Reference Guide

General System Configuration 31
Gb Pass-through Module
Gb Pass-through Module Link Negotiations
A Gb pass-through module external port negotiates a link with an external device whether a server
module is installed or not. This is because the Gb pass-though module uses the SerDes interface
for internal connectivity to the server modules.
NOTE: The Gb Ethernet module must be connected to a 1000 Mb port on the external switch (10 Mb
and 100 Mb ports are not supported).
The following cases describe normal behavior of the Gb pass-though module when a cable is
connected from an external port on the module to an external switch.
• A link is displayed at both the external switch and at the Gb pass-through module if a server
module is installed or a Gb Ethernet daughter card is installed in the server module.
• A link is displayed only at the external switch if a server module is not installed or a Gb
Ethernet daughter card is not installed in the server module. A link is not displayed at the Gb
pass-through module.
Enabling PXE on a Gb Ethernet Daughter Card
To enable PXE on a server module’s Gb-Ethernet daughter card, locate the Intel IBAUtil utility
(version 3.04.04.00 or later). This utility is available as part of the Intel PRO Gigabit Adapters file
available in the downloads at
support.dell.com . Follow the directions provided in the IBAUtil
utility package to enable PXE.
NOTE: If PXE is enabled, the default connection is port LOM 1.
Enabling PXE on the Broadcom TOE NIC Daughter Card
To enable PXE or change other configuration settings for the optional Broadcom TOE NIC
daughter card, press the <Ctrl+S> key sequence during system boot to access the NIC
configuration utility. For more information, see the Broadcom controller documentation on
the documentation CD supplied with your system, or on the network controllers page on
support.dell.com.
NOTE: If PXE is enabled, the default connection is port LOM 1.