can't attach to the network on some Vlan's

[axfalk]

We're in a switched environment, running a couple of Cat-6506's on the core and Cat-2980G's on the access layer. We have 8 floors and four Cat-2980G's are daisy-chained on each floor, with the first one upstreamed connected to one of the Cat-6506 and the last Cat-2980G in the chain is downstream connected to the other Cat-6506. Each floor is on its own VLAN. The problem we're experiencing is with some IBM desktops not being able to attach to the network on certain Vlan's. All Vlan's are configured exactly the same. The problematic workstations are running Windows NT and when the error occurs, it says the following on the network adapter:

"E100B1:DOES NOT SUPPORT THE CONFIGURATION SUPPLIED"

We're at our wit's end trying to figure out what's going on.

Has anybody experienced a similar problem?

Thanks.

[Georg Pauwen]

Hello,

I think your problem has nothing to do with the Cisco side of things, but rather with the driver you are using for your E100B1 Intel PRO PCI Adapters. There is a known issue with the drivers for these NICs provided on the Windows NT 4.0 installation CD. The solution is to install the latest drivers for the Intel PRO/100+ NICs.

Here is what Microsoft says about it on their website:

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Setup detects Intel 82558-based or 82559-based network adapters as an Intel 82557 network adapter, which does not work.

This behavior occurs because version 2.02 of the E100b.sys driver included on the Windows NT 4.0 CD includes controller-specific code that is not compatible with the Intel 82558 and 82559 controllers. This driver and subsequent drivers (through version 2.20) were developed for use with the Intel 82557 Fast Ethernet controller.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, do not use the drivers located on the Windows NT 4.0 or SBS 4.0 installation CDs when you install a 82558-based or 82559-based network adapter. Use the latest Intel PRO/100+ drivers, which are available on Intel's Web site at http://support.intel.com/. These updated drivers are backwards compatible with the 82557-based adapter.

When you install the latest driver, use the Have Disk option. If the operating system is already installed and the driver does not initialize, use Driver Disk Software Release 3.1 or later from Intel to update the adapter.

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HTH,

Georg

[axfalk]

Appreciate your help.