3750 port autonegotiation

[chazk1]

Is there a problem with Intel EtherExpress PRO NICs and Autonegotiation settings using Cisco switches in general ?

I have 2 x Dell PowerEdge 6300's being used as Citrix servers.
If I set the NICs to Auto and likewise the same on the Cat 3750 core switch users report very slow response, likewise if settings are hard-coded to 100Mb/Full at both ends.

Setting the Server NICs to 100Mb/Half and setting the switch port speed at 100mb and duplex at Auto (cannot configure half-duplex) seems to offer best response.

 

[baddos]

Generally you should use the same setting at both ends (auto - auto, 100full - 100full, etc). If you can't set the switch to the same setting as the NIC, then they will default to 10/half.

Using the Ether Express NICs in a current server? These NICs are quite old, and I would look into Intel's current Pro Server Adapter line. However, there shouldn't be any problems. If you do a "show interface fastethernet0/0", do you see a bunch of errors?

 

[Lequang]

Of course, if the negotiation fail, than the link is dropped to 10 Mbs + a bunch of errors.
If the NIC is old, so force it to 100 Mbs/half and the same for the 3750.

Hope this clarify.

 

[chazk1]

Have forced both ends to 100 Mb/Half and still get errors.

Have moved from 3750 to 4003 and still getting errors.

sho port count 2/5

Port Align-Err FCS-Err Xmit-Err Rcv-Err UnderSize
----- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
2/5 - 23080 0 46118 0

Port Single-Col Multi-Coll Late-Coll Excess-Col Carri-Sen Runts Giants
----- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------- ---------
2/5 123251 74284 0 0 0 23038 0

Last-Time-Cleared
--------------------------
Tue Mar 16 2004, 07:13:49

As these servers are being made redundant very soon I won't bother the server guys to invest in time and money rectifying problem by upgrading NICs. Thanks anyway.

 

[baddos]

running in half-duplex will ALWAYS result in errors. It is do to the signaling detection. Try forcing both ends to 100 full duplex.

 

[chazk1]

Thanks but have tried all possible combinations. It's strange but servers grind to (almost) a halt when both ends set to 100Mb/Full at both ends.

 

[baddos]

You have the latest drivers installed for this NIC? Maybe replace it with another NIC and do some more testing.