Interpreting The Network Status Lights; Disabling 802.3U/802.3Ab Auto-Negotiation Capabilities - HP Blade dc72 Network Manual

Interpreting the Network Status Lights

Some Ethernet network interface controllers include network status lights:
●
Link light—illuminates when the system is physically connected to an active network.
●
Activity light—illuminates when the computer detects network activity. When the system is
connected to a highly used network, the activity light will remain on almost constantly.
●
Operating Speed light—illuminates during 1000 Mbps or 100 Mbps operation. The color of the light
identifies the operating speed.
Some NICs include only two network status lights where link (light on) and activity (light blinking) are
indicated by one light and 1000-Mbps or 100-Mbps operation is indicated by the second light. The
integrated NIC has two network status lights on the NIC connector:
●
Link/Activity light—Illuminates green when physically linked to the network and blinks on and off
to indicate network activity.
●
Operating Speed light—Illuminates green when operating at 1000 Mbps, yellow when operating at
100 Mbps, and is not illuminated when operating at 10 Mbps.

Disabling 802.3u/802.3ab Auto-Negotiation Capabilities

Auto-Negotiation NICs automatically determine the maximum network operating speed and duplex
capabilities of the attached network and configure themselves on the highest common combination. The
computer begins Auto-Negotiation whenever it obtains a valid network link, or when the NIC driver is
loaded.
In addition to determining the network operating speed, the computer determines if full-duplex is
supported. Full-duplex systems can transmit and receive information on the network simultaneously.
Half-duplex systems cannot transmit and receive simultaneously.
NOTE
negotiate, the link partner must also be set to auto-negotiate. If the NIC is forced to a specific
speed/duplex, the switch port must be forced to the same speed/duplex.
If necessary, you can disable the Auto-Negotiation capabilities and force the system to operate in one
mode only.
Windows XP
1. Select Start > Control Panel.
2. Double-click Network Connections.
3. Double-click Local Area Connection.
4. Click Properties.
5. Click Configure.
6. Click the Advanced tab.
7. Select Link Speed & Duplex in the Property list box.
4 Chapter 1 Network Communications
The link partner port settings must match the NIC settings. If the NIC is set to auto-
ENWW