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Installing the Hardware: Broadcom NetXtreme II™ Network Adapter User Guide

Overview

System Requirements

Safety Precautions

Preinstallation Checklist

Installation of the Add-In NIC

Overview

This section applies to Broadcom NetXtreme II add-in network interface cards.

System Requirements

Before you install a Broadcom NetXtreme II adapter, verify that your system meets the following hardware and operating system requirements:

Hardware Requirements

Operating System Requirements

General
Microsoft Windows

One of the following versions of Microsoft Windows:

Novell NetWare

Novell NetWare 6.5 with the latest support pack.

Linux

Although the adapter driver should work with many Linux kernel versions and distributions, it has only been tested on 2.4x kernels (starting from 2.4.24) and 2.6.x kernels. The driver may not compile on kernels older than 2.4.24. Testing is concentrated on i386 and x86_64 architectures. Only limited testing has been done on other architectures. Minor changes to some source files and Makefile may be needed on some kernels.

NOTE: Support for the 2.4.21 kernels is provided in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3.

VMware ESX

Safety Precautions

CAUTION! The adapter is being installed in a system that operates with voltages that can be lethal. Before you open the case of your system, observe the following precautions to protect yourself and to prevent damage to the system components.

Preinstallation Checklist

  1. Verify that your system meets the hardware and software requirements listed under System Requirements.
  2. Verify that your system is using the latest BIOS.
  3. NOTE: If you acquired the adapter software on a disk, verify the path to the adapter driver files.

  4. If your system is active, shut it down.
  5. When system shutdown is complete, turn off the power and unplug the power cord.
  6. Remove the adapter from its shipping package and place it on an antistatic surface.
  7. Check the adapter for visible signs of damage, particularly on the edge connector. Never attempt to install a damaged adapter.

Installation of the Add-In NIC

The following instructions apply to installing the Broadcom NetXtreme II adapter (add-in NIC) in most systems. Refer to the manuals that were supplied with your system for details about performing these tasks on your particular system.

Installing the Add-In NIC

  1. Review Safety Precautions and Preinstallation Checklist. Before you install the adapter, ensure that the system power is OFF, the power cord is unplugged from the power outlet, and that you are following proper electrical grounding procedures.
  2. Open the system case and select the slot based on the adapter: PCI Express 1.0a x4, PCI Express Gen2 x8, or other appropriate slot. A lesser width adapter can be seated into a greater width slot (x1 in a x4), but a greater width adapter cannot be seated into a lesser width slot (x4 in a x1). If you do not know how to identify a PCI Express slot, refer to your system documentation.
  3. Remove the blank cover-plate from the slot that you selected.
  4. Align the adapter connector edge with the PCI Express connector slot in the system.
  5. Applying even pressure at both corners of the card, push the adapter card into the slot until it is firmly seated. When the adapter is properly seated, the adapter port connectors are aligned with the slot opening, and the adapter faceplate is flush against the system chassis.
  6. CAUTION! Do not use excessive force when seating the card, as this may damage the system or the adapter. If you have difficulty seating the adapter, remove it, realign it, and try again.

  7. Secure the adapter with the adapter clip or screw.
  8. Close the system case and disconnect any personal antistatic devices.

Connecting the Network Cables

The Broadcom NetXtreme II adapter has either an RJ-45 connector used for attaching the system to an Ethernet copper-wire segment or a fiber optic connector for attaching the system to an Ethernet fiber optic segment.

NOTE: This section does not apply to blade servers.

Copper Wire

NOTE: The Broadcom NetXtreme II adapter supports Automatic MDI Crossover (MDIX), which eliminates the need for crossover cables when connecting machines back-to-back. A straight-through Category 5 cable allows the machines to communicate when connected directly together.

  1. Select an appropriate cable. Table 1 lists the copper cable requirements for connecting to 10/100/1000BASE-T and 10GBASE-T ports:
  2. Table 1: 10/100/1000BASE-T and 10GBASE-T Cable Specifications
    Port Type
    Connector
    Media
    Maximum Distance
    10BASE-T
    RJ-45
    Category 3, 4, or 5 unshielded twisted pairs (UTP)
    100m (328 ft)
    100/1000BASE-T1
    RJ-45
    Category 52 UTP
    100m (328 ft)
    10GBASE-T
    RJ-45
    Category 63 UTP
    Category 6A3 UTP
    50m (164 ft)
    100m (328 ft)
    1 1000BASE-T signaling requires four twisted pairs of Category 5 balanced cabling, as specified in ISO/IEC 11801:2002 and ANSI/EIA/TIA-568-B.
    2 Category 5 is the minimum requirement. Category 5e and Category 6 are fully supported.
    3 10GBASE-T signaling requires four twisted pairs of Category 6 or Category 6A (augmented Category 6) balanced cabling, as specified in ISO/IEC 11801:2002 and ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.

  3. Connect one end of the cable to the RJ-45 connector on the adapter.
  4. Connect the other end of the cable to an RJ-45 Ethernet network port.
Fiber Optic
  1. Select an appropriate cable. Table 2 lists the fiber optic cable requirements for connecting to 1000/2500BASE-X ports:
  2. Table 2: 1000/2500BASE-X Fiber Optic Specifications 
    Port Type
    Connector
    Media
    Maximum Distance
    1000BASE-X
    Small form factor (SFF) transceiver with LC™ connection system
    (Infineon p/n V23818-K305-L57)
    Multimode fiber (MMF)
    System optimized for 62.5/50 µm graded index fiber
    550m (1804 ft)
    2500BASE-X1
    Small form factor (SFF) transceiver with LC™ connection system
    (Finisar p/n FTLF8542E2KNV)
    Multimode fiber (MMF)
    System optimized for 62.5/50 µm graded index fiber
    550m (1804 ft)
    1 Electricals leveraged from IEEE 802.3ae-2002 (XAUI). 2500BASE-X is term used by Broadcom to describe 2.5 Gbit/s (3.125GBd) operation. LC is a trademark of Lucent Technologies.

  3. Connect one end of the cable to the fiber optic connector on the adapter.
  4. Connect the other end of the cable to an fiber optic Ethernet network port.


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