Ethernet controller - Netfinity 5100

Content

The server comes with an integrated Ethernet controller. This controller provides an interface for connecting to 10-Mbps or 100-Mbps networks and provides full-duplex (FDX) capability, which enables simultaneous transmission and reception of data on the Ethernet local area network (LAN). To access the Ethernet port, connect a Category 3, 4 or 5 unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cable to the RJ-45 connector on the rear of the server.

Note: The 100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet standard requires that the cabling in the network be Category 5 or higher.

Configuring the Ethernet controller
When you connect the server to the network, the Ethernet controller automatically detects the data-transfer rate (10Mbps or 100Mbps) on the network and then sets the controller to operate at the appropriate rate. That is, the Ethernet controller will adjust to the network data rate, whether the data rate is standard Ethernet (10BASE-T), Fast Ethernet (100BASE-TX), half duplex (HDX), or full duplex (FDX). The controller supports half-duplex (HDX) and full- duplex (FDX) modes at both speeds.

The Ethernet controller is a PCI Plug and Play device. You do not need to set any jumpers or configure the controller for the operating system before you use the Ethernet controller. However, you must install a device driver to enable the operating system to address the Ethernet controller. The device drivers are provided on the ServerGuide CDs.

Failover for redundant Ethernet

The IBM Netfinity 10/100 Fault Tolerant Adapter is an optional redundant network interface card (NIC adapter) that you can install in the server. If you install this NIC adapter and connect it to the same logical segment as the primary Ethernet controller, you can configure the server to support a failover function. You can configure either the integrated Ethernet controller or the NIC adapter as the primary Ethernet controller. In failover mode, if the primary Ethernet controller detects a link failure, all Ethernet traffic associated with it
is switched to the redundant (secondary) controller. This switching occurs without any user intervention. When the primary link is restored to an operational state, the Ethernet traffic switches back to the primary Ethernet controller. The switch back to the primary Ethernet controller can be automatic or manually controlled, depending on the setup and operating system.

Notes:

• That only one controller in the redundant pair is active at any given time. For example, if the primary Ethernet controller is active, then the secondary Ethernet controller cannot be used for any other network operation.
• The operating system determines the maximum number of IBM Netfinity 10/100 Fault Tolerant Adapters that you can install in the server.
  See the documentation that comes with the adapter for more information.

Considerations when combining failover and hotplug functions
If the operating system supports hotplug PCI adapters and the optional redundant NIC adapter is installed in a hot-plug PCI slot, you can replace the NIC adapter without powering off the server - even if it is the primary Ethernet controller. Disconnecting the Ethernet cable from the primary Ethernet controller will cause the Ethernet traffic to switch automatically to the secondary Ethernet controller. This can be very useful if a faulty adapter causes a network problem, or if you want to upgrade the primary adapter hardware.

Note: If you hot replace the primary adapter while the Ethernet traffic is being handled by the secondary Ethernet controller, the traffic does not automatically switch back to the primary adapter when the primary adapter comes back online.

Configuring for failover
The failover feature currently is supported by OS/2, Windows NT Server, and IntraNetWare.

Ethernet connectors and cables
The Ethernet controller on the system board provides 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX support through the RJ-45 connector on the back of your server. When you connect the server to the network, the Ethernet controller automatically detects the data-transfer rate (10 Mbps or 100 Mbps) on the network and then sets the controller to operate at the appropriate rate.

The Ethernet controller supports the auto-detection mode only. When you install the device drivers and configure the Ethernet controller for use with the operating system, do not select 10BASE-T mode. To ensure proper operation of the controller, always select the default parameters provided.

The following information describes the specifications for the unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cable that can be used to connect the server to an IEEE standard 802.3 network. To connect the server 10BASE-T or 100BASE-TX port to a 10BASE-T or 100BASE-TX port on a repeater, use a UTP cable with RJ-45 connectors at both ends. An EIA/TIA-568 Category 5 (or higher) cable must be used for 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX. The 10BASE-T Ethernet and the 100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet cabling in the network must be Category 5 or higher to meet various standards, including electromagnetic compatibility. The cables used in 10BASE-T or 100BASE-TX link segments do not require grounding. However all devices connected to this cables must be grounded.

Connect the appropriate type of UTP cable to the repeater.

• If the port on the repeater is a crossover port (also called an MDI-X port), use a UTP cable that is wired as a straight-through cable.
• If the port on the repeater is not a crossover port (also known as an MDI port), use a UTP cable that is wired as a crossover cable.

Do not use telephone extension cables to connect the server to a repeater. The wire pairs in those cables are not twisted, and the cables do not meet other requirements for use a 10BASE-T or 100BASE-TX network. You can identify telephone extension cables by their flat and thin appearance. UTP cables are rounder and thicker than telephone extension cables.