Platform

Dell PE 6400

Operating system

Windows 2000

Component

Onboard NIC

Symptoms

PE6400 Servers can exhibit inconsistent behavior when connected to long network cables and certain hubs/switches.

We tested cable lengths between 30m (only intermittent problems) and 50m (more consistently failing) connected to a Nortel Networks switch in the lab.

Using this configuration, we observed problems detecting the network when the NIC was set to Automatic, 100 Full, 100 Half, or 10 Full. A reliable connection occurred when we forced the Nic to 10 Half.

The problem occurred on all PE6400s in the lab, though some worse then others, depending on the switch/cable length combination.

Cause

Onboard NIC card not functioning correctly

Solution

Dell is aware of this issue. Call Dell support to log the call, referring to PSQN #4797.

You have 2 options:

1. Connect a short cable between the onboard NIC and the hub, and connect the other end of the hub to the switch.
2. Replace the onboard NIC. You can call Dell to ask for a replacement card.

Technical contact(s)

Derek Braendel

Submitted by

Richard_Simms

Date submitted

09 Oct 2001