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Using Broadcom Advanced Control Suite 3: Broadcom NetLink®/NetXtreme® 57XX User Guide

Broadcom Advanced Control Suite 3 Overview

Starting Broadcom Advanced Control Suite 3

Using Broadcom Advanced Control Suite 3

Broadcom Advanced Control Suite 3 Overview

Broadcom Advanced Control Suite 3 (BACS 3) is an integrated utility that provides useful information about each network adapter that is installed in your system. BACS 3 also enables you to perform detailed tests, diagnostics, and analyses on each adapter, as well as to view and modify property values and view traffic statistics for each adapter.

Starting Broadcom Advanced Control Suite 3

In Control Panel, click Broadcom Control Suite 3.

Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 includes the runtime and associated files needed to run BACS 3, and must be installed on your system in order for BACS 3 to operate. For information on the minimum and recommended .NET Framework versions for your operating system, see Table 1.

NOTES:

Using Broadcom Advanced Control Suite 3

Start BACS 3. Click the tab that provides the information of interest or from which to perform a desired test, diagnostic, analysis, or set adapter properties.

Using the Interface

BACS 3 features a context-sensitive interface. When an item is selected in the Explorer View, such as an adapter, driver, team, or VLAN, the interface changes to display the information and options available for the selected item. Certain tabs, menu options, and device information are only available based on the types of devices installed or the item selected in the interface.

Device Management

The Device Management pane lists the devices that can be viewed, analyzed, tested, or adjusted by BACS 3. When an item is selected in the Device Management pane, the tabs showing the information and options that are available for the item appear. Because the BACS 3 interface is context-sensitive, only the information that applies to the selected item can be viewed or adjusted.

Items in Device Management can be listed by type or by connection.

To list items in Device Management by type

A single hardware device may be using several different drivers, so Device Management breaks each item out into separate categories.

To list items in Device Management by connection

The Connection View lists the server and client devices in a parent/child hierarchy, which makes it easier to see the relationships between the adapters. Just as in the Device Management pane, selecting items in the Connection View shows the options available for that item.

Device Icons

The icon next to each device in the Device Management pane shows its status. An icon next to a device name that appears normal means the device is connected and working.

Configuring BACS User Interface Options

Enabling/Disabling the BACS Tray Icon

BACS 3 places an icon in the Windows taskbar when the program is installed. Use the Options window to turn this icon on or off.

To enable or disable the BACS tray icon

  1. From the Tools menu, select Options.
  2. In the Options window, select General.
  3. Select or clear Enable Tray Icon (the option is enabled by default).
  4. Click OK.

Configuring BACS User Interface Appearance

Changing the Look and Feel

The appearance of the BACS 3 interface can be customized.

To change the interface appearance

  1. From the Tools menu, select Options.
  2. In the Options window, select Appearance.
  3. Choose the appearance settings. Click Apply to set changes. Click OK to set changes and close the Options window.

To reset the interface to the default appearance

  1. From the Tools menu, select Options.
  2. In the Options window, select General.
  3. Click Restore Default.
  4. Close and then restart BACS 3.

Viewing Vital Signs

The Vital Signs section of the Information tab has useful information about the network adapters that are installed in your system, such as the link status of the adapter and general network connectivity.

To view Vital Signs information for any installed network adapter, click the name of the adapter listed in the Device Management pane, then click the Information tab.

MAC Address
A physical MAC (media access control) address that is assigned to the adapter by the manufacturer. The physical address is never all 0s.
Permanent MAC Address

The unique hardware address assigned to the network adapter.

IP Address

The network address associated with the adapter. If the IP address is all 0s, the associated driver has not been bound with Internet Protocol (IP).

Link Status

The status of the network link.

Duplex

The adapter is operating in the indicated duplex mode.

Speed (in Mbps)

The link speed of the adapter, in megabits per second.

Offload Capabilities

The offload capabilities supported by the adapter.

This information is only available for Broadcom NetXtreme adapters.

Viewing Driver Information

The Driver Information section of the Information tab displays data about the driver for the selected network adapter.

To view Driver Information for any installed network adapter, click the name of the adapter listed in the Device Management pane, then click the Information tab.

Driver Status

The status of the adapter driver.

Driver Name

The file name of the adapter driver.

Driver Version

The current version of the adapter driver.

Driver Date

The creation date of the adapter driver.

Viewing Resource Information

The Resources section of the Information tab displays information about connections and other essential functions for the selected network adapter.

To view Resources for any installed network adapter, click the name of the adapter listed in the Device Management pane, then click the Information tab.

Bus Type

The type of input/output (I/O) interconnect used by the adapter.

Slot No

The slot number on the system board occupied by the adapter. This item is not available for PCI Express type adapters.

Bus Speed (MHz)

The bus clock signal frequency used by the adapter. This item is not available for PCI Express type adapters.

Bus Width (bit)

The number of bits that the bus can transfer at a single time to and from the adapter. This item is not available for PCI Express type adapters.

Bus No

Indicates the number of the bus where the adapter is installed.

Device No

The number assigned to the adapter by the operating system.

Function No

The port number of the adapter. For a single-port adapter, the function number is 0. For a two-port adapter, the function number for the first port is 0, and the function number for the second port is 1.

Interrupt Request

The interrupt line number that is associated with the adapter. Valid numbers range from 2 to 25.

Memory Address

The memory mapped address that is assigned to the adapter. This value can never be 0.

Viewing Hardware Information

The Hardware section of the Information tab displays information about the hardware settings for the selected network adapter.

To view Hardware for any installed network adapter, click the name of the adapter listed in the Device Management pane, then click the Information tab.

ASIC Version

The chip version of the Broadcom adapter (this information is not available for adapters made by others).

Firmware Version

The firmware version of the Broadcom adapter (this information is not available for adapters made by others). This information is only available for Broadcom NetXtreme adapters.

Vendor ID

The vendor ID.

Device ID

The adapter ID.

Subsystem Vendor ID

The subsystem vendor ID.

Subsystem ID

The subsystem ID.

Testing the Network

The Network Test option on the Diagnostics tab lets you verify IP network connectivity. This test verifies if the driver is installed correctly and tests connectivity to a gateway or other specified IP address on the same subnet. The network test uses TCP/IP to send ICMP packets to remote systems, then waits for a response.

To run the network test

  1. Click the name of the adapter to test in the Device Management pane.
  2. Click the Diagnostics tab. If the Diagnostics tab is not visible, then from the View menu, select Navigate, then Device Management, and then Diagnostics.
  3. From the Select a test to run list, select Network Test. If the Network Test option is not available, then from the Context View tab on the right side of the window, select Diagnostics and then select Network Test.
  4. To change the destination IP address, select IP address to ping, then click the browse button. In the Network Test window, enter a Destination IP address, then click OK.
  5. Click Run.

The results of the network test are displayed in the Result field.

Running Diagnostic Tests

The Diagnostic Tests option on the Diagnostics tab lets you check the state of the physical components on a Broadcom network adapter. You can trigger the tests manually, or choose to have BACS 3 continuously perform them. If the test are performed continuously, then the number of passes and fails in the Status field for each test increments every time the tests are performed. For example, if a test is performed four times and there are no fails, the value in the Status field for that test is 4/0. However, if there were 3 passes and 1 fail, the value in the Status field is 3/1.

NOTES:

To run the diagnostic tests once

  1. Click the name of the adapter to test in the Device Management pane.
  2. Click the Diagnostics tab. If the Diagnostics tab is not visible, then from the View menu, select Navigate, then Device Management, and then Diagnostics.
  3. From the Select a test to run list, select Diagnostic Tests. If the Diagnostic Tests option is not available, then from the Context View tab on the right side of the window, select Diagnostics and then select Diagnostic Tests.
  4. Select the diagnostic tests you want to run. Click Select All to select all tests or Clear All to clear all test selections.
  5. Click Run.
  6. In the error message window that warns of the network connection being temporarily interrupted, click Yes. The results are displayed in the Status field for each test.

To run the diagnostic tests continuously

  1. Click the name of the adapter to test in the Device Management pane.
  2. Click the Diagnostics tab. If the Diagnostics tab is not visible, then from the View menu, select Navigate, then Device Management, and then Diagnostics.
  3. From the Select a test to run list, select Diagnostic Tests. If the Diagnostic Tests option is not available, then from the Context View tab on the right side of the window, select Diagnostics and then select Diagnostic Tests.
  4. Select the diagnostic tests you want to run. Click Select All to select all tests or Clear All to clear all test selections.
  5. Select Run Continuously.
  6. Click Run.
  7. In the error message window that warns of the network connection being temporarily interrupted, click Yes. The diagnostic tests will run continuously, and the Status field for each test displays the accumulated total of passes and failures.
  8. To stop the continuous testing, click Abort.


Control Registers

This test verifies the read and write capabilities of the network adapter registers by writing various values to the registers and verifying the results. The adapter driver uses these registers to perform network functions such as sending and receiving information. A test failure indicates that the adapter may not be working properly.

MII Registers

This test verifies the read and write capabilities of the registers of the physical layer (PHY). The physical layer is used to control the electrical signals on the wire and to configure network speeds such as 1000 Mbit/s.

EEPROM

This test verifies the content of the electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) by reading a portion of the EEPROM and computing the checksum. The test fails if the computed checksum is different from the checksum stored in the EEPROM. An EEPROM image upgrade does not require a code change for this test.

Internal Memory

This test verifies that the internal memory of the adapter is functioning properly. The test writes patterned values to the memory and reads back the results. The test fails if an erroneous value is read back. The adapter cannot function if its internal memory is not functioning properly.

On-Chip CPU

This test verifies the operation of the internal CPUs in the adapter.

Interrupt

This test verifies that the Network Device Driver Interface Specification (NDIS) driver is able to receive interrupts from the adapter.

LoopBack MAC

This test verifies that the NDIS driver is able to send packets to and receive packets from the adapter.

LoopBack PHY

This test verifies that the NDIS driver is able to send packets to and receive packets from the adapter.

Test LED

This test causes all of the port LEDs to blink 5 times for the purpose of identifying the adapter.

Analyzing Cables

The Cable Analysis option on the Diagnostics tab lets you monitor the conditions of each wire pair in an Ethernet Category 5 cable connection within an Ethernet network. The analysis measures the cable quality and compares it against the IEEE 802.3ab specification for compliance.

NOTES:

To run a cable analysis

  1. Connect the cable to a port on a switch where the port is set to Auto and the Speed & Duplex driver settings are also set to Auto.
  2. Click the name of the adapter to test in the Device Management pane.
  3. Click the Diagnostics tab. If the Diagnostics tab is not visible, then from the View menu, select Navigate, then Device Management, and then Diagnostics.
  4. From the Select a test to run list, select Cable Analysis. If the Cable Analysis option is not available, then from the Context View tab on the right side of the window, select Diagnostics and then select Cable Analysis.
  5. Click Run.
  6. In the error message window that warns of the network connection being temporarily interrupted, click Yes.


Distance

The valid cable distance in meters (except when the Noise result is returned).

Status

This shows the type of link on this cable pair.

Link

The link connection speed and duplex mode.

Status

The status after the test is run, either completed or failed.

There are several factors that could have an effect on the test results:

Setting Adapter Properties

Advanced on the Configurations tab allow you to view and change the values of the available properties of the selected adapter. The potentially available properties and their respective settings are described below.

NOTES:

To set adapter properties

  1. Click the name of the adapter in the Device Management pane.
  2. Click the Configurations tab. If the Configurations tab is not visible, then from the View menu, select Navigate, then Device Management, and then Configurations.
  3. From the Advanced section, select the property you want to set. If the Advanced section is not available, then from the Context View tab on the right side of the window, select Configurations and then select Advanced.
  4. To change the value of a property, select an item from the property's list or type a new value, as appropriate (selection options are different for different properties).
  5. Click Apply to confirm the changes to all properties. Click Reset to return the properties to their original values.


802.1p QOS

Enables quality of service, which is an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (IEEE) specification that treats different types of network traffic diversely to ensure required levels or reliability and latency according to the type of traffic. This property is disabled by default. Unless the network infrastructure supports QoS, do not enable this property. Otherwise, problems may occur.

Ethernet@Wirespeed

Enables a Gigabit Ethernet adapter to establish a link at a lower speed when only two pairs of wires are available in the cabling plant. The default setting for this property is Enabled.

Flow Control

Enables or disables the receipt or transmission of PAUSE frames. PAUSE frames allow the network adapter and a switch to control the transmit rate. The side that is receiving the PAUSE frame momentarily stops transmitting.

IPv4 Checksum Offload

Normally, the checksum function is computed by the protocol stack. When you select one of the Checksum Offload property values (other than None), the checksum can be computed by the network adapter.

IPv4 Large Send Offload

Normally, the TCP segmentation is done by the protocol stack. When you enable the Large Send Offload property, the TCP segmentation can be done by the network adapter. The default setting for this property is Enabled.

Jumbo MTU

Enables the network adapter to transmit and receive oversized Ethernet frames that are greater than 1514 bytes, but less than or equal to 9000 bytes in length (9600 bytes for network adapters that operate at 10 Gbps). This property requires the presence of a switch that is able to process jumbo frames.

Frame size is set at 1500 bytes by default. To increase the size of the received frames, raise the byte quantity in 500-byte increments.

LSO & Jumbo Frames

Enables the network adapter to transmit and receive oversized Ethernet frames that are greater than 1514 bytes, but less than 9000 bytes in length. This property requires the presence of a switch that is able to process Jumbo frames.

Frame size is set at 1500 bytes by default by selecting the LSO Enabled, Jumbo Off option.

NOTE: Jumbo Frames and Large Send Offload (LSO) are mutually-exclusive properties.

Normally, the TCP segmentation is done by the protocol stack. When you enable the Large Send Offload (LSO) property, the TCP segmentation can be done by the network adapter.

Locally Administered Address

The Locally Administered Address is a user-defined MAC address that is used in place of the MAC address originally assigned to the network adapter. Every adapter in the network must have its own unique MAC address. This locally administered address consists of a 12-digit hexadecimal number.

The appropriate assigned ranges and exceptions for the locally administered address include the following:

Receive Side Scaling

Allows configuring network load balancing across multiple CPUs. The default setting for this property is Enabled.

Speed & Duplex

The Speed & Duplex property sets the connection speed and mode to that of the network. Note that Full-Duplex mode allows the adapter to transmit and receive network data simultaneously.

Wake Up Capabilities

Enables the network adapter to wake up from a low-power mode when it receives a network wake-up frame. Two types of wake-up frames are possible: Magic Packet and Wake Up Frame.

This property is only available for Broadcom NetXtreme adapters.
WOL Speed

Sets the speed at which the network adapter connects to the network while the network adapter is in Wake on LAN mode. By default, the WOL Speed property is set to Auto.

This property is only available for Broadcom NetXtreme adapters.
Large Send Offload (IPv4)

Normally the TCP segmentation is done by the protocol stack. When you enable the Large Send Offload property, the TCP segmentation can be done by the network adapter.

TCP/UDP Checksum Offload (IPv4)

Allows configuring checksum offload for the IPv4 protocol.

Priority & VLAN

Allows enabling both the prioritization of network traffic and VLAN tagging. VLAN tagging only occurs when the VLAN ID setting is configured with a value other than 0 (zero).

VLAN ID

Enables VLAN tagging and configures the VLAN ID when Priority & VLAN Enabled is selected as the Priority & VLAN setting. The range for the VLAN ID is 1 to 4094 and must match the VLAN tag value on the connected switch. A value of 0 (default) in this field disables VLAN tagging.

Risk Assessment of VLAN Tagging through the NDIS Miniport Driver

Broadcom's NDIS 6.0 miniport driver provides the means to allow a system containing a Broadcom adapter to connect to a tagged VLAN. On Windows XP systems, this support was only provided through the use of an intermediate driver (e.g., Broadcom Advanced Server Program - BASP). Unlike BASP, however, the NDIS 6 driver's support for VLAN participation is only for a single VLAN ID.

Also unlike BASP, the NDIS 6.0 driver only provides VLAN tagging of the outbound packet, but does not provide filtering of incoming packets based on VLAN ID membership. This is the default behavior of all miniport drivers. While the lack of filtering packets based on VLAN membership may present a security issue, the following provides a risk assessment based on this driver limitation for an IPv4 network:

A properly configured network that has multiple VLANs should maintain separate IP segments for each VLAN. This is necessary since outbound traffic relies on the routing table to identify which adapter (virtual or physical) to pass traffic through and does not determine which adapter based on VLAN membership.

Since support for VLAN tagging on Broadcom's NDIS 6.0 driver is limited to transmit (Tx) traffic only, there is a risk of inbound traffic (Rx) from a different VLAN being passed up to the operating system. However, based on the premise of a properly configured network above, the IP segmentation and/or the switch VLAN configuration may provide additional filtration to limit the risk.

In a back-to-back connection scenario, two computers on the same IP segment may be able to communicate regardless of their VLAN configuration since no filtration of VLAN membership is occurring. However, this scenario assumes that the security may already be breached since this connection type is not typical in a VLAN environment.

If the risk above is not desirable and filtering of VLAN ID membership is required, then support through an intermediate driver would be necessary.

Configuring Out-of-Band (OOB) Management Settings

Overview

Out of Band (OOB) management enables management of networked computers when their operating system is absent. This includes a networked computer with an inactive or inoperable operating system, or in a low-power system sleep state. A remote management console controls and monitors client systems via a channel separate from the data channel using industry-standard remote management protocols. Capabilities of OOB management includes alerting and remote control.

The OOB Management section of the Configurations tab is used to configure the Alert Standard Format (ASF) and Desktop and mobile Architecture for System Hardware (DASH)-related operating parameters of Broadcom network adapters. A system with an ASF or DASH-enabled network adapter is called an ASF or DASH managed client. ASF and DASH managed clients can communicate with and be remotely controlled from a management console.

NOTES: OOB Management is not available for all Broadcom NetXtreme network adapters.

TruManage

TruManage™ is a Broadcom technology that integrates DASH and PMCI open client manageability standards and incorporates advanced power management features that enable enterprise-class PC and mobile systems to be fully managed from a management console.

NOTE: TruManage is only available for DASH-enabled Broadcom NetXtreme network adapters.

TruManage supports the following features:

Starting OOB Management

To start OOB Management, select OOB Management from the BACS 3 Configurations tab.

Configuring OOB Management Settings

To inspect or configure the basic OOB management operating parameters for a network adapter, select the ASF or DASH-capable network adapter you want to configure, and then click OOB Management from the Configurations tab.

NOTE: Broadcom NetXtreme ASF-enabled network adapters display OOB Management in the Configurations tab. DASH-enabled network adapters display OOB Management in the Configurations tab along with the TruManage logo.

To configure general OOB management settings

  1. Click the name of the adapter in the Device Management pane.
  2. Click the Configurations tab. If the Configurations tab is not visible, then from the View menu, select Navigate, then Device Management, and then Configurations.
  3. From the OOB Management section, select the property you want to set. If the OOB Management section is not available, then from the Context View tab on the right side of the window, select Configurations and then select OOB.
  4. To change the value of a property, select an item from the property's list or type a new value, as appropriate (selection options are different for different properties).
TruManage Firmware Type/Revision.
The TruManage firmware type and revision number. This property is available on DASH-enabled network adapters.
Management Firmware

Enables the ASF or DASH functionality in the selected network adapter. If there is more than one network adapter in your computer, be sure that you enable ASF or DASH functionality in only one network adapter at a time.

Note: Enabling ASF or DASH functionality in more than one network adapter in a system results in unpredictable behavior.

Wake on ARP or RMCP Traffic.

Enables the network adapter to wake the computer upon receiving ARP or RMCP traffic while the computer is in low-power mode.

NOTE: The Wake on ARP or RMCP Traffic option is not available for DASH-enabled network adapters.

Most Windows PCs today have the capability to conserve power by entering a low-power mode (stand-by, hibernate, or sleep). These computers also have the capability to wake up when an external event occurs. One such external event is when a network adapter receives an interesting packet. Typically, the computer wakes up if a network adapter receives one of the following types of interesting packets:

This Wake on LAN (WOL) behavior conflicts with the way an ASF-enabled network adapter operates. When the computer enters low-power mode, an ASF-enabled network adapter is still operational, sending PET messages and receiving and responding to RMCP messages and ARP requests. Received ARP and RMCP packets are direct-IP packets and would normally wake up the system, but this is not desirable behavior for most ASF or DASH managed clients. By enabling or disabling wake on ARP or RMCP traffic, you can choose whether or not to wake-up the system when the network adapter receives an ARP or RMCP packet. When wake on ARP or RMCP traffic is enabled, the ASF-enabled network adapter attempts to wake up the computer if the network adapter receives an ASF or RMCP packet.

Adapter IP Address

The adapter IP address of the network adapter is displayed next to the Adapter IP Address.

Subnet Mask

This value is the subnet mask that is applied to network addresses to determine the network segment to be used for routing considerations.

Default Gateway

The default gateway value is the network address of the gateway that will be used by the management firmware for packets destined for hosts external to the local network segment.

The displayed values are automatically updated whenever the network adapter IP address, subnet mask, or default gateway is changed via DHCP or manual configuration. The Management Agent, which is a process that runs in the background as a Windows NT service and has no user interface, automatically detects these changes and updates the properties in the ASF Configuration Table in the network adapter nonvolatile memory.

When the management console is located on a different subnet and is connected via a gateway router, the network adapter uses the subnet mask and default gateway values in the ASF Configuration Table to communicate with the management console.

IP Configuration

Use this section to configure the IP protocol and IP addresses.

Addressing Model

Identifies the IP addressing as either IPv4 Only, IPv6 Only, or IPv4 and IPv6.

IPV4

If IPv4 is the addressing model. Use this section to configure the IPv4 properties.

IPV6

If IPv6 is the addressing model, use this section to configure the IPv6 addresses.

Address

Enter the IP address. For IPv4, enter the IP address in dotted-decimal notation. For IPv6, enter the IP address using the following notation: X:X:X:X:X:X:X:X, where `X' represents a hexadecimal number. When this parameter is set to 0.0.0.0, no IPv4 network communications will be supported by the management firmware. When this parameter is set to : :, only the IPv6 link-local address will be used for IPv6 network communications by the management firmware.

Subnet Mask

Enter the subnet mask value that is to be applied to the network addresses to determine the network segment to be used for routing considerations.

Gateway

Enter the gateway address.

Primary Name Server

Enter the IP address of the primary server that will be used by the management firmware for host name lookups via DNS. For IPv4, enter the IP address in dotted-decimal notation. For IPv6, enter the IP address using the following notation: X:X:X:X:X:X:X:X, where `X' represents a hexadecimal number.

Secondary Name Server

Enter the IP address of the secondary server that will be used by the management firmware for host name lookups via DNS. For IPv4, enter the IP address in dotted-decimal notation. For IPv6, enter the IP address using the following notation: X:X:X:X:X:X:X:X, where `X' represents a hexadecimal number.

Dynamic Configuration (DHCP)

Enables the use of a DHCP server when the host operating system network driver is not loaded. When this parameter is enabled and the operating system network driver is not loaded, the management firmware will perform DHCP network configuration negotiations and renewals.

IPV6

If IPv6 is the addressing model, use this section to configure the IPv6 addresses.

Subnet Prefix Length

Enter the subnet prefix length, in bits, for the IPv6 network address to determine the network segment to be used for IPv6 routing considerations. This value is typically 64 for IPv6. Do not use a forward slash with the subnet prefix length value.

System ASF! Description Table

The System ASF! Description Table defines the ASF-related capabilities and operating parameters of the computer, as defined by the computer manufacturer. This table is stored as an ACPI System Description Table in the computer firmware nonvolatile memory. The Broadcom ASF Configuration Utility automatically imports this table into the nonvolatile memory of each ASF-enabled network adapter.

To view the System ASF! Description Table, click Tools from BACS 3 and then select View ASF!.

Configuring Alerting

Alerting provides system health information and error notification in low-power and operating-system-absent states, as well as during normal operation to a remote management console. The parameters in the Alerting section of OOB Management are used to configure the settings related to SNMP platform event trap (PET) messages.

  1. Click the name of the adapter in the Device Management pane.
  2. Click the Configurations tab. If the Configurations tab is not visible, then from the View menu, select Navigate, then Device Management, and then Configurations.
  3. From the OOB Management section, select the property you want to set. If the Advanced section is not available, then from the Context View tab on the right side of the window, select Configurations and then select OOB.
  4. To change the value of a property, select an item from the property's list or type a new value, as appropriate (selection options are different for different properties).
Transmit Platform Event Trap (PET) Messages

Enables the network adapter to transmit PET messages when this parameter is set to Enabled and the Destination Address parameter contains a valid IP address or host name. When this parameter is set to Disabled, PETs will not be transmitted and the remaining configuration parameters in this section will have no effect.

Transmit System Heartbeat Messages

When this paramter is set to Enabled and the Pet Heartbeat Interval parameter is non-zero, the management firmware will attempt to transmit periodic System Heartbeat PETs at the configured PET Heart Interval.

Management Console Address Type

Identify the addressing model of the management console.

Management Console Address

Type the IP address of the remote management console in the Management Console Address box to specify the IP address of the remote management console. An ASF or DASH-enabled network adapter sends all PET messages to this IP address. The management console IP address is usually statically assigned and is seldom changed. If the management console IP address is changed, type the new IP address in the Management Console Address box.

Heartbeat Transmit Interval

Type the desired time interval in the Heartbeat Transmit Interval box to specify the time interval (in seconds) at which system heartbeat messages are sent.

SNMP Community Name

Type the desired community name in the SNMP Community Name box to specify the SNMP community name that is included in transmitted PET messages. The default SNMP community name is public.

PET Retransmission Interval

Type the desired time interval in the PET Retransmission Interval box to specify the time interval (in seconds) between retransmissions of a PET message. According to the ASF standard, each PET message (except the system heartbeat message) must be retransmitted three times to ensure successful delivery to the ASF management console. The default PET retransmission interval is 10 seconds.

Configuring Remote Management Control Protocol (RMCP) Messages

The remote management console can query an ASF or DASH-enabled client for capabilities and system presence or state information. On request, a client system will return the ASF feature set of the requested system. The properties in the Remote Management (RMCP) section are used to configure the settings related to secure remote management.

RMCP Support

Enables the management firmware to listen for incoming RMCP and/or Secure RMCP (RSP) requests based on the other parameters in this section.

A management console uses RMCP messages to communicate with an ASF or DASH managed client. When remote management is enabled, the network adapter acknowledges and responds to the following RMCP message types:

If secure management is also enabled, the network adapter acknowledges and responds to the following secure RMCP message types:

If allowed by the remote control capabilities and security profile for the network adapter, the following operations can be performed remotely:

When remote management is disabled, the network adapter does not acknowledge or respond to RMCP messages.

RMCP Ping Only Support.

Enables presence ping as the only RMCP method to test the connection between the DASH-enabled adapter and the management console.

RMCP Port Number

Enter the destination port in decimal notation. By default, the RMCP server communicates on port 623.

Secure RMCP Support (ASF 2.0)

Enables the network adapter to receive and respond to secure Remote Management Control Protocol (RMCP) messages on UDP port 298h (664 decimal).

Secure RMCP Port Number

Enter the destination port in decimal notation. By default, the RMCP secure server communicates on port 624.

ASF 1.0 Compatibility

Enables the network adapter to receive and respond to insecure RMCP (ASF 1.0) messages on UDP port 26Fh (623 decimal). If Secure RMCP Support (ASF 2.0) is disabled, the network adapter automatically operates in ASF 1.0 compatibility mode, regardless of the setting for ASF 1.0 Compatibility.

Secure Session Timeout (seconds)
To specify the amount of a time (in seconds) that a secure session must be inactive before it times out, type the desired timeout period in the Secure Session Timeout box. The network adapter supports a maximum of two simultaneous secure sessions, so it is important that inactive secure sessions time out after a reasonable period of time. The default secure session timeout period is 300 seconds (5 minutes).
Data Integrity Key

The value in the Data Integrity Key box is the shared secret key used for key generation operations (KG). Type the key in the Data Integrity Key box. If the generation key is in hexadecimal notation, select the (hex) check box.

Operator Authentication Keys

There are two types of authenticated user roles: Operator and Administrator. KO is the associated authentication key for Operator, and this parameter value is the 160-bit key used by the RSP Session Protocol (RSSP) when authenticating a remote management console requesting a secure RMCP session using the Operator role. Type the authentication key in the Authentication Key box. If the authentication key is in hexadecimal notation, select the (hex) check box. Possible values are 20 ASCII characters or 40 hexadecimal digits.

Administrator Authentication Keys

There are two types of authenticated user roles: Operator and Administrator. KA is the associated authentication key for Administrator, and this parameter value is the 160-bit key used by the RSP Session Protocol (RSSP) when authenticating a remote management console requesting a Secure RMCP session using the Administrator role. Type the authentication key in the Authentication Key box. If the authentication key is in hexadecimal notation, select the (hex) check box. Possible values include up to 20 ASCII characters or 40 hexadecimal digits.

Note: Each security key (generation key, authentication key) may be typed as a set of up to 20 ASCII characters or as a set of hexadecimal bytes with each byte represented by 2 hexadecimal digits (0–F), with a maximum total length of 40 hexadecimal digits (20 bytes).

Both Operator and Administrator roles also have an associated set of rights that determines which RMCP Remote Control commands it has the right to execute on the managed client. These Remote Control commands include:

To assign rights to an authenticated operator or administrator, select the appropriate check boxes in the Rights section.

Configuring Web Services Management

Web Services (WS) Management is a DMTF specification that delivers standards-based web services management for DASH-enabled clients. Both HTTP and HTTPS protocols are supported.

  1. Click the name of the DASH-enabled adapter in the Device Management pane.
  2. Click the Configurations tab. If the Configurations tab is not visible, then from the View menu, select Navigate, then Device Management, and then Configurations.
  3. From the OOB Management section, select the property you want to set. If the Advanced section is not available, then from the Context View tab on the right side of the window, select Configurations and then select OOB.
  4. To change the value of a property, select an item from the property's list or type a new value, as appropriate (selection options are different for different properties).
HTTP Support

This parameter determines whether or not HTTP communications will be supported by the management firmware. Both WS Management/HTTP (for DASH Class A Security) and the web browser/GUI interface (over HTTP) depend on this parameter being set to Enabled.

HTTP Port Number

This parameter determines the TCP port number on which the management firmware will listen for incoming HTTP connections. This port will be used both for incoming WS Management/HTTP and web browser/GUI (over HTTP) requests.

HTTPS Support

This parameter determines whether or not HTTPS communications will be supported by the management firmware. Both WS Management/HTTPS (for DASH Class B Security) and the web browser/GUI interface (over HTTPS) depend on this parameter being set to Enabled. HTTPS support also depends on the Private RSA Key and TLS Server Certificate records containing valid data.

HTTPS Port Number

Enter the destination port in decimal notation on which the management firmware will listen for incoming HTTPS connections. This port will be used both for incoming WS Management/HTTPS and web browser/GUI (over HTTPS) requests.

Viewing Statistics

The information provided on the Statistics tab allows you to view traffic statistics for both Broadcom network adapters and network adapters made by others. Statistical information and coverage are more comprehensive for Broadcom adapters.

To view Statistics information for any installed network adapter, click the name of the adapter listed in the Device Management pane, then click the Statistics tab.

Click Refresh to get the most recent values for each statistic. Click Reset to change all values to zero.

NOTES:

General Statistics

General Statistics show the transmitted and received statistics to and from the adapter.

Frames Tx OK

A count of the frames that were successfully transmitted. This counter is incremented when the transmit status is reported as Transmit OK.

Frames Rx OK

A count of the frames that were successfully received. This does not include frames received with frame-too-long, frame check sequence (FCS), length, or alignment errors, nor frames lost due to internal MAC sublayer errors. This counter is incremented when the receive status is reported as Receive OK.

Directed Frames Tx

A count of directed data frames that were successfully transmitted.

Multicast Frames Tx

A count of frames that were successfully transmitted (as indicated by the status value Transmit OK) to a group destination address other than a broadcast address.

Broadcast Frames Tx

A count of frames that were successfully transmitted (as indicated by the transmit status Transmit OK) to the broadcast address. Frames transmitted to multicast addresses are not broadcast frames and are excluded.

Directed Frames Rx

A count of directed data frames that were successfully received.

Multicast Frames Rx

A count of frames that were successfully received and are directed to an active nonbroadcast group address. This does not include frames received with frame-too-long, FCS, length, or alignment errors, nor frames lost because of internal MAC sublayer errors. This counter is incremented as indicated by the Receive OK status.

Broadcast Frames Rx

A count of frames that were successfully received and are directed to a broadcast group address. This count does not include frames received with frame-too-long, FCS, length, or alignment errors, nor frames lost because of internal MAC sublayer errors. This counter is incremented as indicated by the Receive OK status.

Frames Rx with CRC Error

The number of frames received with CRC errors.

IEEE 802.3 Statistics

The IEEE 802.3 statistics show transmit and receive error information.

Frames Rx with Alignment Error

A count of the frames that were not an integral number of octets in length and do not pass the FCS check. This counter is incremented when the receive status is reported as Alignment Error.

Frames Tx with one Collision

A count of the frames that were involved in a single collision and were subsequently transmitted successfully. This counter is incremented when the result of a transmission is reported as Transmit OK, and the attempt value is 2.

Frames Tx with more than one Collision

A count of the frames that were involved in more than one collision and were subsequently transmitted successfully. This counter is incremented when the transmit status is reported as Transmit OK, and the value of the attempts variable is greater than 2 and less than or equal to the attempt limit.

Frames Tx after Deferral

A count of the frames that were delayed being transmitted on the first attempt because the medium was busy. The frames involved in any collision are not counted.

Custom Statistics

Custom statistics are available only for an enabled Broadcom network adapter.

Frames size less than 64-byte with bad FCS

The number of frames with a size less than 64 bytes with bad frame check sequence (FCS).

MAC Rx w/ Pause Command and Length = 0

MAC control frames with the pause command and a length equal to 0.

MAC Rx w/ Pause Command and Length > 0

MAC control frames with the pause command and a length greater than 0.

MAC Rx w/ no Pause Command

MAC control frames with no pause command.

MAC Sent X-on

MAC Transmit with X-on was on.

MAC Sent X-off

MAC Transmit with X-on was off.

Large Send Offload Transmit Requests

The number of times the adapter was requested to transmit a packet performing TCP segmentation.

Total Offload TCP Connections

The total number of offloaded TCP connections.


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