User's Guide Gigabit Ethernet Host Adapters ITIpci 5100G/GF

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Optional Configuration
Your IntraServer Technology ITI-5100G/GF adapter can be configured to
support the following options:
•= VLANs: Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) are
commonly used to split up groups of network users into
manageable broadcast domains, to create logical
segmentation of workgroups, and to enforce security policies
among each logical segment. Up to 64 VLANs can be
defined for each ITI-5100G/GF adapter on your server
•= Jumbo Frames: Standard Ethernet frames are 1,500 bytes
long. When sending Ethernet traffic at Gigabit speeds, a
considerable portion of the bandwidth is consumed by the
overhead of handling a multitude of small packets. ITI-
5100G/GF adapters support Ethernet frames of 9,000 bytes.
Host CPU utilization is significantly reduced and network
throughput is enhanced when enabling Jumbo Frames
between servers that have ITI-5100G/GF adapters and
switches that support Jumbo Frames.
•= Dual Homing: Two ITI-5100G/GF adapters on a server can
be paired for redundant operation through the use of the
Dual Homing feature. If traffic on a primary connection is
lost due to the failure of the adapter, cable, switch port, or
switch (when the dual adapters are attached to separate
switches), the secondary adapter becomes active and
assumes the MAC and IP address of the primary adapter.
Network sessions should be maintained after the switchover,
causing minimum impact to network traffic.
This chapter describes these options in detail, with configuration instructions
and examples. If your network does not require VLANs, Jumbo Frames, or
Dual Homing, you need only configure the adapter to support the default
configuration, as described in “The ITI-5100G/GF Driver Software”.