[Asterisk-Users] IAX2 Softphone Quality & Network Cards

[Rich Adamson]

> If nic is loaded using modprobe - you can set options for duplex -
> depending on the nic...
> See /etc/modules.conf

I assume you really meant /etc/modprobe.conf  ;)
 

> > -----Original Message-----
> > 
> > > > For an asterisk server _always_ statically define the 
> > duplex setting 
> > > > on both the switch and the nic card. On sip phones and 
> > workstations,
> > > 
> > > Can you give an example of how to check the duplex setting and 
> > > statically define it for, say, RedHat9
> > 
> > Multiple ways... try 'dmesg | grep duplex' or use 'mii-tool'.
> > 
> > Be careful with assumptions relative to what happens after a 
> > reboot on any system. Static use of the mii-tool within your 
> > system startup scripts may be necessary to ensure full duplex 
> > operation.
> > 
> > 
> > > On Mon, 29 Aug 2005, Rich Adamson wrote:
> > > 
> > > >
> > > >> Everything is set to autoneg, NICs, switches and router
> > > >>
> > > >
> > > > To ensure reasonable performance, key devices (eg, 
> > routers, servers) 
> > > > should _always_ have duplex settings statically defined. Speed is 
> > > > less of an issue as the 10/100 negotiation is hard to get wrong.
> > > >
> > > > Part of the duplex negotiation problem is that consistent 
> > standards 
> > > > have not been implemented by all manufacturers (and nic 
> > card drivers).
> > > > The two ends of a cat5 cable will often times try to auto 
> > negotiate 
> > > > the duplex settings at roughly the same time, and 50% of 
> > the time it 
> > > > will be wrong (eg, mismatched). As someone mentioned previously, 
> > > > mismiatched duplex settings will seriously impact performance and 
> > > > throughput.
> > > >
> > > > Keep in mind that opening the cat5 cable at either end 
> > (eg, unplug 
> > > > and replug the rj45) will cause a re-nogitation, as will 
> > a reboot, 
> > > > etc.
> > > >
> > > > There are a lot of systems and drivers that don't include 
> > the code 
> > > > to tell you what the actual duplex setting is after a 
> > re-negotiation.
> > > > MS-based products are poor, and finding the actual 
> > setting in many 
> > > > of the linux distro's is not necessarily easy.
> > > >
> > > > For an asterisk server _always_ statically define the 
> > duplex setting 
> > > > on both the switch and the nic card. On sip phones and 
> > workstations, 
> > > > the duplex setting is less important, but should still 
> > match at both 
> > > > ends of the cable.
> > > >
> > > > (FWIW, my company does professional network performance 
> > assessments 
> > > > and you couldn't even guess how many large & small 
> > corporate admins 
> > > > don't have a clue. That's based on 12 years of experience 
> > at sites 
> > > > in over 40 US states.)