Installing new NIC driver on Novell Server

[jay matrona]

I have the ML330 g3 server. I have been having problems with the NIC and wanted to upgrade the driver. I downloaded the nlm file from HP and then moved to a volume on the server. Using the directions on HPs website, I tried but failed to run the self-extracting nlm successfully. Can anyone explain in clearer directions how to run and configure this driver? Thank You

[John Rowan_2]

I haven't kept up to date with Novell since version 4.11 but when I was current with this Operating System it did not use NLMs for network interface cards (and I'm glad you didn't say NIC card). Novell uses .LAN files for network cards. If you downloaded something from HP and it has an extension of .LAN then it's probably the file you need. First and always make a backup copy of your existing driver. Next either open a DOS window to copy the files to the server's SYS:SYSTEM directory or use Windows Explorer. You could also use RCONSOLE's file transfer facility. Realize that if you unload the current driver from rconsole or over the LAN you will immediately loose connectivity to the server. I like to use NCF (batch) files to unload / reload LAN drivers so even when I get dumped off the server as the driver is unloaded I immediately reconnect once the new one loads, assuming it does not fail for some reason (other dependencies). It's best to do this from the server's console itself. You could place the .LAN and any other files on a diskette, unload the current driver then load A:drivername.lan and bind your protocols.

I think I'm rambling so I'll stop here to see if this helps. Post again if you need more help.

[jay matrona]

Thank you for the info. here is the link to the driver page on HP.com
After you look at the file and the directions please let me know what you think I am missing in this equation. I thought I would just downlaod a simple .lan file but there isn't one listed. Thanks
http://h18004.www1.hp.com/support/files/server/us/download/21551.html

[Stuart_45]

What type of problems are you having with the NIC in your server? You may want to ensure that the speed and duplex setting on the server NIC match those of the switch it is connected to. Try setting them both to 100Mb/s half duplex.

The NLM you downloaded should install the upgraded NIC drivers automatically, if they are newer than the installed version.

Configuring the driver is still done through INETCFG.

You could also download the Software Update CD image from the link below and update from the CD by running CPQDPLOY.NLM
http://h18023.www1.hp.com/support/files/server/us/subscription/ssdownloads.asp

[jay matrona]

Stuart
Thank you for the feedback. I have made sure that the switch port and NIC were set the same. i have tried autodetect and setting both at 100 half duplex. I will see if I can figure out the driver situation. I went into NWCONFIG and no new NIC driver was listed after I did a run command on the HP .nlm file.

[Stuart_45]

What NIC does your server have?

To see the version of driver, at the server console type modules *.lan, this will list the loaded LAN modules and version and date. Is the version you downloaded from HP perhaps the same version as that which you are already using?

After running the NLM you downloaded from HP did you try a reboot of your your server to ensure the reloading of the network components?

Can you explain a bit what the problem is that you are experiencing with your server.

[jay matrona]

Stuart

I ran the module command and the only driver that appears is the Q57.lan which is a driver for the Broadcom 77xx NIC. It is older (May 2003)

When I copied the NLM from HP, I did the run command from the console and essentially the screen went black and that was it. In the directions it says to hit (F10) to continue install. F10 does nothing. I did reboot the server.

The problem is the server is dropping its connection to the network randomly. he server is not abending.....it is strictly an issue with the NIC. I have made several changes to buffering etc. but I really want to load this latest driver.

[Stuart_45]

Can you tell me the version of NetWare you are running and also type the modules *.lan and tell me the version of the lan driver?

Thanks

[jay matrona]

I am running NW 5.1 w/ the latest SP
here is the mdule listed:

Q57.lan

[Stuart_45]

Hi Jay:

When you ran the NLM you downloaded and got a black screen, did you check if perhaps there was another screen to switch to with -? What was the name of the file you downloaded from HP?

I believe you are better off using the software update utility I mentioned previously, available at this link:
http://h18023.www1.hp.com/support/files/server/us/subscription/ssdownloads.asp
I cannot remember the path, but once you have created the CD from the downloaded file, find and run CPQDPLOY.NLM at your server. This will find all the HP drivers on your system and list the current and installed versions. You can select those you wish to install or install them all. If the server doesn't need to use them it won't load them at boot time, but the drivers will be on your system if you ever need them. I am not 100% sure if it still supports NetWare 5.1 though, I am using only NetWare 6.0/6.5. I've never had any major problems using the software updater.

You may be experiencing the UDP checksum problem that existed after Novell fixed their IP stack from NetWare 5.1 SP5 onwards. The IP stack fix broke the B57/Q57.LAN drivers. If this is your problem there is a workaround for it. If you load the LAN driver from AUTOEXEC.NCF, edit the "LOAD Q57.LAN BOARD= SLOT=" line and add the following CHECKSUM=OFF. Name and number are the appropriate values in the LOAD line.

If your LAN drivers are loading using the initsys.ncf command (if you used INETCFG to transfer LAN info and configure LAN), you will have to edit the NETINFO.CFG file to add the CHECKSUM=OFF to the line that loads the Q57.LAN driver. Make a copy of NETINFO.CFG and NETINFO.CHK first, just in case you need to copy the originals back. If you edit NETINFO.CFG you will have to modify the content of the NETINFO.CHK file to be a value of 0. If you don't do this the system will report NETINFO.CFG as being corrupt.

Hope this helps you.

[jay matrona]

Thanks for all you help on this. I went in and modified both files. I imagine that i will have to reboot for the changes to take effect. I started to download the firmware file from that link you sent but it was taking an eternity to download.