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User Guide
Gigabit Server Network Interface Cards
3C996B-T and 3C996-SX
http://www.3com.com/
http://support.3com.com/registration/frontpg.pl
Published November 2001
User guide version 1.0.2
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3Com Corporation 5400 Bayfront Plaza Santa Clara, California 95052-8145 U.S.A. Copyright © 2001 3Com Corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this documentation may be reproduced in any form or by any means or used to make any derivative work (such as translation, transformation, or adaptation) without written permission from 3Com Corporation. 3Com Corporation reserves the right to revise this documentation and to make changes in content from time to time without obligation on the p
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Contents 1 Introduction Contents 1 Advanced Server Features Overview 1 Load Balance 2 Advanced Server Features for Windows 2000 2 Advanced Server Features for Windows NT 3 Advanced Server Features for Novell NetWare 3 Advanced Server Features for Linux 4 3Com Management Programs 4 Creating a Driver Disk 5 2 Installing and Connecting the NIC System Requirements 7 Windows XP (64-bit) 7 Windows XP (32-bit) 7 Windows 2000 7 Windows NT 7 NetWare 8 Linux 8 UNIX 8 Solaris 8 Safety Precautions 9 Pre-Ins
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Contents 4 Windows 2000 Driver Setup Installing the Driver Software 25 Verifying Successful Installation 27 Modifying Configuration Parameters 27 Removing the Driver Software 29 Installing Advanced Server Features 30 Uninstalling Advanced Server Features 30 Configuring Advanced Server Features 30 Configuring Teaming 30 Configuring VLANs 32 Advanced Server Control Suite 34 Updating Mini-port (Core) Drivers 34 5 Windows NT Driver Setup Installing the Driver Software 37 Modifying Configuration Para
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Contents 7 Linux Driver Setup Installation Overview 65 Installing the Source RPM Package 65 Building the Driver From a TAR File 65 Patching PCI Files (Optional) 66 Unloading and Removing the Driver 66 Optional Parameters 66 Advanced Server Features 67 Installing Advanced Server Features 68 Configuring Teams 69 8 UNIX and SCO OpenServer Driver Setup UnixWare 7 Driver 75 Package Creation 75 Driver Installation 75 MAC Address 76 Jumbo MTU Size 76 SCO OpenServer Release 5 Driver 76 Installation Dis
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Contents 10 3Com Management Programs Overview 85 Installing the Management Programs 85 Removing the Management Programs 86 Initializing the Management Programs 86 Vital Sign 86 Diagnostics 87 Cable Analysis 88 Load Balance/Virtual LANs 89 Saving the Configuration 91 Restoring the Configuration 91 Load Balance/Virtual LAN Statistics 91 11 Troubleshooting Hardware Diagnostics 93 Checking Port LEDs 93 Troubleshooting Checklist 94 Checking if Proper Drivers are Loaded 94 Windows 94 NetWare 95 Linux
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Contents B Installing and Using the Managed PC Boot Agent Booting From the Network 105 Using the Boot ROM on the NIC to Boot from the Network 105 Enabling or Disabling the Boot ROM Setting 106 C Specifications 10/100/1000 BASE-T Cable Specifications 107 Performance Specifications 107 Physical Characteristics 107 Power Requirements 107 Environmental Specifications 108 D Technical Support Online Technical Services 109 World Wide Web Site 109 3Com KnowledgeBase Services 109 3Com FTP Site 109 Suppor
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Introduction 1 ® This guide describes how to install and configure the 3Com Gigabit Server NICs in Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows NT, Novell NetWare, Linux, UNIX, and, Solaris operating system environments. Contents 3Com Gigabit Server NIC Keep the NIC in its package until ready for installation. 3Com Installation CD with Gigabit Server driver software and online user guide. Quick start guide. Inform your network supplier of any missing or damaged items. If you need to return the
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1 Introduction Load Balance Load balance is a protocol-specific scheme. The levels of support for IP, IPX, and other protocols are listed below. Protocol Load Balancing Failover IP Yes Yes IPX Yes* Yes** Other protocols No Yes** *Only outbound load-balancing for IPX (on NetWare only). **For 3Com NICs. Load balance mode works with all Ethernet switches without configuring the switch ports to any special trunking mode. Only IP traffic will be load-balanced in both inbound and outbound directio
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Advanced Server Features Overview Advanced Server Features for Windows NT The following options are supported under Windows NT Server operating systems (Server and Enterprise Server). See “Windows NT Driver Setup” on page 37 for additional information. Failover and Load Balance Adapter teaming for failover (heterogeneous support for 3Com 10/100 server NICs, released Alteon AceNIC, Intel 82559 LAN on Motherboard (LOM), released Intel 10/100 server NICs, and released Intel 1000BaseSX server
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1 Introduction Virtual LAN (VLANs) Up to 64 VLANs per NIC using IEEE 802.1Q-1988 tagging (64 is the maximum configurable, although 32 is the maximum operable). Offloading IP, TCP/UDP checksum—NetWare 5.0 or greater only PCI Hot-Plug Contact your OEM for more information. Advanced Server Features for Linux The Gigabit Ethernet NIC supports the Linux driver. See “Linux Driver Setup” on page 65 for additional information. Packaging—The driver has been released in two packaging formats,
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Creating a Driver Disk Creating a Driver Disk Create driver disks using the MakeDisk utility (setup.exe file). This utility will allow you to create disks with the following drivers: Windows XP 32-bit Driver Windows XP 64-bit Driver Windows 2000 Driver Windows NT Driver NetWare Driver Advanced Server Features—Windows XP 64-bit Driver Advanced Server Features—Windows 2000 Driver Advanced Server Features—Windows NT Driver Advanced Server Features—NetWare Driver Advance
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Installing and Connecting the NIC 2 System Requirements Before installing the Gigabit Ethernet NIC, be sure your system meets the requirements listed for your operating system. Windows XP (64-bit) Itanium-based computer that meets Windows XP software requirements One open 32-bit or 64-bit PCI slot PCI v2.2 33/66 MHz or PCI-x v1.0 64 bit 133 MHz 256 MB RAM (minimum) Microsoft Windows XP (64-bit version) Gigabit Ethernet NIC driver software for Windows XP Windows XP (32-bit) Pentium
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2 Installing and Connecting the NIC NetWare Pentium-based computer that meets Novell NetWare 4.2/5.x/6.x software requirements One open 32-bit or 64-bit PCI slot PCI v2.2 33/66 MHz or PCI-x v1.0 64 bit 133 MHz 128 MB RAM (minimum) One of the following versions of Novell NetWare: Novell NetWare 5.0 or higher, with Support Pack 3 or the most recent NetWare 5 Support Pack Novell NetWare 4.2 with Support Pack 7 or the most recent Support Pack, including the optional ODI v3.31 LA
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Safety Precautions Safety Precautions Observe the following safety precautions. WARNING: The NIC is being installed in a system that operates with voltages that can be lethal. Before you remove the cover of your system, you must observe the following precautions to protect yourself and to prevent damage to the system components. Remove any metallic objects or jewelry from your hands and wrists. Use only insulated or nonconducting tools. Verify that the system is powered OFF and unplug
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2 Installing and Connecting the NIC Installing and Connecting the NIC This manual covers two types of Gigabit Server NICs: server Ethernet NIC (3C996B-T): and server fiber NIC (3C996-SX): The procedure for installing a NIC in a system is identical for both NICs. Connecting the network cables is different for Ethernet and fiber NICs (see “Connecting the Network Cables” on page 12”). Installing the NIC 1 Review the precautions and pre-installation instructions. Before installing the NIC, ensure
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Installing and Connecting the NIC NOTE: For optimal performance, select a PCI-X slot. For second best performance, select a 64-bit PCI slot. 3 Remove the blank cover plate from the slot that you selected (see item 1 in the figure, below). 4 Holding the PCI card by the edges, align the NIC’s connector edge with the PCI connector dock. NOTE: The connector dock in a 32-bit PCI slot is shorter than in a 64-bit PCI slot. Although the NIC is designed to fit in either slot type, when installed in
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2 Installing and Connecting the NIC Connecting the Network Cables Choose your type of NIC (Ethernet or fiber) and follow the procedure. Ethernet NICs Gigabit Ethernet NICs have one RJ-45 connector for attaching the system to an Ethernet copper-wire segment. When automatic link negotiation is disabled, the port can be configured for 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps signaling and either half-duplex or full-duplex operation. To configure the port for 1000 Mbps, both link partners must be configured for aut
