Arp Broadcasts and Intel Teaming Software

[MrPlough69]

Heya all,

We have 6 servers (running 2k server), all of which have 2x intel gigabit network ports and are plugged in to gigabit modules in a HP switch. The two connections on each server are configured for load balancing.

The problem is the number of arp broadcasts that the servers transmit whilst the team is operational (about 20 a second per server) which appears to slow down the entire network.

Can anyone shed any light on this problem, how to prevent it , or if it's even a problem at all?

If any more info is required please let me know.

Cheers in advance.

 

[bcastner]

Are we using Win2k Advanced Server or above; or Windows 2003 servers? You do not Team if you have true Load Balancing in the server OS.

Break the Teams in the property sheet of the adapters.

There are at the moment known problems with adapter teaming from Intel and Broadcom, Microsoft advised this week: if using teaming features under Broadcom or Intel chipsets, disable the feature for the moment if using SP4 for Win2k servers.

 

[MrPlough69]

Hi there,

The server OS we use is Windows 2000 Server (not advanced or above) with service pack 4, teamed using the intel proset software.

At the moment we have disabled the teaming.

Do you have a link to the Microsoft advisory? i've been looking around for a few days for info on this and can't seem to find anything on it.

Cheers.

 

[bcastner]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/278431/