System
Requirements
Safety
Precautions
Pre-Installation Checklist
Adapter Installation Process
Connecting the Network Cables
Before installing the Gigabit Ethernet Controller, make sure your system meets the requirements listed for your operating system.
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NOTE: Although the driver should work with many Linux kernel versions and distributions, it has only been tested on Red Hat® 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3 Linux distributions for i386 and IA64 (kernel version 2.4.x). Furthermore, the driver has only been tested as a loadable module. |
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WARNING: The adapter is being installed in a system that operates with
voltages that can be lethal. Before you remove the cover of your system,
you must observe the following precautions to protect yourself and to prevent
damage to the system components.
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NOTE: If you acquired the adapter software on floppy disk or from the Broadcom support website, enter the path to where the adapter driver files reside on your system. |
If your system is active, shut it down.
When system shut down is complete, power OFF and unplug your system.
Holding the adapter card by the edges, remove it from its shipping package and place it on an antistatic surface.
Check the adapter for visible signs of damage, particularly on the card’s edge connector. Never attempt to install any damaged adapter. If the adapter is damaged, report it to Broadcom.
The following instructions apply to installing the Gigabit Ethernet Controller in most systems. Refer to the manuals that were supplied with your system for details about performing these tasks on your particular system.
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NOTE: The connector dock in a 32-bit PCI slot is shorter than in a 64-bit PCI slot. Although the adapter is designed to fit in either slot type, when installed in a 32-bit PCI slot, part of the adapter’s connector edge will remain undocked. This is perfectly normal. |
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Caution: Do not use excessive force when seating the card, as this may damage the system or the adapter. If the card resists seating, remove it from the system, realign it, and try again. |
After the system returns to proper operation, the adapter hardware is fully installed. You must next connect the network cables.
The BCM5700, BCM5701, BCM5702, and BCM5703C adapters have one RJ-45 connector used for attaching the system to an Ethernet copper-wire segment. When automatic link negotiation is disabled, the port can be configured for 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps, signaling either half-duplex or full-duplex operation. Speeds of 1000 Mbps is only obtainable through Auto-Negotiation.
The BCM5701S and BCM5703S base adapter has one fiber optic connector for attaching
the system to a compatible link partner, or an IEEE 802.3z compliant Gigabit
Ethernet switch. Upon connecting the system to the network and power is supplied,
the adapter performs auto-negotiation and attempts to establish the connection
at 1000 Mbps full-duplex, only.
Perform the following procedure for connecting a network cable to the Gigabit Ethernet Controller:
Table 1. 10/100/1000BASE-T Cable Specifications
Port Type | Connector | Media | Maximum Distance |
10BASE-T | RJ-45 | Category 3, 4, or 5 UTP | 100 meters (328 feet) |
100/1000BASE-T | RJ-45 | Category 5 UTP | 100 meters (328 feet) |
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NOTE: 1000BASE-T signaling requires four twisted pairs of Category 5 balanced cabling, as specified in ISO/IEC 11801:1995 and EIA/TIA-568-A (1995) and tested using procedures defined in TIA/EIA TSB95. |
Table 2. 1000BASE-SX Fiber Optic Cable Specifications
Port Type | Connector | Media | Maximum Distance |
1000BASE-SX | Fiber Optic | 50 µm multimode | 550 meters (1,804 feet) |
1000BASE-SX | Fiber Optic | 62.5 µm multimode | 260 meters (853 feet) |
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Warning: The fiber-optic ports contain a Class 1 laser device. When the ports are disconnected, always cover them with the provided plug. Exposed ports may cause skin or eye damage. |
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NOTE: After the cable is properly connected at both ends, the adapter port LEDs should be functional. See Table 1 or Table 2 in Introduction for a description of adapter port LED operation. For driver installation and configuration instructions, refer to the software configuration for that specific driver. |