PE 2900 TCP/IP Offload Engine (TOE) Caviats

Question

I have read in Dell documentation that enabling Windows firewall will disable TOE functionality. Dell is actively marketing virtualization with VMWare ESX and has a fine whitepaper on the topic. Question is are there any caviats concerning TOE while running VMWare? Will TOE work for vmachines or only for the host? Are there any other TOE caviats that I should be aware of?

- Ron

Mark_A_Smith · Answer

TOE currently only works under windows.  Linux is not supported (this would include VMWare).

DPYeilding · Answer

These articles may help http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/power/ps3q06-20060132-Broadcom.pdf#search=%22dell%201955%20toe%22   http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/pedge_1955?c=us&l=en&s=corp&~section=specs

hald9000 · Answer

From what I understand the Linux folks have generally decided to support Intel's I/O AT in over TOE since I/O AT is just built in -- and this true for the newest Dual-Core Xeon processors in the 2950. So this means that TOE won't be a CORE feature -- of course a TOE vendor could choose to provide enhanced support for Linux.   Intel's claim that with additional software in the next Linux and Window OSen that I/O AT will provide better I/O Performance then TOE, however, even at this point I/O AT is supposed to equal TOE.   I decided to take and chance and go with I/O AT -- it's easy all you have to do is add Intel PRO 1000 NICs to your system.

Mark_A_Smith · Answer

Installing Broadcom NetXtreme Drivers and TOE   - User guides are alwasy good...

Landresen1 · Answer

Does anybody have any ironclad step by step instructions for enabling TOE?
Just went through the process on a Dell 2900 using the broadcom extremeII nics.
Couldnt connect to server afterwards. Had to use the additional intel card to connect.

Landresen1 · Answer

Thank you!

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

PE 2900 TCP/IP Offload Engine (TOE) Caviats

Was this post helpful?