by default.
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Adapters with Intel Boot Agent enabled will require a portion of the limited start up memory for each
adapter enabled. Disable the service on adapters that do not need to boot Pre-Boot Execution Envir-
onment (PXE).
PCI / PCI-X / PCI Express Configuration
If the adapter is not recognized by your OS or if it does not work you may need to change some BIOS settings.
Try the following only if you are having problems with the adapter and are familiar with BIOS settings.
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Check to see that the "Plug-and-Play" setting is compatible with the operating system you are using.
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Make sure the slot is enabled.
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Install the adapter in a bus-master slot.
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Configure interrupts for level-triggering, as opposed to edge-triggering.
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Reserve interrupts and/or memory addresses. This prevents multiple buses or bus slots from using the
same interrupts. Check the BIOS for IRQ options for PCI / PCI-X / PCIe.
Here are some examples of BIOS parameters:
PCI / PCI-X / PCIe slot #
: Slot where the adapter is installed
Master
: ENABLED
Slave
: ENABLED
Latency timer
: 40 - 80
Interrupt
: Choose any one of several that the BIOS provides.
Edge-level
: Level
The exact wording of the parameters varies with different computers.
Other Performance Issues
Attaining the best speed requires that many components are operating at peak efficiency. Among them are the
following:
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Cable quality and length
- Do not exceed the maximum recommended length for your cable type.
Shorter lengths often provide better results. Check for loose or damaged connectors. Check the cable
for kinked or damaged sections.
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Bus speed and traffic -
The PCI bus speed accommodates the slowest PCI card installed. Check to
see if you have a card that is slowing down your system.
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Processor and Memory
- Check your performance monitoring programs to see if traffic is being
affected by your processor speed, available memory or other processes.
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Transmission frame size
- Your network performance may be enhanced by adjusting or maximizing
the transmission frame size. Operating systems, switches and adapters will impose varying limits on
maximum frame size. See the discussion on Jumbo Frames for your OS.
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Operating System
- Networking feature implementation will vary by operating system version, such
as offloading and multiprocessor threading.
Microsoft* Windows*-Specific Issues
Use the information in this table after you have reviewed
.
