Intel SHG2 Computer Hardware User Manual


 
Description 15
Network Controllers
The server board includes two integrated onboard Network Interface Controllers (NICs).
One NIC is a 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX network solution based on the Intel 82550PM single-chip
Fast Ethernet PCI Bus Controller. As a PCI bus master, the controller can burst data at up to
132 MB/s. The controller contains two receive and transmit FIFO buffers that prevent data
overruns or underruns while waiting for access to the PCI bus. The controller has the following:
32-bit PCI bus master interface (direct drive of bus), compatible with PCI Bus Specification,
Revision 2.2
Chained memory structure with improved dynamic transmit chaining for enhanced
performance
Programmable transmit threshold for improved bus utilization
Early receive interrupt for concurrent processing of receive data
On-chip counters for network management
Auto-detect and auto-switching for 10 or 100 Mbps network speeds
Support for both 10 Mbps and 100 Mbps networks, capable of full or half duplex, with
back-to-back transmit at 100 Mbps
Low-power +3.3 V device
Alert on LAN functionality
The second NIC is an Intel 82544GC Gigabit Ethernet Controller capable of providing
10/100/1000 Mbps data rates. It is a single-chip device containing both the MAC and PHY layer
functions.
The 82544GC utilizes a 64-bit/100 MHz direct interface to the PCI-X bus. It is compliant with the
PCI Local Bus Specification, Revision 2.2. It also supports the PCI-X extension to the PCI Local
Bus, Revision 1.0a.
NOTE
If you install a 32/64-bit, 33/66 MHz PCI card in Add-in card slots 1 or 2,
you will slow the PCI-X bus to the speed of the card you install. This will
also slow the 82455GCs interface to the PCI-X bus.
Network Teaming Features
The network controller provides several options for increasing throughput and fault tolerance when
running Windows
2000 or NetWare
6.0 or newer:
Adapter Fault Tolerance (AFT) - provides automatic redundancy for your adapter. If the
primary adapter fails, the secondary takes over. AFT works with any hub or switch.
Adaptive Load Balancing (ALB) - creates a team of 2 - 4 adapters to increase transmission
throughput. Also includes AFT. Works with any 10Base-TX or 100Base-TX switch.
Fast EtherChannel
(FEC) - creates a team of 2, 3, or 4 adapters to increase transmission and
reception throughput. Also includes AFT. Requires an FEC-enabled switch.