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Alacritech 2000-100004 User Manual

Accelerator
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Accelerator Users Guide

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  • Page 1     Alacritech Accelerator Users 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

    This guide is the primary reference and operation guide for the Alacritech Accelerators and contains the following sections: Chapter 1 - Introduction provides a general introduction to Alacritech Accelerators and the SLIC Technology on which they are based. Chapter 2 - Software Installation includes the procedures required to install the software components and configure the operating system for correct operation.

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    Disabling SLIC TCP/IP Offload on Select Interfaces 3-11 Configuring Teaming and Failover Overview of Teaming and Failover Recommended Order of Implementation Windows Teaming Configuration Alacritech Accelerator Installation in Windows Powered NAS Appliance Installation Overview Adapter and Driver Installation Performance Monitoring...

  • Page 5: Appendix A Network Software License Agreement

    Miscellaneous Problems 6-11 Appendix A Network Software License Agreement and Warranty Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...

  • Page 6: Introduction

    1 Introduction About this Guide This guide describes how to install software and operate Alacritech Accelerators on a Windows 2000, Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 system. Windows NT is not supported with this release, but will continue to be supported under earlier releases with a major number of 5.

  • Page 7: Description

    (10/100/1000BASE-T) • Alacritech SES1001F iSCSI Accelerator (1000BASE-SX) Description Alacritech Accelerators are 10/100 or 10/100/1000 Mbps TCP Offload Engine (TOE) network interface cards (TNICs) that employ Alacritech’s SLIC (Session-Layer Interface Card) Technology. Each Accelerator uses an innovative application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) for protocol processing. Alacritech Accelerators operate with Windows 2000, Windows XP and all Windows Server 2003 operating systems.
  • Page 8 Alacritech Network Accelerators, offload TCP/IP protocol processing and data delivery of all network traffic, including iSCSI. Alacritech Storage Accelerators are designed for dedicated iSCSI SANs, offloading TCP/IP protocol processing and data delivery of iSCSI traffic exclusively, and providing standard NIC functionality for all other network traffic through its interface.

  • Page 9: Software Installation

    Software Installation Overview This chapter covers the installation of the software required for an Alacritech Accelerator under Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. There may be different steps for each Windows operating system, so follow each instruction carefully.

  • Page 10: Accelerator Software Installation

    This section covers the procedures for installing the software required for Alacritech 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 Accelerator drivers for Windows. Following initial installation, the automated Add/Remove Hardware Wizard will discover additional Accelerators.
  • Page 11 3. If you accept the license agreement, the Alacritech Accelerator Setup window will appear: Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...
  • Page 12 XP or Windows Server 2003 may appear. This should only occur when using drivers that are not certified through the Microsoft WHQL process. Most official drivers released by Alacritech have appropriate digital signatures, while others, including beta drivers, do not. A missing digital signature does not prevent the Alacritech drivers from working properly on your system.
  • Page 13 6. Click Exit to end the installation process. The user will be prompted to reboot the system. 2.2.2 Installation of an Accelerator with Port Aggregation 1. Insert your Alacritech Driver Installation CD into the system. 2. In the Alacritech Accelerator Setup – Software License Agreement window, click the Yes button if you accept the license agreement.
  • Page 14 3. If you accept the license agreement, the Alacritech Accelerator Setup window will appear: Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...
  • Page 15 Otherwise, check the Port Aggregation Driver box in the Alacritech Accelerator Setup window, and click the Continue button. 4. In the Reinstall Driver dialog box click the Yes button: 5. A dialog box titled Digital Signature Not Found for Windows 2000 or Hardware Installation for Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 may appear.
  • Page 16 6. The Alacritech Accelerator Team Configurator Properties window will appear. If you wish to configure teaming now, consult Chapter 4; otherwise, select Cancel in the teaming window: Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...
  • Page 17 The user will be prompted to reboot the system. 2.2.3 Installation of an Accelerator with the Microsoft iSCSI Software Initiator 1. Insert your Alacritech Driver Installation CD into the system. 2. In the Alacritech Accelerator Setup – Software License Agreement window, click the Yes button if you accept the license agreement.
  • Page 18 3. If you accept the license agreement, the Alacritech Accelerator Setup window will appear: 2-10 Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...
  • Page 19 Download iSCSI initiator box in the Alacritech Accelerator Setup window. If you also wish to install Failover/Link Aggregation, then you may also check the Port Aggregation Driver box in the Alacritech Accelerator Setup window. Once done checking boxes, click the Continue button.
  • Page 20 6. If you selected Port Aggregation Driver, the Alacritech Accelerator Team Configurator Properties window will appear. If you wish to configure teaming now, consult Chapter 4; otherwise, select Cancel in the teaming window: 2-12 Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...

  • Page 21: Accelerator Software And Hardware Removal

    2.3.1 Removal of an Accelerator on a Windows 2000 System To remove an Accelerator from a Windows 2000 system, follow this procedure. Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 systems will disable the driver software automatically. Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide 2-13...
  • Page 22 Next button. 4. After a few seconds, a list of devices will appear. Select the first appropriate Alacritech Accelerator from the list and click the Next button. 5. Confirm the removal of the device by selecting the Yes, I want to uninstall this device item and click the Next button.
  • Page 23 Note: Alacritech 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 Accelerator from the system. Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide 2-15...

  • Page 25: Operations And Management

    The next set of steps show the difference between conventional NIC performance and SLIC performance with large session I/Os on a typical Windows server. You may use these steps with your servers to show similar performance in high-load scenarios: Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...
  • Page 26 Add button. These objects display both how much CPU time is being used on the system and how much data is being transferred by the Server process, which is responsible for file sharing. Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...
  • Page 27 Before the Alacritech Accelerator is installed, when clients are generating a lot of traffic to and from the server's file systems using conventional NICs, your display may look similar to this: In this example, the CPU usage is over 50% (black, highlighted line).
  • Page 28 4. With an Alacritech Accelerator installed, add Alacritech specific objects to the chart. In the Performance object field, select SLIC and in the Counter field, select FastBytesTotal/sec and click the Add button. Next, in the Object field, select SLIC and in the Counter field, select SlowBytesTotal/sec and click the Add button.
  • Page 29 If the Performance object does not show SLIC in the list, the Alacritech Accelerator was not properly installed using the Alacritech Accelerator Setup program on the Alacritech Driver Installation CD. Please follow the installation instructions in Chapter 2 to re-install the Accelerator drivers properly.
  • Page 30 FastPath state until the connection is closed. As soon as an Alacritech Accelerator finds a problem with a connection such as a dropped frame, the connection is flushed back to the host, and is put under the control of the host protocol stack, SlowPath, until the problem can be resolved.
  • Page 31 The FastPath data rate is the best indication of how much data is being transmitted using the SLIC protocol stack and should be at least 95%. The table below indicates the SLIC objects and counters relevant to Alacritech Accelerators for use with the Performance Monitor. Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...
  • Page 32 Accelerator, 2048 for each 100x1 Accelerator and 512 for each 100x2 or 100x4 Accelerator). Flushes/sec Number of times per second that the Alacritech Accelerator flushes a connection to the host. SlowBytesIn/sec Bytes per second of input data managed by the host.

  • Page 33: Running Adapter Diagnostics

    Diagnostics can be run on any Accelerator using the following procedure: 1. Run the slicuser application from the Start Menu, located under the Program Files->Alacritech folder. The SLIC Adapters window will appear: Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...
  • Page 34 Note: Running Diagnostics will disrupt all ports of the 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: 3-10 Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...

  • Page 35: Disabling Slic Tcp/Ip Offload On Select Interfaces

    Accelerator on that interface. This should be done only if required. To disable this feature, use the following procedure: 1. From the Start menu, open the Network & Dial-up Connections folder located under the Settings menu. Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide 3-11...
  • Page 36 TCP offload. 3. Click the Properties button. Uncheck the box labeled Alacritech TCP Fast-path driver. Click OK. 4. Restart your computer. 3-12 Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...

  • Page 37: Configuring Teaming And Failover

    Send-only load balancing • Hot standby failover Given the flexible nature of Alacritech’s teaming implementation, it is possible that it may work with other proprietary trunking solutions as well. For more information on our current teaming support, visit our Customer Support web site at http://www.alacritech.com/html/techsupport.html.
  • Page 38 IP address. For example, all of the four ports of an Alacritech 100x4 Accelerator can be configured to form an EtherChannel with four compatibly configured ports on the switch.
  • Page 39 Note: Alacritech’s Teaming implementation does not support the optional Port Aggregation Protocol (PAgP) feature of some EtherChannel and 802.3AD cable switches, nor the 802.3AD LACP protocol. PAgP/LACP facilitates the automatic creation of link aggregation groups by exchanging packets between channel-capable ports. All EtherChannel...

  • Page 40: 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 41: Windows Teaming Configuration

    1. Open the Network Properties window. Right select a connection associated with an Alacritech Accelerator port and click the Properties button. Select Alacritech Accelerator Team Configurator and click the Properties button. The Alacritech Accelerator Team...
  • Page 42 2. To configure a team, select the interfaces you wish to team, and click the New Team button: 3. Once the team is created, you must specify the type of teaming or failover the team will use. The default is Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...
  • Page 43 OK button: 4. If Cisco Gigabit EtherChannel/802.3AD is selected, you must have a switch that supports one of these protocols. If you do, click the Yes button. Otherwise, click the No button and select another method: Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...
  • Page 44 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 45 Ensure that all ports in a team have the same configuration on both ends of the link. • Alacritech’s EtherChannel implementation does not support PAgP. Switch ports should be configured in the on mode. 4.3.3 Removing Teaming 1. From the Start menu, open the Network & Dial-up Connections folder located under the Settings menu.
  • Page 46 3. Check the Alacritech SLIC Team Configurator box, select the entry, and click the Properties button: 4-10 Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...
  • Page 47 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. Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide 4-11...
  • Page 48 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: 4-12 Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...

  • Page 49: Alacritech Accelerator Installation In Windows Powered Nas Appliance

    5 Alacritech Accelerator Installation in Windows Powered NAS Appliance Installation Overview This chapter address issues specific to the installation of an Alacritech Accelerator in a Windows Powered NAS appliance. The procedures outlined in this chapter cover the following types of situations: •...

  • Page 50: Adapter And Driver Installation

    5.2.1 Installation of an Alacritech Accelerator in a Windows Powered NAS Appliance These procedures outline the steps required to install an Alacritech Accelerator in a Windows Powered NAS appliance. It will be necessary to attach a keyboard, monitor, and mouse to enable the installation of the Alacritech drivers on the NAS appliance.
  • Page 51 ESD handling and storage should be followed. 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 52 Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...

  • Page 53: Performance Monitoring

    Performance Monitoring The performance of an Alacritech accelerator can be monitored using the Windows Performance Monitor tool, perfmon. Because the Windows Powered NAS appliance does not typically have its own display, it is necessary to access on the NAS perfmon appliance through Terminal Services.

  • Page 54: Adapter Teaming

    Windows Powered 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. The adapter teaming option must be installed to use this option.

  • Page 55: Troubleshooting And Support

    6 Troubleshooting and Support Alacritech Automated Customer Support You can reach Alacritech’s automated support service 24 hours a day, every day. The service contains the most up-to-date information about Alacritech products. You can access the most current drivers, installation instructions, troubleshooting information, and general product information.

  • Page 56: Installation Problems

    Make sure that the Accelerator has been SLIC adapters found” 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 Accelerator Users Guide...

  • Page 57: Event Log Errors

    Event Log reports Run Diagnostics from NCPA. See the "SLIC<x> Has procedure in Chapter 3. determined that the Contact Alacritech technical support adapter is not for assistance. This is probably the functioning properly" result of a malfunctioning adapter. Event Log reports On Windows machines, network cards "SLIC<x>: Could not...

  • Page 58: Connectivity Problems

    Re-install the newer the following error: drivers following the installation section The system cannot find in Chapter 2. the file specified." Connectivity Problems This section covers problems with network connectivity. Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...
  • Page 59 Check the LED indicators on the adapter. Each port has LEDs for link/link speed and activity. These lights help indicate if there is a problem with the adapter, switch or cable. Refer to the "LED Function Indicators" chart below. Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...
  • Page 60 Problem Solution TCP connections can If you have an Alacritech Accelerator and be established to other another brand adapter installed on your systems on the same system, AND your network is configured subnet, but such that the route from your system to...
  • Page 61 6.6.1 Alacritech Single-Port Gigabit Accelerator and SES1001C iSCSI Accelerator LED Function Indicators Indication Flashing or On 1000 Green Green Green Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide Meaning The Accelerator is not sending or receiving network data. The Accelerator is sending or receiving network data.
  • Page 62 Also check if the switch is inadvertently using autonegotiation (for GBIC/SFP ports). The Accelerator and the switch are receiving power; the fiber optic cable connection between them is good, and a 1000 Mbps link has been established. Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...
  • Page 63 6.6.3 Alacritech 100x2 and 100x4 Server Adapter LED Function Indicators Indication Green Amber Flashing Amber Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide Meaning Either the Accelerator or the switch (or both) is not receiving power, or the cable connection between them is faulty.

  • Page 64: Performance Problems

    Flashing or On Performance Problems This section covers issues surrounding the performance increase that may occur with an Alacritech Accelerator installation. If you suspect performance degradation, follow the steps in Chapter 3 to check your server’s performance. A low FastPath data rate will result in lower performance and is usually the result of a faulty network connection.

  • Page 65: Miscellaneous Problems

    Alacritech Accelerator listed in the Accelerator are not Network and Dial-Up Connections apparent. window and verify that the Alacritech TCP Fast-path driver is both listed and checked. Make sure that your clients are connected to the server using TCP/IP instead of other protocols such as NetBEUI or IPX/SPX.
  • Page 66 Problem Solution Netmon or other The Alacritech SLIC TCP/IP Offload network monitoring accelerates network processing by software does not offloading protocol processing to the work properly with an Accelerator. As a result, protocol headers Accelerator installed. are processed and then stripped off by the network adapter.
  • Page 67 SLIC TCP/IP Offload. Alacritech Accelerator. The only trunking software compatible with the Accelerator’s SLIC TCP/IP Offload is the Alacritech Port Aggregation software. To do this, follow the instructions specified in Chapter 4. Firewall software does Firewall applications require packet...
  • Page 68 More recent releases of SmartStart are compatible with Alacritech Accelerators. When uninstalling the This is an error generated by Windows, Alacritech TCP Fast- not by the Alacritech software. This path driver, an error message may also appear when dialog box appears attempting to uninstall Microsoft’s with the message: TCP/IP even without Alacritech’s Fast-...

  • Page 69: Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide

    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 Accelerator. You may not use, copy, modify, rent, sell or transfer the Software or any portion thereof except as provided in this Agreement.
  • Page 70 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 71 DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. YOU MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER LEGAL RIGHTS THAT VARY FROM JURISDICTION TO JURISDICTION. 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.
  • Page 72 DFAR 252.227-7013 et seq. or its successor. Use of the software by the Government constitutes acknowledgment of Alacritech’s proprietary rights therein. Contractor or Manufacturer is Alacritech, Inc., 234 E. Gish Road, San Jose, CA 95112, USA. EXPORT LAWS: You agree that the distribution and export/re-export of the Software is in compliance with the laws, regulations, orders or other restrictions of the U.S.

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