ML - 350 G4 and 3COM Gigabit NIC

[Graeme Carstairs_2]

I recently tried to install a 3 Com 3C996B-T PCIX-133 NIc into a Proliant ML 350 G4, in Slot 5 (Which is PCIX 133).
The system halted on boot with " Unsupported PCI Card in Slot 5 System Halted"

The HP equivelant Card works no problem.

My concern is that as both cards are broadcom chipped, are HP locking their systems so only HP cards work?

By my understanding of the PCIx Specification the 3Com card should work.

Can anyone shed any light on this.

Thanks

Graeme

[Ruslan]

Hi Graeme!

ML3xx not compability with third-party vendors such as ML1xx line. You cannot add non-HP parts. Try to use HP part, such as NC7771 NIC.
Although the 3C996B-T NIC is capable of running at 133 MHz, on the ProLiant ML370 G4, it runs at 100 MHz, which is the speed of the PCI-X bus.

[Graeme Carstairs_2]

Is there someone from HP that can confirm this.

Surely if the Server has a PCI-X bus then it ahs to be PCI-X standards compliant and then any PCI-X card should fit and work.

I know it is easier to stick to HP parts but surely we should be able to buy and PCI-X card and run it in a PCI-X slot.

Graeme

[Terry Hutchings]

Non HP supported items (3rd party) will usually work, but this isn't really the cause of the problem here.

This is likely related to the same issue which is a problem with NC6770 and NC7770 nics working in most G4 servers:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?objectID=PSD_CN0437W

[David Claypool]

ProLiant systems are usually the standard by which 3rd party vendors validate their products. HP does not intentionally design our systems to only work with HP options.

[Graeme Carstairs_2]

Ok so the issue is that the 3Com card is probably the same chipset as the HP NC6770 and NC7770.

Not an issue then, we know now not to use this particular 3Com card with a G4 Server.

Thanks

Graeme

[Oleg Koroz]

Officially from 3Com Knowledgebase

Solution ID: 3KB15055


3C996B - Error message "Unsupported PCI Card detected" when used with HP Proliant Servers

Problem: Error message "Unsupported PCI Card detected" when used with HP Proliant Servers

Problem: Error message "System Halted"

Fact: 3C996B-T

Fact: 3C996

Fact: 3C996-SX

Fact: 3C996B Gbe PCI-X Server NIC

Fact: HP Proliant Server

Fact: Compaq Proliant G4

Fix: There is currently no support for the 3C996B in Compaq and HP Proliant Servers. Upon using this card with the HP Server the error messages stated above are generated.