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Intel PRO / 1000 PT Dual Port Server Adapter using two NiC for double network speed per single file transfer

BryanFury
New Contributor I
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Greetings,

Is it possible to use parallel network cables, to achieve single data transfer among Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows 8.1?

I have 2 Intel PRO / 1000 PT Dual Port Server Adapter, which do support the paralelization, either directly, or via switch, but I'd need them to act like a single virtual adapter, both of them, so they could copy one file 2 gbps, instead of 1 gpbs.

If this's not possible, is it possible to get 10 gbps network adapter for some normal price? [up to 100 euro per piece]? And not the crappiest one?

If not, can I connect two computers, via USB 3.0 without some heavy tweaking? Some simple software, that will help me support TCP/iP over USB?

Thank You!

regards

Bryan

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SYeo3
Valued Contributor I
916 Views

Hi Bryan,

Thank you for contacting Intel.

Parallel networking is equivalent to the teaming feature on Intel Network Adapters. The Intel® PRO/1000 PT Dual Port Server Adapter supports teaming (parallel networking) on Windows* 2008 and earlier. For teaming support on Windows* 8.1 and Server 2012, you may use the adapter models - Intel® Ethernet Server Adapter i340, i350, and i210 Series.

For more information on teaming, please visit the link below:

1. http://www.intel.com/support/network/sb/cs-009747.htm Network Connectivity — How Do I Use Teaming with Intel® Advanced Network Services (Intel® ANS)?

2. http://www.intel.com/support/network/sb/CS-034443.htm Network Connectivity — Is My Intel® Ethernet Adapter Supported in Microsoft Windows 8.1*?

3. http://www.intel.com/support/network/sb/CS-034449.htm Network Connectivity — Is My Intel® Ethernet Adapter Supported in Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2*?

Feel free to contact us if you have further questions.

Sincerely,

Sandy

BryanFury
New Contributor I
916 Views

Greetings Sandy!

Thank You for Your great reply!

So, two questions.

First. Teaming two cables, will grant me double speed one way, or higher speed one and other way? [1 gbps down/1 gbps up], or paralelization in terms of higher quality of transfer, parity, etc?

I'm trying to achieve here 2 gbps one way. If it's not possible, I'll go with 10 gbps from Intel, or StarTech, or whichever is gonna be more available.

Second. I'm unable to use my current The Intel® PRO/1000 PT Dual Port Server Adapter with Windows Server 2012 R2 whatsoever? Or just for teaming up?

Thank You!

regards

Bryan

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SYeo3
Valued Contributor I
916 Views

Hi Bryan,

Thanks for writing back. Please find answers to your questions below:

Q1. Teaming two cables, will grant me double speed one way, or higher speed one and other way? [1 gbps down/1 gbps up], or paralelization in terms of higher quality of transfer, parity, etc?

A1: Depends on the teaming mode configured. If you configure 2 gigabit ports with link aggregation mode, you will get 2 Gbps down / 2 Gbps up.

You can find more about teaming modes here - http://www.intel.com/support/network/sb/cs-009747.htm Network Connectivity — How Do I Use Teaming with Intel® Advanced Network Services (Intel® ANS)?

Q2. I'm unable to use my current The Intel® PRO/1000 PT Dual Port Server Adapter with Windows Server 2012 R2 whatsoever? Or just for teaming up?

A2: You can use the Intel® PRO/1000 PT Dual Port Server Adapter with Windows Server 2012 R2. It's just teaming that is not supported.

I hope this clarifies your concerns.

Sincerely,

Sandy

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BryanFury
New Contributor I
916 Views

Greetings Sandy,

And one last question. Are You sure about the 2 gbps working mode on one channel? With two 1 gbps ports? Since I read it's only for one channel only, and it cannot combine the data flow of two, into one virtual adapter.

Can You please confirm this functionality for me?

Kind regards

Bryan

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SYeo3
Valued Contributor I
916 Views

Hi Bryan,

Yes, the 2 ports combined will have 1 virtual connection of 2Gbps. Please refer to our website below for the Teaming Modes:

http://www.intel.com/support/network/sb/cs-009747.htm Network Connectivity — How Do I Use Teaming with Intel® Advanced Network Services (Intel® ANS)?

Sincerely,

Sandy

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BryanFury
New Contributor I
916 Views

Hi there Sandy,

I studied it a bit around.

Though, I found out that the Adaptive Load Balancing (ALB) and Receive Load Balancing (RLB) is only available, when using a switch, that supports link aggregation, and also, that I can't use ALB and RLB on one adapter at a time.

 

My idea was to connect my server, directly to my workstation, and use it as a NAS with 2 gbps both ways, using only two adapters, two cables, without switch. But even with switch, the fast communication would be possible only one way, the one I chose.

 

Or am I able to use ALB and RLB combined both ways, when NiCs are directly connected?

 

I'm thinking that my only real option here is using Intel or diff. brand optical network, supporting up to 10 gbps, and supporting Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows 8.1/10.

 

Hmm, please confirm or refute my assumption, because it's kind of a LOT more expensive, compared to standard NiCs,

Thank You Sandy!

Kind regards

Bryan

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SYeo3
Valued Contributor I
916 Views

Hi Bryan,

Good day. Hope you had a great weekend!

These teaming modes cannot support the setup that you're trying to configure. These teaming modes need to connect the adapters to a switch. You may need to use other types of NIC or special configuration in connecting your workstation directly to your server.

Feel free to contact us again if you have further questions.

Sincerely,

Sandy

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BryanFury
New Contributor I
916 Views

Thank You Sandy,

Well, I'll play a little pig in a poke, and will try some refurbished SFP network adapters from e-bay. In the end, I might end up using Intel NiC, but hell, I don't have 600 - 1200 eur for two PCi-e SFP adapters from intel atm. just to have my fast "NAS". I already spit out a lot for Windows Server 2012 R2 :/

Btw. is there something like 2 gbps network card from Intel? Or some cheap 10 gbps?

Thank You!

regards

Bryan

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SYeo3
Valued Contributor I
916 Views

Hi Bryan,

The single-port 10GbE Network Card, Intel® Ethernet Converged Network Adapter X540-T1, costs around US$ 341.00. While a dual port gigabit network card, Intel® Gigabit ET Dual Port Server Adapter, costs around US$ 145.00 - 160.00.

http://ark.intel.com/compare/58953,50397 ARK | Compare Intel® Networking Products

You can find other network card models and recommended prices here - http://ark.intel.com/# @NetworkingProducts ARK | Intel® Networking Products

Please let us know if you need further assistance. Have a great day!

Sincerely,

Sandy

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