HP Vectra XM5 4, Vectra XM5/xxx 4 Network Manual

Setting Up the Network Connection

Network Administrator Guide

HP Vectra XM 5/xxx Series 4

Setting Up the Network Connection

2 English

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Setting Up the Network Connection

Introduction

Introduction

The primary purpose of a LAN interface is to allow your PC to take
advantage of the services that a LAN can provide. The HP Enhanced
PCI Ethernet Interface, however, is more than just a standard LAN
interface.

By integrating the LAN subsystem into its PCs, Hewlett-Packard brings
you more benefits from your LAN interface.

This section outlines the unique features of the HP Enhanced PCI
Ethernet Interface. It demonstrates how to extend the primary usage
of the LAN interface and how to better integrate your PC into your
LAN infrastructure in a more extensive way.

The configuration settings and extended functionality of your HP
Enhanced PCI Ethernet Interface require a strong expertise of the LAN
environment and of the Client/Server model. If you do not have this
level of expertise or you are not involved with the LAN infrastructure
to which your PC is to be connected, it is not recommended that you
use this guide without the help of your LAN expert.

Setting Up the Network Connection

Introduction

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PC BIOS and Self Testing

The HP Enhanced PCI Ethernet Interface in your Vectra PC is an
integrated part of the overall system and as such is monitored by the
system BIOS.

The Vectra PC tests the Enhanced PCI Ethernet Interface in the same
way as it tests the other system components during the power-on self
test (diagnostic) process. If any errors are found, the BIOS subsystem
will report to the user, giving suggested failure points and possible
solutions.

However, the BIOS does more than just self test the Enhanced PCI
Ethernet Interface, it allows configuration of the unique features of the
interface.

The security settings, the remote start (boot) and the power
management of the PC are all features that can be configured using the
PC SETUP program and the DMI (page 7) software.

Descriptions of these features, examples of where they can be used
and instructions for using the SETUP program to configure the
Enhanced PCI Ethernet Interface features are given in the remainder
of this document.

NOTE Refer to the User’s Guide that came with your Vectra PC for general

information about the self test error codes and using the SETUP
program.

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Setting Up the Network Connection

Introduction

Remote Start

The remote start (boot) capability allows your Vectra PC to start from a
network server rather than from local devices such as the flexible drive
or hard disk.

When the remote start is enabled, the PC will use the Enhanced PCI
Ethernet interface to load the start code across the network from a
server on the LAN. The benefits of this are:

• Greater control of the PC and its start environment.

• Ability to use the PC without any local storage devices.

Starting from the network can be configured by both the PC SETUP
program and using the DMI interface. To allow you to take advantage of
this feature, several LAN environments and protocols are supported.

Examples of the
Remote Start feature

❒ Virus protection: Some viruses corrupt the bootable area of diskettes

and hard disks in order to be active whenever the PC is started
(spreading mode) or to prevent the PC from starting altogether
(destructive mode). When the remote start facility is enabled, your
PC will use a bootable area located on a server where anti-virus
procedures are implemented that protect all machines booting from
that server.

❒ Centralized upgrades: Software installations/upgrades are often

complex and involve difficult procedures. The remote start facility
allows a MIS (Management Information Services) manager total
control of a PC environment at each start, making it possible to
automatically update and configure software (even firmware such as
BIOS).

Setting Up the Network Connection

Introduction

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Security

Security in the standalone environment can be as simple as protecting
the information on your own PC. Network security means preserving
the integrity of all information accessible through the network against
misuse or corruption (whether accidental or deliberate).

When you connect a PC to a network, its security becomes a major
concern. The network based applications and data must be protected
from access by unauthorized users. Authorized users also present a
security risk if there is no way of restricting their network access.

The HP Vectra PCs can be protected by two levels of passwords - as
recommended by industry security models.

The user password protects the PC from unauthorized use by
prompting for a password at start and whenever the user locks the
machine.

The administrator password can be used to override the user
password, or to protect the PC’s configuration by restricting access to
the SETUP program.

It is highly recommended that you make use of these facilities when
your PC is connected to the network. Refer to the User’s Guide that
came with your PC for instructions on how to set passwords.

Example use of the
Security features

Controlled boot: Using the SETUP program, the administrator
configures the PC to start from the network. The administrator protects
the configuration using the administrator password and restricts access
to the networked PC using the user password.

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Setting Up the Network Connection

Introduction

Power Management

The HP Enhanced PCI Ethernet interface has unique capabilities
related to the power management of your PC.

Environmental considerations make energy saving a very important
issue. New operating systems such as Windows for Workgroups 3.11,
Windows 95 and OS/2 help to save energy by reducing the power
consumption of the PC when full power is not required (often called
sleep or suspend mode).

Putting various components of the PC into low power mode when no
activity is detected can have side effects on network accessibility.
When the PC is in low power mode or switched off, it can no longer be
accessed through the network which can present problems for
administrators and shared users alike.

The HP Enhanced PCI Ethernet interface has the unique ability to
“wake-up” the PC when in low power mode, or even “power-on” the PC
when it is switched off by receiving a special sequence (known as a
Magic Packet™) from the network.

This ability to control (manage) the power functioning of a PC from a
remote location can offer significant improvements in environmental
and security factors. All users are able to switch off their machines
when not in use without the disadvantage of disrupting the network.

This guide contains instructions on using the remote power features of
your PC (page 11).

Example use of the
Remote Power feature

Remote upgrades: MIS management tasks such as firmware/software
upgrades often happen out of business hours when most users have
switched off their PCs and gone home. If the administrator wanted to
access a PC across the network that was in sleep mode or switched off,
they would have to physically go to the PC to start or “wake” it. Using
the Remote-Wake or Remote-Start command over the network, the
administrator can access machines from their desk that would
otherwise have been unavailable.

Setting Up the Network Connection

Introduction

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Management Services

In order to configure your PC, update its software, guarantee greater
reliability and optimize the overall network infrastructure, the network
administrator needs to access your PC. Hewlett-Packard consider this
manageability as a requirement on all their PC platforms.

The Hewlett-Packard approach to manageability is designed around
the new DMI (Desktop Management Interface) PC management
standard framework defined by the DMTF (Desktop Management Task
Force).

Your HP Vectra PC comes with a wide set of attributes and local
management applications, as well as network agents that allow remote
access to the DMI management framework

1

.

Manageability
Examples

❒ Company asset management: Using DMI and the network agents,

asset information can be retrieved centrally rather than physically
sending someone to assess each PC.

❒ Firmware upgrading: The network administrator has a BIOS

firmware upgrade and wants to upgrade the corresponding
machines. All network PCs can be interrogated for their BIOS
version remotely, and those that need to be upgraded are configured
to start from a server which has been programmed accordingly. The
upgrade can then be performed the next time the PC is started.

1. The DMI management framework is a collection of software

applications that run on top of your PC operating system.