Express Teaming

Express Teaming is a quick way to team together all of the ports of a multi-port Adapter on Microsoft* Windows* 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server* 2003. Express Teaming is built into the Windows driver and does not require any other software.

Setting Up Express Teaming

In Windows, install the driver; installing Intel® PROSet is optional. You can set up an Express Team from Intel PROSet or from the Advanced tab of the adapter's Properties (if you have Intel® PROSet for Windows* Device Manager installed, Express Teaming is on the Teaming tab). For information about installing drivers and Intel PROSet, select the appropriate topic in the Table of Contents (left pane of this window).

Waking Up a System

An Express Team can wake up the system it is in if it has "Allow this device to bring the computer out of standby" enabled in the Power Management Property Page. In order for this functionality to work correctly, all the ports should have the same power management settings before you create the team.

Requirements for Express Teaming

NOTES:
  • If an adapter is configured for Express Teaming, performing Hot Plug operations with that adapter is not supported. The adapter becomes disabled.

  • VLANs cannot be created on an Express Team, even if ANS is installed.

  • Diagnostics are not supported for an Express Team.

  • Identify Adapter blinks all ports of the Express Team.

  • Express Teams can be created with driver only installs.  They do not require Intel PROSet or Intel PROSet for Windows Device Manager.

  • You can not access the individual ports in an Express Team.

Adapter Settings

When an Express Team is created, only the initiator port remains visible.  All other member ports are hidden.  When the team is created, the settings for the secondary ports are saved and the settings for the initiator port are propagated throughout the team.  When the team is disbanded, the primary port retains the settings made for the team and the secondary ports have their pre-team settings restored.

Once the team has been created, when you change a setting, it is changed for all ports in the team. The only exception is Locally Administered Address. This is a port-specific setting and is not propagated through the team. 

Express Teaming Modes

Express Teaming is based on Load Balancing technology supplied by Microsoft. An Express Team supports Receive Load Balancing (RLB).  If you want to use other teaming modes or features, you must use ANS teaming.


Last modified on 10/20/04 10:12a Revision 19