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Obsolete Releases => SME Server 7.x => Topic started by: Galawa on November 07, 2007, 12:44:24 PM

Title: Which gigabit NIC to choose ?
Post by: Galawa on November 07, 2007, 12:44:24 PM

Hello,

As i'd like to upgrade my server into gigabit lan, i would like to know which of these NIC cards are ok under SME server 7.2 :

Netgear GA311 (PCI)
D-Link DGE528T (PCI)
Intel PRO/1000 MT (PCI-X)
Intel 82541 (integrated on the SE7525GP)

Thanks in advance  ;-)

Galawa

Title: Re: Which gigabit NIC to choose ?
Post by: mmccarn on November 07, 2007, 02:29:33 PM

Perhaps not as helpful as I had hoped it would be, here's a list of the network adapters in use on SME 7.2 servers now: http://smolt.contribs.org/byClass%3Ftype=NETWORK.html

Sadly, I have no opinion on the specific pros and cons of the 4 you have proposed...

Title: Re: Which gigabit NIC to choose ?
Post by: gelcube on November 07, 2007, 10:36:56 PM

I will say that I have an Intel PRO/1000 in my SME, and it's running great.  The only issue I had with it had nothing to do with the card or SME, but my own stupidity.  I forgot to replace the CAT5 cable with a CAT5e or CAT6 cable.  :P

Title: Re: Which gigabit NIC to choose ?
Post by: curtiscartmell on February 11, 2008, 02:43:49 AM

Hi,

Are there any updates on which PCI (not PCIe or PCIx) cards work best with SME 7.3?  I'd like to upgrade my server to version 7.3 and upgrade the network to Gigabit (I'm already using Cat5e).  I want to use a reliable card that doesn't require driver updates and kernel work.

Can anyone specifically point me to some 100% tested and reliable Gigabit NIC for PCI (Brand and model #)
ie - what about the Intel PRO/1000 MT

Also, does anyone know if the Intel PRO/1000 Dual port or Quad port cards plug and play without driver updates on SME 7.3?

I'll like to purchase some cards but don't want to waste money or buying unsupported cards.

thanks,
Curtis =)

Title: Re: Which gigabit NIC to choose ?
Post by: william_syd on February 11, 2008, 03:15:52 AM

Questions like these might be better asked on the Centos 4 forums.

Title: Re: Which gigabit NIC to choose ?
Post by: blackbird098 on February 11, 2008, 05:54:36 AM

Also, does anyone know if the Intel PRO/1000 Dual port or Quad port cards plug and play without driver updates on SME 7.3?

I have the dual port Intel PRO/1000 and it'll work right out of the box with no troubles. SME sees it as two cards since the MAC addresses are different on each port.

Title: Re: Which gigabit NIC to choose ?
Post by: Reinhold on February 12, 2008, 01:01:31 AM

IMHO...

the two best solutions for Gigabit Ethernet on RH / Centos Kernels (SME) are
e1000
tg3
Both work Gigabit "out of the box" (are in the kernel).

e1000  is the driver for Intel Chipsets   used by Intel, Super Micro,hp, Dell Optiplex &PowerEdge
the Chipno/-labels are: 82540 or 82541 or 82573
there are Dual and Quadsolutions for pci and pcie which contain 2 or 4 independent chips "on board"
both then work with the same driver and give independent ports  (Quad isn't that useful for SME :) )

tg3     is the driver for Broadcom Corporation pci,pcie chips (Delll Poweredge, IBM eserver, hp servers)
chipNo./-labels ar BCM5721 or BCM5751 or NetXtreme
I have seen Dual boards advertised - they should work and give you 2 ports for SME

...my personal experience with those two are flawless.

Regards
Reinhold