IBM Support

Troubleshooting 100/10 PCI Ethernet controller issues

Troubleshooting


Problem

Diagnosing Ethernet controller issues

Resolving The Problem

The following troubleshooting information is for problems that might occur when the Ethernet controller is installed in the server.

Network connection problems

If the adapter cannot connect to the network, check the following:

  1. Make sure the cable is installed correctly.

  2. The network cable must be securely attached at all connections. If the cable is attached but the problem persists, try a different cable.

  3. If you set the Ethernet adapter to operate at 100 Mbps, you must use Category 5 cabling.

  4. If you directly connect two workstations (without a hub), use a crossover cable.

    Note: To determine wether a hub has an X port, check the port label. If the label contains an X , the hub has an X port.

  5. Check the LEDs on the rear of the Ethernet adapter (or operator information panel - Netfinity Servers).

  6. Check the LEDs. The Ethernet adapter has three diagnostic LEDs beside the cable connecter. These lights help indicate whether a problem exists with the connecter, cable, or hub.
    1. The LNK (Ethernet Link status) LED illuminates when the adapter receives a LNK pulse from the hub. If the LED is OFF, there might be a bad connector or cable, or a problem with the hub. The LNK LED is also OFF when you run the diagnostic tests in the Setup program.
    2. The ACT (Ethernet Transmit/Receive Activity) LED illuminates when the adapter detects read or write activity on the network, even when there is no activity on the adapter. If the ACT LED is not on, make sure that the hub and network are operating and that the correct drivers are loaded.
    3. The 100 (Ethernet Speed) LED illuminates when a 100 Mbps connection is established.

  7. Make sure that you are using the correct device drivers (supplied with the server).

  8. Check for operating system-specific causes for the problem.

  9. Make sure that the device drivers on the client and server are using the same protocol.

  10. Test the adapter.

  11. Select Test adapter from the Main Menu on the Ethernet adapter Configuration and Drivers diskette. How you test the adapter depends on which operating system is being used.
Ethernet controller troubleshooting chart

You can use the following troubleshooting chart to find solutions to 10/100 Mbps Ethernet controller problems that have definite symptoms.

Controller problem Action
The server stops running when loading device drivers.

 The PCI BIOS interrupt settings are incorrect. Check the following: 

  • Determine if the interrupt (IRQ) setting assigned to the Ethernet controller is also assigned to another device in the Configuration/Setup Utility program. Although interrupt sharing is allowed for PCI devices, some devices do not function well when they share an interrupt with a dissimilar PCI device. Try changing the IRQ assigned to the Ethernet controller or the other device. For example, for NetWare Versions 3 and 4 it is recommended that disk controllers not share interrupts with LAN controllers. 
  • Click here to download the latest device driver.
  • Run the network diagnostic program.
  • If the problem still exists, have the system serviced.
Ethernet Link Status light does not light.

Check the following:

  • Make sure that the hub is turned on.
  • Check all connections at the Ethernet controller and the hub.
  • Check the cable. A crossover cable is required unless the hub has an X designation.
  • Use another port on the hub.
  • If the hub does not support auto-negotiation, manually configure the Ethernet controller to match the hub.
  • If you manually configured the duplex mode, make sure that you also manually configure the speed. 
  • Run diagnostics for the LEDs.If the problem still exists, have the system serviced.
The Ethernet Transmit/Receive Activity light does not light.

Check the following: 

Note: The Ethernet Transmit/Receive Activity LED illuminates only when data is sent to or by this Ethernet controller. 

  • Make sure that you have loaded the network device drivers.
  • The network might be idle. Try sending data from this workstation.
  • Run diagnostics on the LEDs.
  • The function of this LED can be changed by device driver load parameters. If necessary, remove any LED parameter settings when you load the device drivers.
Data is incorrect or sporadic.

Check the following: 

  • Make sure that you are using Category 5 cabling when operating the server at 100Mbps.
  • Make sure that the cables do not run close to noise-inducing sources like fluorescent lights.
The Ethernet controller stopped working when another adapter was added to the server.

 Check the following:

  • Make sure that the cable is connected to the Ethernet controller.
  • Make sure that the PCI system BIOS is current.
  • Reseat the adapter.
  • Determine if the interrupt (IRQ) setting assigned to the Ethernet adapter is also assigned to another device in the Configuration/Setup Utility program. Although interrupt sharing is allowed for PCI devices, some devices do not function well when they share an interrupt with a dissimilar PCI device. Try changing the IRQ assigned to the Ethernet adapter or the other device. If the problem still exists, have the system serviced.
The Ethernet controller stopped working without apparent cause.

Check the following: 

  • Run diagnostics for the Ethernet controller.
  • Try a different connector on the hub. 
  • Reinstall the device drivers. 
  • Refer to the operating system documentation. If the problem still exists, have the system serviced.

 

Document Location

Worldwide

Operating System

System x:Operating system independent / None

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Document Information

Modified date:
28 January 2019

UID

ibm1MIGR-45233

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