Adapter Teaming Options and VLAN Overview


Adapter Teaming Options
=======================


NOTE:  Teaming requires the use of Intel(R) Server Adapters.


The Intel Server adapter provides several options for increasing 
throughput and fault tolerance when running Windows NT 4.0 or NetWare
4.1x and newer:

   Adapter Fault Tolerance (AFT) - creates a team of 2 - 8 adapters to
   provide automatic redundancy for your adapters. If the primary
   adapter fails, a secondary takes over.

   Adaptive Load Balancing (ALB) - creates a team of 2 - 8 adapters to 
   increase transmission throughput. Also includes AFT. Works with any 
   100BASE-TX switch.

   Fast EtherChannel* (FEC) - creates a team of 2, 4, 6, or 8 adapters
   to increase transmission and reception throughput. Also includes AFT. 
   Requires a Cisco switch with FEC capability.

To set up an option, see one of the following:
   
   For Windows NT 4.0, see \INFO\MS\MSTEAM.TXT
   For NetWare 4.1x and higher, see \INFO\NETWARE\NWTEAM.TXT 


General Configuration Notes
===========================

-  Windows NT versions prior to 4.0 don't support Adapter Teaming 
   options.
-  Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 3 or later, with the NDIS driver 
   hotfix (NDISFIXI, ndis.sys v.4, 7/22/97, 130384 bytes), is required 
   for implementing Adapter Teaming properly. Install these prior to 
   configuring Adapter Teaming.


Support Sites for Microsoft Patches 

Service Pack 3:
        ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/bussys/winnt/winnt-public/fixes/usa
        /nt40/ussp3

NDIS Driver Hotfix:
        ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/bussys/winnt/winnt-public/fixes/usa/
        nt40/hotfixes-postsp3/ndis-fix/


Adapter Fault Tolerance
=======================

Adapter Fault Tolerance (AFT) is a simple, effective, and
fail-safe approach to increase the reliability of server
connections. AFT gives you the ability to set up link
recovery to the server adapter in case of a cable, port, or
network interface card failure. By assigning two to eight Intel
Server adapters as a team, AFT enables you to maintain 
uninterrupted network performance.

AFT is implemented with Intel Server adapters: a primary adapter
and one or more backup, or secondary, adapters. During normal
operation, the backup will have transmit disabled. If the link
to the primary adapter fails, the link to the next backup
adapter automatically takes over.


Adaptive Load Balancing
=======================

Adaptive Load Balancing (ALB) is a simple and efficient way to 
increase your server's transmission throughput. With ALB, as you 
add adapters to your server, you can group them in teams to 
provide up to a 800 Mbps transmit rate and a 100 Mbps receive rate,
with a maximum of eight adapters. The ALB software continuously 
analyzes transmit loading on each adapter and balances the 
transmission across the adapters as needed. Adapter teams 
configured for ALB also provide the benefits of AFT. Receive rates
remain at 100 Mbps.

To use ALB, you must have two to eight Intel Server adapters
installed in your server and all linked to the same network
switch/segment.


Cisco Fast EtherChannel
=======================

Fast EtherChannel (FEC) is a performance technology developed by
Cisco to increase your server's throughput. Unlike ALB, FEC can be
configured to increase both transmission and reception channels 
between your server and switch. FEC works only with FEC-enabled 
Cisco switches such as the Catalyst 5000 series. With FEC, as you add
adapters to your server, you can group them in teams, with a maximum
of eight Intel Server adapters. The FEC software continuously
analyzes loading on each adapter and balances network
traffic across the adapters as needed. Adapter teams configured for
FEC also provide the benefits of AFT.

To use FEC, you must have 2, 4, 6, or 8 Intel Server
adapters installed in your server and all linked to the same
FEC-enabled Cisco switch. (Note that the switch must support more
than 4 adapters in FEC in order for more than 4 adapters to work in
FEC . Consult your switch documentation.)

Copyright Intel Corporation 1999. All rights reserved.


VLANs
=====

A Virtual LAN (VLAN) is a logical grouping of network devices put
together as a LAN regardless of their physical grouping or collision
domains. VLANs let a user see and access only specified network
segments. This increases network performance and improves network
security. 

VLANs offer the ability to group users and stations together into
logical work-groups. This can simplify network administration when
connecting clients to servers that are geographically dispersed across
the building, campus, or enterprise network.

Typically, VLANs consist of co-workers within the same department but
in different locations, groups of users running the same network
protocol, or a cross-functional team working on a joint project.
Joining workers with VLANs forms logical working groups.

Normally, VLANs are configured at the switch and any computer can be
a member of one VLAN per installed network adapter. The Intel Server
adapter supersedes this by communicating directly with a switch,
allowing multiple VLANs on a single adapter (up to 64 VLANs). 

To set up VLAN membership, your adapter must be attached to a switch
with VLAN capability.




* Brand, name, or trademark owned by another company.