Problem configuring NetRain bcm0 and ee0

[Jim Giles]

Is it possible to configure an ee0 and bcm0 into a NetRain? The ee0 does not seem to respond and the "Link" remains in an "Unknown"state.

ee0: COMPAQ Intel 82559ER (10/100 Mbps) Ethernet Interface
May 7 13:17:16 nodename vmunix: ee0: Driver Rev = V1.0.28, Chip Rev = 9, hardware address

name = ee0
category = network
sub_category = Ethernet
model = Intel 8255x
hardware_rev = 9
firmware_rev =
MAC_address = 00-02-A5-20-3B-71
MTU_size = 1500
media_speed = 100
media_selection = Automatic
media_type = Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)
loopback_mode = 0
promiscuous_mode = 0
full_duplex = 1
multicast_address_list = CF-00-00-00-00-00
interface_number = 1
link = Unknown
autoneg_enable = 0
registration_time = Mon May 7 13:16:47 2007

NRDEV_0="nr0"
export NRDEV_0
NRCONFIG_0="ee0,bcm0"
export NRCONFIG_0
NR_DEVICES="1"
export NR_DEVICES
NETDEV_0="nr0"
export NETDEV_0


Any information would be appreciated.

Jim

[Rob Leadbeater]

Hi Jim,

For NetRAIN all ethernet interfaces must be of the same speed. As ee0 is 100Mb/s and bcm0 is 1000Mb/s it won't work.

See the docs here:

http://h30097.www3.hp.com/docs/base_doc/DOCUMENTATION/V51_HTML/ARH9CBTE/NTCHPXXX.HTM#nr-int-sect

Hope this helps,

Regards,

Rob

[Rob Leadbeater]

You're looking for section 2.4.1.1 in the manual if that link doesn't work...

Cheers,

Rob

[Jim Giles]

Thanks for that, and I will check it out. If I set them both to 100 full will they work together?

name = bcm0
category = network
sub_category = Ethernet
model = DEGXA
hardware_rev = BCM5703_A2
firmware_rev =
MAC_address = 02-02-A5-20-3B-71
MTU_size = 1500
media_speed = 100
media_selection = Automatic
media_type = Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)
loopback_mode = 0
promiscuous_mode = 0
full_duplex = 1
multicast_address_list = CF-00-00-00-00-00 01-00-5E-00-00-01
interface_number = 3
link = Up
autoneg_enable = 0

[Rob Leadbeater]

Hi Jim,

I don't think that will work, although I've never tried...

Regards,

Rob

[Victor Semaska_3]

Jim,

According to the NetWortk Administration: Connections manual section 2.4.1:

You must use two or more of the same type of network interface (FDDI,
ATM LAN Emulation, or Ethernet) dedicated to a single LAN segment.
If you use Ethernet adaptors, they must all be of the same speed.

Vic

[Jim Giles]

OK, are there other options for failover of network connections that are comparable to or better than NetRain?

Thanks for your very valuable feedback!

[Victor Semaska_3 · Accepted solution]

Link Aggregation, or Trunking? Same manual, section 2.1.1.3

Vic

[Jim Giles]

Thanks.

[Vladimir Fabecic]

Just a few facts:
1. Link Aggregation and Trunking are protocols using multiple network ports in parallel to increase the link speed. You need network switch that supports that.
2. NETRAIN is network failover. You can use two different switches, no need for advanced switches.
3. link = Unknown ?
First check do your network adapters work OK.
Brake the Netrain set and test each NIC.
4. If you use Ethernet adaptors, they must all be of the same SPEED, but do not have to be same TYPE. So if you set speed of bcm0 to 100Mb/s, it may work. But from my experiance, it is better to use same type of NIC (two bcm cards or two ee cards).
5. Do the following test:
- unconfigure both network interfaces
- make /etc/inet.local to look like:
ifconfig nr0 add ee0,bcm0
ifconfig nr0 inet
Reboot after that.
Do not forget to set bcm0 speed to 100.