D-Link DFE-680TXD User Manual

DFE-680TXD

Fast Ethernet PC card

for CardBus

User’s Guide

Rev. 01 (March, 2001)

RECYCLABLE

Printed in Taiwan

CONTENTS

Introduction.........................................................................................................................1

General Description........................................................................................................ 1

About Fast Ethernet........................................................................................................ 2

About Autonegotiation....................................................................................................2

LED Indicators................................................................................................................ 4

Summary of Features...................................................................................................... 4

Hardware Installation..........................................................................................................6

Unpack and Inspect.........................................................................................................6

Step 1: Insert the DFE-680TXD .....................................................................................7

Step 2: Connect to the Network Medium ....................................................................... 8

Step 3: Confirm Connection (Ln/Act Indicator).............................................................8

Connect the Network Cable ............................................................................................9

Connecting for Fast Ethernet ...................................................................................... 9

Connecting for 10Mbps Ethernet ................................................................................ 9

Software Installation......................................................................................................... 10

Windows2000 driver install .......................................................................................... 10

Device Manager for proper installation for Win2000................................................... 16

Windows ME driver installation................................................................................... 19

Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................ 31

Troubleshooting the Hardware Installation .................................................................. 31

Verify Each Computers Identification.......................................................................... 31

Verify Network Adapter Installation ............................................................................ 31

Verify Cable Connections............................................................................................. 32

Understanding Indicators.............................................................................................. 33

Diagnostics and Checking Communications ................................................................ 33

Pinging your DFE-680TXD Card ................................................................................. 34

Specifications ................................................................................................................... 35

1

Introduction

Thank you for choosing D-Link DFE-680TXD, the value leader among Ethernet / Fast
Ethernet adapters for CardBus notebook PCs. This chapter provides a general description
of DFE-680TXD features, with a summary of features at the end of the chapter.
Installation instructions are given in Chapters 2 and 3.

General Description

The D-Link DFE-680TXD 10/100 Ethernet PC Card for CardBus notebook PCs is a
credit-card sized Ethernet / Fast-Ethernet adapter for connecting a notebook PC to an
IEEE 802.3 or 802.3u Ethernet network. The notebook PC must be equipped with
CardBus (32 bit) extension bus and Type II or Type III PC Card slot (s).

NOTE: The terms "PC Card" and “CardBus” are used throughout this manual to refer to
those objects as defined in the PCMCIA / PC Card standards published by Personal
Computer Memory Card Industry Association (PCMCIA). The term “slot” is used in this
manual is synonymous with “socket” where the standards use the latter term in reference
to the physical receptacles of a host notebook computer, for insertion/connection of PC
Cards. More information on the standards is available from PCMCIA’s www server at
http://www.pc -card.com.

The DFE-680TXD automatically detects the parameters of its Ethernet environment, and
automatically negotiates and determines its own speed and duplex settings as required fo r
maximum performance within the environment. (The autonegotiation function is
effective only when the DFE-680TXD is connected to the network by a device (switch or
hub) which also has autonegotiation functionality.)

Inside its compact case, the D-Link DFE-680TXD holds an Ethernet controller, network
processing interface, a 68-pin PC Card Standard front -end plug, which connects to the
notebook PC, and a direct port for connecting RJ -45. The DFE-680TXD requires no pre­installation setup -- simply insert its front end into the notebook PC's PC-Card slot.

The DFE-680TXD is supplied with an RJ-45 receptacle, which receives the network
cable. The direct port features full LED display for linkage and activity states, and for the

2

speed and duplex ,and for transmitting and receiving data and carrier detection.

About Fast Ethernet

Fast Ethernet is a network technology specified by IEEE Standard 802.3u. It extends the
traditional 10Mbps (10 megabit/sec) Ethernet technology to achieve 100Mbps (100
megabit/sec) transmission and reception. Because Fast Ethernet retains the traditional
Ethernet CSMA/CD (Carrier Sense, Multiple Access, Collision Detect) protocol, it
remains wholly compatible with 10Mbps Ethernet while providing a tenfold increase in
network capacity.

The Fast Ethernet standard specifies three subtypes, corresponding to three media types:

• 100Base -TX (using two twisted pairs in EIA 568 Category 5 UTP or STP cable)

• 100Base -T4 (using four twisted pairs in a Category 3, Category 4, or Category 5

UTP cable) 100Base-FX (using two fiber-optic strands).

The DFE-680TXD provides full-duplex and half-duplex 100Base-TX operation (in
Category 5 twisted-pair cable environments). It does not provide 100Base-T4 or
100Base -FX operation. To provide for traditional 10Mbps Ethernet operation in twisted­pair cable environments, the DFE-680TXD also offers 10Mbps Ethernet operation, in
full-duplex and half-duplex modes. The DFE-680TXD's autonegotiation capability
provides for automatic selection of the best operation mode.

About Autonegotiation

The basic idea of auto-negotiation can be understood by reflecting for a moment on the
familiar process of making a dialup connection between two modems. You have probably
heard some gravelly−sounding exchanges between your local modem and a modem at the
other end of a telephone line. (These exchanges are ordinarily played out through a
speaker in your local modem). As irritating as those few seconds of noise may be, they do
let you know that your modem and the remote modem are on the job, preparing for your
intended communication with the remote computer.

The preparatory work of the two modems during those few seconds before you see the
“connect” message is to negotiate the best data communication scheme which is
supported by both modems, and which is suitable for the quality of the telephone -line
connection between them. The parameters to be settled between the two modems include

3

best baud rate, compression method, and error correction method. When the two modems
have tested the phone-line quality and have switched to the combination of parameters
which will provide the best data communication, then you are given the “ connect”
message which signals the end of the inter-modem negotiation and the beginning of your
intended communication with the remote computer.

Autonegotiation between devices within an Ethernet LAN is similar in concept, but much
briefer. The two devices involved in the autonegotiation will be your DFE-680TXD and
the switch or hub through which it is connected into the LAN. (Switches ordinarily
provide for autonegotiation; traditional hubs do not.) The parameters to be negotiated
between the DFE-680TXD and its supporting switch or hub include speed (100Mbps =
Fast Ethernet, or 10Mbps = traditional Ethernet) and duplex mode (half-duplex or full­duplex).

Startup communication between the two devices occurs when both devices are operating,
the cable connection between them is good, and the connected notebook PC's network
software is loaded. As soon as those conditions are satisfied, t he preparatory process of
auto-negotiation between the DFE-680TXD and its supporting device begins and
proceeds automatically.

If the supporting switch or hub has autonegotiation functionality, then it and the DFE­680TXD exchange a series of messages in which each device signals its capabilities and
listens for corresponding information about the other. The auto-negotiation process
requires only a few milliseconds, and the two devices select the best communication
parameters supported by both devices.

If the supporting device does not have autonegotiation functionality, then its monotone
(single capability) message will be recognized by the DFE-680TXD’s autonegotiation
facility, and the DFE-680TXD will simply switch to the one of its own capabilities which
m atches that of the supporting device.

Once the auto-negotiation is completed, then the line is ready, and it will provide an
optimal data channel between the DFE-680TXD and the supporting device. The line will
remain ready without further auto-negotiation action until the linkage is broken. Auto­negotiation then reoccurs at any time that the linkage is restored, again making the line
ready for optimal data communications.

4

LED Indicators

The direct port features six LED indicators:
10/100 Indicator: Solid LED clearly indicates when you are connected to a Fast Ethernet

Network.
Half /Full Indicator:

Steady green indicates Full-Duplex selected.
Dark indicates Half-Duplex selected.

Ln/Act Indicator:
Steady green indicates that there is good linkage to the network ("Linkage" state,
quiescent). Flashing green indicates that the DFE -680TXD is transmitting or receiving
("Activity" state). In 10Mbps mode, flashing will be regular and periodic. In 100 Mbps
mode, flashing may be irregular, with longer dark periods during heavy traffic activity.

Rx Indicator:
Solid and Flashing LED clearly indicates when you are receiving data.
Tx Indicator:
Solid and Flashing LED clearly indicates when you are transmitting data.
CD Indicator:
Solid LED clearly indicates carrier detec tion.

Summary of Features

Features of Model DFE-680TXD 10/100 Ethernet PC Card:

• 100Mbps and 10Mbps data rates in compliance with IEEE 802.3

• Ethernet standards 100Base -TX and 10Base-T

• Complies with PCMCIA V2.x, JEIDA V4.x, and 32-Bit

• CardBus Standards

• CardBus standard 68 -pin front-end connector

• Full-Duplex capable in 10Mbps and 100Mbps modes.

5

• Autonegotiation per IEEE 802.3u specification

• No manual setup switches –– fully automatic configuration

• Power consumption 2 watts (max.)

• Laser -welded stainless steel case

• Software support:

Diagnostic Program
NetWare DOS ODI
NetWare Lite
Personal NetWare
Windows 95 OSR2
Windows NT 3.51
Windows NT 4.0
Packet Driver for NCSA
Packet Driver for FTP PC/TCP
Packet Driver for IPX
Packet Driver for Winsock
Windows 98
Windows 98SE
Windows ME
Windows 2000

6

Hardware Installation

10/100 Ethernet PC Card

Unpack and Inspect

NOTE: Under ordinary circumstances, the DFE-680TXD will not be affected by static

charge as may be received through your body during handling of the unit. In special
circum -stances where you may carry an extraordinarily high static charge, it is good
practice to reduce the charge by touching a ground before handling the DFE -680TXD.

Open the shipping carton and carefully remove all items. You have:

• One DFE-680TXD 10/100 Ethernet PC Card

• One plastic storage bag for the DFE -680TXD

• One D-Link DFE-680TXD Software CD-ROM

• One Quick Installation Guide

In the event that any item is missing, or if you find any mismatch or damage, promptly
contact your dealer for an exchange.

Follow these four steps to install the DFE-680TXD:

DFE-680TXD

Figure 1

7

Step 1: Insert the DFE-680TXD

Under the PC Card standard and the corresponding Japanese JEIDA standard, PC Cards
may safely be "hot swapped" –– it is not necessary to switch the computer's power off
before installing or removing the DFE-680TXD, or any other PC Card.

Find/select an open Type II or Type III PC Card slot on your notebook computer's side or
rear panel. Hold the DFE-680TXD with the colorful D-Link splash label upward. Insert
the front end of the PC Card into the CardBus slot, and slide the PC Card all the way into
the slot until it reaches a firm stop.

NOTE: Many notebook PCs feature a stacked pair of PC Card slots, logically (but not
physicall y) designated as Slot 1 and Slot 2.

It is most usual for the lower one of the two slots in the stack to be designated Slot 1, but
there are exceptions. In the subsequent procedure for DFE-680TXD software installation,
it might be useful for you to know whether your DFE-680TXD is installed in Slot 1 or
Slot 2. Under Windows 95, you can check by opening the Control Panel / PC Card
display. Under DOS it is also possible to make a software check, but it is more difficult.
If it develops that you need to make a trial-and-error determination or correction, then it
is easy to do: just reinstall the DFE -680TXD in another slot.

8

Step 2: Connect to the Network Medium

Make the network connection by running a UTP cable from the supporting switch or hub
to your direct port. Simply plug one end (RJ -45 plug) of the cable into an available port
of the switch or hub, and plug the other end (RJ -45 plug) into the RJ-45 socket of your
direct port coupler.

Step 3: Confirm Connection (Ln/Act Indicator)

When the notebook computer's power is ON, the DFE-680TXD is firmly seated in the
slot connector, the direct port has a good cable connection to the supporting hub, and the
supporting hub is power on and functioning properly, then the direct port’s Ln/Act LED
glows steady green ("Linkage" state).

If the Ln/Act LED remains dark without apparent cause, then the most likely fault is poor
engagement of the 68-pin front -end plug. Review the following section titled "Remove
the DFE-680TXD," then remove the DFE-680TXD from its slot. Repeat the procedures
of the above Step 1, "Insert the DFE-680TXD," taking care to ensure that the DFE­680TXD is right side up and front -end first, and that it seats firmly in a suitable PC Card
slot of your notebook. Repeat the procedures of Steps 2 as necessary get the Ln/Act LED
confirmation.

NOTE: You might need to wait a few seconds following notebook power up, or
following insertion of a PC Card, for the software processing to be completed. The

9

Ln/Act indicator will remain dark until the software processing is completed.

Connect the Network Cable

Category 5 UTP cable is good enough to qualify under both the Fast Ethernet cabling
rules and the traditional Ethernet cabling rules. The maximum individual cable run
between any station and its supporting hub or switch is 100m. The maximum individual
cable run joining two hubs is 10m in general, but is 100m when both hubs qualify as
Ethernet Class 2 Repeaters (all D-Link Ethernet hubs do qualify). But these cable runs
may need to be shorter than the given individual maximum lengths, because their lengths
are also restricted by the rule that the maximum aggregated cable run between any two
stations is 205m.

Connecting for Fast Ethernet

Category 5 UTP cable is required for Fast Ethernet operation. The maximum length of
cable between the DFE-680TXD and the supporting hub is 300 ft. The cable must be
“ straight” (not a“crossover” cable), with an RJ -45 plug at each end. Make the network
connection by plugging one end of the cable into the RJ-45 receptacle of the direct port,
and the other end into a port of the supporting hub.

Connecting for 10Mbps Ethernet

Category 3, Category 4, and Category 5 UTP cable, as well as EIA/TIA - 568 100 -ohm
STP cable, all qualify under traditional Ethernet cabling rules. The maximum cable run
between the DFE-680TXD and the supporting hub is 300 ft. The cable must be “straight”
(not a “ crossover” cable) with RJ -45 plug at each end. Make the network connection by
plugging one end of the cable into the RJ-45 receptacle of the direct port, and the other
end into a port of the supporting hub.

10

Software Installation

Windows2000 driver install

Figure1- Insert DFE- 680TXD into notebook, new hardware device should prompt.
Select Next.

11

Figure2- Select Next to continue installation.

12

Figure3- Ensure that the Specify location box is checked and click Next