HP NC373F PCI Express Multifunction Gigabit server adapter

The HP NC373F is a high performance PCI Express multifunction network adapter that supports standard or low profile slots in ProLiant servers running over a fiber-optic network environment.

Part Numbers    

• Option #: 394793-B21
• Spare #: 395864-001
• Assembly #: 012785-002

Kit Contents    

1. NC373F PCI Express Multifunction Gigabit Server Adapter in an anti-static bag
2. Low profile bracke
3. CD containing drivers, user guide, installation and diagnostic utilities
4. Quick install card
5. Product warranty statement

Server Support

HP ProLiant DL140 G2     HP ProLiant ML350 G4
HP ProLiant DL140 G3     HP ProLiant ML350 G4p
HP ProLiant DL145 G2     HP ProLiant ML350 G5
HP ProLiant DL320 G3     HP ProLiant ML370 G4
HP ProLiant DL320 G4     HP ProLiant ML370 G5
HP ProLiant DL360 G4     HP ProLiant ML570 G3
HP ProLiant DL360 G4p     HP ProLiant ML570 G4
HP ProLiant DL360 G5      
HP ProLiant DL380 G4      
HP ProLiant DL380 G5      
HP ProLiant DL580 G3      
HP ProLiant DL580 G4

Performance

• Gigabit Ethernet Throughput     Up to 1000Mbps Ethernet transfer rate delivers outstanding network performance that improves response time and removes bottlenecks across the entire network.
• TCP/IP Offloading     TCP/IP Offload Engine (TOE) moves the processing of data in the TCP protocol stack from the server CPU to the network card, freeing CPU cycles for other duties. The NC373F supports TOE when Windows TOE Chimney, a forthcoming feature from Microsoft, is installed. With TOE, network communications are improved, and server efficiency is increased. The NC373F is able to support TOE Chimney now, and when that functionality is released by Microsoft in their Scalable Networking Pack, all that is needed for TOE activation is a software/firmware update available off of the web plus updated HP drivers.
• Accelerated iSCSI     Accelerated iSCSI allows the NC373F to multi-function as both as a network adapter and as a storage host bus adapter, thereby providing access to storage platforms and to servers over a single connection. Additionally, the NC373F offloads the iSCSI software to the hardware for improved performance.
• Load Balancing     Transmit Load Balancing (TLB) and Switch-Assisted Load Balancing (SLB) are two advanced features used to build a bigger pipe for improved networking bandwidth. These port bonding techniques enable users to use up to eight adapter ports in a ProLiant server and aggregate their throughput up to a theoretical maximum of 16 Gigabits per second full-duplex transmission. The NC373F can be configured with other NC-series Ethernet server adapter teams supported on ProLiant servers.
• Checksum and Segmentation Offloads, and Interrupt Coalescing     When running as a standard Gigabit adapter, the NC373F features TCP Checksum Offloads as well as TCP Segmentation Offloads and Interrupt Coalescence. These features reduce the load on the CPU for overall improved system response.
• Interrupt Coalescence is a feature that groups multiple packets and issues a single interrupt to the host. This process improves host efficiency.

Scalability and Reliability

• Network Fault Tolerance (NFT)     Network Fault Tolerance, sometimes called "failover" or "NIC redundancy," allows for the installation of multiple NC373F server adapters or other network adapters so that the active device can be backed up by a redundant adapter to improve availability. The HP teaming utility also allows users to specify that when a failed adapter is fixed and replaced, the original adapter resumes its function as the primary network connection.
• Management Support     Like all HP server adapters, the NC373F ships with drivers and agents that can be managed from all versions of HP Systems Insight Manager, as well as using any management application that supports SNMP.
• Server Integration     HP Systems Insight Manager can recognize the NC373F individually or in port-bonded teams, and can collect and report SNMP statistics on the adapter events. Additionally, Integrated Management Log (IML) support is provided by the NC373F for critical event logging on HP servers.
• Configuration Utilities     Each NC373F ships with a set of utilities that allow the user to:
  
  •  Enable initial diagnostics within Windows, Linux, and DOS operating systems.
  •  Configure network adapter teaming in a Windows environment. The Windows adapter teaming configuration utility includes a patented teaming GUI for Microsoft Windows 2000 and 2003 operating systems. Support for scripted installations of teams in a Microsoft Windows environment allow for unattended OS installations.
• LED Indicator     A single bracket LED indicator shows link integrity and network activity for easy troubleshooting.
• Intelligent Networking Pack (INP)     The NC373F supports the ProLiant Essentials Intelligent Networking Pack (INP). INP is a software upgrade that improves the reliability and performance of ProLiant servers by enabling them to adapt to and change the network path in their infrastructure. INP can detect and analyze network bottlenecks or broken network linkages, and then steer traffic to the optimum route based on network conditions.