Alacritech Server Adapter Release 5.5.0 README (Updated) February 2003 NOTE: =============================== Always refer to http://www.alacritech.com/html/license.html for the latest WHQL and non-WHQL Alacritech drivers and documentation. Operating System Support Change =============================== Windows 2000 and Windows NT4 continue to be supported with this release. Binary driver support for all Linux versions has been replaced with an open source Linux driver. Details on the open source driver is available at http://slicoss.sourceforge.net Windows Hardware Compatibility List =================================== The Windows 2000 Network Miniport driver (slic100.sys) contained in this release is WHQL certified and digitally signed. New Features ============ Release 5.5.0 is a significant bug fix release, but does not add any new features beyond those that were available in 5.4.5. Known Problems ============== The following is a list of unresolved problems that may or may not affect your specific configuration in Release 5.5.0: All Windows Releases -------------------- 00314 - Legato Networker sometimes fails with invalid connection error. When this error occurs the connection is retried and usually succeeds. WORKAROUND: Increase the number of retries via the Networker Administrator Windows 2000 ------------ 00471 - After Ghost install, a dialog appears asking the use to put the "Alacritech Accelerator Install CD" into the H: drive. WORKAROUND: Click OK. Browse to "winnt\system32\drivers" for the first file. Windows NT ------------ 00277 - Incompatible with Veritas Cluster Server on NT 4.0 Veritas Cluster Server will not work with the Alacritech Accelerator. WORKAROUND: none 00386 - Teamed interfaces can fail to initialize on NT Enterprise edition. Occasionally a teamed Alacritech accelerator may fail to initialize when running NT Enterprise Edition. WORKAROUND: This is a rare problem that only appears to occur with Compaq 5000 series servers. No workaround at this time. 00387 - Appletalk fails to bind to a teamed adapter. The "Services for Macintosh" service fails to bind to a teamed Alacritech Accelerator adapter. WORKAROUND: The Apple file Share will still function, but you must manually enter the IP address of the server rather than being able to browse for it. 00400 - If a 100Mb Alacritech accelerator is removed from a slot and a GbE Alacritech accelerator is installed in it's place without first deinstalling the 100Mb accelerator from the Network Control Panel, the system can hang. WORKAROUND: Always remove adapter software before replacing with an adapter of a different type. 00461 - Novell client traffic can cause the system to bluescreen WORKAROUND: This problem is known to occur when connecting to a Novell 4 server. No workaround at this time. Bug Fixes ========= The Following is a list of bugs resolved since release 5.4.5 ------------------------------------------------------------ 00503 - Routes missing from atcp route table Non-local (gateway) routes to local destinations are not added to the ATCP route table. This is allowed by the Microsoft TCP stack. 00601 - TCP half-close problem Connection can hang on client initiated on TCP half close. 00663 - Legato networker fails with fastpath enabled When running Legato Networker 6.1 build 168 on Win2k SP2 (client and server) with a 1000x1 card in the server, and a 1000x1F in the client, the backup will fail unless TCP offload is disabled in the client. 00672 - Connection parameter changes require flush When the value of connection parameters, such as keep alive, is changed any offloaded connection should be flushed back to the host to synchronize. 00679 - FTP data connection (receiving [mput]) hang While running FTPTEST, some data connections (receiving a file transfer from FTP MPUT) spuriously result in a hang condition. 00700 - Potential for data loss under heavy load (Gigabit only) Network data may not be completely written to host memory under extreme load conditions. Discovered during iSCSI performance testing 00713 - DHCP default route issues When a DHCP interface is enabled, the IP address and mask is set properly. However, a default route added by DHCP (via the route completion call-back in ATCP) results in an EEXIST return code. The Microsoft view of routes shows another default route via the newly added DHCP interface. The following is a list of bugs resolved since Release 5.4.4 ------------------------------------------------------------ 00615 - System hangs with teaming configured On some systems with the 5.4.4 driver and a team configured, the system hangs during the boot process. The following is a list of bugs resolved since Release 5.4.2 ------------------------------------------------------------ 00339 - Adding routes handled incorrectly Atcp route table is not properly aware of routes through non-Alacritech interfaces and will sometimes fail to add them. 00533 - Virtual IP address fails on cluster The virtual IP address for Microsoft cluster sometimes fails after 10-15 minutes when ATCP is enabled. 00557 - ipaddress issues with cluster After a cluster fails over to a back up node, when the failed (primary) node is brought back online, the backup node refuses to release the virtual server IP address, causing the primary node to get a "duplicate IP address" message. 00580 - Duplicate IP address from PnP logic The logic for the PnP "full power" event makes an assumption that the SLIC and/or PAG drivers will ignore duplicate IP if they are provided. However, the SLIC and PAG logic was subsequently modified to permit duplicate IPs. 00582 - Self-referential FTP on cluster fails A system is configured with ATCP and cluster services. A self-referential FTP session is attempted. The session can not be established through all of the system's IP addresses. 00583 - Cluster hangs and crashes Sometimes MS passes down MDLs with garbage at the end which can cause the cluster node to hang or crash. 00590 - Client connection failure after idle period When system is configured with ATCP on clients and server, the clients fail to recover after an idle period. The following is a list of bugs resolved since Release 5.3.4 ------------------------------------------------------------ 00504 - Video stream connection mysteriously dies A connection can hang after receiving a continuous heavy load of incoming traffic. 00535 - Connection can hang after issuing large receive request A connection can hang after the application issues a large receive request. Support ======= You can reach Alacritech's automated support service 24 hours a day, every day. The service contains the most up-to-date information about Alacritech products. You can access the most current drivers, installation instructions, troubleshooting information, and general product information. Support: http://www.alacritech.com/html/techsupport.html Patents ======= One or more United States and international patents apply to Alacritech products, including without limitation: U.S. Patent Nos. 6,226,680, 6,247,060, 6,334,153, 6,389,479, 6,393,487, 6,427,171, 6,427,173, 6,434,620, and 6,470,415 900090 Rev 1