C H A P T E R  8

NIC Teaming for Windows

This chapter describes how to configue NIC teaming on systems equipped with the Windows operating system.

This chapter includes the following sections:

The procedures in this chapter assume that you have already done the following:

To access to the NVIDIA Network Access Manager (NAM) command-line interface, install the CLI program onto your computer. For more information see:

http://www.nvidia.com/object/LO_28249.html


Overview of Network Interfaces

This chapter describes how to configure NIC teaming on systems equipped with Intel and NVIDIA Ethernet network interfaces.

Sun supports Intel and NVIDIA network interfaces. Some systems have both Intel and NVIDIA network interface ports.

Both Intel and NVIDIA provide tools for managing the network interface ports.


Using Intel PROSet for Windows Device Manager to Configure NIC Teaming

Intel PROSet for Windows Device Manager is an extension to the Windows Device Manager. When you install the NIC Teaming supplemental software for your Sun server, Intel PROSet software configuration tabs are automatically added to the network adapters listed in Device Manager.



Note - To determine which network interface ports are active on your system, use the ipconfig /all DOS command, or the Windows Network Connections manager. For more information, see the Service Manual for your server.



Multi-Vendor Teaming

The Multi-Vendor Teaming (MVT) feature allows teaming with a combination of Intel and non-Intel adapters. This feature is currently available under Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008.

For example, the Sun Fire X4100 M2 and X4200 M2 have both Intel and NVIDIAtrademark Ethernet network interface ports. The order in which the server’s BIOS detects these ports during boot-up are as follows:

The device naming for the Ethernet ports differ according to the OS. For example, Windows identifies these ports for the Sun Fire X4100 M2 and X4200 M2 as shown in FIGURE 8-1.

FIGURE 8-1   Sun Fire X4100 M2 and X4200 M2 Ethernet Ports

Graphic showing the X4100 M2 and X4200 M2 Ethernet
ports.




Note - To identify the ports in your server, refer to the Service Manual.



For servers running Windows, adapters that appear in the Intel PROSet teaming wizard can be included in a team.

During the configuration of a multi-vendor team, please note the following rules:

procedure icon  To Access Intel NIC Teaming Configuration Settings

To access the functions available for your server’s network interface, do the following:

  1. From the Taskbar, click Start, and then click Run.

    The run dialog box is displayed.

  2. In the Open list, type devmgmt.msc, and then click OK.

    The Device Manager screen is displayed.

  3. Expand the Network adapters group and select the first adapter.

  4. Right-click the selection and click Properties.

    The adapter properties screen is displayed.

    FIGURE 8-2   Intel NIC Adapter Properties Screen

    Graphic showing the Intel NIC adapter Properties
screen.


  5. To setup NIC teaming, click the Teaming tab.

    The teaming options are displayed (see FIGURE 8-2).

  6. Select Team with other adapters and then click New Team.

    The New Team Wizard is displayed.

    FIGURE 8-3   New Team Wizard Screen

    Graphic showing the New Team Wizard screen.


  7. Click Next. The Adapter Selection screen is displayed.

    FIGURE 8-4   Adapter Selection Screen

    Graphic showing the Adapter Selection screen.


  8. Select the adapters to be included in the team from the list of installed adapters and then click Next.

    The wizard guides you through the configuration and setup of your team.

Learning More About Intel NIC Teaming

For more information on setting up NIC teaming for your environment, refer to the Intel Connectivity web page on “Advanced Networking Services—Teaming” at:

http://support.intel.com/support/network/sb/CS-009747.htm

Additionally, you may download the complete set of Intel Network Connections User Guides for your server’s network adapters at:

http://support.intel.com/support/network/sb/cs-009715.htm


Using Network Access Manager (NAM) to Configure NVIDIA NIC Teaming

This section describes how to use the NVIDIA Network Access Manager to configure teaming of NVIDIA network interface ports on systems equipped with the Windows 2003 and Windows 2008 operating systems.

Using the NVIDIA Network Access Manager for Windows Server 2003

If you elect to do a custom installation of Sun supplemental software, you can select NVIDIA Network Access Manager (NAM) to be installed on your Sun server. When installed, you can use NAM features to optimize your server’s network performance, increase its network bandwidth and provide for optimal throughput in case one of your network adapters stops functioning.

The NVIDIA Network Access Manager software includes:

procedure icon  To Launch the Network Access Manager

To access the functions available for your server’s network interface, do the following at your server once NAM has been installed:

  1. From your Windows taskbar, click Start, and then click Programs.

  2. Open the NVIDIA Corporation program group, click the Network Access Manager folder, and then click Web-based Interface.

    The Network Access Manager screen appears (FIGURE 8-5). You can use it to setup teaming for two or more network interface ports.

    FIGURE 8-5   Windows Server 2003: Network Access Manager Screen

    Graphic showing the Network Access Manager
screen.


  3. For example, if you wanted to set up NIC teaming, you would click the Teaming link.

    The Teaming wizard starts.

  4. Select Enable from the Teaming Configuration drop-down menu, and then click Apply. Refer to FIGURE 8-6.

    The unpopulated Teaming Table appears in the Network Access Manager screen.

    FIGURE 8-6   Teaming Wizard Screen

    Graphic showing the Teaming Wizard screen.


  5. To select the network interfaces to team, and configure the teaming options, click the Create Team button.

    The wizard displays the network interfaces available for teaming (see FIGURE 8-7) in the Network Access Manager screen.

    FIGURE 8-7   Network Interface List

    Graphic showing the Network Interface List
in the Network Access Manager screen.


  6. From the available list of Ethernet Interface Names, add available interfaces to the team by clicking the Add icon. You can have two or more interfaces in a team.

  7. After selecting the interfaces to be teamed, click the Next button (located at the bottom of the screen).

    The wizard guides you through the configuration and setup of your team.



    Note - Once you confirm the team to be created, you must restart the server’s network interface and Network Access Manager to configure the new settings.



Learning More About Network Access Manager

For more information about using NVIDIA networking options through either the web-based or CLI interface, refer to the documentation and online help installed with the product.

Using the NVIDIA Network Control Panel for Windows Server 2008

If you elect to do a custom installation of Sun supplemental software, you can select NVIDIA Network Access Manager (NAM) to be installed on your Sun server. When installed, you can use NAM features to optimize your server’s network performance, increase its network bandwidth and provide for optimal throughput in case one of your network adapters stops functioning. For Windows Server 2008, NVIDIA Ethernet settings are done through the NVIDIA Control Panel.

The NVIDIA Control Panel software is used to set up network interface Teaming. This tool allows you to combine all the NVIDIA Ethernet interfaces on your system to form a team, resulting in increased bandwidth and network failover redundancy.



Note - To determine which network interface ports are active on your system, use the ipconfig /all DOS command, or the Windows Network Connections manager. For more information, see the Service Manual for your server.



procedure icon  To Launch the NVIDIA Control Panel

To access the functions available for your server’s network interface, do the following at your server once NAM has been installed:

  1. From your Windows taskbar, click Start, and then click Programs.

  2. Open the NVIDIA Corporation program group, click the NVIDIA Control Panel folder, and then click Control Panel. The NVIDIA Control Panel appears.

    The program prompts you to select the Standard or Advanced interface. You can setup teaming for two or more network interfaces. An example of the Advanced interface is shown in FIGURE 8-8.

    FIGURE 8-8   Windows Server 2008: NVIDIA Control Panel Screen

    Graphic showing the NVIDIA Control Panel.


  3. For example, if you wanted to set up NIC teaming and select your On settings, instead of the using the optimal defaults, you would select Use Custom Teaming Configuration.

    The Custom Teaming Configuration wizard starts and displays the network interfaces available for teaming (see FIGURE 8-9).

    FIGURE 8-9   Ethernet Teaming List

    Graphic showing the Ethernet Teaming list in
the NVIDIA Control Panel.


  4. Select the network interfaces you wish to team, and then click

    The wizard guides you through the configuration and setup of your team.

Learning More About NVIDIA Control Panel

For more information about using NVIDIA networking options refer to the documentation and online help installed with the product.