Adapter Teaming options
                                                                  v1.00

Adapter Teaming Options for Intel EtherExpress(TM) PRO/100+ 
TX PCI Adapters
===========================================================

The PRO/100+ adapter provides several options for increasing 
throughput and fault tolerance when running Windows NT 4.0 or NetWare
4.1x and newer:

   Adapter Fault Tolerance (AFT) - provides automatic redundancy for 
   your adapter. If the primary adapter fails, the secondary takes over.

   Adaptive Load Balancing (ALB) - creates a team of 2 - 4 adapters to 
   increase transmission throughput. Also includes AFT. Works with any 
   100BASE-TX switch.

   Fast EtherChannel* (FEC) - creates a team of 2 or 4 adapters to 
   increase transmission and reception throughput. Also includes AFT. 
   Requires a Cisco switch with FEC capability.

To set up an option, go to the instructions in the Windows NT 4.0 or 
NetWare 4.1x readme files. 


General Configuration Notes
===========================

-  Windows NT versions prior to 4.0 don't support Adapter Teaming 
   options.
-  Adapter Teaming options require NT 4.0 with Service Pack 3.0 and
   Hotfix.


Adapter Fault Tolerance
=======================

Adapter Fault Tolerance (AFT) is a simple, effective, and
fail-safe approach to increase the reliability of server
connections. AFT gives you the ability to set up link
recovery to the server adapter in case of a cable, port, or
network interface card failure. By assigning two PRO/100+ 
adapters as a team, AFT enables you to maintain uninterrupted 
network performance.

AFT is implemented with two PRO/100+ adapters: a
primary adapter and a backup, or secondary, adapter. During
normal operation, the backup will have transmit disabled. If
the link to the primary adapter fails, the link to the
backup adapter automatically takes over.


Adaptive Load Balancing
=======================

Adaptive Load Balancing (ALB) is a simple and efficient way to 
increase your workstation or server's transmission throughput. 
With ALB, as you add adapters to your workstation or server, you 
can group them in teams to provide up to a 400 Mpbs transmit rate 
and a 100 Mpbs receive rate, with a maximum of four adapters. 
The ALB software continuously analyzes transmit loading on each 
adapter and balances the transmission across the adapters as 
needed. Adapter teams configured for ALB also provide the benefits 
of AFT. Receive rates remain at 100 Mbps.

To use ALB, you must have two, three, or four PRO/100+ adapters 
installed in your server or workstation and linked to the same 
network switch.


Cisco Fast EtherChannel
=======================

Fast EtherChannel (FEC) is a performance technology developed by Cisco to 
increase your server's throughput. Unlike ALB, FEC can be configured to 
increase both transmission and reception channels between your server 
and switch. FEC works only with FEC-enabled Cisco switches such as the 
Catalyst 5000 series. With FEC, as you add adapters to your server, you 
can group them in teams to provide up to 800 Mpbs at full duplex, with a 
maximum of four PRO/100+ adapters. The FEC software continuously 
analyzes loading on each adapter and balances network traffic across the 
adapters as needed. Adapter teams configured for FEC also provide the 
benefits of AFT.

To use FEC, you must have two or four PRO/100+ adapters installed 
in your server or workstation and linked to the same FEC-enabled Cisco 
switch.





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