Ethernet Device Configuration

Duplex Settings

An Ethernet adapter and its link partner (such as a hub, switch, or another network adapter connected via a crossover cable) must operate at the same duplex settings.

• If the adapter and link partner support NWay media autonegotiation, both devices should automatically select optimal speed and duplex mode.

• If NWay autonegotiation is not supported or is not configured on either the adapter or its link partner, both devices must be explicitly set to run at the same duplex mode. A device usually defaults to half-duplex operation if it can't determine the link partner's duplex capabilities.

  • A hub or switch that supports full-duplex operation usually has a mechanism that sets duplex mode on a per-device or per-port basis. Setting speed, duplex mode, or both in this manner usually disables NWay autonegotiation for the device or port.

  • A network adapter supported by the dnet device driver must have its duplex mode set in the driver's .conf file. See the device driver man page for details.

    Operating speed can sometimes be set in the driver's .conf file, but NWay autonegotiation might be disabled when using this method.

    A device is usually able to detect the speed (but not the duplex mode) of its link partner, even without NWay autonegotiation.

Connector Types

Device Reference Pages specify the supported connector type where appropriate. All network devices are assumed to work at 10 Mbps only, unless otherwise specified in the Device Reference Pages. Following are network connectors and the media they support.

100-Mbps Ethernet Performance

Some PCI motherboards contain DMA chipsets that are unable to support 100-Mbps Fast Ethernet. The Solaris environment does not support 100-Mbps PCI network operation on systems containing the slow chipsets. This problem affects PCI cards only.

These chipsets are known to exhibit this problem:

• 82430LX (Mercury)

• 82450GX (Orion) (A and B steppings only)

These chipsets do not exhibit this problem:

• 82430NX (Neptune)

• 82430FX (Triton)

• 82430HX (Triton II)

• 82440FX (Natoma)

• 82450GX (Orion) (C0 stepping and later)

In particular, PCI cards supported by the dnet and iprb drivers don't perform well on machines with the problem chipsets. You must decide whether the performance on a particular machine is adequate for the intended purpose.