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Installing the Hardware: Broadcom NetXtreme™ Gigabit Ethernet Adapter User's Guide

This chapter provides the following information:

System Requirements

Safety Precautions

Pre-Installation Checklist

Adapter Installation Process

Connecting the Network Cables

System Requirements

Before installing the Gigabit Ethernet Adapter, make sure your system meets the requirements listed for your operating system:

Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003 Requirements

NetWare Requirements

Linux Requirements

NOTE - Although the driver should work with many Linux kernel versions and distributions, it has only been tested on Red Hat AS 2.1, 8.0 Linux distributions for i386 (kernel version 2.4.x). Furthermore, the driver has only been tested as a loadable module.

Safety Precautions

WARNING - The adapter is being installed in a system that operates with voltages that can be lethal. Before you remove the cover of your system, you must observe the following precautions to protect yourself and to prevent damage to the system components.
  • Remove any metallic objects or jewelry from your hands and wrists.
  • Make sure to use only insulated or nonconducting tools.
  • Verify that the system is powered OFF and unplugged before accessing internal components.
  • Installation or removal of adapters must be performed in a static-free environment. The use of a properly grounded wrist strap or other personal antistatic devices and an antistatic mat is strongly recommended.

Pre-Installation Checklist

  1. Check that your server meets the hardware and software requirements listed under "System Requirements."
  2. Verify that your system is using the latest BIOS.
  3. Review the information in the readme.txt file on the CD-ROM for important information not available at the time this manual was created.

    NOTE - If you acquired the adapter software on floppy disk or from the Dell support website, enter the path to where the adapter driver files reside on your system.

  4. If your system is active, shut it down.

  1. When system shut down is complete, power OFF and unplug your system.

  2. Holding the adapter card by the edges, remove it from its shipping package and place it on an antistatic surface.

  3. Check the adapter for visible signs of damage, particularly on the card’s edge connector. Never attempt to install any damaged adapter. If the adapter is damaged, report it to Broadcom.

Adapter Installation Process

The following instructions apply to installing the gigabit ethernet adapter in most systems. Refer to the manuals that were supplied with your system for details about performing these tasks on your particular system.

  1. Review the Precautions and Pre-Installation Checklist. Before installing the adapter, ensure the system power is OFF and unplugged from the power outlet, and that proper electrical grounding procedures have been followed.
  2. Remove the system cover, and select any empty PCI/PCI-X slot. If you do not know how to identify a PCI slot, refer to your system documentation.
  3. Remove the blank cover-plate from the slot that you selected.
  4. Holding the PCI/PCI-X card by the edges, align the adapter’s connector edge with the PCI connector dock in the system.
    NOTE - The connector dock in a 32-bit PCI slot is shorter than in a 64-bit PCI slot. Although the adapter is designed to fit in either slot type, when installed in a 32-bit PCI slot, part of the adapter’s connector edge will remain undocked. This is perfectly normal.
  1. Applying even pressure at both corners of the card, push the adapter card until it is firmly seated in the PCI/PCI-X slot. When properly seated, the adapter’s port connectors will be aligned with the slot opening, and its faceplate will be flush against the system chassis.
    Caution—Do not use excessive force when seating the card, as this may damage the system or the adapter. If the card resists seating, remove it from the system, realign it, and try again.
  1. Secure the adapter with the adapter clip or screw.
  2. Replace the system cover and disconnect any personal antistatic devices.
  3. Power the system on.

Once the system returns to proper operation, the adapter hardware is fully installed. You must next connect the network cables.

Connecting the Network Cables
Note – This adapter supports Automatic MDI Crossover (MDIX) which eliminates the need for cross over cables when connecting machines back to back. A straight-through Cat 5 cable allows the machines to communicate when connected directly together.

The adapter has one RJ-45 connector used for attaching the system to an Ethernet copper-wire segment. When automatic link negotiation is disabled, the port can be configured for 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps, signaling either half-duplex or full-duplex. Speed of 1000 Mbps is obtainable only through the Auto-Negotiation setting.

Perform the following procedure for connecting a network cable to the Gigabit Ethernet Adapter:

  1. Prepare an appropriate cable. The following table lists the cable characteristics for connecting to 10/100/1000BASE-T ports:

    Table 1. 10/100/1000BASE-T Cable Specifications

    Port Type Connector Media Maximum Distance
    10BASE-T RJ-45 Cat. 3, 4, or 5 UTP 100 meters (328 feet)
    100/1000BASE-T RJ-45 Cat. 5 UTP 100 meters (328 feet)
    Note – 1000BASE-T signaling requires four twisted pairs of Category 5 balanced cabling, as specified in ISO/IEC 11801:1995 and EIA/TIA-568-A (1995) and tested using procedures defined in TIA/EIA TSB95.
  1. Connect one end of the cable to the Gigabit Ethernet Adapter.
  2. Connect the other end of the cable to an RJ-45 Ethernet network port.
    Note – Once the cable is properly connected at both ends, the adapter port LEDs should be functional. See Table 1 in "Introduction" for a description of adapter port LED operation. For driver installation and configuration instructions, refer to the software configuration for that specific driver.

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