In article <(E-Mail Removed)>, "jean"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> I just purchased a gigabit switch (D-Link DGS-1005D) to upgrade my network
> from 100baseT to gigabit. I changed the network card on my Linux box and it
> booted up, configured the card and I saw the light on my switch indicating a
> link at gigabit speed.
>
> On my PC running Windows 2000, after rebooting, just to make sure, the speed
> is still 100Mbits. I tried to tweak all the parameters to their maximum
> settings but it still shows 100Mbits. In the selection box for media
> selection, I have it set on auto, but there is no setting to force it to
> either half or full duplex gigabit, only lower speeds (100Mbits and lower).
>
> I have version 7.21.1.3 of the Marvel driver.
>
> I did not change the network cables because I was told that cat 5 is OK for
> gigabit networks, especially for the short distances I have at home (15
> feet).
>
> Anyone have any ideas?
>
> Jean
Are there eight wires in the cable, and are they all connected ?
A four wire cable, with eight pin connectors on either end, is
good for 10/100BT but not gigabit. Gigabit needs all eight wires.
You can use the Marvell Yukon Virtual Cable Tester (VCT) to
see if all eight wires are making contact with the other
device. Background info about VCT is here (VCT uses TDR and
analyses reflections from the cable, to determine if the cable
is open, shorted, or correctly connected). It should also be
in your manual.
http://marvell.com/products/transcei...hite_Paper.pdf
When I had a failure like this, the Ethernet connector turned out
to be dirty. One of the eight wires was not making contact. Repeated
insertion and removal of the cable eventually got it working.
It is probably best to power off the router while using VCT. That
prevents any packets or pulses sent by the router from confusing
VCT.
Gigabit can also work with a crossover cable, as well as a normal
cable. GbE can figure out how the wires are connected, and correct
polarity errors, or if the cable is crossover, it can still work.
(I think I saw the polarity correction feature in a datasheet for
a chip.)
HTH,
Paul