Apple CS II User Manual

About the Apple Ethernet CS II Card

The Apple Ethernet CS II Card expands the
communication capabilities of models of Macintosh
computers that have a communication slot II (CS II).
The card is designed for networks that conform to the
IEEE 802.3 standard for Ethernet.

There are three configurations of the Apple Ethernet
CS II Card, each with a connector for a different type
of Ethernet cable. These are

m twisted pair
m thin coaxial (“coax”)
m AAUI (universal connector)

This manual provides instructions for all three
configurations of the card.

You begin by installing the card and then connecting
it to your network. You should also install the latest
version of the Ethernet software if a disk is included
with the card.

The Apple Ethernet CS II Card requires System

7.5.3 or a later version. For best performance your
system should have 8 megabytes (MB) minimum of
random-access memory (RAM).

What’s in the box

m One Apple Ethernet CS II Card with either a

twisted-pair connector, a thin coaxial connector
(with T-connector attached), or an AAUI connector

Note: Keep the card inside its antistatic bag in
the protective cardboard box until you’re ready
to install it.

m One floppy disk containing Ethernet CS II

software

m Warranty card
m User’s guide

IMPORTANT

this booklet came in the box, your Apple Ethernet
CS II Card and software may already be installed,
and no disk containing the Ethernet CS II software
is included. Skip ahead to “Installing Your
Ethernet Software” for information about setting
up your software.

If you purchased a new Macintosh and

1

Installing Your Apple Ethernet CS II Card

Note: You’ll need to obtain the specific cable for
your network separately. If you are not sure which
transceiver you need, see your network administrator
or support person.

WARNING

To avoid damage to the card and to
your other computer equipment, be sure that
you’ve turned off power to the computer
before beginning installation procedures.

Your Apple Ethernet CS II card has one of three
types of network connectors: twisted pair, coaxial, or
AAUI connector. No matter which type of connector
your card has, the procedure for installing your card
in a Macintosh is the same. Perform the steps in the
following procedure. Note that the Ethernet card
illustrations may look slightly different from your
Apple Ethernet CS II card.

2

1. Follow the specific setup information that came with
your Macintosh to open the back panel or lid and
locate the communication slot II inside the computer.

The material that comes with your Macintosh
includes instructions to help you avoid damage to
your computer’s components when installing the
card. Be sure you’ve shut down and turned off the
power to your computer before starting the
installation.

2. Remove the cover from the opening for the
communication slot II on the computer’s back panel.

Check the manual that came with your computer
for specific instructions.

3. Remove the card from its antistatic bag.

Handle the card by its edges and avoid touching
the components and connector as much as
possible.

IMPORTANT

If you’re installing the Apple Ethernet
CS II Thin Coax Card, a T-connector is connected to
your card. Before you install the card, twist the
T-connector to unlock it from your card and set
it aside.

4. Tilt the card to fit the connector through the back

panel’s opening and hook the small metal bracket at
the top of the card to the edge of the opening.

5. Align the card over the communications slot and
press down firmly and evenly on both ends until the
card fits snugly into place.

You can test to see if the card is properly
connected by lifting the card slightly. If it resists
and stays in place, it’s connected.

6. Follow the directions that came with your computer to
replace the back panel or lid and reattach any cables
you removed earlier.

This procedure depends on the model you have.

T-connector
removed from the
Thin Coax card

Port on the Thin Coax card

Metal bracket

Handle the card by its edge.
Push down evenly and firmly.

To locate the
communication slot for
your computer, see the
setup instructions that
came with your Macintosh.

3

Connecting Your Card to the Network

To connect your card to the network, follow the
instructions for your specific card. Check the
illustration below to determine your card type.

CS II Thin
Coax Card

CS II Twisted­Pair Card

CS II AAUI
Card

Refer to the following pages for instructions on how
to connect your card:

m Apple Ethernet CS II Twisted Pair Card: page 4
m Apple Ethernet CS II Coax Card: page 5
m Apple Ethernet CS II AAUI Card: page 7

4

Connecting an Apple Ethernet CS II
Twisted Pair Card

1. Plug the twisted-pair cable from your network into the
RJ-45 port on your card.

Just as with a telephone wire connector, you’ll
hear a “click” when you plug in the cable.

Card’s green LED lights
up when there’s a good
network connection.

Other end of cable
connects to network
controller (hub).

RJ-45 connector clicks when
you attach it to the port.

2. Turn on the computer’s power switch and start up the
computer.

You’ve made the hardware connections. Turn to
“Installing Your Ethernet Software” later in this
booklet for software installation instructions.

Connecting an Apple Ethernet CS II
Coax Card

IMPORTANT

network will temporarily disrupt services to other
users, so work quickly. To minimize the disruption,
alert your network administrator before continuing
these instructions.

1. Attach one end of the new cable for your computer to
the T-connector you removed from your card.

Be sure to twist and lock the cable’s connector to
your T-connector.

Connecting your computer to the

2. On the computer closest to your computer, detach the
network cable (or terminator) from the T-connector.

This disrupts network services for other users.

Note: You can add a computer in the middle or at
either end of the network.

3. Lock the free end of the new cable to the
T-connector on the other computer.

4. If you are adding your computer somewhere in the
middle of the network, lock the unattached network
cable to your T-connector. Otherwise, lock a
terminator to your T-connector.

This restores network services for other users.

When you add your Thin Coax Card, you must
use a T-connector in one of these two ways:

Twist to lock both cables
to a T-connector in the
middle of the network.

Network
continues

Lock a terminator to
a T-connector at
the end of the network.

5

5. Attach your T-connector to the port on your card.

It may help to use two hands. With one hand,
push the T-connector on the port. While still
holding the T-connector, use the fingers on your
other hand to lock the connector into place.

Pull the T-connector to test that it is locked
securely to the port.

Port on card

The T-connector locks
the network cable
(and terminator, if
needed) to your card.

6. Turn on your computer’s power switch and start up
the computer.

You’ve made all the necessary hardware
connections. Next you’ll install and set up your
network communication software. For
instructions, turn to “Installing Your Ethernet
Software” later in this booklet.

Cable from one
side of network

6

Cable from other
side of network

Connecting an Apple Ethernet CS II
AAUI Card

1. Plug the AAUI connector from your network
transceiver cable into the AAUI port on your card.

You need a specific AAUI-compatible transceiver
for the kind of media used for your network: thick
coax, twisted-pair, thin coax, fiber-optic, or
twisted-pair hub. The transceiver connects your
computer to the main network cable.

The AAUI connector
attaches to the card’s port.

The cable also connects to the
appropriate AAUI-compatible
transceiver for your network.

2. Turn on the computer’s power switch and start up the
computer.

You’ve made all the necessary hardware
connections. Next you’ll install and set up your
network communication software. For
instructions, turn to “Installing Your Ethernet
Software” later in this booklet.

7

Installing Your Software

If you purchased a new Macintosh with an Apple
Ethernet CS II card, you may already have the
required software installed.

If a PCI Network Installer disk is included with your
card, perform the steps in “Installing the Software,”
next.

If no PCI Network Installer disk is included with
your card, the latest software is already installed.
Skip ahead to “Setting the Network Software
Selector.”

8

Installing the Ethernet software

To install the latest version of Ethernet software
you need to use the Installer program on the PCI
Network Installer disk, included with your card.

For safety, make sure that the Installer disk is locked
before you use it. To lock a disk, slide the tab on the
back side so that the square hole is open.

Keep the Installer disk after installation in case you
need to reinstall Ethernet software some time in
the future.

Close all open applications before installing.