ASUS Z87 Motherboards Not Supported For Server OS???

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techSlave

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I purchased an ASUS Z87-PLUS for use as a value server.

Unfortunately, when installing Windows Server 2012 Essentials, the Intel I217 network controller is not supported. And no driver is available, either from ASUS or from Intel.

Looking into the issue, I see that ASUS installs the Intel I217V chipset into Z87 motherboards, not the I217UM. And according to Intel, only the 'UM' chip is supported for server operating systems.

see:http://www.intel.com/content/dam/ww...efs/ethernet-controller-i217-family-brief.pdf

*sigh* Intel, ASUS, why do you shaft us so? The difference between these chips appears to be microscopic and artificial in order to 'segment' the market and force us server users into upscale (read: high profit-margin) equipment. Don't you guys understand yet that every time new equipment doesn't 'just work' like it should you're only hurting yourself??

Will the I217V ever be supported by Windows Server 2012 or is it a fool's errand to wait for a proper driver to be released??

Raja, can you please look into this and help explain why this is so and if there are any workarounds other than being forced into stupid solutions like installing an external NIC??
 
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not to defend asus here but is this an ASUS only thing or are most / all Z87 mobos using the l217v?

Seems like more of an intel charging more for an identical "server" product type deal. (Looking at you xeons)
 
ASUS will only be able to provide support when Intel does. This is an issue that should be directed toward Intel not the motherboard manufacturer.
 
I had a similar issue running WHS 2011 (basically Server 2008 R2) and a consumer motherboard that had a non-server NIC. I did the following trick to get it to work - not sure if it will work on Server 2012 with that specific NIC though:

http://communities.intel.com/message/138286
 
techSlave said:
I

Raja, can you please look into this and help explain why this is so and if there are any workarounds other than being forced into stupid solutions like installing an external NIC??
Click to expand...

I've never ran a server OS on these boards and AFAIK support is not claimed by us for them either. Intel don't have such a driver so we can't provide one - I don't think Intel have any plans on that.
 
sKiDmArK said:
I had a similar issue running WHS 2011 (basically Server 2008 R2) and a consumer motherboard that had a non-server NIC. I did the following trick to get it to work - not sure if it will work on Server 2012 with that specific NIC though:

http://communities.intel.com/message/138286
Click to expand...

Have you considered using desktop Windows drivers (since there are no server-specific drivers)? And no - it's FAR from insane; remember, since Windows Vista (in fact, starting with Vista), the desktop and server flavors of Windows use a common code base. That means that desktop drivers will indeed work in Windows Server (Vista drivers for Server 2008, Windows 7 drivers for Server 2008 R2, and Windows 8 drivers for Server 2012). I have been using desktop motherboards (with and without integrated LAN) with the server flavors of Windows since *Windows Server 2003*.
 
PGHammer said:
Have you considered using desktop Windows drivers (since there are no server-specific drivers)? And no - it's FAR from insane; remember, since Windows Vista (in fact, starting with Vista), the desktop and server flavors of Windows use a common code base. That means that desktop drivers will indeed work in Windows Server (Vista drivers for Server 2008, Windows 7 drivers for Server 2008 R2, and Windows 8 drivers for Server 2012). I have been using desktop motherboards (with and without integrated LAN) with the server flavors of Windows since *Windows Server 2003*.
Click to expand...


I didn't try that, but I could see it working. The workaround I linked works well enough though - if I ever need to reformat the server I'll give it a shot.
 
As mentioned above, try using Win8 drivers for the Server 2012. Ran into similar issues with an ASUS Z77. Win8 drivers installed without issue.
 
mda said:
As mentioned above, try using Win8 drivers for the Server 2012. Ran into similar issues with an ASUS Z77. Win8 drivers installed without issue.
Click to expand...

Win 8 drivers will not install without modifying .INF files - I tried.
 
This worked on a Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD3H running WHS 2011 64 bit. I edited the W7 file and changed "E153B.6.2.1" to "E153B.6.1.1"

works great, and thank you.
 
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Im also having issues with Intel I217V on GENE VI, it doesn't negotiate with my router/switch to a gigabit lan, im stuck at 100. if i force it it wont find a network, sad thing is with the intel nic on GENE IV i had no issues, its just with the new intel that im getting this problems (this is on windows 7 pro), extremely inconvenient in terms of transferring large files, something that i do frequently from my server.... i bet intel will work this out in time with newer drivers... but i don't have the time to wait, im just gona grab a Intel Gigabit CT PCI-E Network Adapter EXPI9301CTBLK, should be stable most server OSs
 
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i would take the opportunity to upgrade my router/switch before buying a new network card. but it could be a bad Ethernet port on your MB.
 
RottenMutt said:
This worked on a Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD3H running WHS 2011 64 bit. I edited the W7 file and changed "E153B.6.2.1" to "E153B.6.1.1"

works great, and thank you.
Click to expand...

would be great that you make a backup of these drivers and upload them to a ServerFile (Mega, MediaFire) I would greatly appreciate it! :D
 
I do not know if it's going to help someone, but I installed Windows Server 2008 R2 x64.

Of crouse, it didn't work out of the box. I have the Z87X-D3H and it's coming with the NIC "Intel(R) Ethernet Connection I217-V". Intel doesn't provide any driver for this NIC card under a server OS from Windows, yo uneed the LM type NIC.
The following link will enable the ability to use this NIC card under Windows Server 2008 R2 x64. Install as usual but be sure to disable the driver signature requirement before doing so.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B7KYDK8tigidLUNQQkozZkxuRm8/edit?usp=sharing
 
Anyone know how to build a Server 2003 driver? I'm trying to use my Windows Home Server Restore CD but it does not seem to be able to use the onboard Lan to recover. I really don't want to have to go out and purchase an ethernet card just so I can restore my computer.

So I need a server 2003 (WHS V1) driver just for recovery, I'm not even trying to install a server OS on this Motherboard. I'm pretty ticked at intel right now.

Here is the pre-modified driver:
http://nearlydeaf.com/?p=1145

Can someone help me to modify the Win 2003 driver to work?

Ok so I modified the e1c5123.inf as follows:

[ControlFlags]
;ExcludeFromSelect = \
; PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1502,\
; PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1503

[Intel]

[Intel.NTx86.5.1]
; DisplayName Section DeviceID
; ----------- ------- --------
%E1502NC.DeviceDesc% = E1502, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1502
%E1502NC.DeviceDesc% = E1502, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1502&SUBSYS_00008086
%E1502NC.DeviceDesc% = E1502, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1502&SUBSYS_00011179
%E1502NC.DeviceDesc% = E1502, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1502&SUBSYS_00021179
%E1503NC.DeviceDesc% = E1503, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1503
%E1503NC.DeviceDesc% = E1503, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1503&SUBSYS_00008086
%E1503NC.DeviceDesc% = E1503, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1503&SUBSYS_00011179
%E1503NC.DeviceDesc% = E1503, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1503&SUBSYS_00021179


[Intel.NTx86.5.1.1]
; DisplayName Section DeviceID
; ----------- ------- --------
%E1502NC.DeviceDesc% = E1502, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1502
%E1502NC.DeviceDesc% = E1502, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1502&SUBSYS_00008086
%E1502NC.DeviceDesc% = E1502, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1502&SUBSYS_00011179
%E1502NC.DeviceDesc% = E1502, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1502&SUBSYS_00021179
%E1503NC.DeviceDesc% = E1503, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1503
%E1503NC.DeviceDesc% = E1503, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1503&SUBSYS_00008086
%E1503NC.DeviceDesc% = E1503, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1503&SUBSYS_00011179
%E1503NC.DeviceDesc% = E1503, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1503&SUBSYS_00021179

WHS Restore CD says it locates the driver ont he USB drive but the card does not show up under network devices, so I still cannot recover my computer.
 
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Justintoxicated said:
Anyone know how to build a Server 2003 driver? I'm trying to use my Windows Home Server Restore CD but it does not seem to be able to use the onboard Lan to recover. I really don't want to have to go out and purchase an ethernet card just so I can restore my computer.

So I need a server 2003 (WHS V1) driver just for recovery, I'm not even trying to install a server OS on this Motherboard. I'm pretty ticked at intel right now.

Here is the pre-modified driver:
http://nearlydeaf.com/?p=1145

Can someone help me to modify the Win 2003 driver to work?
Click to expand...

The problem with that is that for Win 2003 you need Windows XP network driver for this card. The driver package I used in my other post (guide linked above) doesn't contain such driver - the oldest OS supported is Windows 7.
 
JoeSchmoe007 said:
The problem with that is that for Win 2003 you need Windows XP network driver for this card. The driver package I used in my other post (guide linked above) doesn't contain such driver - the oldest OS supported is Windows 7.
Click to expand...

Yea I found a different driver pack that has the XP 2003 drivers. I just tried copying over the files I modified and WHS is not detecting those though. So I need to figure out which file WHS is detecting..

The executable I'm using is:
PRO2K3XP_32.exe

System Path I end up modifying the files in is:
H:\Installables\WHS Driver\PRO2K3XP_32\PRO1000\Win32\NDIS5x

e1c5132.inf
e1e5132.inf
e1k5132.inf
e1q5132.inf
e1r5132.inf
e1y5132.inf
e1000nt5.inf
e1000325.inf

I tried modifying e1c5123.inf and also coppied over:

e1c5123.cat
e1c5123.din
e1c5123.sys
e1c5123.dll
e1cmsg.dll

***oops looks like I missed:
NicInstC.dll not sure if that is needed I'll reboot and try again.
I'll add nicco2.dll too.

If this does not work, then WHS must be reading in one of the other driver files.

YOU SUCK INTEL THANKS ALOT!

edit: Ok so adding that extra file worked. WHS detected the driver and said it found drivers for me devices. Unfortunately the network card does not show up in the list still (Even though it says it found the driver)... This driver pack must not contain the proper driver either.... I think I'm going to have to get a different motherboard that uses a cheaper more standard network card. Just wasted 6 hours of my life thanks intel, I will never buy another one of your network cards again.
Meantime I'm stuck with this virus on here before I had even finished installing all the old apps from my previous install (thanks gf for that one), happy holidays indeed.

Ok I'm recovered now, thanks to my old trust DFI Lanparty UT4 HTPC. It's now the only PC that will register with WHS out of the box. I gave up on my other HTPC, the drivers and card were detected but it kept shutting off the Ethernet jack right after detecting it :(
 
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Abula said:
Im also having issues with Intel I217V on GENE VI, it doesn't negotiate with my router/switch to a gigabit lan, im stuck at 100. if i force it it wont find a network, sad thing is with the intel nic on GENE IV i had no issues, its just with the new intel that im getting this problems (this is on windows 7 pro), extremely inconvenient in terms of transferring large files, something that i do frequently from my server.... i bet intel will work this out in time with newer drivers... but i don't have the time to wait, im just gona grab a Intel Gigabit CT PCI-E Network Adapter EXPI9301CTBLK, should be stable most server OSs
Click to expand...

I am also having problem with the i217v on a z87 expert. It will not go higher than 100 Mb/s. Is it broken hardware?
 
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dahlberg said:
I am also having problem with the i217v on a z87 expert. It will not go higher than 100 Mb/s. Is it broken hardware?
Click to expand...
The problem with mine end up being the cable, not that its bad, simply its more picky, it runs fine on gigabit on another pc right next to it, so i just bought a new cable and its working fine, not what i wished, but it wasn't defective either.
 
I tried with a short cables and only the switch (GS105e) connected. No luck. Also tried a RVS4000 with same result. Will try new cable again.

Built in cable test gives ok result both on NIC, GS105e and RVS 4000.
 
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