Contents:
The Need For Network Manageable Adapters
Local area networks (LANs) are becoming integral to the operations of
many companies. As this trend continues and PC networking technology
matures, the industry is experiencing strong demand for simplified and
centralized methods of managing local networks of desktop computers.
Without this capability, companies are reluctant to invest in the
downsizing of mainframe environments to PC LANs.
LAN adapters are an important part of a corporation's investment in
networking. LAN adapters are second only to file servers in terms of
worldwide dollar value of shipments (IDC, 1992, ranking of PC NICs,
servers, NOS licenses, internetwork devices, application software, and
hubs). LAN adapters are also by far the most numerous piece of
networking equipment, since one is required for each networked PC.
Adapters today are just starting to become integrated with network
management tools. Most of today's tools are oriented toward managing
internetwork devices such as routers and bridges or wiring components
such as hubs. The most popular way in which LAN adapters are managed
today is through standard protocols such as SNMP (Simple Network
Management Protocol) and through expensive network management consoles,
often UNIX-based. Even so, the information that can be gathered is
limited to low-level wire information, such as traffic statistics and
error counts.
Intel's Lan Adapter Strategy
With its expertise in silicon, PC technologies, PC architectures and
network management, Intel is uniquely qualified to supply the missing
element -- node management -- by creating a new generation of LAN
adapters with built-in network management hardware and software. LAN
adapters are a logical place to add network management capabilities for
the desktop. Each networked node has a network interface card (NIC). The
NIC monitors network traffic on the wire, as well as interfacing with
the network operating system and the PC bus. Intel's goal is to
introduce a new generation of adapters that not only are the easiest to
install and maintain, but also make the job of managing PCs easier.
Adapter management issues include configuring adapter hardware and
installing network drivers. Intel led the market in September 1991 with
the first ISA auto-configuration LAN adapters. With its new generation
of adapters, Intel continues to make adapters easier to install by
designing in the ability to automatically download drivers to the hard
disk. Until now, a LAN administrator has had to physically go to the PC
to make changes in drivers. Intel provides centralized utilities to
update LAN adapter drivers from a central console.
Making PCs easier to manage includes a much broader range of
functionality. In this area Intel is working on using NICs to monitor
more than just traffic on the wire. For example, Intel is working on
network-manageable adapters that include software to analyze the
contents of the PC itself. In addition, the information will be stored
on the LAN adapter using an Intel technology called flash memory.
Understanding flash memory is key to understanding the capabilities of
Intel's new network management adapter cards.
Flash Technology
Flash memory was developed to solve some of the problems of DRAM
(Dynamic Random Access Memory), SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) and
magnetic hard disks and floppies. DRAMs are dense and inexpensive, but
do not keep their contents when the power is turned off. SRAMs, popular
for caching information generated by today's high speed microprocessors,
are much more expensive and still require battery backup. Magnetic hard
disks and floppies are often slow and subject to accidental user erasure
or even corruption.
Flash memory is ideal for storing network management information because
it is:
- Non-volatile: It maintains its contents even if PC power goes off.
- Secure and reliable: It cannot be accidentally erased by the user,
and it is always accessible.
- Fast: It is faster to read than a hard disk.
- Low cost per megabyte: Pricing follows DRAM pricing.
Flash is Non-volatile
Flash memory retains data for more than 100 years. Flash memory is
modified electrically by erasing the contents of either the entire chip
or certain blocks. This means that updates can be performed across the
LAN without requiring a LAN administrator to walk to each station.
Flash is Secure and Reliable
Unlike a PC's hard disk or floppy, flash memory contents can not be
accidentally erased by the user and are not subject to the dangers of
hard disk failure or floppy corruption. Flash memory can be written to
and read more than 100,000 times reliably.
Flash is Fast
Electronic storage is much faster than mechanical methods. The data seek
time for flash memory is less than .1 millisecond, compared to more than
20 milliseconds for many hard disks.
Flash Offers Lower Cost Per Megabyte
Flash memory costs less per megabyte than other non-volatile methods,
for instance, SRAM, and yet it follows the higher density at lower cost
trend of DRAM products. Intel uses an ETOX III technology to make a
flash memory cell 30 percent smaller than an equivalent DRAM cell. Intel
expects volumes to increase dramatically for flash memory as flash
technology is adopted in applications such as palmtop memory cards,
solid state disks, and the storage of software on the motherboard
(ROM-executable operating systems such as DOS or Windows).
Flash memory is already used on Intel networking products, such as the
Intel NetPort II print server and the StorageExpressTM backup system.
The NetPort II, Intel's plug-and-play printer LAN attachment device,
stores all software needed to link the printer and file server and can
be reprogrammed across the LAN without having to open the box. The
StorageExpress system, an integrated and centrally managed network
backup system, stores its BIOS in flash memory and can be reprogrammed
across the network.
Intel's next generation of cards includes flash memory for network
management capabilities. The characteristics of nonvolatility, security,
reliability and speed allow Intel to provide network management features
directly on the card.
Intel's Flashworks
Intel's EtherExpress FlashC network adapter includes 256Kbytes of
on-board flash memory and a wide range of software utilities for network
management. These utilities are called "FlashWorks."
FlashWorks was designed to make EtherExpress cards the easiest cards in
the industry to install and upgrade. Intel accomplishes this by
providing:
- FlashStart, for the installation and configuration of the adapter
without needing to copy or run floppy disks at the user's PC
- FlashUpdate, for updating the network drivers on the hard disk or
updating the flash contents
- FlashBoot, for diskless workstation users
- FlashView, for displaying changes in hardware assets
At present, FlashStart and FlashUpdate support Novell NetWare 3.1x
networks. FlashBoot supports NetWare 2.x and 3.1x networks and Microsoft
LAN Manager networks. Intel intends to support NetWare 4.x in a timely
manner.
Flashstart
In the past, LAN administrators have had to go through a two-step
process to install LAN adapters. First, they had to configure the
adapter hardware for the PC environment. This included manually setting
IRQs (interrupt request lines), I/O addresses, slot characteristics and
other parameters, often by flipping switches or moving jumpers. This
made installation a tedious procedure that could take several hours.
Beginning with the EtherExpress 16 in September 1991, Intel created a
new standard for installation by introducing the SOFTSET automatic
configuration program. The EtherExpress 16 adapter is configured
automatically with the pressing of a key and without any need to set
jumpers or flip switches. Thanks to SOFTSET, adapter installation time
was shortened from what sometimes took hours in a fully loaded PC to
several minutes.
Today, the second step after the card is installed is to configure the
workstation for network operation by copying drivers to the hard disk
and modifying the workstation startup files (such as AUTOEXEC.BAT and
CONFIG.SYS).
Intel's FlashStart utility is designed to get the adapter and PC
configured in one easy step. SOFTSET has been modified to run in flash
memory and is now called FLASHSET. The program executes and configures
the cards automatically at initial boot-up time. Then, the Novell
NetWare software stored in flash memory automatically bootstraps the
EtherExpress FlashC card onto the network to a preferred server. This
server -- referred to as the FlashStart server -- contains the drivers
and configuration files that need to be downloaded to the PC. This
server only has to be set up once -- a mostly automatic process that
takes five to 10 minutes.
After the card is installed in a slot in the user's PC, drivers are
downloaded across the LAN and written to the hard disk, and the PC's
startup files are modified to load the drivers. The computer is
rebooted, and the downloaded drivers are used to log on to the network.
Subsequent bootups will bypass the FlashStart operation and go through
the normal bootup process. With FlashStart, Intel has shortened total
adapter installation time to less than a minute per workstation.
The actual installation scenario is:
- The LAN administrator plugs in the board and then turns on the
computer, which displays welcome screens.
- Using the Novell ODI remote boot protocol (RPL), FlashStart
automatically logs in to a special user account created during the
FlashWorks installation process.
- A log-in script maps necessary drives and executes a program on the
server called FLSTRT.EXE.
- If both ODI and dedicated IPX drivers have been installed on the
server during the FlashWorks installation process, the user is
prompted to specify which set of drivers is desired.
- Then FLSTART copies the drivers from the server to the
workstation's hard disk, modifies AUTOEXEC.BAT, CONFIG.SYS and
NET.CFG as needed, and saves all original files with an .OLD
extension.
- If the process completes successfully, FlashStart turns itself off
and reboots the user's computer. The rebooting is automatic, making
it possible for the workstation to be on-network in about 30
seconds. Further, if an error occurs during installation -- for
example, if the cable is disconnected or the server is not
formatted to run FlashStart -- the EtherExpress FlashC adapter
software will describe a path for correcting the problem.
LAN administrators don't need to worry about excess traffic as drivers
and configuration files that reside on the server are copied over the
network. FlashStart generates minimal impact on network traffic. The
entire FlashStart process generates about 150Kbytes of traffic -- no
more than a large e-mail message.
Flashupdate
Once the PC is network-ready, there will occasionally be changes in the
network environment that require adapter drivers to be updated. With
FlashUpdate, the LAN administrator can automatically update all drivers
on any EtherExpress FlashC card on the network from any central
PC--without going through the time-consuming procesure of manually
copying new drivers onto PCs that have already been configured.
FlashUpdate -- which functions like an extension of FlashStart -- is
installed onto a server from any PC. The LAN administrator copies the
latest drivers from a floppy disk onto this same server. When the LAN
administrator needs to update network users, the FlashUpdate
automatically presents a list of EtherExpress FlashC users and allows
for the selection of all users or a subset of users. Then FlashUpdate
adds to the system's log-in script a small executable called FLCHECK
that runs each time a user logs in to the network. This executable scans
the hard disk for Intel drivers and compares them to drivers that reside
on the server. If a more current version of the drivers exists on the
server, it updates users automatically by copying over the latest
version.
By running at each log-in, the executable builds a dynamic database of
client information. This information includes the client's NetWare name,
station address, log-in name, whether Flash is installed, whether the
client uses IPX or ODI drivers, and whether the system has a hard disk
or is a diskless workstation. The LAN administrator can check the
database to view the attributes for each client and obtain a status
report of the most recent update event.
A second utility within FlashUpdate, FLUPDATE, describes a driver update
path for FlashUpdate by "pointing" to files on the server. The FLUPDATE
utility features menus that allow software events to be added and
deleted. Up to five updates can be in line at one time. Also in DRVMGR
are search string paths that define which directories or sub-directories
should be searched on the client's PC.
For ease of use and customizing to specific network environments, the
FlashWorks installation program allows the LAN administrator to create a
list of which users to update and when.
FlashUpdate also has a reporting feature that provides the number of
users updated, users pending update (because they have not logged on yet), and a listing of error codes for users who could not be updated,
for example, "Driver not found."
In a similar way, FlashUpdate also can update the flash contents of any
EtherExpress FlashC card on the network. For example, if a new version
of the FlashStart utility needs to be downloaded to every EtherExpress
FlashC card, it can be accomplished through FlashUpdate automatically
and from a central location.
With the exception of file searches, the update procedure for flash
contents is the same as the driver update procedure. A flash loader is
invoked, which makes a backup copy of the flash contents on the server.
(This redundant copy allows the flash contents to be recovered in the
event an error occurs.) The LAN administrator can view the history of
flash updates on a per workstation basis or event basis.
Flashboot
Diskless workstations today demand that the LAN administrator go through
a variety of extra steps to configure them for network access. Because
they cannot be booted from the hard disk, typically a boot PROM must be
installed in a socket on the board. Then, if for some reason the boot
PROM contents need to be changed, the LAN administrator must physically
go to every workstation, open the machine and install a new PROM. The
EtherExpress FlashC adapters include NetWare IPX and LAN Manager NDIS
boot code in flash memory, eliminating the need for a boot PROM.
An initializing ROM that executes before the operating system determines
whether there is a hard disk at the workstation. If no hard disk is
found, it runs the FLASHSET configuration program. Because the FLASHSET
utility is stored in flash, the adapter can be configured without the
need to switch the card from a PC with a floppy drive or setting
jumpers/switches. If the boot code needs to be changed, the LAN
administrator can do so across the LAN using FlashUpdate -- without ever
changing a PROM.
By storing boot code in flash, Intel is taking a more integrated
approach to configuring diskless workstations and simplifying network
management for the LAN administrator. This approach streamlines overall
maintenance of firmware and drivers by replacing time-consuming manual
steps with a program-automatic, remote booting update solution. Taking
advantage of flash to store boot code also eliminates the need for
customers to purchase optional boot PROMs.
Using Flash To Track PC Hardware
Intel makes the EtherExpress FlashC adapter not only the easiest adapter
on the market to install and maintain, but also the only network adapter
on the market that allows you to view the hardware contents of your PC.
This is accomplished through a utility called FlashView.
Flashview
FlashView includes two components: a scanner and a viewer. The scanner
scans the hardware components of the PC. Information such as CPU
processor speed, hard disk size and type and VGA card and type are then
written into the flash memory on the EtherExpress FlashC card. This
scan takes place at log-on time and takes less than a second. The viewer
is a DOS utility that looks at the inventory information stored in
flash. It also displays a history log of what hardware components have
been added or changed. The viewer also allows the LAN administrator to
enter into user-defined fields information that the scanner cannot
capture, such as inventory tag numbers, serial numbers, system contact
and so on.
The FlashView scanner and viewer can also display certain configuration
files and their changes, which simplifies troubleshooting of a system.
The files that can be tracked include AUTOEXEC.BAT, CONFIG.SYS, NET.CFG
and SHELL.CFG.
FlashView benefits include:
- If a problem occurs with the PC, the LAN administrator can use
FlashView to determine what was the last piece of equipment that
changed. This enables quick debugging of compatibility problems.
- A CMOS save and restore feature in FlashView allows the
EtherExpress FlashC card to store CMOS configuration files. If CMOS
contents are corrupted -- for example, if the battery backup runs
out -- the data can be easily retrieved because the FlashC card
keeps a copy of the configuration file.
- Inventory information is always available without having to open up
the PC. Because the information is stored in flash, the LAN
administrator doesn't have to worry about power failures,
accidental user erasure or even crashed hard disks. The flash can
be accessed whether the PC is logged onto the network or not.
Etherexpress Flashc Hardware
The EtherExpress FlashC adapter hardware design is based on the
EtherExpress 16C Adapter. Like the EtherExpress 16C, the EtherExpress
FlashC adapter includes all three connectors for Ethernet connections:
AUI for thick coax, BNC for thin coax, and an RJ45 twisted pair
connector for the popular 10Base-T standard. This flexibility also makes
the card easier to manage from a customer and reseller viewpoint. With
one card for all Ethernet needs, the customer need not be concerned with
wiring changes in the future, and the reseller needs to stock only one
card for customer needs. The card is also designed to automatically
sense the connector in use. If the 10Base-T wiring is reversed (polarity
check), the board will automatically orient and correct it.
The EtherExpress FlashC is Intel's first card to feature FlashWorks.
Intel plans to develop new cards that can take advantage of these
network management features, as well as new applications for flash
memory. Users can rest assured that they have the flexibility with the
Intel Express adapter series to upgrade in the future as their
management needs grow.
Integration of EtherExpress FlashC with Intel's LANDeskTM Manager
The LANDesk Manager from Intel provides an integrated set of core tools
for managing desktop devices and services on NetWare 3.1x networks. The
LANDesk Manager software integrates essential LAN administration
functions under a single, Windows*-based visual interface, including
remote desktop management, network traffic monitoring, application
monitoring, virus protection, troubleshooting and inventory management.
There are two ways in which the LANDesk Manager works with LAN adapters.
First, the software enables remote viewing of workstations linked to the
network. The software allows the LAN administrator to view all adapters
on the network -- including Intel adapters that do not feature flash
memory and adapters from vendors other than Intel. Workstation
information that can be viewed via the adapter includes configuration
parameters, such as IRQs, I/O addresses, the type of adapter (model,
vendor) and so on.
Second, because Intel's EtherExpress FlashC adapter stores asset
information in flash, it offers tight interoperability with the LANDesk
Manager. Integrated in the LANDesk Manager is inventory management
functionality that provides a comprehensive summary of hardware and
software resources on the entire network. As the inventory management
program scans the network, it collects information from any FlashC
adapters it locates. The software reads user-defined fields from flash
that the LAN administrator has entered locally, such as inventory tag
numbers, serial numbers, and so on.
This gives LAN administrators a set of redundant databases: the central
database that LANDesk Manager uses on a file server, and a distributed
database that comprises the EtherExpress FlashC cards on the network.
The only operator action required to generate this information base is
loading two small scanner applications by including them in the network
log-in script.
The chief advantage of using the LANDesk software and EtherExpress
FlashC adapters together is that the combination provides simple options
for managing PCs on the network. LAN administrators can select from
multiple configuration and setup options to customize management to
their particular environment. For example, LAN administrators can define
a process whereby as PCs arrive on site, they are configured, then the
LANDesk Manager software automatically adds their serial numbers and
inventory numbers to the database.
The scanner that ships with the LANDesk Manager software is designed to
recognize EtherExpress FlashC cards. The scanner is an executable file
(rather than a TSR) that the LAN administrator can load into
AUTOEXEC.BAT -- to initiate the scan, for example, when the PC is turned
on or when the system logs on to the network. As another option, the LAN
administrator could set up a manual scan, or some combination of
automatic and manual scans. The manual scan option is especially useful
in pinpointing problems.