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Introduction: Broadcom NetXtreme™ Gigabit Ethernet Controller User Guide

Functional Description
Features
Physical Description


Functional Description

The Gigabit Ethernet Controller targets the increased congestion experienced at the backbone and server in today’s networks, and provides a future upgrade path for high-end workstations that require more bandwidth than Fast Ethernet can provide.

The Broadcom NetXtreme™ Gigabit Ethernet Controller connects a PCI or PCI-X (BCM5701, BCM5702, BCM5703, BCM5704) compliant server or workstation to a Gigabit Ethernet network. This adapter incorporates a technology that transfers data at a maximum rate of 1 Gbps, 10 times the rate of Fast Ethernet adapters.

The BCM5700, BCM5701, BCM5702, BCM5703, and BCM5704 base adapters utilize twisted-pair media. At 100 Mbps or 1000 Mbps, the adapter uses 4-pair Category 5 cabling and Category 3 when they are running at 10 Mbps.

The BCM5701S or BCM5703S base adapters utilize fiber media. These adapters use fiber optic cabling and connector that meets 62.5/125 µm or 50/125 µm multimode specifications. These adapters operate at 1000 Mbps full-duplex mode only.

The BCM5704 base adapters utilize twisted-pair media. At 100 Mbps or 1000 Mbps, the adapter uses 4-pair Category 5 cabling and Category 3 when running at 10 Mbps.


Contents of Your Shipment

Included with your adapter are the following:

Inform your network supplier of any missing or damaged items. If you need to return the adapter, you must pack it in the original (or equivalent) packing material or the warranty will be voided.

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Features

The following is a list of the Broadcom NetXtreme™ Gigabit Ethernet Controller features for all supported operating systems:

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Physical Description

The faceplate on the 10/100/1000BASE-T adapter provides an RJ-45 connector for connecting the adapter to another network device.

  Figure 5. Broadcom NetXtreme™ Gigabit Ethernet Controller Faceplate

The adapter faceplate has four LEDs, one for each port speed option (10 Mbps, 100 Mbps, and 1000 Mbps), and one for Activity. The three port speed LEDs indicate active links, and the ACT LED indicates data transfer status. After the adapter is installed and the cables are connected properly, the appropriate speed LED is lit and the ACT LED is on if data traffic is present.

The LEDs indicate the following adapter states after the adapter hardware has been properly installed on your system:

Table 1. Gigabit Ethernet Port LED Status
LED State Description
1000 On Good Gigabit Ethernet link.
Off No 1000-Mbps link; possible link at different speed, possible bad cable, bad connector, or configuration mismatch.
100 On Good 100-Mbps Fast Ethernet link.
Off No 100-Mbps link; possible link at different speed, possible bad cable, bad connector, or configuration mismatch.
10 On Good 10-Mbps Fast Ethernet link.
Off No 10-Mbps link; possible link at different speed, possible bad cable, bad connector, or configuration mismatch.
ACT Blinking Brief bursts of data detected on the port.
On Streams of data detected on the port.
Off No data detected on the port.

The faceplate on the BCM5701/BCM5703S adapters provides two fiber optic connectors for attaching the adapter to a compatible link partner.

  Figure 6. Broadcom 1000-SX Adapter Faceplate

The BCM5701S/BCM5703S adapters have four LEDs, one for Link status, and one for Activity (LED1 and LED2 and not used). After the adapter is installed and the cables are connected properly, the Link LED is lit and the ACT LED will blink if data traffic is present.

The LEDs indicate the following adapter states after the adapter hardware has been properly installed on your system:

Table 2. Fiber-Optic Port LED Status
LED State Description
Link On Valid fiber link.
Off No fiber link.
ACT Blinking Data traffic between the card and the switch.
Off No data traffic.
LED1 N/A Not Used.
LED2 N/A Not Used.

The faceplate on the BCM5704 adapter provides two RJ-45 connectors for connecting the adapter to other networking devices.

  Figure 7. Broadcom NetXtreme™ Gigabit Ethernet Controller Faceplate (BCM5704)

The adapter has two LEDs, one for each Activity (ACT and LINK). The ACT LED indicates data transfer status. After the adapter is installed and the cables are connected properly, the appropriate speed LED is lit and the ACT LED is on if data traffic is present. The LINK LED indicates the port speed option (10 Mbps, 100 Mbps, and 1000 Mbps) for ports 1 and 2.

The LEDs indicate the following adapter states after the adapter hardware has been properly installed on your system:

Table 3. Gigabit Ethernet Port LED Status for Ports 1 and 2
LED State Description
ACT Blinking Brief bursts of data detected on the port.
On Streams of data detected on the port.
Off No data detected on the port.
LINK On Good 10-, 100-, and 1000-Mbps Fast Ethernet link.
Off No link; possible link at different speed, possible bad cable, bad connector, or configuration mismatch.


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