View Full Version : Ethernet controls
Jester
11-14-2002, 12:34 PM
Some of the equipment on our network is not autosensing. THis causes a problem because the autosensing ethernet cards in our starOS Server default to 10M half duplex. This ends up killing a lot of traffic both in and out bound. Right now, 10 - 15% of the packets on 3 of our interfaces are lost in collisions due to defaulting to half duplex mode. Is there any plan to add more controls to the speeds of the ethernet cards?
georgew
11-14-2002, 01:57 PM
I've been working with IP over ethernet for 15 years, and I have not seen a collision rate that high on anything but a broken network.
Are you using network hubs instead of switches?
Sorry to butt my head in and ask such a question on a tangent, but I couldn't resist;)
George
lonnie
11-14-2002, 07:38 PM
Please do, that is what the Forums are for. All the answers don't have to come from Tony and Myself. I would question your network as well, since 10-15% is real high.
Jester
11-15-2002, 12:53 PM
The reason for so many collisions is that this is right near our main feed. Right now our network isn't large enough to warrant a mesh and so its a simple star. The reason for the collisions is because all the adapters seem to be in half duplex mode. I can't seem to get the Server running star OS to switch into full duplex mode when interfacing with the other nodes. There are no hubs on these segments that would cause the collisions. The ethernet connections go strait from the starOS Server to either a single AP, or a single point to point link. The only place I can conceive the collisions happening is along the cable runs that are in half duplex.
Can you define what you mean by broken network?
The reason for so many collisions is that this is right near our main feed. Right now our network isn't large enough to warrant a mesh and so its a simple star. The reason for the collisions is because all the adapters seem to be in half duplex mode. I can't seem to get the Server running star OS to switch into full duplex mode when interfacing with the other nodes. There are no hubs on these segments that would cause the collisions. The ethernet connections go strait from the starOS Server to either a single AP, or a single point to point link. The only place I can conceive the collisions happening is along the cable runs that are in half duplex.
Can you define what you mean by broken network?
What brand of ethernet cards are you using? Setting the duplex rate is not universal between cards, and is sometimes not available at all. For the cards we know of and are able to test, we may be able to provide this option.
Thanks!
Jester
11-15-2002, 05:17 PM
Currenty we Have a Dlink dfe-570TX which is a quad Channel Server Card.
I need to check on 2 other cards but I believe they are realtek 8139(?) I'll have to check it out.
Currenty we Have a Dlink dfe-570TX which is a quad Channel Server Card.
I need to check on 2 other cards but I believe they are realtek 8139(?) I'll have to check it out.
We've had other reports about the DFE-570TX cards misbehaving in regards to the duplex settings as well, as they seem to be unable to auto-sense and switch accordingly. What is the chipset on your card? (model and chip number). I'll see what can be done.
Are you using our latest 1.06.7 release? We've included special support for the DFE-550 and DFE-580 cards with a new driver. Perhaps your card will work with them.
Please email me personally, as I would like to look into your problem in a little more detail.
Thanks!