I recently updated my Microsoft Deployment Toolkit repository with the latest cabs to support new Dell laptop.
After the site is updated, I started having problem with older Dell Desktop and laptop reimaged. The problem was that the network cable show disconnected after powering up the system. The wire disconnected stayed disconnected until we physicaly disconnect the network cable and reconnect it. The 100MB full duplex setting was correct. Updating to the latest version of the driver fix the connection status problem on those older hardwares.
We now have a persistent problem with the latest system having the I217-LM NIC onboard. The disconnected wrire status problem at boot up occured and with the latest driver downloaded from Intel we have a duplex connection problem. All our Dell switches are configured to force the connection to 100MB full duplex. We then force the NIC to 100MB full duplex. When we check the connection status in the Intel advanced tool, it shows 100mb half-duplex.
After having tested all the possibilities, the only way we could achieved a stable connection to 100MB full-duplex is by setting both switch port and NIC to auto-negotiation. This is not an option for us because all the PC are daisy chain with an IP phone configured to work at 100MB full-duplex and with other NIC, auto-negotiation are not working well all the time.
I tried with older driver version of the driver available for download and the connection status at bootup occured with all the version prior 18.7 and with 18.7 version, it is impossible to force the speed to 100MB full-duplex.
Is it possible to have a quick fix for this problem? I am pretty sure it is a compatibility problem with the latest harware NIC, driver and Dell switches.
Thanks for your attention.