Duplex support v1.10 Duplex support for Intel EtherExpress(TM) PRO/100+ TX PCI Adapters ================================================== Duplexing is a performance option that lets you choose how the adapter sends and receives packets over the network. PRO/100+ adapter duplex choices: -------------------------------- Auto. The adapter negotiates with the full duplex switch to send and receive packets at the highest rate. The switch must support auto-negotiation. If the switch does not support auto-negotiation, the adapter defaults to half duplex. Full duplex (requires full-duplex switch). The adapter sends and receives packets simultaneously by using a different wire to perform each function. This feature can improve adapter performance by eliminating collisions. Half duplex. The adapter performs one operation at a time (because send and receive lines are shared); it either sends or receives. Configuring for full-duplex =========================== If you have an auto-negotiating switch (an NWay* switch), the PRO/100+ adapter will automatically match the duplex setting at the switch. If you don't have an auto- negotiating switch, you'll need to manually configure the adapter for full duplex support. Configuration is specific to the driver you're loading for your network operating system (NOS). See the sections for your NOS below. NOTE: If you're using the PRO/100+ adapter, you must set the Speed when configuring for full-duplex support. Don't leave the Speed set to Auto. To set up the duplex mode, refer to the section below that corresponds to your operating system. For example, if you are running Windows NT on a Novell network, choose the Windows NT method below. Note that performance may suffer if your switch is not full duplex and you configure the adapter to full duplex. Leave the adapter on half duplex if you are not sure what type of switch you are connected to. DOS/ODI clients --------------- Edit the NET.CFG file. Add the SPEED and FORCEDUPLEX parameters under the link driver section. For example Link Driver E100BODI SPEED 100 (or 10 for 10 Mbps operation) FORCEDUPLEX 2 Windows* NT 3.51 ---------------- Use the PROSet adapter setup utility: 1 Double-click the PROSet icon in the Control Panel. 2 Click Change. 3 Set Speed on the adapter to 10 or 100. 4 Set Duplex Mode to Full. 5 Click OK until prompted to restart. Restart Windows NT. Windows* NT 4.0 --------------- 1 Double-click the Network control panel icon in the Control Panel. 2 Go to the Adapters tab and click Properties. 3 Select an adapter from the list and click Settings. 4 Select a duplex mode and click OK. 5 Click OK until prompted to restart. Restart Windows NT. Windows 95 ---------- Use the PROSet adapter setup utility: 1 Double-click the PROSet icon in the Control Panel. 2 Click Change. 3 Set Speed on the adapter to 10 or 100. 4 Set Duplex Mode to Full. 5 Click OK until prompted to restart. Restart Windows 95. Other NDIS 2.x based clients ---------------------------- Edit the PROTOCOL.INI file. Add the FORCEDUPLEX and SPEED parameters to the E100B section. For example: [E100B_NIF] ; varies depending on your NOS SPEED = 100 ; or 10 for 10 Mbps operation FORCEDUPLEX = 2 * Third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.