Adapter Teaming options
Adapter Teaming Options
=======================
The PRO/100+ Server adapter provides several options for increasing
throughput and fault tolerance when running Windows NT 4.0 or NetWare
4.1x and newer:
Adapter Fault Tolerance (AFT) - provides automatic redundancy for
your adapter. If the primary adapter fails, the secondary takes over.
Adaptive Load Balancing (ALB) - creates a team of 2 - 4 adapters to
increase transmission throughput. Also includes AFT. Works with any
100BASE-TX switch.
Fast EtherChannel* (FEC) - creates a team of 2 or 4 adapters to
increase transmission and reception throughput. Also includes AFT.
Requires a Cisco switch with FEC capability.
To set up an option, go to the instructions in the Windows NT 4.0 or
NetWare 4.1x readme files.
General Configuration Notes
===========================
- Windows NT versions prior to 4.0 don't support Adapter Teaming
options.
- Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 3 or later, with the NDIS driver
hotfix (NDISFIXI), is required for implementing Adapter Teaming
properly. Install these prior to configuring Adapter Teaming.
Support Sites for Microsoft Patches
Service Pack 3:
ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/bussys/winnt/winnt-public/fixes/usa
/nt40/ussp3
NDIS Driver Hotfix:
ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/bussys/winnt/winnt-public/fixes/usa/
nt40/hotfixes-postsp3/ndis-fix/
Adapter Fault Tolerance
=======================
Adapter Fault Tolerance (AFT) is a simple, effective, and
fail-safe approach to increase the reliability of server
connections. AFT gives you the ability to set up link
recovery to the server adapter in case of a cable, port, or
network interface card failure. By assigning two PRO/100+
Server adapters as a team, AFT enables you to maintain
uninterrupted network performance.
AFT is implemented with two PRO/100+ Server adapters: a
primary adapter and a backup, or secondary, adapter. During
normal operation, the backup will have transmit disabled. If
the link to the primary adapter fails, the link to the
backup adapter automatically takes over.
Adaptive Load Balancing
=======================
Adaptive Load Balancing (ALB) is a simple and efficient way to
increase your server's transmission throughput. With ALB, as you
add adapters to your server, you can group them in teams to
provide up to a 400 Mbps transmit rate and a 100 Mbps receive rate,
with a maximum of four adapters. The ALB software continuously
analyzes transmit loading on each adapter and balances the
transmission across the adapters as needed. Adapter teams
configured for ALB also provide the benefits of AFT. Receive rates
remain at 100 Mbps.
To use ALB, you must have two, three, or four PRO/100+ Server
adapters installed in your server and linked to the same network
switch.
Cisco Fast EtherChannel
=======================
Fast EtherChannel (FEC) is a performance technology developed by
Cisco to increase your server's throughput. Unlike ALB, FEC can be
configured to increase both transmission and reception channels
between your server and switch. FEC works only with FEC-enabled
Cisco switches such as the Catalyst 5000 series. With FEC, as you add
adapters to your server, you can group them in teams to provide up to
800 Mbps at full duplex, with a maximum of four PRO/100+ Server
adapters. The FEC software continuously analyzes loading on each
adapter and balances network traffic across the adapters as needed.
Adapter teams configured for FEC also provide the benefits of AFT.
To use FEC, you must have two or four PRO/100+ Server adapters
installed in your server and linked to the same FEC-enabled Cisco
switch.
* Brand, name, or trademark owned by another company.
Download Driver Pack
After your driver has been downloaded, follow these simple steps to install it.
Expand the archive file (if the download file is in zip or rar format).
If the expanded file has an .exe extension, double click it and follow the installation instructions.
Otherwise, open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting Device Manager.
Find the device and model you want to update in the device list.
Double-click on it to open the Properties dialog box.
From the Properties dialog box, select the Driver tab.
Click the Update Driver button, then follow the instructions.
Very important: You must reboot your system to ensure that any driver updates have taken effect.
For more help, visit our Driver Support section for step-by-step videos on how to install drivers for every file type.