Alacritech 100x4 User manual

100x4 Quad-Port Server Adapter
100x2 Dual-Port Server Adapter
User’s Guide

ii Alacritech 100 Series User’s Guide - Rev 4
Preface
Disclaimer
The information in this document is subject to change without
notice. Alacritech reserves the right to change any portion of these
products for reasons such as improving performance or enhancing
functionality. Alacritech assumes no liability arising out of the
application or use of these products for anything other than its
intended purpose.
Copyright
This document is copyrighted material. No part of this document
may be copied by any means without the written permission of
Alacritech, Inc.
Alacritech 100x4 Quad-Port Server Adapter & Alacritech 100x2
Dual-Port Server Adapter User’s Guide, Second Edition (March
2000).
This document describes the 100 Series of adapters from Alacritech,
Inc. This document is the official reference source for all
revisions/releases of these products until rescinded by an update.
Copyright © 2000 Alacritech, Inc. All rights reserved. Alacritech,
the Alacritech logo, SLIC Technology and the SLIC Technology
logo are trademarks of Alacritech, Inc. in the United States and
Europe. All other marks belong to their respective owners.

Alacritech 100 Series User’s Guide - Rev 4 iii
Organization of This Guide
This guide is the primary reference and operation guide for the
Alacritech 100 Series of server adapters and contains the following
sections:
Chapter 1 - Introduction, provides a general introduction to the
100 Series of server adapters and the SLIC technology on which
they are based.
Chapter 2 - Hardware Installation, includes the specifications for
the hardware and the procedure required to install the hardware
component.
Chapter 3 - Software Installation, includes the procedures
required to install the software component and configure the
operating system for correct operation.
Chapter 4 – Operations and Management, provides the
procedures for monitoring and maintaining the 100 Series server
adapters and procedures for special circumstances.
Chapter 5 – Troubleshooting and Support, provides a list of
possible problems and their solutions.
Appendix A - Network Software License Agreement, provides
the text of the License Agreement to use the software component.
Appendix B - Warranties, provides the text of the Limited Media
Warranty for the software media, and the Limited Lifetime
Hardware Warranty for the hardware component. This section also
includes instructions for returning a defective product, the text of
the Limitation of Liability and Remedies statement, and the FCC
Compliance and Conformity statements.

iv Alacritech 100 Series User’s Guide - Rev 4
Table of Contents
1 Introduction 1-1
1.1 About this Guide 1-1
1.2 Description 1-1
1.3 Specifications 1-2
1.4 100 Series Adapter Card Interface Diagram 1-3
2 Hardware Installation 2-1
2.1 Hardware Installation Overview 2-1
2.2 Hardware Installation 2-1
3 Software Installation 3-1
3.1 Software Installation Overview 3-1
3.2 Software Installation 3-1
3.3 Uninstalling the 100 Series Adapter 3-7
4 Operations and Management 4-1
4.1 Overview of Performance Monitoring 4-1
4.2 Running Adapter Diagnostics 4-8
4.3 Disabling IPX/SPX and NetBEUI 4-9
4.4 Disabling SLIC TCP/IP Offload on Select Interfaces 4-13
5 Troubleshooting and Support 5-1
5.1 Alacritech Automated Customer Support 5-1
5.2 Readme Files on Your Product CD-ROM 5-1
5.3 Troubleshooting Overview 5-1
5.4 Installation Problems 5-2
5.5 Event Log Errors 5-3
5.6 Connectivity Problems 5-4
5.7 Performance Problems 5-6
5.8 Miscellaneous Problems 5-8
Appendix A Network Software License Agreement A-1
Appendix B Warranties B-1

Alacritech 100 Series User’s Guide - Rev 4 1-1
1 Introduction
1.1 About this Guide
This guide describes how to install and operate the Alacritech 100
Series of server adapters on a Windows NT 4.0 machine running
Service Pack 4 and above.
1.1.1 Naming conventions
Because this guide applies to both the 100x4 Quad-port and 100x2
Dual-port server adapters, the general term 100 Series applies to
both versions of the adapter, except where indicated.
1.2 Description
The 100 Series of Server Adapters are multi-port 64-bit Fast
Ethernet server adapters that employ Alacritech’s patented SLIC
(Session-Layer Interface Card) technology, which uses an
innovative application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) for
protocol processing. Both the 100x4 Quad-Port and 100x2 Dual-
Port Server Adapters are designed for the Windows NT 4.0
environment.
SLIC technology increases server performance and efficiency.
■Protocol processing is offloaded onto the NIC, freeing
the CPU for application processing and maximizing
throughput.
■A unique ASIC utilizes an Internet Protocol Processor
(IPP), optimized for protocol processing, which delivers
faster performance than general purpose CPUs.
SLIC eliminates the burden of protocol processing on the host CPU.
By offloading protocol data processing, SLIC technology frees the

1-2 Alacritech 100 Series User’s Guide - Rev 4
CPU for application processing, boosting both network and server
performance.
1.3 Specifications
Port Speeds IEEE Auto Negotiation: 10/100 or 20/200 with
full duplex
Ethernet: 10 Mbps or 20Mbps with full duplex
Configuration Plug-and-Play
Connectors RJ-45
Media 10BaseT: Category 3, 4, or 5 UTP; 100BaseTX:
Category 5 UTP
Bus Type 64-bit bus master PCI v2.2, Universal Card
Compatible with 32-bit PCI 2.2
Reliability Calculated MTBF 250,000 hours
Power 1.6A @ 5V typical (100x4)
1.3A @ 5V typical (100x2)
Safety UL/c (UL), IEC950, UL1950, CSA C22.2, IEC
60950
Environmental
Factors
Temperature: 0 to 55º C
Relative humidity: 5% to 85% non-condensing
Altitude: 3000 m maximum
Standards
Compliance
IEEE 802.3 10BaseT
IEEE 802.3u 100BaseTX
Fully compliant auto-negotiation
FCC class B
EN55022 Class B, CE, VCCI B
Diagnostic LEDs Link speed/integrity and network activity for each
individual channel
Operating Systems
Supported
Windows NT 4.0, Service Pack 4 and above

Alacritech 100 Series User’s Guide - Rev 4 1-3
1.4 100 Series Adapter Card Interface Diagram
Below is a diagram of the LED locations and ports of the 100x4
Quad-port Server Adapter. The 100x2 Dual-port Server Adapter is
similar, but does not have the bottom two ports or corresponding set
of LEDs.
Figure 1: 100x4 Quad-port Server Adapter Interface

1-4 Alacritech 100 Series User’s Guide - Rev 4

Alacritech 100 Series User’s Guide - Rev 4 2-1
2 Hardware Installation
2.1 Hardware Installation Overview
The 100 Series was designed for Windows NT 4.0 servers on an
Ethernet or Fast Ethernet network using TCP/IP.
The Server computer should have the following features:
■Windows NT Server 4.0 with Service Pack 4 and above
■One available bus-mastering PCI slot
■CD-ROM or CD compatible drive for software
installation
The network should have the following features:
■10Base-T Ethernet (10MB) using Category 3, 4, or 5
UTP or 100Base-TX Fast Ethernet (100MB) using
Category 5 UTP with RJ-45 connectors
■TCP/IP
2.2 Hardware Installation
1. Turn off and unplug the computer. Failure to do so
could endanger you, and may damage the adapter or
computer.
2. Remove the computer cover, and install the 100 Series
adapter in any available bus-mastering PCI slot. Use a
64-bit PCI slot, if available, to maximize system
performance. The 100 Series is fully compatible with
32-bit PCI slots, and 3.3 volt or 5.0 volt PCI slots.

2-2 Alacritech 100 Series User’s Guide - Rev 4
Some PCI slots have fasteners, which must be secured
in order for the adapter card to function correctly.
3. Replace the computer cover, turn on and boot the
computer.
Note: To remove the 100 Series adapter, follow the
instructions in Chapter 3 - “Uninstalling the 100
Series Adapter.”

Alacritech 100 Series User’s Guide - Rev 4 3-1
3 Software Installation
3.1 Software Installation Overview
This chapter covers the installation of the software required for a
100 Series card. There are different procedures for different types of
installations, so take care to follow the correct procedure. This
chapter covers the following types of situations:
■Installation into an existing NT system with networking
services already established
■Installation into an existing NT system that has not
previously had networking services established
■Installation during the installation of the NT operating
system
■Updating the drivers for an existing 100 Series
installation
3.2 Software Installation
This section covers the procedures for installing the software
required for the 100 Series of adapters. Follow the appropriate
procedure for your type of installation.
Note: For the installation of more than one 100 Series
adapter card on a system, simply repeat the
procedure for each card installed.

3-2 Alacritech 100 Series User’s Guide - Rev 4
Note: After networking is installed on a system, the NT
service pack must be applied (or reapplied). Refer
to the documentation of the service pack for
details.
3.2.1 Installation of the 100 Series adapter into an existing
NT system with networking services already
established
If the NT server computer has already been set up for
networking services, follow this procedure.
1. Insert the 100 Series Software CD into the appropriate
drive.
2. Open the Control Panel and double-click the Network
icon.
3. In the Network dialog box, select the Adapters tab and
click the Add button.
4. In the Select Network Adapter dialog box, click the
Have Disk button.
5. In the Insert Disk dialog box, enter D:\ (or the
appropriate drive) and click the OK button.
6. In the Select OEM Option dialog box, select
Alacritech SLIC 100 Adapter and click the OK
button.
7. Verify that the appropriate number of adapters (four
adapters for the 100x4, two for the 100x2) are added to
the Network Adapters list. Adapter [1] (or the lowest
numbered adapter if there are multiple adapters in the
system) corresponds to RJ-45 connector A on the 100
Series Adapter (the ‘top’ port, furthest from the PCI
connector), and so on.

Alacritech 100 Series User’s Guide - Rev 4 3-3
8. In the Network dialog box, select the Protocols tab and
verify that Alacritech SLIC TCP/IP Offload is added.
This protocol driver is required for accelerated (a.k.a.
Fastpath) operation. Note that the standard Microsoft
TCP/IP Protocol is also required.
9. Click the Close button.
10. After the bindings are re-built, the Microsoft TCP/IP
Properties dialog box appears. Select the [1] adapter
from the Adapters pull-down menu and enter the IP
Address, Subnet Mask and (if desired) Default Gateway
for this port; repeat for the [2], [3] and [4] adapters,
depending on the adapter model you have installed.
Click the OK button to complete the process.
11. Restart Windows NT when prompted.
3.2.2 Installation of the 100 Series Adapter Into an Existing
NT System That Has Not Previously Had Networking
Services Established
If you attempt to add a 100 Series adapter on a system
which does not currently have networking installed, the
system will ask you if you wish to install networking.
Installing the 100 Series drivers while performing an NT
networking installation will require that you swap the
Alacritech 100 Series Driver Installation CD with the NT
installation CD several times. If the CD's are not swapped
properly, the NT network components will not be installed
correctly. Follow these steps carefully to install networking
and the 100 Series adapter on the system.
1. In the Network Setup wizard, specify that the system
will be "Wired to the network"
2. When prompted to search for a network adapter, click
the Select from list button.
3. On the subsequent screen, click on Have Disk.

3-4 Alacritech 100 Series User’s Guide - Rev 4
4. Insert the 100 Series Driver Installation CD into your
CD-ROM drive.
5. In the Insert Disk dialog box, enter D:\ (or the
appropriate drive) and click the OK button.
6. In the Select OEM Option dialog box, select
Alacritech 100 Series Adapter and click the OK button.
7. In the NT Setup window, click on Next.
8. In the Network Protocols window, select the
appropriate protocols. Note that in order to realize the
benefit of the SLIC TCPIP Offload, TCP/IP must be
installed on the system.
9. In the Network Services window, select the appropriate
services for your system.
10. When Windows NT Setup specifies that it "needs to
copy some Windows NT files", replace the 100 Series
Driver Installation CD with the NT installation CD,
specify the drive letter corresponding to your CD-ROM
and click on Continue.
11. A Setup Message will appear next asking you to "insert
the disk labeled: 100 Series Driver Installation CD." Do
so and click on OK.
12. IMPORTANT! - When the TCP/IP Setup window
appears, asking if you wish to use DHCP, replace the
100 Series Driver Installation CD with the NT
installation CD. Then respond by selecting Yes or No,
depending on your network’s requirements.
13. After all of the networking files are copied, you will
once again be prompted to "insert the disk labeled: 100
Series Driver installation CD." Do so and click on OK.
14. Continue with the installation as instructed.

Alacritech 100 Series User’s Guide - Rev 4 3-5
3.2.3 Installation of the 100 Series Adapter During the
Installation of the NT Operating System
Installing the 100 Series drivers while performing an NT
operating system installation will require that you swap the
Alacritech 100 Series Driver Installation CD with the NT
installation CD several times. If the CD's are not swapped
properly, the NT network components will not be installed
correctly. Take care to follow these instructions carefully.
1. During Windows NT Setup, specify that the computer
will participate on a network and that it will be "Wired
to the network".
2. When prompted to search for a network adapter, click
the Select from list button.
3. On the subsequent screen, click on Have Disk.
4. In the Insert Disk dialog box, enter D:\ (or the
appropriate drive), remove the NT installation CD from
your computer and replace it with the 100 Series Driver
Installation CD and click the OK button.
5. The "Alacritech 100 Series Adapter" option will appear.
Click on OK.
6. In the NT Setup window, Click on Next.
7. In the Network Protocols window, select the
appropriate protocols. Note that in order to realize the
benefit of the SLIC TCPIP Offload, TCP/IP must be
installed on the system.
8. In the Network Services window, select the appropriate
services for your system.
9. IMPORTANT! - When the TCP/IP Setup window
appears, asking if you wish to use DHCP, replace the
100 Series Driver Installation CD with the NT
installation CD. Then respond by selecting Yes or No,
depending on your network’s requirements.

3-6 Alacritech 100 Series User’s Guide - Rev 4
10. After networking files are copied off of the NT
installation CD, the system will prompt you to "insert
the disk labeled: 100 Series Driver Installation CD." Do
so at that point.
11. Continue with the remainder of the installation, and
after the networking portion of the installation is
complete, replace the 100 Series Driver Installation CD
with the NT Installation CD.
3.2.4 Updating the 100 Series Drivers
The 100 Series driver set can be updated using the
following procedure:
1. Open the Control Panel.
2. In the Network dialog box, select the Adapters tab.
3. Select one of the 100 Series adapters.
4. Select Update.
5. Insert the Alacritech 100 Series Driver Installation CD
into your CD-ROM drive and Specify the drive letter
corresponding to your CD-ROM drive in the Setup
window.
6. Close the Network Control Panel applet and restart your
computer.

Alacritech 100 Series User’s Guide - Rev 4 3-7
3.3 Uninstalling the 100 Series Adapter
To remove the 100 Series adapter from the system, follow
this procedure. Take care to remove all software drivers for
the card before unplugging the adapter.
1. Open the Control Panel and double-click the Network
icon.
2. In the Network dialog box, select the Adapters tab.
3. Select one of the Alacritech 100 Series Adapter entries
associated with the adapter you wish to remove and
click the Remove button. In the Warning dialog box,
click the Yes button to confirm. Repeat for all
remaining 100 Series entries for that adapter.
4. Shut down the computer, then unplug the power cable.
Failure to do so may endanger you, and may damage
the adapter or computer.
5. Remove the computer cover, and remove the 100 Series
adapter.

3-8 Alacritech 100 Series User’s Guide - Rev 4

Alacritech 100 Series User’s Guide - Rev 4 4-1
4 Operations and Management
4.1 Overview of Performance Monitoring
Performance of the 100 Series adapter can be monitored by running
the Performance Monitor in the Administrative Tools folder and
selecting the SLIC object. Among the counters maintained under the
SLIC object is the "Fastpath Data Rate." This counter measures the
percentage of TCP/IP traffic that is being processed by the 100
Series adapter as opposed to the traffic that is processed by the host
protocol stack. A fast-path data rate of 90% or higher indicates the
100 Series adapter is working properly.
4.1.1 Using the Performance Monitor Application
To check the performance of your system, run the Performance
Monitor, specifying the variables you wish to monitor. Follow this
procedure to check the performance of the 100 Series adapter.
Note: This application is included with Windows NT 4.0.

4-2 Alacritech 100 Series User’s Guide - Rev 4
1. Run the performance Monitor application from the Start
Menu, located under Programs in the Administrative Tools
folder.
2. Under the Edit menu, select Add To Chart.
3. In the Object field, select Processor and in the Counter
field, select % Processor Time and click the Add button.
Next, in the Object field, select Server and in the Counter
field, select Bytes Total/sec and click the Add button.