User Guide
Table Of Contents
- Intel® Ethernet Adapters and Devices User Guide
- Overview
- Installing the Adapter
- Microsoft* Windows* Installation and Configuration
- Intel Network Drivers for DOS
- Data Center Bridging (DCB) for Intel® Network Connections
- Remote Boot
- Troubleshooting
- Known Issues
- Regulatory Compliance Statements
- FCC Class A Products
- FCC Class B Products
- Safety Compliance
- EMC Compliance – The following standards may apply:
- Regulatory Compliance Markings
- FCC Class A User Information
- FCC Class B User Information
- EU WEEE Logo
- Manufacturer Declaration European Community
- China RoHS Declaration
- Class 1 Laser Products
- End-of-Life / Product Recycling
- Customer Support
- Legal Disclaimers
Default Disabled
Range l Enabled
l Disabled
Direct Memory Access (DMA) Coalescing
DMA (Direct Memory Access) allows the network device to move packet data directly to the system's
memory, reducing CPU utilization. However, the frequency and random intervals at which packets arrive do
not allow the system to enter a lower power state. DMA Coalescing allows the NIC to collect packets before it
initiates a DMA event. This may increase network latency but also increases the chances that the system will
consume less energy. Adapters and network devices based on the Intel® Ethernet Controller I350 (and later
controllers) support DMA Coalescing.
Higher DMA Coalescing values result in more energy saved but may increase your system's network latency.
If you enable DMA Coalescing, you should also set the Interrupt Moderation Rate to 'Minimal'. This minimizes
the latency impact imposed by DMA Coalescing and results in better peak network throughput performance.
You must enable DMA Coalescing on all active ports in the system. You may not gain any energy savings if it
is enabled only on some of the ports in your system. There are also several BIOS, platform, and application
settings that will affect your potential energy savings. A white paper containing information on how to best
configure your platform is available on the Intel website.
Forward Error Correction (FEC)Mode
Allows you to set the Forward Error Correction (FEC) mode. FEC improves link stability, but increases
latency. Many high quality optics, direct attach cables, and backplane channels provide a stable link without
FEC.
NOTE: For devices to benefit from this feature, link partners must have FEC enabled.
Flow Control
Enables adapters to more effectively regulate traffic. Adapters generate flow control frames when their
receive queues reach a pre-defined limit. Generating flow control frames signals the transmitter to slow
transmission. Adapters respond to flow control frames by pausing packet transmission for the time specified
in the flow control frame.
By enabling adapters to adjust packet transmission, flow control helps prevent dropped packets.
NOTE:
l For adapters to benefit from this feature, link partners must support flow control
frames.
Default RX & TX Enabled
Range l Disabled
l RX Enabled
l TX Enabled