 1000 Series Server and Storage Accelerator serves only to move Ethernet frames to and from the network, much like a conventional network interface card.

  • Page 43: Running Adapter Diagnostics

    Diagnostics can be run on the 100 or 1000 Series Server and Storage Accelerator using the following procedure: 1. Run the slicuser application from the Start Menu, located under the Program Files folder in the Alacritech folder. 2. Select the Diagnostics tab. Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...
  • Page 44 100 or 1000 Series Server and Storage Accelerator. 3. Click the Run button. The adapter will then run through self-test of the IPP and the selected port of the adapter. A properly functioning board should display the following results: Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...

  • Page 45: Disabling Slic Tcp/Ip Offload On Select Interfaces

    Note: Disabling SLIC TCP/IP Offload will disable the performance benefits of the 100 or 1000 Series Server and Storage Accelerator on that interface. This should be done only as required. Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...
  • Page 46 2. Double-click the LAN connection of the interface you wish to disable TCP offload. 3. Click the Properties button. Uncheck the box labeled Alacritech TCP Fast-path driver. Click OK. 4. Restart your computer. 5-10 Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...

  • Page 47: Configuring Teaming And Failover

    FEC and IEEE 802.3AD require that the team be configured both on the host, and on the switch that the host connects In a configuration that has one or more Alacritech Accelerators connected to a compatible switch, FEC allows multiple full-duplex...
  • Page 48 IP address. For example, all of the four ports of an Alacritech 100x4 Server and Storage Accelerator can be configured to form an EtherChannel with four compatibly configured ports on the switch. The switch distributes frames across the ports in an EtherChannel according to an algorithm determined by the switch vendor.
  • Page 49 Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...
  • Page 50 When an ARP request comes in, the ARP response indicates only one underlying accelerator MAC address. As such, all traffic for the aggregated interface comes in on one port. When sending, the traffic is balanced across multiple accelerator ports. Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...

  • Page 51: Recommended Order Of Implementation

    1. Establish TCP/IP communication over a single Ethernet link. If this is a new installation of an Alacritech Accelerator, it is important that you first establish network connectivity before setting up a team. All other ports that will later be used in the team should be disabled, and not have Ethernet cables connected.

  • Page 52: Windows Nt 4.0 Teaming Configuration

    The TCP/IP Properties window will appear. Specify an IP address Subnet Mask and (if desired) Default Gateway for the team. Regardless of how many Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...
  • Page 53 IP address. 6. Click OK to exit TCP/IP Properties. Close the Network Control Panel and restart your computer. Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...
  • Page 54 Configure all ports in an EtherChannel to operate at the • same speed and duplex mode (full or half duplex). Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...
  • Page 55 Specify an IP address Subnet Mask and (if desired) Default Gateway for the each interface. 6. Click OK to exit TCP/IP Properties. Close the Network Control Panel and restart your computer. Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...

  • Page 56: Windows 2000 Teaming Configuration

    Open the Network Properties window. Right select a connection associated with an Alacritech 100 or 1000 Series Server and Storage Accelerator port and click the Properties button. Select “Alacritech Accelerator Team Configurator” and click the Properties button.
  • Page 57 Once the team is created, you must specify the type of teaming or failover the team will use. The default is Cisco Fast/Gigabit EtherChannel or 802.3AD. Select a type of team and click the OK button. Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide 6-11...
  • Page 58 A new Virtual Miniport Adapter for the team will appear in the window and in the Network & Dial-up Connections folder located under the Settings menu. Click the OK button to continue. 6-12 Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...
  • Page 59 If you wish to assign an IP address to the new teamed interface before rebooting, select No. Otherwise, Click the Yes button to reboot and activate Alacritech SLIC TCP/IP Offload. Note: A team can have up to four member interfaces, and these interfaces may be on up to four cards.
  • Page 60 6.4.3 Removing Teaming 1. From the Start menu, open the Network & Dial-up Connections folder located under the Settings menu. 2. Double-click a physical LAN connection for the team you wish to reconfigure. 6-14 Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...
  • Page 61 3. Check the Alacritech SLIC Team Configurator box, select the entry, and click the Properties button. Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide 6-15...
  • Page 62 WINS assignments is not assumed by the virtual miniport adapter. The new team interface assumes DHCP. You must configure the virtual miniport adapter with the proper information if you do not wish to use DHCP. 6-16 Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...
  • Page 63 5. If you wish to remove a team, select the entry for the team, and click the Dissolve Team button. Removing the next to the last member of the team with the Drop Member button has the same effect. Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide 6-17...

  • Page 65: Alacritech Accelerator Installation In Windows Powered Nas Appliance

    • Replacement of the existing network adapter with a new Alacritech Accelerator in a previously configured system. • Addition of an Alacritech Accelerator to a previously configured system. Note: Alacritech's SLIC Technology requires the installation of additional components not typically...

  • Page 66: Adapter And Driver Installation

    7.2.1 Installation of the 100 or 1000 Series Accelerator in a NAS Appliance These procedures outline the steps required to install an Alacritech 100 or 1000 Series Accelerator in a Windows-powered NAS appliance. It will be necessary to attach a keyboard, monitor, and...
  • Page 67 4. Open the system cover or PCI bus access door to access the PCI slots. 5. Install the Alacritech accelerator in a free slot. If installing more than one Alacritech accelerator, it may be necessary to remove other NICs.
  • Page 68 10. Power up system and follow standard procedures to configure the interface. Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...

  • Page 69: Performance Monitoring

    NAS appliance through Terminal Services. It is not possible to remotely monitor performance on a Windows-powered NAS appliance. Refer to Chapter 5 of this guide for complete details on the Alacritech performance monitoring objects. Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...

  • Page 70: Adapter Teaming

    Adapter Teaming Alacritech accelerator ports can be teamed together to provide fault tolerance and ease of administration when multiple ports or adapters are installed in NAS appliances. The Alacritech teaming utility is accessed by opening up a terminal services session on the NAS appliance and then by running the Alacritech teaming from the network properties screen.

  • Page 71: Troubleshooting And Support

    README Files on CD-ROM For more information about installing Microsoft Windows NT or Windows 2000 drivers, see the README text documents. To view the files, go to the Alacritech Driver Installation CD and open the files with any text editor. Troubleshooting Overview This chapter describes specific problems with installation or use that may arise and their solutions.

  • Page 72: Installation Problems

    Server and Storage Accelerator has been correctly installed in a PCI slot and that the PCI slot is enabled (some PCI hot-plug capable systems will not enable PCI slots unless the slot fastener is secured). Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...

  • Page 73: Event Log Errors

    Check that the card has not been moved to another slot. If it has, then either: Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide Move it back to its original slot, or Uninstall the appropriate 100 or...

  • Page 74: Connectivity Problems

    Make sure that the network cables are Pinging does not work. plugged into the correct port of the adapter. The lowest numbered SLIC interface in the system will Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...
  • Page 75 1. Replace the existing adapter in 2. Reconfigure your network to 3. Disable TCP/IP Offload on the Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide your system with a Alacritech 100 or 1000 Series Server and Storage Accelerator, or eliminate the routing loop, or...
  • Page 76 Problem Solution Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide routing loop by following the instructions specified in "Disabling SLIC TCP/IP Offload on Select Interfaces" in Chapter 3 for Windows NT or chapter 5 for Windows 2000.
  • Page 77 8.6.1 Alacritech 1000x1 Server and Storage Accelerator LED Function Indicators Indication Flashing or On 1000 Green Green Green Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide Meaning The 1000 Series Accelerator is not sending or receiving network data. The 1000 Series Accelerator is sending or receiving network data.
  • Page 78 LED Function Indicators Indication Flashing or On Green Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide Meaning The 1000 Series Accelerator is not sending or receiving network data. The 1000 Series Accelerator is sending or receiving network data. Either the 1000 Series Accelerator...
  • Page 79 8.6.3 Alacritech 100x2 and 100x4 Server and Storage Accelerator LED Function Indicators Indication Green Amber Flashing Amber Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide Meaning Either the 100 Series Accelerator or the switch (or both) is not receiving power, or the cable connection between them is faulty.

  • Page 80: Performance Problems

    8.6.4 Alacritech 100x1 Server and Storage Accelerator LED Function Indicators Indication 100TX Flashing or On Performance Problems This section covers issues surrounding the performance increase that should occur with the 100 or 1000 Series Server and Storage Accelerator installation. 8-10 Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...
  • Page 81 Make sure your system is running Windows NT 4.0 with SP4 or above applied. You must re-apply the service pack after installation of Windows NT Networking. Use the Performance Monitor application as described in Chapter 3 Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide 8-11...

  • Page 82: Miscellaneous Problems

    Network monitoring software running on the computer itself will not work properly in this environment. The two ways to handle this are: 8-12 Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide Monitor your network using an...
  • Page 83 "Disabling SLIC TCP/IP Offload on Select Interfaces" in Chapter 3 for Windows NT or Chapter 5 for Windows 2000. Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide 8-13...
  • Page 84 Accelerator, you must disable SLIC TCP/IP Offload on the interface through which you wish to use for Network Monitoring. To do this, follow the instructions specified in "Disabling SLIC TCP/IP Offload on 8-14 Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...
  • Page 85 Accelerator, you must disable SLIC 100 or 1000 Series TCP/IP Offload on the interfaces you Accelerator. wish to use for Microsoft Network Load Balancing. To do this, follow the instructions specified in Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide 8-15...
  • Page 86 Microsoft’s TCP/IP even without Alacritech’s Fast-path driver being “Could not uninstall installed. This error dialog box can the Alacritech TCP be safely ignored. Fast-path driver component. The error is 0x800F020B” 8-16 Alacritech Server and Storage Accelerator User’s Guide...

  • Page 87: Appendix A Network Software License Agreement And Warranty

    LICENSE: Alacritech, Inc. ("Alacritech") grants you the non-exclusive right to use the enclosed software program (the "Software") but only in conjunction with, at a minimum, one Alacritech 100 or 1000 Series Server and Storage Accelerator. You may not use, copy, modify, rent, sell or transfer the Software or any portion thereof except as provided in this Agreement.
  • Page 88 You will not remove the copyright notice from the Software. You agree to prevent any unauthorized copying of the Software. Alacritech may make changes to the Software, or to items referenced therein, at any time without notice, but is not obligated to support, upgrade, or update the Software.
  • Page 89 Software is furnished will be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of purchase. Upon return of such defective media, Alacritech’s entire liability and your exclusive remedy shall be the replacement of the Software.
  • Page 90 AUDIT: Alacritech reserves the right to have audits conducted to verify your compliance with this Agreement. TERMINATION OF THIS LICENSE: Alacritech may terminate this license at any time if you are in breach of any of its terms and conditions.

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