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 and ALB. 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, see one of the following:
   
   For Windows NT 4.0, see \INFO\MS\MSTEAM.TXT
   For NetWare 4.1x and higher, see \INFO\NETWARE\NWTEAM.TXT 


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, ndis.sys v.4, 7/22/97, 130384 bytes), 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 all linked to the same network 
switch/segment.


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 all linked to the same FEC-enabled Cisco
switch.





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