Adding new network card

[mfranco]

Hi,

I am running Netware 6.5 with SP 5 on a Dell PowerEdge 2850. I have been having several complaints about a network slow down. I have network tool that i attached between the server and the switch and it says that the cables are mismatched, almost like a cross over cable has been inserted. I figure something is wrong with the card since all network cables have been changed and the problem is still seen. The Dell 2850 has 2 NICs built in but only one of them was setup when the server was built. How can I enable/install the second card so that Netware will see it and i can try using it instead of the first card?

Thanks in advance!

 

[terry712]

just slap it in and turn back on.

i'm not a dell guy but i wouldnt suspect that the cards would be faulty.

it will see it and lauch config for you.

 

[marvhuffaker]

Except that if it's onboard, theres nothing to slap in. Just go into INETCFG and add it, then change the bindings.

You also need to make sure that the Switch port is configured the same as the NIC as far as Speed and Duplex. If one is AUTO and the other 100/FULL, that can cause problems.

Marvin Huffaker, MCNE

http://www.redjuju.com

 

[marvhuffaker]

Although you really should go into MONITOR --> LAN/WAN --(Whatever NIC) --> and hit TAB.. See if there are any CRC or Alignment errors. That's a good tipoff that you have a mismatch.

Also, did you allow the SP5 to update the LAN drivers? This is optional but you could be running defective Dell driver.

 

[pagy]

definitely update the nic drivers, i believe the 2850 has pro 1000mt in it;

http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scr...e=NetWare*+6.5&lang=eng&strOSs=100&submit=Go!

All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure.
- Mark Twain

 

[TheLad]

And also check that you have the correct subnet mask and default gateway for your LAN. Also (and as Marv has already suggested), a speed/duplex mismatch can also cause this. Eg. make sure your server is forced to the same speed/duplex as your switch port.

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[mfranco]

Well, everything seemed to get better after a day or so, I think they problem was actually with the network back bone, although those people refuse to admit it. I checked and there were no CRC or alignment errors so there probably wasn't any mismatch and the speed/duplex settings also appear correct. I also made sure all the servers attached to the same switch were set to the correct speed and not to AUTo. I will keep an eye on it and if the problems come back i will update the NIC drivers.

Thanks everyone!

 

[marvhuffaker]

The network people won't ever beleive anything is their problem until you show them proof. that's from experience.

 

[TheLad]

And 99.9% of the user population thinks that their PC connects directly to the server so they always blame the poor server as well...

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[LawnBoy]

Hey, my network guy is always looking out for my interests. Same with the server guy, the database guy, and the security guy, 'cause they're all me.

I never get to blame anybody...