Question : Problem: "Excessive CRC/Alignment Errors" on HP ProCurve 2810-48G

We recently installed a ProCurve 2810-48G switch - it's pretty much on default settings, here's the config:

; J9022A Configuration Editor; Created on release #N.10.02

hostname "ProCurve Switch 2810-48G"
snmp-server community "public" Unrestricted
vlan 1
   name "DEFAULT_VLAN"
   untagged 1-48
   ip address dhcp-bootp
   exit

We're using 47 of the 49 ports at a mixture of 100Mb and 1Gb speeds.  "Log Network Problems" is set to medium sensitivity.

The switch is showing a number of errors in the alert log. Six ports (always the same ones) show "Excessive CRC / Alignment errors" intermittently, including, but not limited to, times when the PC on that port was booted up.  The ports with errors are all connected to PCs with gigabit NICs, of a couple of different types, running XP Pro.

Also we have two ports showing "Excessive Broadcasts" - one of these is a server that was rebooted at the time of the event being logged, the other is a PC running Vista 64-bit.

Cabling and patch leads are all CAT5e, although it's not been certified by means of a Fluke or other device - only by a continuity tester (i.e. we know all pairs are correctly wired for each cable, but that is all).

Is this anything to worry about?  Does it even need addressing, as everything appears to work correctly?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Answer : Problem: "Excessive CRC/Alignment Errors" on HP ProCurve 2810-48G

 If you're getting a lot of CRC errors, then could be 1 of the following:
- duplex mismatch between PC & switch
- bad cable (especially check crimped ends on self-made cables)
- bad NIC or just needs driver update
- bad switchport

Duplex mismatch happens when 1 device is manually set to full-duplex & the other device is set to 'auto' (auto-negotiate).  To avoid speed/duplex mismatches:  both devices set to 'auto' for duplex & speed, or both set manually to full-duplex & specific speed.
  If you suspect cables, also check if they're physically damaged, pinched, sharply-bent, or near a possible source of noise/interference (power lines, flourescent lights, etc).
  Most likely is a duplex mismatch or NICs that need a driver update.  Sometimes 2 different devices, even if both set to 'auto' won't properly negotiate (ie, you'll see CRC errors, etc).  If so, you'll want to set both manually to same speed/duplex.

cheers