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Chapter 3. Planning 73
Category 5 or better Ethernet cabling is required with RJ-45 connectors. If you
plan to implement a Gigabit Ethernet connection, ensure your network
infrastructure is capable of the necessary throughput to match the server’s I/O
capacity.
You will need to provide Ethernet cables for the onboard 10/100/1000 Ethernet
controller.
Adapter teaming
The Broadcom controller is capable of participating in an adapter team for the
purposes of failover, load balancing, and port trunking. The choice of adapters to
team with the onboard controller depends on whether you have a copper-only
network or a mixed copper/fiber network. Our recommendations are:
If you have a copper Gigabit environment, use the Broadcom-based
NetXtreme 1000T Ethernet adapter, part 31P6301. Alternatively, use the Intel
PRO/1000 XT Server adapter, part 22P6801. Note that the 22P6801 is only
supported in specific slots — see the following for details:
http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/compat/x440/ibm_22P6801.html
If you have a mixed fiber/copper Gigabit server switch network, use the
Broadcom-based 22P7801, NetXtreme 1000 SX Fiber Ethernet adapter.
You can also team the onboard Gigabit card with 10/100 cards such as 06P3601
and 22P4901, but this not a recommended configuration. You can also team with
the older Gigabit fiber card, 06P3701.
Adapter teaming and failover works by using software additional to the adapter
driver to provide the failover functionality.
When installing the on-board Broadcom controller in an adapter team with an
Intel-based Gigabit controller, we recommend you install the Broadcom controller
driver, then the Broadcom Advanced Server Program (BASP) software and
finally the driver for the Intel-based controller. Only install a single adapter
teaming package. Do not use the Intel advanced teaming software.
Detailed instructions for installing the individual driver and failover packages are
available with the driver software.
For the latest network adapter drivers and software for the x440 server, go to the
x440 driver matrix:
http://www.pc.ibm.com/qtechinfo/MIGR-39747.html
For details about compatibility, see the ServerProven LAN adapter page:
http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/compat/lan/matrix.html