3COM USB Network Interface User Manual

data sheet

An Ethernet network connection without opening your PC

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The 3Com USB Network Interface is an out-of-the-box network connection solution that takes advantage of the new USB (Universal Serial B us) on PCs. Now you can get a network connection—without opening up your PC and installing a conventional network interface card (NIC). The USB Network Interface works with all PCs equipped with a USB port and Windows 98 operating system.

Everything you need to get started is included in one box. The 3Com USB Network Interface comes complete with a USB cable, which plugs into the USB port at the back of your PC, laptop, or notebook; and an RJ-45 socket to attach a standard UTP or STP cable for a 10BASE-T Ethernet connection. You also get an easy-to-follow guide that takes you through the simple

point-and-click installation steps so you can be up and running— within minutes.

The 3Com USB Network Interface is completely compatible with standard 10BASE-T Ethernet. It provides the user with an assured high-speed (10 Mbps) connection between PCs—and all the benefits of Ethernet networking.

Although the USB Network Interface is an external device, you won ’t hav e to rearrange y our desktop to make it fit—it’s extremely compact. Plus, the USB Network Interface draws its pow er from the USB port on your PC so there’s no clutter of extra pow er cords and plugs.

Key Benefits

Easy to install. Plugs into the USB port at the back of your PC—no need to open up your PC.

All-in-one solution. Everything you need to get connected comes in one package, including an easy-to-follow installation guide with point-and-click installation steps.

Compact and unobtrusive. It won’t consume valuable desk space and does not require an external power supply.

Compatible with most new PCs.

Works with any PC equipped with a USB port and Windows 98 operating system.

Provides the benefits of Ethernet networking. Once con-

nected to an Ethernet network, users can share peripherals, transfer files, share a connection to the Internet, and much more.

Provides flexibility and increases uptime. The 3Com

USB Network Interface can be added, removed, or swapped with other USB peripherals while your PC is up and running.

Compatible with existing LAN installations. Provides an

assured high-speed network connection via standard 10BASE-T Ethernet.

With the USB Network Interface, an Ethernet network connection is made easy—with no need to open up your PC.

3Com USB Network Interface

The simplest Ethernet network connection for your Windows 98 PC

3Com Corporation

P.O. Box 58145 5400 Bayfront Plaza Santa Clara, CA 95052-8145 Phone: 1 800 NET 3Com or 1 408 326 5000 Fax: 1 408 326 5001

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3Com USB Network Interface

Specifications

USB Interface

Universal Serial Bus Specification 1.0 compliant

USB type B connector for standard shielded USB cable, maximum length 5 m

Ethernet Interface

ISO 8802/3, IEEE 802.3 compliant, RJ-45 connector for UTP or STP cable (Category 3 or 5), maximum length 100 m

Throughput

Up to 6 Mbps (sustained)

MTBF

In excess of 1 million hours (100 years)

Physical Dimensions

25 mm x 55 mm x 68 mm (1 in x 2.2 in x 2.7 in)

Operating Temperature

0 to 50°C

Humidity

10 to 90% noncondensing

Storage Temperature

-40° to 70°C

Storage Humidity

Up to 95% relative humidity

Operating Voltage

5 V (USB standard)

Operating Current

140 mA

Compliance

Safety Agency Certification

UL 1950, EN 60950, CSA 22.2 No. 950

EMC Emissions

ICES-003 Class B, FCC Part 15 Class B, EN 55022 Class B, VCCI Class B (Japan), As/NZS 3548 Class B, CISPR Class B, CNS 13438 Class B

Shielded cables must be used to ensure compliance with the Class B requirements of these standards. The use of unshielded cables complies with Class A requirements.

Compatibility

Ethernet half-duplex mode Promiscuous mode is not

supported.

Package Contents

• USB Network Interface

• USB cable—0.6 m (2 ft)

• Installation diskette

• Installation guide (in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish)

Ordering Information

3Com USB Network Interface

3C19250

To learn more about 3Com products and services, visit our World Wide Web site at www.3com.com. 3Com is a publicly traded corporation (Nasdaq:COMS).

Copyright © 1998 3Com Corporation. All rights reserved. 3Com, the 3Com logo, and OfficeConnect are registered trademarks of 3Com Corporation. More connected. is a trademark of 3Com Corporation. Windows 98 is a trademark of Microsoft. Other product and brand names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. All specifications are subject to change without notice.

Printed in U.S.A. on recycled paper 400431-001 12/98

Simplified Networking

Today, many small businesses and an increasing number of home users have more than one PC and several peripherals such as printers, modems, and scanners. There are enormous benefits to networking such devices, such as sharing these expensive peripherals, transferring files of unlimited size between PCs, providing a single dial-up connection for Internet access, and backing up files fast and easy—not to mention enjoying interactive network games.

Despite these benefits, a surprising number of users shy away from networking. Often this is because they are concerned with what they perceive to be the complexities of installing and configuring a NIC inside their PC.

The 3Com USB Network Interface presents a simple alternative to installing an internal NIC by providing a

compact adapter that plugs into the USB port at the back of the PC.

What Is USB?

USB (Universal Serial Bus) is a new type of connector fitted to most PCs available today. It offers true plugand-play setup and hot-swapping capability so devices can be added, removed, or swapped while your PC is up and running.

Applications

Once you install the USB Network Interface, you’re ready to connect to an Ethernet network. For example, to start sharing printers and exchanging files with other PCs in your home or office, you can connect to the 3Com OfficeConnect

Hub TP4. Or for shared high-speed Internet access, connect to a 3Com OfficeConnect LAN Modem. Whichever device you choose, by connecting to a standard Ethernet network,

you can connect USB and non-USB PCs (equipped with conventional NICs) and peripherals on the same network.

Using OfficeConnect

Network Assistant

To make it even easier to set up and maintain a network, you can take advantage of the OfficeConnect Network Assistant CD-ROM—a stepby-step guide to network setup, expansion, and troubleshooting. Best of all, the Network Assistant CD-R OM ships FREE with all OfficeConnect Ethernet hubs and networking kits.

When To Use a USB Hub

A USB hub connects multiple USB peripherals, such as a mouse or digital camera, to one PC. It cannot connect PCs together. The 3Com USB Network Interface can be connected to a PC via a self-powered USB hub.