Configuring ethernet adapter network speed

[ChrisBroadway]

I'm trying to configure a network adapter on AIX 4.2.1 to auto-negotiate speed... I've tried rmdev -l ent1 , then running smitty to set the device to auto-neg.. This works but when the device is re-enabled it always resets to 100FD ??? <br>The adapter claims to be an IBM 10/100 Mbps Ethernet TX MCA Adapter (8f62) ....<br>Anyone have any thoughts ???<br><br>Cheers<br><br>Chris

 

[ElgisRamon]

The network negotiates the speed. Why you need to work slower?

 

[ChrisBroadway]

Ok .. the throughput on this card is awful... We had a similar problem on another AIX box and setting the card to auto-neg seemed to make all the difference .. Go figure .. I just wanna try changing the setting to see if it helps ...<br><br><br>Cheers<br><br>Chris

 

[ElgisRamon]

Have you tried changing the card using smith &gt; devices &gt; comm et cetera?

 

[ChrisBroadway]

Yep ..tried it via smit and on the CLI.. The only way to get a change is to remove the device ( just get it to defined ) and then change it .. However when it put back to available it immediately changes back to 100 FD.. <br>Now I'm guessing this means a) I'm doing something wrong or b) the card is set to 100FD at a lower level ... Unfortunately I'm a Solaris hack by trade so I've gone about as far as I can with AIX..<br><br>

 

[Guest_imported]

you could try this<br><br><br>chdev -l &quot;eth0&quot; -a full_duplex=yes

 

[ElgisRamon]

Not... you need to change the ODM, exactly the default values for your ethernet adapter KIND.<br><br>I can help you... but can you give me your speed attribute?<br><br>And can you give the output of these commands?<br><FONT FACE=monospace><br>odmget -q name=ent0 CuDv<br>odmget -q name=ent0 CuAt<br></font><br><br>I hope it works...

 

[ChrisBroadway]

Ok .. see where yer coming from but I don't know enough to mess about with the ODM

Anyway as requested the following output

CTRDV01/380:/> odmget -q name=ent1 CuDv

CuDv:
name = &quot;ent1&quot;
status = 1
chgstatus = 0
ddins = &quot;srentdd&quot;
location = &quot;00-03&quot;
parent = &quot;bus0&quot;
connwhere = &quot;3&quot;
PdDvLn = &quot;adapter/mca/8f62&quot;
CTRDV01/380:/> odmget -q name=ent1 CuAt

CuAt:
name = &quot;ent1&quot;
attribute = &quot;bus_intr_lvl&quot;
value = &quot;12&quot;
type = &quot;I&quot;
generic = &quot;D&quot;
rep = &quot;nr&quot;
nls_index = 4

CuAt:
name = &quot;ent1&quot;
attribute = &quot;dma_bus_mem&quot;
value = &quot;0x890000&quot;
type = &quot;M&quot;
generic = &quot;D&quot;
rep = &quot;nr&quot;
nls_index = 16

CuAt:
name = &quot;ent1&quot;
attribute = &quot;dma_lvl&quot;
value = &quot;6&quot;
type = &quot;A&quot;
generic = &quot;D&quot;
rep = &quot;nr&quot;
nls_index = 6

CuAt:
name = &quot;ent1&quot;
attribute = &quot;media_speed&quot;
value = &quot;100_Full_Duplex&quot;
type = &quot;R&quot;
generic = &quot;DU&quot;
rep = &quot;sl&quot;
nls_index = 70

Cheers

Chris

 

[shiraz]

hi Chris
When you are changing the attributes of the card whether it is connected to n/w?
i mean to say may it is happening that the device (hub,switch) connected to adapter
is forcing it to get always to 100mbp.
sorry i'm not expert to networking.....but just to make a try you can remove the cable
from card and try once again.

Regds

Shiraz

 

[ElgisRamon]

Well... it seems we need to change the default speed attribute for your kind of card. First we must to backup the ODM:
[tt]
tar -cvf /tmp/ODM_backup_$(date +&quot;%Y%m%d&quot.tar /etc/objrepos /usr/lib/objrepos /usr/share/lib/objrepos
[/tt]

Then we'll change the default speed value for your kind of card, first get the actual values in a file:
[tt]
odmget -q &quot;uniquetype=adapter/mca/8f62 and attribute=media_speed&quot; PdAt > tempODM.txt
[tt]

... edit the [tt]tempODM.txt[/tt] file and change the apropriate value of [tt]deflt[/tt], then we'll change the ODM:
[tt]
odmchange -o PdAt -q &quot;uniquetype=adapter/mca/8f62 and attribute=media_speed&quot; tempODM.txt
[tt]

I hope it works...

 

[odey]

Well my suggestion is to do through the smitty devices pick the adapter this time when you pick auto-negotiate speed change apply changes to database only to &quot;yes&quot;. Once that's done reboot the server.

Hope this works

 

[ggoldman]

Hi Chris. A few thoughts.

First, I would strongly discourage you from using auto-negotiate on any network cards. It's a nice idea but (at least currently) an immature function. In auto-negotiate the network card tends to act like a MODEM when talking to the hub or switch and will often change speeds on the fly as it sees varying line conditions. You should really hard code your network card connection speed.

Additionally (but this is VERY important), DON'T forget to match the hub or switch port speed to the network card. This is essential for a stable connection. This could be part of the reason for the questionable performance that you've been getting. You will run (though poorly) with a card/port mis-match.

The command to change the adapter speed in the ODM ONLY (necessary if the adapter is in use .. the change will take effect on the next IPL) is:

chdev -l'entX' -a media_speed='Auto_Negotiation' -'P'

media_speed='100_Full_Duplex' -'P'

media_speed='Half_Duplex' -'P'

etc ...

Make sure you have the correct driver for that card. The command:

lslpp -l devices.pci.23100020.rte

will yield the installed level. For your level of AIX, 4.2.1.9 is the latest release.

For this particular issue I see NO reason what so ever to edit the ODM other that to say that you've done it.

I hope some of this helps. May the force be with you.

Geoff

ggoldman@ottaway.com

 

[bektas]

First, check switch port which is connected your aixbox. If switch port's speed is 100 fulld change to autoneg. But I don't recommend to change autoneg, set both side 100 fulld then forget it.

 

[PSD]

Chris,

If this is still a problem - forget all of the manual ODM changes.....

Do not remove the interface.....

smitty commodev

select Ethernet

Adapter

Change/show chars.....

Change speed and change the bottom option apply change to database only to yes.....

Then reboot and you should be away....

You can do an ifconfig detatch e.t.c. if you wish....

The strange thing about this one is that most people want to go the other way auto to 100 full........I would agree that it is not a great idea to change it, but that is the easiest and most stress free way to do it if you need to...

 

[ElgisRamon]

What happened? Can we know if ANY suggestion worked?