Dual Port Gigabit PCI Express Server Network Adapter Card - PCIe NIC

Prior to installing this device, ensure that your operating system is up to date (for example, you have installed the most recent service pack).

To install the driver:

1. Download the latest drivers from the StarTech.com website (http://www.startech.com/Support). You can find the part number and product ID on the product’s packaging.

Note: Windows will typically save the files to the Downloads folder that is associated with your user account (for example, C:\Users\your_name\Downloads).

2. Once the download is complete, right-click the zip folder that you downloaded, select Extract All, and follow the on-screen instructions.
3. Select the appropriate folder for your operating system.
4. Right-click Setup.exe. 
5. Click Run as Administrator.

Note: If the Run as Administrator option is not available, you might be attempting to run the installer from within the zipped file. Extract the files using the instructions in Step 2.

6. Follow the on-screen prompts to install the device drivers and restart the computer when prompted.
7. Your computer will automatically complete the driver installation and your device should be ready to use.

Prior to installing this device, ensure that your operating system is up to date (for example, you have installed the most recent service pack).

To install the driver:

1. Download the latest drivers from the StarTech.com website (http://www.startech.com/Support). You can find the part number and product ID on the product’s packaging.

Note: Windows will typically save the files to the Downloads folder that is associated with your user account (for example, C:\Documents and Settings\your_name\My Documents\Downloads).

2. Once the download is complete, right-click the zip folder that you downloaded, select Extract All, and follow the on-screen instructions.
3. Select the appropriate folder for your operating system.
4. Double-click Setup.exe.
5. Follow the on-screen prompts to install the device drivers and restart the computer when prompted.
6. Your computer will automatically complete the driver installation and your device should be ready to use.

When you troubleshoot issues with a network adapter, there are some quick tests that you can complete to rule out potential problems. You can test to make sure that the following components are working correctly and are not the source of the issue:

• Ethernet cables
• Network devices
• Computer system

To test your setup components, try the following:

• Use the Ethernet cables, network devices, and computer system in another setup to see if the problem is with the components or the setup.
• Use different Ethernet cables, network devices, and a different computer system in your setup to see if the problem persists. Ideally, you should test a component that you know works in another setup.

When you test your cables, it is recommended that you do the following:

• Test each cable individually.
• Use short cables when you are testing.

When you test the Ethernet cables, network devices, and computer system, it is recommended that you do the following:

• In Device Manager, check under Network Adapters. To open Device Manager, press the Windows key + R, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter.
• If you are using a USB network adapter and you do not see the network adapter listed in Device Manager, refer to the following FAQ: https://www.startech.com/support/faqs/technical-support?topic=expansion-cards#usb-cannot-detect-windows.
• If you are using a PCI/PCIe network adapter and you do not see the network adapter listed in Device Manager, refer to the following FAQ: https://www.startech.com/support/faqs/technical-support?topic=expansion-cards#pci-pcie-cannot-boot-os-or-detect-windows.
• If you are using a CardBus/ExpressCard adapter and you do not see the network adapter listed in Device Manager, refer to the following FAQ: https://www.startech.com/support/faqs/technical-support?topic=expansion-cards#cb-ec-cannot-detect-windows.
• If the device is listed with an error, follow the instructions on the product page to reinstall the drivers.
• Check to see if your network devices (for example, a network switch, router, and so on) use compatible protocols (for example, 10/100, Gigabit, and so on).
• Make sure that the link LEDs on the adapter are illuminated when it is plugged into a network device. If the link LEDs are illuminated, it means that a good electrical connection exists between the devices.
• If you use a wall jack with an Ethernet cable, make sure that the jack is patched in properly.

Sometimes an on-board network interface card (NIC) conflicts with a new NIC.  In these cases it is best to disable the on-board NIC.

The best way to disable your on-board NIC is to go into your BIOS and disable it there if possible.  To do this, consult your motherboard manual.

You can also disable any NIC in Windows.  Here is how you do this:

First click Start, or, in Windows 10 and 8, hold down the Windows key and press X.  Then click Control Panel.

Windows 10

1. Click Network and Internet.
2. Click Network and Sharing Center.
3. On the left, click Change adapter settings.
4. Right-click the NIC that you would like to disable and select Disable.

Windows 8

1. Click Network and Sharing Center.
2. On the left, click Change adapter settings.
3. Right-click the NIC that you would like to disable and select Disable.

Windows 7

1. Click Network and Internet.
2. Click Network and Sharing Center.
3. On the left, click Change adapter settings.
4. Right-click the NIC that you would like to disable and select Disable.

Windows Vista

1. Click Network and Sharing Center.
2. On the left, click Manage network connections.
3. Right-click the NIC that you would like to disable and select Disable.

Windows XP

1. Click Network Connections.
2. Right-click the NIC that you would like to disable and select Disable.

If you are experiencing speed or connectivity issues, it is best to set a specific speed at half or full duplex in your settings.  You can set your network adapter to perform at a certain speed, but the device that the adapter is connected to (whether it is a router, switch, or computer) must also be able to perform at the same speed.

Note: You must log in as the local administrator before you continue.

To open Device Manager:

• Press Windows key + R.
• Type devmgmt.msc.
• Click OK.

1. Open the Networking adapters section.
2. Right-click the network adapter that you want to change and select Properties.
3. Click the Advanced tab.
4. Scroll down to Speed & Duplex. By default, it is set to Auto-Negotiate. Select any of the speeds that you see in the list.
5. Click OK and restart your computer.

StarTech.com does not support a Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) as this requires third-party software. However, our devices can be used as long as the following conditions are met:

1. The BIOS must support PXE.
2. The BIOS must see the card.
3. The environment must have drivers for the chipset used in the card.
4. If using a USB networking card, the environment must have support for USB devices as well.

Virtual local area network (VLAN) tagging requires that the network interface card (NIC) and the router or switch that you use support protocol IEEE 802.1q.

Depending on the NIC, you can set your VLAN ID in Device Manager.  Not all NICs that support VLAN tagging have this option.

Setting your VLAN ID in Device Manager

Note: Log in as the local administrator before continuing.

To open Device Manager:

• Press Windows key + R
• Type devmgmt.msc
• Click OK.

1. In Device Manager, open Network adapters.
2. Right-click on the NIC and choose Properties.
3. Click the Advanced tab.
4. Scroll down to VLAN ID.
5. Set the ID that you would like the NIC to have and click OK.

Setting up your VLAN Tagging and Setting a VLAN ID

How you perform this task depends on your router or switch.  Consult the manual or manufacturer of your router or switch for more details.

In your router or switch, you can VLAN tag a device by the VLAN ID if you set one previously, or by the MAC address of the computer.  Your router or switch will list all IP devices by MAC address.

For products related to this article, click here.

The drivers on our website include a Realtek Diagnostic Toolkit that you can use to easily set up a VLAN tag.

Make sure that you are logged in as the local administrator before continuing.

1. Download the latest drivers from the StarTech.com website (http://www.startech.com/Downloads). You can find the part number and product ID on the product’s packaging.

Note: Windows will typically save the files to the Downloads folder that is associated with your user account (for example, C:\Users\your_name\Downloads).

2. Once the download is complete, right-click the Realtek_PCI_GbE.zip file or the Realtek_PCIe_GbE.zip file.
3. Select Extract All and note the location that the files will be extracted to.
4. Select Extract. The extracted files will open automatically.
5. In the list of extracted files, do one of the following:

• If you are running Windows Vista/7/8, right-click the Setup.exe file and select Run as Administrator.
• If you are running Windows XP, double-click the Setup.exe file.

6. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the software.
7. Open the software and under the VLAN settings, you can add, delete, or modify the VID (VLAN ID).

To confirm that Windows detects your expansion card, complete the following:

1. Press the Windows key+R, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter.
2. In Device Manager, under the appropriate heading, confirm that your expansion card is listed and that there isn't an exclamation mark next to it.  For example, a USB controller card would be under Universal Serial Bus controllers.

Your expansion card is listed according to the name of the chipset. To determine the name of the chipset of your expansion card, navigate to www.StarTech.com and look on the Technical Specifications tab for your product.

To confirm that the Mac OS detects your expansion card, complete the following:

1. Click the Apple icon.
2. Click About This Mac.
3. Click More Info or System Report.
4. Under the appropriate heading, confirm that your expansion card is listed and that there isn't an error. For example, a network card would be under Ethernet Cards.

Your expansion card is listed according to the name of the chipset. To determine the name of the chipset of your expansion card, navigate to www.StarTech.com and look on the Technical Specifications tab for your product.