Re: slow ethernet

[Steve <steve@szmidt.org>]

On Sunday 15 February 2004 11:34 am, Dom De Vitto wrote:
> Generically, whatever the OS, and whatever the devices:
>
> Autonegotiation does _not_ work reliably.
>
> It may do at first, but not the next, or fifth, or thirtieth reboot.
> It may even just change after a little while, and then change back
> a while later - even if the cables were plugged in the whole time.
>
> Just set the port speed/duplex (duplex is what fails) at both ends
> and you'll know that it'll either work always, or not work at all.
>
> (and I'm talking about 'quality' switches and NICs - let alone $8
> ones!)
>
> Dom

Interesting. I have seen this problem but figured it was a windows 
problem. My switches are all 3Com and I try to have all 3Com NICs. But 
there are a few Intel and some builtin in some Dell's.

You can configure the NIC under w2k and tell it to go Half, Full or 
Auto. I would have thought that Full would be full but if I do the 
switch will tell me it has a half duplex connection if I do. It only 
runs at full if left at auto.

A few times I have gone in and adjusted the value because I found one 
running at half. Off hand I cannot tell what kind of NIC was in those 
that changed. But I'll see if I can find a pattern.
-- 

"They that would give up essential liberty for temporary safety deserve
neither liberty nor safety."
                                Benjamin Franklin