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Hints &Solutions
CELSIUS R630 Date: 01/12/2018

Half Duplex or Full Duplex network configuration

Item number Date Language

04337727 12/01/2005 English

Description
Half Duplex or Full Duplex network configuration.

Solution

• Full−duplex links are the key to extending the maximum network diameter of Fast Ethernet. Full−duplex
requires separate receive and transmit paths and link segments consisting of no more than two devices. These
devices can be Ethernet adapters or switch ports.

• Half−duplex links are characteristic for hub ports. A hub is part of the collision domain and reinforces collisions
received on any of its other ports. A hub is not capable of full−duplex operation. Although it is possible to have
just two Ethernet adapters configured for full−duplex, expansion beyond two adapters requires a switch capable
of supporting full−duplex operation.

Half−duplex means transmitting and receiving over the same medium but not at the same time. Full−duplex
allows for simultaneous sending and receiving.

However, 10BASE−T and 100Base−TX do have separate receive or transmit paths and are capable of full−duplex
operation depending upon the sophistication of the Ethernet adapter or switch. If these interfaces are configured for
half−duplex, then the simultaneous detection of receive and transmit activity will trigger collision detection.

These same interfaces, configured for full−duplex, would disable this collision detection logic since full−duplex does not
follow the CSMA/CD rules of shared Ethernet.

It is very important that a full−duplex link is configured properly. A system or switch port will send out frames, ignoring the
CSMA/CD protocol of shared Ethernet, if it is configured for full−duplex. If the other end is configured for half−duplex, it
will incorrectly detect collisions and take actions that could cause late collisions (which are not automatically resend) and
CRC errors. The result is a general slowdown of the network negating the benefits of Fast Ethernet.

Set Up Speed and Duplex:

In the default mode, an Ethernet adapter using copper connections will attempt to 'auto−negotiate' with its link partner to
determine the best setting. If the adapter cannot establish link with the link partner using auto−negotiation, you may need
to manually configure the adapter and link partner to the identical setting to establish link and pass packets. This should
only be needed when attempting to link with an older switch that does not support auto−negotiation or one that has been
forced to a specific speed or duplex mode.

The settings available when auto−negotiation is disabled are:

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• 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps Full Duplex (requires a full duplex link partner set to full duplex). The adapter can send
and receive packets at the same time. You must set this mode manually (see below).

• 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps Half Duplex (requires a link partner set to half duplex). The adapter performs one
operation at a time; it either sends or receives. You must set this mode manually (see below).

CAUTION:
Only experienced network administrators should force speed and duplex manually.
Your link partner must have matching settings.

Manually Configuring Duplex and Speed Settings:

• If your switch supports the NWay* standard, and both the adapter and switch are set to auto−negotiate, full
duplex configuration is automatic, and no action is required on your part.

Not all switches support auto−negotiation. Check with your network system administrator to verify whether your
switch supports this feature.

Configuration is specific to the driver you’re loading for your operating system. To set a specific Link Speed and
Duplex Mode, follow the guidelines of the appropriate operating system.

NOTE:
Per IEEE 802.3 specification, gigabit speed cannot be forced. It can only be auto−negotiated.

CAUTION:
The settings at the switch must always match the adapter settings. Adapter performance may suffer or your adapter may
not operate if you configure the adapter differently from your switch.

Conclusion:

The Ethernet MAC has mainly two working modes. It can be determined through Auto−Negotiation or through manual
configuration. Auto−Negotiation should be the preferred operation mode and must be configured on both link segments
before starting normal operation.

If manual configuration is chosen by the network administrator, both ports of the link segment must be configured to
matching modes to guarantee proper operation.

NOTE:
70% of improper network behaviour is the result of improper configuration of duplex modes.

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