Specifications

Caution: If at all possible, avoid the user of a riser card.

Although PCI riser cards are commonly used, they will

generally violate PCI specifications for the length of signal

traces. A riser card may also introduce impedance

discontinuities and signal degradation between the mother

board, riser card, and network interface card. If you

observe PCI-communication errors when using a riser

card, see if the problem persists when you plug the

Myrinet/PCI-X NIC directly into the PCI slot. A higher

quality riser card -- one whose traces match the impedance

of signals on the mother board and NIC -- may also solve

the problem.

Also, it is important that a 64-bit riser card be used in a

64-bit PCI slot, and likewise a 32-bit riser card should be

used in a 32-bit PCI slot. Otherwise, the Myrinet/PCI-X

NIC will not be correctly detected and/or serious

performance irregularities will result.

Note: Inserting a PCI-X NIC into a 64-bit / 66MHz PCI slot

As previously mentioned, the Myrinet/PCI-X NICs support both PCI-X and PCI

protocols, and can be used in any 3.3V PCI slot. Thus, it is possible to insert a

Myrinet/PCI-X NIC into a PCI slot running at 64-bit/66MHz. However, if this is

done, the 64-bit NIC will run at reduced speed (66MHz).

Step 3: Secure the NIC in place with a locking screw (if applicable),

replace the exterior cover of the host, and attach the cable (Fiber)

between the NIC and the switch (as detailed on pages 3-4 of the

document “Guide to Myrinet-2000 Switches and Switch Networks,”

available at

http://www.myri.com/myrinet/m3switch/guide/index.html).

Please follow the instructions in the “Guide to Myrinet-2000 Switches and Switch

Networks” when connecting/disconnecting cables to/from cards and switches.

Step 4: Power on the host and check that the NIC is detected by the host

operating system.

Depending upon the operating system running on the host, this detection

mechanism varies, as detailed below. After the Myrinet PCI-X/Host NIC has

been correctly detected, refer to the Software Download section of the Software

and Customer Support webpage (

http://www.myri.com/scs/#downloads) for

details of the recommended software and installation instructions.

Troubleshooting information can be found in the Troubleshooting section of the

Myrinet FAQ (

http://www.myri.com/scs/FAQ) as well as the document "Myrinet

Installation and Troubleshooting Guide".