IBM EtherLink XL User Manual

IBM 10/100 Fast EtherLink® XL
Adapters by 3Com

User Guide

OPTIONS

by IBM

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Requests for copies of this publication and for technical information about IBM Personal Computer
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© Copyright International Business Machines Corporation 1998. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 1998, 3Com Corporation. All rights reserved.

ii

ONTENTS

C

A

BOUT THIS GUIDE

Finding Specific Information in This Guide 1
Conventions 2

1

I

NTRODUCTION

Industry-Leading Performance 1-2
DynamicAccess Software 1-2
Remote Wake-Up 1-3
Installation and Configuration 1-3
10/100 Mbps Support 1-3
PC and Server Requirements 1-4
How Do I Install the 3C905B-TX Adapter? 1-4

2

I

NSTALLING THE ADAPTER

Connecting to the Network 2-3
Connecting the Remote Wake-Up Cable 2-4

3

I

NSTALLING THE NETWORK DRIVER

Windows 95 3-1

Confirming Installation 3-4

Windows 98 3-5

Confirming Installation 3-5
Upgrading from Windows 95 to Windows 98 3-6
Windows NT 3-6

Windows NT Version 4.0 3-7

Updating the Network Driver 3-7
Installing the Network Driver 3-7

iii

Windows NT Version 3.51 3-9

Updating the Network Driver 3-9
Installing the Network Driver 3-9

NetWare for Windows 3.1x, Windows for Workgroups,
and DOS 3-10

AutoLink Requirements 3-10
Running the AutoLink Program 3-11

Installing the Novell NetWare Server Driver 3-12

NetWare Version 4.1 3-12
Multiple Adapters 3-13

Supported Network Drivers 3-14

4

C

HANGING CONFIGURATION

Configuration Settings 4-1
Displaying Configuration Settings 4-2
Changing Configuration Settings 4-2
Changing PACE Configuration 4-4

Selecting PACE Applications 4-4
Changing PACE Ranges and Protocols 4-5
PACE Advanced Options 4-6
Setting Fast IP 4-6

Using the DOS Configuration Program 4-6

A

S

PECIFICATIONS

Specifications A-1
RJ-45 Connector Pin Assignments A-2

B

T

ECHNICAL SUPPORT

Help and Service Information B-1
Step 1. Problem Solving B-2
Step 2. Preparing for the Call B-3
Step 3. Placing the Call to IBM B-3

Additional Technical Support Resources B-4
Troubleshooting B-4
Status LEDs B-4

iv

3Com NIC Diagnostics Program B-6

Accessing the 3C905B-TX Adapter Help System B-6
Displaying Release Notes, Frequently Asked Questions,

and the KnowledgeBase B-7
Running the Self-Test B-7
Running the Echo Test B-9
3Com Support Services B-10

Removing the 3C905B-TX Adapter PACE and
3NICDIAGS Software B-12

Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0 B-12

DOS B-12
Checking the Remote Wake-up Function B-12
3Com DOS Diagnostic Program B-13
Crossover Cable Troubleshooting Tips B-14

Troubleshooting Hubs with Crossover Cable B-15
Frequently Asked Questions B-16
Accessing the 3Com World Wide Web Page B-20

G

LOSSARY

I

NDEX

S

TATEMENT OF LIMITED WARRANTY

N

OTICES

F

EDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

S

TATEMENT

I

NDUSTRY CANADA CLASS

S

TATEMENT

A

VIS DE CONFORMITÉ À LA RÉGLEMENTATION

D’INDUSTRIE CANADA

B E

MISSION COMPLIANCE

(FCC)

v

D

EUTSCHE

V

ERTRÄGLICHKEIT

E

UROPEAN UNION

U

NION EUROPÉENNE

ÉLECTROMAGNÉTIQUE

U

NION EUROPEA

U

NIONE EUROPEA

ELECTROMAGNÉTICA

T

RADEMARKS

EMV-D

- N

IREKTIVE (ELECTROMAGNETISCHE

)

- E

- D

MISSION DIRECTIVE

- D

IRECTIVE CONFORMITÉ

ORMATIVA

IRECTIVA

EMC

EMC (C

)

ONFORMIDAD

3COM END U

vi

SER SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT

IGURES

F

1-1

3C905B-TX Adapter 1-1

1-2

3C905B-TX Adapter Installation Steps 1-4

2-1

Inserting the Adapter 2-2

2-2

Connecting the Network Cable to the RJ-45 Port 2-3

2-3

Connecting the Adapter to the Connector 2-4

4-1

3Com NIC Diagnostics Program General Screen 4-3

4-2

3Com NIC Diagnostics Program Properties Screen 4-3

A-1

RJ-45 Connector Pin Assignments A-2

B-1

LEDs B-5

B-2

3Com NIC Diagnostics Program General Screen B-8

B-3

Diagnostics Screen B-8

B-4

3Com NIC Diagnostics Program Support Screen B-11

B-5

Straight-through and Crossover Cable Pinouts B-14

vii

ABLES

T

1

Notice Icons 2

2

Text Conventions 2

3-1

Network Driver Text File Names 3-14

4-1 Option Settings 4-1
B-1 LED Descriptions B-5
B-2 Frequently Asked Questions B-16

viii

ABOUT THIS GUIDE

About This Guide provides an overview of this guide,
describes guide conventions, and tells you where to look
for specific information.

This guide describes how to install, configure, and
troubleshoot the IBM 10/100 Fast EtherLink® XL Adapters
by 3Com.

If the information in the README.TXT file on the
EtherDisk® diskette shipped with your product differs from
the information in this guide, follow the instructions in the
README.TXT file.

Finding Specific Information in This Guide

This table shows where to find specific information in this
guide.

If you are looking for Turn to

Adapter features and PC and server requirements Chapter 1
Installation and cabling information Chapter 2
Network driver installation instructions Chapter 3
Instructions for changing configuration settings Chapter 4
Specifications and RJ-45 pin assignments Appendix A
Technical support Appendix B
Troubleshooting Appendix B

2 ABOUT THIS GUIDE

Conventions

Table 1 and Table 2 list conventions that are used
throughout this guide.

Table 1 Notice Icons

Icon Notice Type Description

Information note Important features or instructions

Caution Information to alert you to potential damage to a

Warning Information to alert you to potential personal injury

Table 2 Text Conventions

Convention Description

Commands The word “command” means you must enter the

Screen displays This typeface represents information as it appears on the

The words “enter”
and “type”

Menu commands and
buttons

Words in italicized
type

Words in bold-face
type

program, system, or device

command exactly as shown in text and press the Return or
Enter key. Example:

To launch the DOS diagnostics, enter the following
command:

a: install

screen.
When you see the word “enter” in this guide, you must

type something, and then press the Return or Enter key.
Do not press the Return or Enter key when an instruction
simply says “type.”

Menu commands or button names appear in italics.
Example:

From the Help menu, select Contents.

Italics emphasize a point or denote new terms at the place
where they are defined in the text.

Bold text denotes key features.

1

INTRODUCTION

The IBM 10/100 Fast EtherLink® XL Adapters by 3Com
provide a high-performance connection to an Ethernet or
Fast Ethernet network. These adapters operate at 100
Mbps or 10 Mbps automatically, depending on the speed
of the connected hub.

TX

DATA

ACT

10

L
N

100

K

Figure 1-1 3C905B-TX Adapter

There are two types of 3C905B-TX adapters: the 3C905B-TX
adapter with Remote Wake-Up and the 3C905B-TX-NM
adapter without Remote Wake-Up.

The 3Com Remote Wake-Up adapter (3C905B-TX), shown in
Figure 1-1, operates as a wake-up adapter only in PCs with
the Remote Wake-Up connector attached to the PC
motherboard. This adapter provides a network connection
with or without the Remote Wake-Up connector installed.

The 3C905B-TX-NM adapter does not have the Remote
Wake-Up connector or functionality.

1-2 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Unless specifically indicated, the name 3C905B-TX is used
throughout this guide to refer to both adapters.

This chapter describes the 3C905B-TX adapter features and
PC and server requirements.

Industry-Leading Performance

The 3C905B-TX adapter provides the following
performance features:

■ Interactive Access technology to minimize CPU utilization

■ Parallel Tasking

low processor utilization

■ Full-duplex 10 Mbps and 100 Mbps support

■ Hardware IP checksum enabled for better Internet and

intranet performance

■ Fast IP switching solution that allows you to

cost-effectively scale internetwork performance as
bandwidth requirements increase

■ 32-bit bus master design with full scatter gather and

infinite bursting performance

■ Flow control (IEEE 802.1x), which optimizes performance

in switched networks through efficient data transmissions

®

II architecture for high throughput and

DynamicAccess Software

DynamicAccess® software delivers intelligence at the edge of
the network to optimize network performance and control.

DynamicAccess features include PACE™ Interactive Access
technology, dRMON (distributed RMON) support, and
support for PACE real-time and multimedia applications.

PACE class of service drivers enable prioritization of
multimedia and business-critical applications like video
conferencing and distance learning. With the 3Com PACE
drivers, you can set the class of service for each application.

The 3C905B-TX adapter ships with dRMON SmartAgent®
intelligent agents that collect remote management
information used by the Transcend® Edge Monitor System.
Together, they provide full RMON network management
information for both switched and Fast Ethernet networks.

Remote Wake-Up

Remote Wake-Up support is enabled for the 3C905B-TX
adapter. If you are using the 3C905B-TX adapter in a PC
that supports Remote Wake-Up through the PCI bus, the
adapter will respond to a remote Wake-Up command or
magic packet signal from a sleep state.

Installation and Configuration

The 3Com NIC Diagnostics program allows you to test
the 3C905B-TX adapter, configure it, and display the
adapter configuration information. If you are running DOS,
you cannot use this program.

The NIC Diagnostics Help system includes the 3C905B-TX
adapter Release Notes, Frequently Asked Questions, and
KnowledgeBase.

Microsoft Windows 95 detects the 3C905B-TX adapter and
installs the network driver from 3Com EtherDisk Diskette #2.

The AutoLink™ installation software automatically installs
all Novell NetWare DOS ODI client software into your
operating system.

Remote Wake-Up 1-3

10/100 Mbps Support

The single RJ-45 connector on the network cable supports
10 Mbps or 100 Mbps speeds.

NWay auto-negotiation enables the 3C905B-TX adapter to
automatically run at the speed that the connected hub
supports. The 3C905B-TX adapter works with products that
comply with IEEE 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX specifications.

1-4 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

PC and Server Requirements

Your PC or server must have:

■ An 80386, 80486, or Pentium processor

■ An available bus mastering PCI slot

■ A minimum of 640K of memory

Make sure that you are running the latest BIOS for your PC or
server , even if your PC is new. Contact your PC manufacturer
for more information.

How Do I Install the 3C905B-TX Adapter?

To complete installation, install the adapter in your PC or
server, connect it to the network, and install the network
driver. The installation steps are depicted in Figure 1-2.

Insert

3C905B-TX

adapter

Chapter 2

Connect adapter

to network

Which

driver installation

instructions

should I use

?

I do know

Install 3Com

network driver

Reboot

Log on

to network

Chapter 2

I don't know

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Ask

MIS department

Chapter 3

Figure 1-2 3C905B-TX Adapter Installation Steps

Proceed to Chapter 2 to install the 3C905B-TX adapter in
your PC or server and connect it to the network.

INSTALLING THE ADAPTER

2

There are two types of 3C905B-TX adapters: the 3C905B-TX
adapter and the 3C905B-TX-NM adapter. They are both
installed in your PC and connected to the network in exactly
the same way.

After you connect the 3C905B-TX adapter to the network,
you connect the Remote Wake-Up cable to the motherboard.

Before you begin, make sure that you have the user guide
and the 3C905B-TX adapter EtherDisk diskettes, and that
your PC meets the requirements described in Chapter 1.

CAUTION: Each adapter is packed in an antistatic container
to protect it during shipment. Before handling the adapter,
touch the metal chassis of your PC. Maintain grounding by
wearing a wrist strap attached to the chassis. Handle the
adapter by its backplate and top edge. Do not touch the
edge connector.

To install the 3C905B-TX adapter in your PC or server and
connect it to the network, follow these steps:

1 Open the shipping container and inspect each item

for damage.

2 Remove all jewelry from your hands and wrists.

Use only insulated or nonconductive tools.
3 Unplug the PC and disconnect all cables.
4 Remove the PC cover.
5 Choose an empty bus mastering PCI slot.

A sample PCI slot is shown in Figure 2-1. If you do not know

how to identify a PCI slot, check your PC documentation or

ask your system administrator . In most PCs, slots 1 and 2 ar e

bus mastering slots. Use slot 1 for the 3C905B-TX adapter if

possible. If you have a video PCI card, install it in the last slot

(the one farthest from slot 1).

2-2 CHAPTER 2: INSTALLING THE ADAPTER

6 Unscrew the screw holding the PCI slot’s backplate

and remove it.

7 Insert the 3C905B-TX adapter into an empty PCI slot,

shown in Figure 2-1.

Make sure that the adapter is firmly seated in the slot.

Screw
3C905B-TX adapter

PCI slot

Figure 2-1 Inserting the Adapter

8 Secure the adapter with the screw you removed

earlier.

If you are installing the Remote Wake-Up connector, go to
“Connecting the Remote Wake-Up Cable,” on page 2-4 at
the end of this chapter before replacing the PC cover.

Remote Wake-Up is only supported in systems that provide
a 3-pin header for a Wake-Up cable.

9 Replace the PC cover and reconnect all previously

connected cables.

10 Turn on the power to the PC.

11 Proceed to the next section, “Connecting to the

Network.”

Connecting to the Network

You must connect the adapter to the network before

installing the network driver. To connect the 3C905B-TX

adapter to the network cable, follow these steps:

1 Connect the network cable to the RJ-45 port on the

3C905B-TX adapter, as shown in Figure 2-2.

Connecting to the Network 2-3

TX

Data

ACT

L

10

N
K

100

RJ-45 port
RJ-45

connector

LEDs

Figure 2-2 Connecting the Network Cable to the RJ-45 Port

2 Connect the other end of the network cable to a

10BASE-T or a 100BASE-TX network port.
3 Check the LEDs, shown in Figure 2-2.

After installation, and before you install the network driver,

the LEDs indicate the following:

■ 10 LNK LED - green - 10 Mbps link integrity

■ 100 LNK - green - 100 Mbps link integrity

■ ACT LED - OFF - until the network driver is installed

See Table B-1 for more LED information. If you are not

installing the Remote Wake-Up cable, go to Chapter 3 to

install the network driver.

2-4 CHAPTER 2: INSTALLING THE ADAPTER

Connecting the Remote Wake-Up Cable

WARNING: Install the adapter in slot 1 in the PC (as
described earlier) before plugging in the 3-pin connector.
Only properly trained and authorized personnel should
perform service. Contact your PC manufacturer for
information about safe service techniques.

1 Insert the cable into the connector on the adapter,

shown in Figure 2-3.

Twist the cable twice before attaching the cable to the
motherboard.

2 Attach the cable to the connector on the PC

motherboard, as shown in Figure 2-3.

The connector is located in different locations depending
on the PC.

Power
supply

Connect Remote Wake-Up
cable from adapter to
motherboard connector

Plug in Remote Wake-Up
cable to connector here

Figure 2-3 Connecting the Adapter to the Connector

3 Reconnect all cables and replace the PC cover.

The 3C905B-TX Remote Wake-Up adapter is installed. Go
back to the previous section, “Connecting to the Network,”
to complete installation.

INSTALLING THE

3

NETWORK DRIVER

This chapter describes how to install the network driver

that completes your PC connection to the network. The

3C905B-TX adapter software is installed with the network

driver.

Instructions are provided for Windows 95, Windows 98,

Windows NT, and NetWare DOS client and server driver

installation. Table 3-1 provides a complete list of supported

drivers and text files that describe how to install them.

Go to the section your MIS department recommends and

follow the instructions to install the network driver on

your PC.

You can obtain the latest network drivers on 3Com’s

World Wide Web site. To access the Web site, enter the

3Com URL into your Internet browser:

http://infodeli.3com.com/infodeli/swlib/n_i_c.htm/

The drivers are in the Support area. On the Support Welcome

screen, scroll down to Latest Drivers and click.

Windows 95

This section describes how to install the network driver

when your PC is running Windows 95. This driver supports

dRMON and PACE technology.

This driver can be used in Microsoft and NetWare

environments, and instructions are included for both.

Y ou need the Windows 95 system installation files (CAB files)

to complete the installation.

Do not use the AutoLink software to install the driver if you

are running Windows 95.

3-2 CHAPTER 3: INSTALLING THE NETWORK DRIVER

Follow these steps to install the network driver in a PC
running Windows 95:

1 Install and configure Windows 95 before installing

the 3C905B-TX adapter.

2 Install the 3C905B-TX adapter and connect it to the

network, as described in Chapter 2.

3 Restart the PC.

Windows 95 automatically detects the adapter in the PC.
If Windows 95 does not detect the 3C905B-TX adapter , see

“Troubleshooting” in Appendix B.

4 Select Driver from disk provided by the hardware

manufacturer and click OK.

5 Insert EtherDisk Diskette #2 in your drive and, if the

diskette is in drive A, click OK.

Otherwise, supply the correct drive letter and click OK.
Once the 3Com installation files are read, Windows 95

prompts you for the Windows 95 network installation files.

6 Enter the correct path to the Windows 95 files

(CAB files) and click OK.

If Windows prompts you to reboot, click No.

7 Open the Windows 95 Control Panel.
8 In the Control Panel, double-click Network.

The Network screen appears.

9 For Microsoft networks, select the Configuration tab.

For Novell NetWare networks, go to step 10.

The default Microsoft network setup contains the following
components:

Client for Microsoft Networks
Client for Novell Networks
3Com EtherLink XL Adapter
3Com dRMON SmartAgent PC software
IPX/SPX compatible protocol
NetBEUI protocol

Windows 95 3-3

If a protocol is missing, follow these steps:

a Select the protocol and click Add.

b From the Select Network Protocol menu, select

Microsoft in the left pane. In the right pane, select the
protocol and click OK.

If a client is missing, follow these steps:

a Select the client and click Add.

b From the Select Network Client menu, select Microsoft

in the left pane, select the client in the right pane, and
click OK.

10 For NetWare only, on the Network screen, r emove the

following network components, if present:

Microsoft Client for Microsoft Network NetBEUI

The network components should now include:

Client for NetWare Networks

3Com EtherLink XL Adapter

3Com dRMON SmartAgent PC software

IPX/SPX Compatible Protocol

If a protocol is missing, follow these steps:

a Select the protocol and click Add.

b From the Select Network Protocol menu, select

Microsoft in the left pane. In the right pane, select the
protocol and click OK.

If a client is missing, follow these steps:

a Select the client and click Add.

b Select Microsoft.

c Click Client for NetWare Networks and then Properties.

To select the NetWare server, follow these steps:

a Under the General tab, set your preferred server and the

first network drive and click OK.

b Set the primary network logon to Client for NetWare

Networks and click OK.

3-4 CHAPTER 3: INSTALLING THE NETWORK DRIVER

11 When the configuration is correct, click the

Identification tab.

■ The computer name is the name of your PC. Give your

PC a unique name of up to 15 characters. The PC name
cannot include blank spaces.

■ A workgroup (such as your department) is composed of

the PCs you usually communicate with and the
workgroup’s shared resources (such as printers).

■ If you use peer group networking, the workgroup name

is your peer group. Peers can see each other when they
look in the Network Neighborhood.

For information on peer-to-peer networking, see the
W95NDIS3.TXT file in the HELP directory on
EtherDisk Diskette #1.

■ Your computer description is visible to other members

of your workgroup in the Network Neighborhood.

12 Click OK.

The network connection is configured. Windows 95
prompts you to restart the PC.

13 Click Yes.

After the PC restarts, you can log on to your network.
If you have problems, see Appendix B.

Confirming Installation

Complete the following procedure to confirm that the
3C905B-TX adapter is properly installed:

1 Double-click the My Computer icon.
2 Double-click the Control Panel icon.
3 Double-click the System icon.

The System Properties box appears, detailing your
system setup.

4 Click the Device Manager tab.

A list of devices appears, arranged by type.

5 Double-click Network Adapters.

The name of the installed 3C905B-TX adapter appears:

3Com EtherLink XL Adapter (3C905B)