* Next generation of 10 Gigabit Ethernet adapters integrated into HP servers
NetXen this week said it has integrated its 10 Gigabit Ethernet adapters supporting Windows and Linux offload with HP’s ProLiant servers.
NetXen’s 10 Gigabit Multifunction Network Adapters offload some functions from Windows and Linux servers so that the servers’ processors aren’t burdened with as much of the networking workload. Technology such as this is especially important as servers are upgraded from Gigabit Ethernet connections to 10 Gigabit Ethernet, since the higher-speed links require more processing. While that migration isn’t happening quickly, some organizations may start to feel the need to upgrade.
By the end of this month, NetXen is hoping to ship a firmware upgrade for its adapters that will allow them to support both Microsoft TCP Chimney Offload and Linux Sockets Acceleration. Owners of HP’s ProLiant DL and ML servers that have the adapters will be able to apply the upgrade for free.
Microsoft TCP Chimney Offload, for Windows Server 2003, moves TCP processing from the server’s CPU to the adapter. Linux Sockets Acceleration works similarly for Linux systems. NetXen points out that it requires no modifications to the kernel, host TCP stack or applications, and no recompile of the kernel for production servers.
The HP Multifunction Network Adapters for ProLiant DL and ML servers include one with a CX4 copper interface and another with a fiber-optic interface. NetXen says both are capable of supporting TCP/IP, RDMA, and iSCSI.
