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Alacritech SEN2001XF User Manual

Network accelerators
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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 Broadcom U.S. Patents.] Alacritech does not have a license under the Broadcom Licensed Patents to implement certain claimed functionality with hardware and software not provided by Alacritech. No license is granted under Broadcom’s patents expressly, by implication, by exhaustion or...

  • Page 4: Organization Of This Guide

    This guide is the primary reference and operation guide for 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 component and configure the operating system for correct operation.

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Disabling SLIC TCP/IP Offload on Select Interfaces 3-11 Configuring Advanced Properties 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 Adapter Teaming...
  • Page 6 Performance Problems Miscellaneous Problems Appendix A Network Software License Agreement and Warranty Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide 6-10 6-11...

  • Page 7: 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. 100 Series (100x4, 100x2 and 100x1) Accelerators are not supported with this release, but will continue to be supported under earlier releases with a major number of 6.

  • Page 8: Description

    ET and EF products are PCI Express (PCIe) based. Description Alacritech Accelerators are single-port or multi-port network interface cards (NICs) that employ Alacritech’s SLIC (Session- Layer Interface Card) Technology, which uses an innovative application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) for protocol processing.
  • Page 9 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 Accelerator Users Guide...

  • Page 10: Software Installation

    Note: Alacritech’s SLIC Technology requires the installation of additional components not typically required by a network adapter to support the TCP offload capabilities of the Accelerator. All installations must be done with the Alacritech Setup utility. Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...

  • Page 11: Software Installation

    This section covers the procedures for installing the software required for the 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 12 3. If you accept the license agreement, the Alacritech Accelerator Setup window will appear: Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...
  • Page 13 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 14 6. Click Exit to end the installation process. The user will be prompted to reboot the system. 2.2.2 Installation of the 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 15 3. If you accept the license agreement, the Alacritech Accelerator Setup window will appear: Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...
  • Page 16 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 17 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 18: Uninstalling The Accelerator

    Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 systems will disable the driver software automatically. Take care to remove all software drivers for the card before unplugging the adapter. 1. Dissolve any existing Accelerator teams (if created). Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...
  • Page 19 5. After a few seconds, a list of devices will appear. Select the first appropriate Alacritech Accelerator or Alacritech iSCSI Accelerator from the list and click the Next button. 6. Confirm the removal of the device by selecting the Yes, I want to uninstall this device item and click the Next button.
  • Page 20 Failure to do so may endanger you, and may damage the adapter or computer. Note: Alacritech Accelerators use components that are sensitive to ESD. Proper ESD handling and storage should be followed. 10. Remove the computer cover, and remove the Alacritech Accelerator. Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide 2-11...

  • Page 21: Operations And Management

    95% or higher indicates the accelerator is working properly. 3.1.1 Using the Performance Monitor Application 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 Accelerator. Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...
  • Page 22 Server process, which is responsible for file sharing. Before the Alacritech Accelerator is installed, when clients are generating a lot of traffic to and from the server's file systems, your display may look similar to this:...
  • Page 23 In this example, the CPU usage is over 50% (black, highlighted line). The throughput is not optimal (75MB/s) and occasionally a drop in performance occurs. This shows how a conventional NIC uses lots of CPU to accomplish non-optimal throughput. Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...
  • Page 24 3. With an Alacritech Accelerator installed, add Alacritech specific objects to the chart. In the 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 25 Alacritech Accelerator, your display should look similar to this: Note the same server's CPU is now at around 5% (green line). Also, the data being transferred as indicated by FastBytesTotal/sec is entirely FastPath (black line, highlighted), running at wire speed (119MB/s).
  • Page 26 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 27 Number of TCP/IP connections in FastPath connections mode (maximum 4096 for each 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. SlowBytesOut/sec Bytes per second of output data managed by the host.

  • Page 28: 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 folder in the Alacritech folder. The SLIC Adapters window will appear: Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...

  • Page 29: Updating Flash Code

    A new mechanism for flashing code on flash-capable Accelerators is now provided through the slicuser application. The PXE/UNDI drivers for Alacritech Accelerators allow PXE and iSCSI software boot solutions to work. Note that these drivers do not include a BIOS-level iSCSI boot driver, and that a third-party iSCSI boot software package is needed for complete iSCSI boot support.
  • Page 30 Accelerator being flashed in the server. 4. After flashing the latest PXE drivers, click the Close button to exit the slicuser application. 3-10 Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...

  • Page 31: Disabling Slic Tcp/Ip Offload On Select Interfaces

    Connections folder located under the Settings menu. 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. Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide 3-11...

  • Page 32: Configuring Advanced Properties

    Alacritech Accelerators support many advanced features such as jumbo frames, VLAN tagging and TCP checksum offload. To access the advanced configuration properties for an Alacritech Accelerator, open Network Connections, right click on an Alacritech Accelerator and select Properties. This will open the...
  • Page 33 Click on the Configure… button under the General tab to modify advanced Accelerator features. The Accelerator Properties dialog box will appear: Click on the Advanced tab to access the properties that are available for the selected Accelerator: Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide 3-13...
  • Page 34 Media Transmission Units (MTU). The standard Ethernet MTU size is 1500 bytes. The available options for this selection are 9014 and 16128. The default value for Jumbo Frames MTU is Jumbo Frames Disabled. 3-14 Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...
  • Page 35 The default value for Link Speed & Duplex is Auto Detect. TCP Checksum Offload – The TCP Checksum Offload option will allow the Accelerator to offload the TCP checksum for TCP data Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide 3-15...
  • Page 36 Accelerator has the Alacritech TCP Fast-path driver option disabled. Because Alacritech’s SLIC Technology offloads the checksum automatically, this option is unused except when FastPath is turned off. The default value for TCP Checksum Offload is Disabled.
  • Page 37 Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide 3-17...

  • Page 38: Configuring Teaming And Failover

    IEEE 802.3AD Link Aggregation Group • 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 39 In a configuration that has one or more Alacritech Accelerators connected to a compatible switch, EtherChannel allows multiple full-duplex Gigabit Ethernet connections to be grouped together into a single logical path between the host server and the switch, creating a high-speed, fault tolerant link that shares a single IP address.

  • 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

    Windows Teaming Configuration 4.3.1 Configuring Load Balancing The Alacritech Accelerator Team Configurator is used to configure teaming of multiple Alacritech Accelerators together. It can be accessed by clicking the blue SLIC logo located in the Windows toolbar.
  • 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: 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. 4-10 Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...
  • 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: Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide 4-11...

  • 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

    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 Windows Powered NAS appliances. The Alacritech Accelerator Team Configurator 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 55: Troubleshooting And Support

    For more information about known issues, open bugs or other integration problems with Microsoft Windows drivers, see the readme.html documentation and RelNotes.txt release notes. To view the files, go to the Alacritech Driver Installation CD and open it with any web browser or text editor. Troubleshooting Overview This chapter describes specific problems with installation or use that may arise and their solutions.

  • 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

    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 correspond to the port marked "A" on the card. (SLIC1 corresponds to port Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...
  • Page 59 1. Replace the existing adapter in 2. Reconfigure your network to 3. Disable TCP/IP Offload on the Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide your system with an Alacritech Accelerator, or eliminate the routing loop, or interface(s) associated with the routing loop by following the instructions specified in "Disabling SLIC TCP/IP Offload...
  • Page 60 Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...
  • Page 61 6.6.1 Alacritech 1000x1 Server and Storage Accelerator and SES1001T 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 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 SEN2002XT, SEN2001XT, SES2002XT and SES2001XT Accelerator LED Function Indicators Indication ACT/LNK Green On Green Flashing 10/100/1000 Green Yellow Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide Meaning The port is connected to a valid link partner. The Accelerator is sending or receiving network data.

  • Page 64: Performance Problems

    6.6.4 Alacritech SEN2002XF, SEN2001XF, SES2002XF and SES2001XF Accelerator LED Function Indicators Indication Green On Yellow Flashing Performance Problems This section covers issues surrounding the performance increase that should occur with the Accelerator installation. If you suspect performance degradation, follow the steps in Chapter 3 to check your server’s performance.

  • 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 Monitor your network using an external monitoring sniffer, or Disable SLIC TCP/IP Offload on the interface that you intend to monitor by following the instructions specified in "Disabling SLIC TCP/IP Offload on Select Interfaces" in Chapter 3. Alacritech Accelerator Users Guide...
  • 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 Accelerators are compatible with more recent releases of SmartStart. 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 TCP...

  • 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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