3COM EISA 10-100BASE-T User Manual

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FAST ETHERLINKâ

®PARALLEL TASKINGâ

EISA 10/100BASE-T

NETWORK ADAPTER USER GUIDE

A member of the 3Com Fast EtherLink family of adapters

Part No. 09-0654-001

Published October 1995

3Com Corporation 5400 Bayfront Plaza Santa Clara, California 95052-8145

© 3Com Corporation, 1995. All rights reserved. No part of this documentation may be reproduced in any form or by any means or used to make any derivative work (such as translation, transformation, or adaptation) without permission from 3Com Corporation.

3Com Corporation reserves the right to revise this documentation and to make changes in content from time to time without obligation on the part of 3Com Corporation to provide notification of such revision or change.

3Com Corporation provides this documentation without warranty of any kind, either implied or expressed, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. 3Com may make improvements or changes in the product(s) and/or the program(s) described in this documentation at any time.

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT LEGENDS:

If you are a United States government agency, then this documentation and the software described herein are provided to you subject to the following restricted rights:

For units of the Department of Defense:

Restricted Rights Legend: Use, duplication or disclosure by the Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph (c) (1) (ii) for restricted Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause at 48 C.F.R. 52.227-7013. 3Com Corporation, 5400 Bayfront Plaza, Santa Clara, California 95052-8145.

For civilian agencies:

Restricted Rights Legend: Use, reproduction or disclosure is subject to restrictions set forth in subparagraph (a) through (d) of the Commercial Computer Software - Restricted Rights Clause at 48 C.F.R. 52.227-19 and the limitations set forth in 3Com Corporation’s standard commercial agreement for the software. Unpublished rights reserved under the copyright laws of the United States.

If there is any software on removable media described in this documentation, it is furnished under a license agreement included with the product as a separate document, in the hard copy documentation, or on the removable media in a directory file named LICENSE.TXT. If you are unable to locate a copy, please contact 3Com and a copy will be provided to you.

Unless otherwise indicated, 3Com registered trademarks are registered in the United States and may or may not be registered in other countries.

3Com, EtherDisk, EtherLink, EtherLink II, Parallel Tasking, SmartAgent, SoftHub, and Transcend are registered trademarks of 3Com Corporation. 3TECH and AutoLink are trademarks of 3Com Corporation. 3ComFacts is a service mark of 3Com Corporation. 3Com registered trademarks are registered in the United States and may or may not be registered in other countries.

Microsoft, MS-DOS, Windows, and Windows NT are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. IBM and OS/2 are trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation. CompuServe is a trademark of CompuServe, Inc. UNIX is a trademark of UNIX Systems Laboratories. NetWare and Novell are trademarks of Novell, Inc. Other brand and product names may be registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders.

Other brand and product names may be registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders.

Guide revised by John Jeter. Edited by Nancy Kurahashi. Technical illustration by Tim Buckreus. Production by Becky Whitmer.

LIFETIME WARRANTY

®

3Com’s EtherLinkâ, TokenLinkâ III 16/4, Fast EtherLink, FDDILinkä, and 3Com Impactä ISDN ISA adapters have a Lifetime Warranty.

To ensure the very best 3Com service and support, take the time to complete the product registration card.

Any defective 3Com adapter will be repaired or replaced, at 3Com’s option, for as long as the adapter resides in its original IBMâ Personal Computer, Personal System/2â, or compatible computer (driver software is covered by the standard 90-day limited software warranty).

Customers in the countries shown below should send the completed registration card to the appropriate address. Customers in other non-U.S. locations should send the registration card to the U.S. address on the front of the card.

Asia

3Com Asia Ltd., Marketing Department Room 2506-07, 25/F., Citibank Tower Citibank Plaza, Central

Hong Kong

Australia, New Zealand

3Com Australia, Marketing Department 99 Walker Street

Level 7 North Sydney

New South Wales 2060 Australia

Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg

3Com Benelux B.V., Marketing Department Nevelgaarde 8-9

3436 ZZ Nieuwegein Netherlands

France, Israel

3Com France, Marketing Department Immeuble McKinley

BP 965

1, Avenue de l’Atlantique

91976 Les Ulis Courtaboeuf Cedex France

Germany, Austria, Switzerland

3Com GmbH, Marketing Department Gustav-Heinemann-Ring 123 D-81739 Muenchen

Munich

West Germany

Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Malta

3Com Mediterraneo Srl, Marketing Department

Via Michelangelo Buonarroti, 1 20093 Cologno Monzese MI Italy

Japan

3Com Japan, Marketing Department Shinjuku Sumitomo Building 23F 2-6-1 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku Tokyo 163-02

Japan

Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark

3Com Nordic, Marketing Department Torshamsgatan 39

Box 1110 164 22 KISTA Sweden

United Kingdom, Eire

3Com UK Ltd., Marketing Department Pacific House

Third Avenue

Globe Park Marlow-on-Thames Buckinghamshire, SL7 1YL England

CONTENTS

ABOUT THIS GUIDE

Introduction 1

How to Use This Guide 1

Conventions 2

1 INTRODUCTION

Adapter Features 1-1

2 INSTALLING THE HARDWARE

Inspecting the Adapter

2-2

Installing the Boot PROM

2-2

Inserting the Fast EtherLink EISA Adapter 2-2

Confirming Adapter Installation 2-4

Connecting to the Network 2-5

Auto Select Media Type

2-7

3 CONFIGURING THE ADAPTER

EtherDisk Diskette

3-2

 

Configuring the Adapter

3-2

Using a NOS Other Than Windows 95 3-2

Using Windows 95 3-3

Software Option Settings

3-4

Media Type

3-5

 

Network Driver Optimization 3-5

Full Duplex

3-5

 

Changing the Settings

3-6

4 LOADING NETWORK DRIVERS

Locating the Network Drivers

 

4-2

 

 

Accessing DOS 4-2

 

 

 

 

 

Loading NetWare ODI Drivers

 

4-3

 

 

One EISA Adapter in a Client

4-3

 

 

AutoLink Requirements

4-4

 

 

AutoLink Installation

4-4

 

 

 

Multiple EISA Adapters in a Client

4-7

 

Finding the Adapter’s Slot Number

4-9

One EISA Adapter in a Server

4-10

 

 

NetWare Driver Installation

4-10

 

Multiple EISA Adapters in a Server

4-11

 

Finding the Adapter’s Port Address for Multiple

Adapters

4-12

 

 

 

 

 

NetWare Driver Installation

4-13

 

Loading Windows 95 Drivers

4-14

 

 

Loading Non-NetWare Drivers

 

4-14

 

 

NDIS Drivers

4-15

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Drivers 4-16

 

 

 

 

 

Transcend PC Link SmartAgent Driver Agents

4-16

Desktop Management Interface

4-16

 

 

5PERFORMING TROUBLESHOOTING AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

Diagnostic Tests Overview

5-2

 

Before Running the Tests

5-2

 

Types of Tests 5-3

 

 

 

Starting the Diagnostic Program

5-3

Command Line Access

5-4

 

Running the Group 1 Tests

5-4

Running the Group 3 Test

5-5

Setting Up an Echo Server

5-6

Starting the Group 3 Test

5-7

Getting Help If a Test Fails

5-8

 

Changing the Test Setup

5-9

 

 

Miscellaneous Checks 5-10

LEDs 5-11

A SPECIFICATIONS

 

Adapter Card Specifications

A-1

 

 

 

RJ-45 Connector Pin Assignments

A-2

 

Cabling Requirements

A-2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B TECHNICAL SUPPORT

 

 

 

 

On-line Technical Services

B-1

 

 

 

3Com Bulletin Board Service

B-1

 

 

Access by Modem

B-1

 

 

 

World Wide Web Site

B-2

 

 

 

ThreeComForum on CompuServe

B-2

 

3ComFacts Automated Fax Service

B-2

 

Support from Your Network Supplier

B-3

 

Returning Products for Repair B-4

 

GLOSSARY

INDEX

LIMITED WARRANTY

FCC CLASS B CERTIFICATION STATEMENT

CISPR B COMPLIANCE

CE NOTICE

FIGURES

1-1

Procedure Overview 1-2

 

 

 

2-1

Hardware Installation Overview

2-1

 

2-2

Computer with PCI and EISA Slots

2-3

 

2-3

Connecting Twisted-Pair Cable 2-5

 

3-1

Adapter Configuration Overview

3-1

 

3-2

Auto Installation Screen 3-7

 

 

3-3

Main Menu

3-7

 

 

 

3-4

Multiple Adapter Option Configuration

3-9

3-5

Changing Adapter Options

3-9

 

 

4-1

Overview of Loading Network Drivers

4-1

4-2

Auto Installation Information Screen 4-6

4-3

Main Menu

4-6

 

 

 

5-1

Troubleshooting Overview

5-1

 

 

5-2

Fast EtherLink Adapter Backplate

5-11

 

A-1

RJ-45 Connector Pin Assignments

A-2

 

TABLES

1

Text Conventions 2

 

2

Notice Icons 2

 

3-1

Software Configuration Options

3-5

4-1

Accessing DOS from Other Operating Systems 4-3

5-1

Non-Bus Master Adapter and Diagnostic Program Names 5-7

5-2

Fast EtherLink EISA Adapter LEDs

5-11

ABOUT THIS GUIDE

Introduction

This guide describes how to install and configure the 3Comâ Fast EtherLinkâ Parallel Taskingâ EISA 10/100BASE-T adapter. This adapter is referred to in this guide as the Fast EtherLink EISA adapter. Also included in the guide is information about troubleshooting and using the diagnostic tests if an adapter malfunction occurs.

How to Use This Guide

The following table shows where to find specific information in this guide.

If you are looking for:

Turn to:

 

 

Instructions for installing the adapter

Chapter 2

Procedures for connecting the adapter to the network

Chapter 2

Instructions for configuring the adapter with the EISA

Chapter 3

configuration utility

 

Procedures for changing default configuration settings after

Chapter 3

initial configuration

 

Instructions for loading network drivers

Chapter 4

Details on troubleshooting and the diagnostic tests

Chapter 5

Information about technical specifications, connector pin

Appendix A

assignments, and cabling requirements

 

3Com technical support information

Appendix B

 

 

2 ABOUT THIS GUIDE

Conventions

The following tables list text and icon conventions that are used throughout this guide:

Table 1 Text Conventions

Convention

Description

 

 

 

Text represented as

This

typeface is used to represent displays that appear

screen display

on your terminal screen, for example:

 

 

NetLogin:

Text represented as

This

typeface is used to represent commands that you

commands

enter, for example:

 

 

print

autolink.log

Keys

 

When specific keys are referred to in the text, they are called out

 

 

by their labels, such as “the Return key” or “the Escape key,” or

 

 

they may be shown as [Return] or [Esc].

 

 

If two or more keys are to be pressed simultaneously, the keys

 

 

are linked with a plus sign (+), for example:

 

 

Press [Ctrl]+[Alt]+[Del].

 

 

 

 

Table 2

Notice Icons

 

 

 

 

 

 

Icon

Type

 

Description

 

 

 

 

Information Note

Information notes call attention to important features

 

 

 

or instructions.

 

Caution

 

Cautions alert you to personal safety risk, system

 

 

 

damage, or loss of data.

 

Warning

 

Warnings alert you to the risk of severe personal injury.

 

 

 

 

1 INTRODUCTION

The 3Comâ Fast EtherLinkâ Parallel Taskingâ 10/100BASE-T EISA adapter (3C597-TX) is a 32-bit adapter for use in personal computers with an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) computer bus.

In this guide the adapter is referred to as the Fast EtherLink EISA adapter. It operates whether or not bus mastering is enabled.

This adapter is a dual-speed adapter connected to an Ethernet network with a single RJ-45 connector over unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cable. The adapter automatically senses the speed of the hub to which it is connected and switches to either 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps.

When the adapter is connected to a hub that supports 10BASE-T Ethernet (10 Mbps), it switches to a network speed of 10 Mbps.

When the adapter is connected to a hub that supports 100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps), it switches to a network speed of 100 Mbps.

Adapter Features

The Fast EtherLink EISA adapter provides the following features:

Parallel Tasking architecture with bus mastering for high throughput and low processor utilization

Automatic sensing of 10 or 100 Mbps network operation

Automatic adapter recognition for computers running the Windowsâ 95 network operating system

Single-slot, 32-bit half-card

1-2 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Automatic EISA configuration without jumpers

Three status LEDs

Single shielded RJ-45 connector for use at either speed (Category 3, 4, or 5 UTP cabling for 10BASE-T Ethernet networks, and Category 5 UTP for 100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet networks)

Diagnostic software and drivers on the 3C59X EtherDiskâ diskette

The Fast EtherLink EISA adapter can be managed remotely with Transcendâ PC Link SmartAgentâ network management software. Driver agents for this adapter are provided on the 3C59X EtherDisk diskette.

The procedures described in this guide are shown in Figure 1-1.

1

Install the adapter in an EISA slot.

2

Use the EISA configuration utility to configure the adapter.

3

Install network drivers.

(NetWare or other)

4

Troubleshoot the adapter.

(optional)

Figure 1-1 Procedure Overview

2 INSTALLING THE HARDWARE

This chapter describes how to install the Fast EtherLink EISA adapter in your computer and connect it to a network. An overview of these procedures is shown in Figure 2-1.

1

Inspect the adapter.

2

Install the boot PROM.

(optional)

3

Insert the adapter.

4

Connect to the network.

5

Go to Chapter 3, “Configuring the Adapter.”

Figure 2-1 Hardware Installation Overview

2-2 CHAPTER 2: INSTALLING THE HARDWARE

Inspecting the Adapter

Before installing the adapter in your computer, you should visually inspect it for damage that might have occurred during shipment from the factory.

CAUTION: Each adapter is packed in an antistatic container to protect it during shipment.To avoid damaging any staticsensitive components after removal from the container, be sure to reduce any static electricity on your person. One way to do this is to touch the metal chassis of your computer.You can maintain grounding by wearing a wrist strap attached to the chassis.

1Open the shipping container and carefully remove its contents.

The package should contain the following items:

3Com Fast EtherLink Parallel Tasking EISA 10/100BASE-T adapter

Fast EtherLink Parallel Tasking EISA 10/100BASE-T Network Adapter User Guide

3C59X EtherDisk diskette

2Verify that you have received all items listed above, and inspect each item for damage.

If you find any omissions or damage, contact your network supplier and the carrier that delivered the package.

Installing the Boot PROM

The boot PROM is optional and can be purchased separately. If you are installing it onto the adapter, follow the instructions that accompanied the boot PROM.

Inserting the Fast EtherLink EISA Adapter

To insert the adapter into the computer, follow these steps:

1Unplug the computer and disconnect all cables that are connected to the main system unit.

Inserting the Fast EtherLink EISA Adapter

2-3

2Remove all jewelry from your hands and wrists.

3Use only insulated or nonconductive tools.

4Remove the computer’s cover and select any of the available EISA expansion slots.

5Insert the adapter in the slot and secure the screw.

If you have a computer with slots other than EISA slots, be sure to install the Fast EtherLink EISA adapter only in an EISA slot. It can be a bus master or a non-bus master slot.The Fast EtherLink EISA adapter provides better performance in a bus master slot. EISA slots are longer than PCI slots and deeper than ISA slots. Figure 2-2 compares the size of the slots in a computer that has PCI and EISA slots.

The adapter backplate should be flush with the computer chassis. Be sure that the connector fingers of the adapter are completely seated in the slot.

EISA slot

PCI slot

Figure 2-2 Computer with PCI and EISA Slots

6Replace the computer cover and reconnect all previously connected cables.

If you are installing multiple Fast EtherLink EISA adapters in a computer, you must run the EISA configuration program after you install each adapter. See the discussions about installing multiple EISA adapters in Chapter 4.

2-4 CHAPTER 2: INSTALLING THE HARDWARE

Confirming Adapter Installation

If you are installing the 3C597 EISA adapter in a computer running Windows 95, you can confirm the adapter’s installation by following these steps:

1After starting Windows 95, double-click the My Computer icon.

2Double-click the Control Panel icon.

3Double-click the System icon.

The System Properties box appears, detailing your system setup.

4Click the Device Manager tab.

A list of devices appears, arranged by type.

5Click the Network Adapters tab.

The name of the installed 3Com adapter appears, as shown below:

3Com Fast EtherLink 10/100Mb Bus-Master EISA

Ethernet Adapter

This confirms the adapter’s installation.

6Double-click the adapter’s name to display a description of the adapter and its current status.

The next dialog box confirms that the adapter is working properly.

7Click the Cancel button to leave each dialog box and return to the Control Panel.

For on-line help information about any of the fields in the display boxes, click the question mark (?) in the upper right corner of the box, move the question mark cursor to the field of interest, and click again.

3COM EISA 10-100BASE-T User Manual

Connecting to the Network

2-5

Connecting to the Network

This section describes how to connect 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps network cables to the Fast EtherLink EISA adapter.

You must connect the adapter to the network before loading drivers.

The backplate of the Fast EtherLink EISA adapter contains one RJ-45 connector.The adapter automatically senses and switches speed based on the type of hub to which it is connected.

For 10BASE-T Ethernet networks, the Fast EtherLink EISA adapter uses Category 3, 4, or 5 unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cable. For 100BASE-TX Ethernet networks the Fast EtherLink EISA adapter supports Category 5 UTP cabling. Refer to Appendix A for more information on cabling.

Figure 2-3 shows the backplate of the Fast EtherLink EISA adapter with its RJ-45 connector.

Three LEDs are located to the left of the RJ-45 connector. From left to right the LEDs are 100 Mbps, 10 Mbps, and ACT. Refer to Table 5-2 for a summary of LED functions.

100

10

ACT

L N K

 

RJ-45 connector

Figure 2-3 Connecting Twisted-Pair Cable

2-6 CHAPTER 2: INSTALLING THE HARDWARE

The Fast EtherLink EISA adapter uses an on-board transceiver with twisted-pair cable. To establish a valid 10 Mbps connection, the cable must be connected to a 10BASE-T hub. To establish a valid 100 Mbps connection, the cable must be connected to a 100BASE-TX hub. Connect the network cable as follows:

1Make sure that the connector on your cable is wired appropriately for standard 10BASE-T or 100BASE-TX adapter cards.

The UTP wire pairs and pin definitions for 100BASE-TX are identical to those for 10BASE-T when used with Category 5 UTP cable. The “straight-through” connection should be made from the Fast EtherLink EISA adapter through the cable and connectors to the hub. No crossover in the cable is required.

Refer to Figure A-1 for RJ-45 connector pin assignments.

2Align the RJ-45 connector on the end of the twisted-pair cable with the notch on the adapter’s RJ-45 port and insert it into the RJ-45 port.

The next step is to configure the adapter with the EISA configuration utility and the EtherDisk diskette configuration file. This is explained in Chapter 3, “Configuring the Adapter.”

If you are running Windows 95, you can confirm the network connection by double-clicking the Network Neighborhood icon. The presence of the Entire Network icon in the display box confirms the network connection.

Auto Select Media Type

2-7

Auto Select Media Type

The Auto Select Media Type function is implemented by all drivers contained on the 3C59X EtherDisk diskette supplied with the 3C597-TX EISA adapter. This includes NetWare ODI drivers and NDIS 2.01 drivers. It also includes NDIS 3.0 drivers for Windows for Workgroups, Windows 95, and Windows NTä. The NDIS drivers function with 386 and later processors.

If you have one of these drivers installed, as soon as you connect a network cable to the system, the Auto Select Media Type function will detect the type of cable making the connection and automatically select that media type. If you change the type of network cable connected to the adapter, you must reload the driver in order for the Auto Select Media Type function to detect the cable type.

If the driver is unable to detect what type of cable is connected or whether there is any cable connected, the Auto Select Media Type function defaults to the type of connector that is stored internally in the EEPROM. The default setting for the 3C597-TX EISA adapter is 10BASE-T (twisted-pair).

3 CONFIGURING THE ADAPTER

This chapter explains how to configure the Fast EtherLink EISA adapter using the EISA configuration diskette that came with your computer and the EtherDisk diskette supplied with the adapter. The configuration process is shown in Figure 3-1.

1

Configure the adapter using the EISA configuration utility.

2

Copy the .CFG file from the EtherDisk diskette.

3

Change software option settings.

(optional)

4

Go to Chapter 4,

“Loading Network Drivers.”

Figure 3-1 Adapter Configuration Overview

3-2 CHAPTER 3: CONFIGURING THE ADAPTER

EtherDisk Diskette

The EtherDisk diskette supplied with the Fast EtherLink EISA adapter contains the following:

An adapter configuration (!TCM5970.CGF) file used by the EISA configuration utility on the EISA diskette

The Configuration and Diagnostic Program for running diagnostics on the adapter and changing the Media Type, Network Driver Optimization, or Full Duplex settings (if desired) after initial configuration

Adapter drivers and instructions for driver installation

Configuring the Adapter

You must run the EISA configuration utility program as part of the adapter configuration process.

If your computer is running Windows 95, skip the next section and follow the instructions in the section “Using Windows 95.”

If you are using a network operating system (NOS) other than Windows 95, follow the instructions in the next section.

Using a NOS Other Than Windows 95

To run the EISA configuration utility program, follow these steps:

1Insert the 3C597-TX EISA adapter in an EISA slot. (Refer to Chapter 2 for instructions.)

Make sure the adapter is firmly inserted into the slot.

2Insert the EISA configuration diskette provided with your computer into the floppy drive.

The EISA configuration diskette that came with your computer contains a utility program that automatically configures the EISA adapter.

3Turn on the power.

Configuring the Adapter

3-3

4Follow the on-line prompts and the instructions that accompanied your EISA computer and then run the EISA configuration utility.

The sequence of configuration steps required for some EISA computers may vary from the steps explained here. Consult the EISA configuration utility manual provided by the manufacturer of your computer for more details.

5When the EISA configuration utility asks for a .CFG file to copy, remove the EISA configuration diskette.

6Insert the EtherDisk diskette and press [Enter].

The configuration file !TCM5920.CFG is copied from the

EtherDisk diskette.

7When the adapter has been successfully configured, follow the displayed instructions to save and exit the program. Then proceed to Chapter 4, “Loading Network Drivers.”

Using Windows 95

If you are running Windows 95, after installing the adapter run the EISA configuration utility program by following these steps:

1Turn on the computer.

The computer will display a message notifying you that a new hardware device (the 3Com EtherLink III EISA adapter) has been detected.

The message asks you to run the system (EISA) configuration utility.

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