Chapter 2. Connecting the Gigabit Ethernet Board to a Network
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Chapter 2. Connecting the Gigabit Ethernet Board to a Network

This chapter shows you how to connect the Fiber-Optic Gigabit Ethernet board or the Copper Gigabit Ethernet board to a network, and how to configure your system for the board.

Following is a description of each section:

Installing the Board

The installation instructions for the Gigabit Ethernet board are different for different systems. Refer to the following sources for installation instructions:

  • Onyx2, Onyx 300, Origin 2000, or Origin 3000: Your Gigabit Ethernet board must be installed by an SGI certified service provider.

  • Origin 200 and Origin 300: See the instructions for installing a PCI card in the user's or owner's guide that came with your system.

  • Octane, Octane2, or Silicon Graphics Fuel: See the instructions for installing a PCI card in the user's or owner's guide that came with your workstation.

Connecting to the Network

This section shows you how to connect the Gigabit Ethernet board to a network in the following sections:

Connecting the Fiber-Optic Board

To connect your Fiber-Optic Gigabit Ethernet board to a network, insert the SC connector on one end of the fiber-optic cable into the Gigabit Ethernet board, as shown in Figure 2-1. Ensure that the connector is inserted completely into the jack. Then insert the connector on the other end of the fiber-optic cable into the connector on the Ethernet switch, or another computer system (as appropriate).

Note: If your network connects to an Ethernet switch, consult the operating manual for the switch to ensure that the switch port is enabled and configured correctly.

Figure 2-1. Connecting the Fiber-Optic Cable

Connecting the Fiber-Optic Cable

Connecting the Copper Board

To connect your Copper Gigabit Ethernet board to a network, insert the RJ45 connector on one end of the copper cable into the Gigabit Ethernet board, as shown in Figure 2-2. Make sure the connector is inserted completely into the jack, and then insert the connector on the other end of the copper cable into the jack on the Ethernet switch, or another computer system (as appropriate).

Note: If your network connects to an Ethernet switch, consult the operating manual for the switch to ensure that the switch port is enabled and configured correctly.

Figure 2-2. Connecting the Copper Cable

Connecting the Copper Cable

Configuring the Board

This section explains three ways to configure your system for Gigabit Ethernet:

Gigabit Ethernet as Primary and Fast Ethernet as Secondary

This section explains how to set up your system with the Gigabit Ethernet connection serving as the primary network interface and fast Ethernet as the secondary network interface. This configuration is the easiest to set up and provides the best performance. Follow these steps:

  1. If necessary, become superuser (root) as follows:

    % su
Password: thepassword
#

  2. To determine your system's hostname, enter the following:

    # hostname

  3. Use your favorite editor to edit the /etc/hosts file. To open the file with nedit, enter the following:

    # /usr/sbin/nedit /etc/hosts

  4. Find the line with your system's hostname and add the IP address entries. For example, if you are making an entry for a system with a hostname of systemname residing in the domain group1.com with a Gigabit Ethernet IP address of 187.8.27.6 and a Fast Ethernet IP address of 199.26.34.6, enter these lines in the /etc/hosts file:

    187.8.27.6 systemname.group1.com systemname # gigabit ethernet

    199.26.34.6 gate-systemname.group1.com gate-systemname # fast ethernet

  5. If your site uses an NIS service, make the changes in step 4 to the hosts database on the NIS server.

  6. Open the file /etc/config/netif.options and find this line:

    : if1name=

  7. Change it to the following:

    if1name=eg0

  8. Find this line:

    : if1addr=

  9. Change it to the following:

    if1addr=systemname

  10. Find this line:

    : if2name=

  11. Change it to the following:

    if2name=ef0

  12. Find this line:

    : if2addr=

  13. Change it to the following:

    if2addr=gate-systemname

  14. Find this line:

    : if_num=8

  15. Change it to the following:

    if_num=2

  16. Save and close the file.

  17. Restart the machine to ensure that the changes you just made will take effect.

    Note: If you cannot shut down the machine, restart the network script.

    Note: If you need to change the net mask or other options for the network interface cards, see IRIX Admin: Networking and Mail.

Fast Ethernet as Primary and Gigabit Ethernet as Secondary

To configure your system with Fast Ethernet as the primary interface and Gigabit Ethernet as the secondary interface, follow these steps:

  1. If necessary, become superuser (root), as follows:

    % su
Password: thepassword
#

  2. To determine your system's hostname, enter the following:

    # hostname

  3. Use your favorite editor to edit the /etc/hosts file. To open the file with nedit, enter

    # /usr/sbin/nedit /etc/hosts

  4. Find the line with your system's hostname and add the IP address entries. For example, if you are making an entry for a system with a hostname of systemname residing in the domain group1.com with a Gigabit Ethernet IP address of 187.8.27.6 and a Fast Ethernet IP address of 199.26.34.6, enter these lines in the /etc/hosts file:

    187.8.27.6 gate-systemname.group1.com gate-systemname # gigabit ethernet

    199.26.34.6 systemname.group1.com systemname # fast ethernet

  5. If your site uses an NIS service, make the changes in step 4 to the hosts database on the NIS server.

  6. Open the file /etc/config/netif.options and find this line:

    : if1name=

  7. Change it to the following:

    if1name=ef0

  8. Find this line:

    : if1addr=

  9. Change it to the following:

    if1addr=systemname

  10. Find this line:

    : if2name=

  11. Change it to the following:

    if2name=eg0

  12. Find this line:

    : if2addr=

  13. Change it to the following:

    if2addr=gate-systemname

  14. Find this line:

    : if_num=8

  15. Change it to the following:

    if_num=2

  16. Save and close the file.

  17. Restart the machine to ensure that the changes you just made will take effect.

    Note: If you cannot shut down the machine, restart the network script.

    Note: If you need to change the net mask or other options for the network interface cards, see IRIX Admin: Networking and Mail.

Gigabit Ethernet as the Only Network Interface

To set up your system with the Gigabit Ethernet connection as the only network connection, follow these steps:

  1. If necessary, become superuser (root), as follows:

    % su
Password: thepassword
#

  2. To determine your system's hostname, enter the following:

    # hostname

  3. Use your favorite editor to edit the /etc/hosts file. To open the file with nedit, enter

    # /usr/sbin/nedit /etc/hosts

  4. Find the line with your system's hostname and add the IP address entries. For example, if you are making an entry for a system with a hostname of systemname residing in the domain group1.com with a gigabit Ethernet IP address of 187.8.27.6, enter this line in the /etc/hosts file:

    187.8.27.6 systemname.group1.com systemname # gigabit ethernet

  5. If your site uses an NIS service, make the changes in step 4 to the hosts database on the NIS server.

  6. Open the file /etc/config/netif.options and find this line:

    : if1name=

  7. Change it to the following:

    if1name=eg0

  8. Find this line:

    : if_num=8

  9. Change it to the following:

    if_num=1

  10. Save and close the file.

  11. Restart the machine to ensure that the changes you just made will take effect.

    Note: If you cannot shut down the machine, restart the network script.

    Note: If you need to change the net mask or other options for the network interface cards, see IRIX Admin: Networking and Mail.

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Chapter 1. Gigabit Ethernet Board Features and Capabilities  Chapter 3. Gigabit Ethernet Board Operation