Re: Dell PE2900 and Broadcom NICs

Ouch, double strikes with both VS and ISA - neither will work (I found out the hard way) - and that is confirmed with Broadcom NIC support as I had them duplicate the issues.

You don't really have any options at this point other than to install PCI nic(s) and disable the broadcoms in the bios. You could threaten to send the servers back, see if that moves Dell to provide replacements. While it may not *entirely* be Dell's fault - this problem should have been identified/corrected long before being shipped to even the first customer.

They'll ship the NICs for a long time, as they're embedded on the motherboard. I don't doubt there'll eventually be a fix - and the fix will come from Broadcom - but that doesn't help you now.

If you can't persuade Dell to provide replacements, bite the bullet - it's the only way out at present.

--
Les Connor [SBS MVP]


"Shane" <Shane@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:8AB854F6-2A70-41C1-94E6-441EE5EA086D@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
How did you get them to get you replacement nic's. I have been dueling with
the techs for the past two days now. I have two new 2900 servers with the
Broadcom's. One has SBS2003 R2 Premium installed and the other has Virtual
Server installed. The new driver did not fix the problem with Virtual Server
and right now I am not installing ISA until I know the ISA problems resolved.
I also find it funny that they are still selling these servers with these
defective nics in them.
"Jan" wrote:

Hi Les,

I did try new drivers before I called Dell. Dell support tech was aware of
the issue and has shipped two Intel NICs (on loan until problem is
resolved).
Once I get this server on site I don't think I will be able to spend any
more time resolving Broadcom's problem :-).

--
Jan Wakulicz
www.micropol.com.au

"Les Connor [SBS MVP]" <les.connor@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:3399E8F8-0444-4C73-990A-FD05165A0894@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Hi Jan,
>
> I haven't been following this, as I've disabled the broadcoms.
>
> But I see Dell has a nic driver release date 21/12/2006, marked > 'urgent'.
> That would be worth a try.
>
> Also, if you haven't already - ensure the TOE stuff is disabled in the
> BIOS (and nic driver).
>
> If neither of the above work, I seriously doubt anyone from Dell will > be
> able to help. I'd go with a different NIC before spending much time on
> this.
>
> -- > Les Connor [SBS MVP]
>
>
> "Jan" <jan@.n.o.com> wrote in message
> news:O7CVfpAMHHA.1008@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Does anyone know if there is resolution for the "ISA-Broadcom NICs"
>> problem yet?
>> Should I bother getting Dell on site to troubleshoot or simply install
>> Intel NIC and cut my loses?
>> TIA.
>> -- >> Jan Wakulicz
>> www.micropol.com.au
>>
>>
>




.

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