Page 3 - Com’s EtherLink
® L IFETIME W ARRANTY 3Com’s EtherLink â , TokenLink â , Fast EtherLink, FDDILink ä , and 3Com Impact ä ISDN ISA adapters have a Lifetime Warranty. To ensure the very best 3Com service and support, take the time to complete the product registration card. Any defective 3Com adapter will be repaired o...
Page 5 - ONTENTS; EtherDisk
C ONTENTS A BOUT T HIS G UIDE Introduction 1 How to Use This Guide 1 Conventions 2 1 I NTRODUCTION Adapter Features 1-3 PCI Technology 1-4 2 I NSTALLING THE A DAPTER Inspecting the Adapter 2-1 Installing the Boot PROM 2-2 Installing the Adapter 2-2 Connecting to the Network 2-3 3 L OADING THE N ETWO...
Page 8 - IGURES; PCI Computer with PCI and EISA Slots 2-3
F IGURES 1-1 10/100BASE-T4 PCI Adapter 1-2 2-1 PCI Computer with PCI and EISA Slots 2-3 2-2 Connecting Twisted-Pair Cable 2-4 3-1 AutoLink Information Screen 3-7 3-2 Main Menu 3-7 A-1 RJ-45 Connector Pin Assignments A-6 B-1 Multiple Adapter Option Configuration B-3 B-2 Changing Adapter Options B-4
Page 9 - ABLES; Text Conventions 2
T ABLES 1 Text Conventions 2 2 Notice Icons 2 3-1 Summary of Driver Loading Procedures 3-1 3-2 Accessing DOS from Other Operating Systems 3-3 4-1 Adapter and Diagnostic Program Names (10 Mbps Adapter Only) 4-6 4-2 Fast EtherLink 10/100BASE-T4 PCI Adapter LEDs 4-10 B-1 Option Settings B-2
Page 10 - Introduction; This guide explains how to install the 3Com; How to Use This Guide; If you are looking for:
A BOUT T HIS G UIDE Introduction This guide explains how to install the 3Com â Fast EtherLink â Parallel Tasking â 10/100BASE-T4 PCI adapter. Also included is information about loading drivers, troubleshooting the adapter, and using the diagnostic tests if a malfunction occurs. How to Use This Guide...
Page 11 - Conventions; Table 1; Convention; commands; Icon
2 A BOUT T HIS G UIDE Conventions The following tables list text and icon conventions that are used throughout this guide: Table 1 Text Conventions Convention Description Text represented as screen display This typeface is used to represent displays that appear on your terminal screen, for example: ...
Page 12 - NTRODUCTION; The 3Com
1 I NTRODUCTION The 3Com â Fast EtherLink â Parallel Tasking â 10/100BASE-T4 PCI adapter is a 32-bit adapter for use in a personal computer with a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) computer bus. It operates whether or not bus mastering is enabled. This adapter (model number 3C595-T4) is a dual...
Page 14 - Adapter Features
Adapter Features 1-3 Check the documentation provided with the PCI computer to locate the bus master slots. Adapter Features The 10/100BASE-T4 PCI adapter provides the following features: ■ Parallel Tasking architecture with bus mastering for high throughput and low processor utilization ■ Automatic...
Page 15 - PCI Technology; The PCI specification supports the following:; Automatic configuration.; A PCI adapter has configuration
1-4 C HAPTER 1: I NTRODUCTION PCI Technology The PCI local bus is a high-performance bus that provides a processor-independent data path between the CPU in a PC and high-speed peripherals. This interconnect mechanism is designed specifically to accommodate multiple high- performance peripheral devic...
Page 16 - Inspecting the Adapter; Each adapter is packed in an antistatic container
2 I NSTALLING THE A DAPTER This chapter discuses the following topics: ■ Inspecting the Fast EtherLink 10/100BASE-T4 PCI adapter ■ Installing the boot PROM ■ Inserting the adapter ■ Connecting to the network Inspecting the Adapter Before installing the adapter in your computer, you should visually i...
Page 17 - Installing the Boot PROM; adapter
2-2 C HAPTER 2: I NSTALLING THE A DAPTER 2 Verify that you have received all items listed in step 1, and inspect each item for damage. If you find any omissions or damage, contact your network supplier and the carrier that delivered the package. Installing the Boot PROM The boot PROM is optional and...
Page 18 - Connecting to the Network
Connecting to the Network 2-3 Figure 2-1 PCI Computer with PCI and EISA Slots The adapter’s backplate should be flush with the computer’s chassis. Be sure that the adapter’s connector fingers are completely seated in the slot. 6 Replace the computer cover and reconnect all previously connected cable...
Page 19 - Connect the network cable as follows:
2-4 C HAPTER 2: I NSTALLING THE A DAPTER For both 10BASE-T and 100BASE-T4 Ethernet networks, the Fast EtherLink PCI adapter uses Category 3, 4, or 5 unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cable. Refer to Appendix A for more information on cabling. Figure 2-2 shows the backplate of an installed adapter with i...
Page 20 - Refer to Appendix A for RJ-45 connector pin assignments.
Connecting to the Network 2-5 100BASE-T4 connections use all 4 pairs of wire normally contained in a bundle of Category 3, 4, or 5 UTP cable. The “straight through” connection should be made from the Fast EtherLink PCI adapter through the cable and connectors to the hub. No crossover in the cable is...
Page 21 - Summary of driver loading procedures; Network Operating System
3 L OADING THE N ETWORK D RIVERS This chapter describes how to load the network drivers required to let the 3C595-T4 PCI adapter operate with your network operating system. This information is arranged according to the following topics: ■ Summary of driver loading procedures ■ Using the EtherDisk di...
Page 22 - Using the; Diskette; Accessing DOS
3-2 C HAPTER 3: L OADING THE N ETWORK D RIVERS Using the EtherDisk Diskette The EtherDisk diskette contains the latest versions of the network drivers available when 3Com shipped the adapter. It also contains other important information concerning Fast EtherLink and EtherLink III adapters and their ...
Page 23 - Using Windows 95; Insert the; Operating System
Using Windows 95 3-3 installing the drivers. Table 3-2 provides the procedures to use to access DOS from various operating systems. Using Windows 95 If you have Windows 95 running on your computer, you should load the driver from the EtherDisk diskette. Follow these steps: 1 After inserting the Fast...
Page 24 - This imports the driver from the; Confirming Adapter Installation for Windows 95; My Computer; A list of devices appears, arranged by type.; Click the; The name of the installed 3Com adapter appears, as follows:; This confirms the adapter’s installation.
3-4 C HAPTER 3: L OADING THE N ETWORK D RIVERS b In the panel at the bottom of the dialog box, type the drive name and pathname from which Windows 95 should copy the manufacturer’s files. (An information file on the diskette tells Windows 95 where to find the information it needs, for example A:\.) ...
Page 25 - Using NetWare ODI; One or more adapters in a client; One Adapter in a Client; Instructions for configuring; AutoLink Requirements; Have only one 3C595-T4 adapter installed
Using NetWare ODI 3-5 6 Double-click the adapter name to display a description of the adapter and its current status. The next dialog box confirms that the adapter is working properly. 7 Click the Cancel button to leave each dialog box and return to the Control Panel. Using NetWare ODI This section ...
Page 26 - AutoLink Installation
3-6 C HAPTER 3: L OADING THE N ETWORK D RIVERS AutoLink Installation To use the AutoLink program to install NetWare DOS ODI client software on a PC with a single adapter, follow these steps: 1 Make sure that you have booted the computer under DOS, version 3.1 or later, and that your computer is conn...
Page 27 - NetWare DOS ODI Client
Using NetWare ODI 3-7 5 Read the screen and press [Enter]. 6 When the main menu screen shown in Figure 3-2 appears, select NetWare DOS ODI Client , and press [Enter]. Figure 3-1 AutoLink Information Screen Figure 3-2 Main Menu ESC=Cancel This option will install a complete DOS ODI client. [ENTER]=Co...
Page 28 - When you do this, a DOS ODI client starts.; Multiple Adapters in a Client; Connect the network cable to the adapter.
3-8 C HAPTER 3: L OADING THE N ETWORK D RIVERS Auto installation may take a few moments. Several messages appear while the AutoLink program is running. A final message indicating successful installation appears. If you experience problems that occur only when using the AutoLink program, access the A...
Page 29 - In the LINK DRIVER 3C
Using NetWare ODI 3-9 4 When the AutoLink installation is complete, remove the diskette. 5 Turn off the computer, install the second adapter, and connect the network cable to the adapter. 6 Turn on the computer and access the C:\NWCLIENT subdirectory. 7 In the C:\NWCLIENT subdirectory access the NET...
Page 30 - Finding the Adapter’s Port Number; Access the main menu on the
3-10 C HAPTER 3: L OADING THE N ETWORK D RIVERS 10 Repeat step 9 for any additional adapters that you may have installed. 11 Reboot the computer. Finding the Adapter’s Port Number When working in a NetWare environment with multiple adapters in a client computer, you must know each adapter’s port num...
Page 31 - One or More Adapters in a Server; Loading NDIS Drivers; Network Drivers
Loading NDIS Drivers 3-11 One or More Adapters in a Server If you are running NetWare and have installed one or more adapters in a PCI computer that is functioning as a server, follow the instructions in the readme file on the EtherDisk diskette to load the NetWare 4.x server driver. The 3C 59X Ethe...
Page 32 - Updating NDIS Drivers; To update one of the following drivers, complete these steps.; Auto Select Media Type
3-12 C HAPTER 3: L OADING THE N ETWORK D RIVERS 4 From the displayed list of network operating systems select the appropriate operating system for your environment and press [Enter]. 5 Follow the instructions on the subsequent screen to load the driver. Updating NDIS Drivers To update one of the fol...
Page 33 - Transcend PC Link SmartAgent Driver Agents; Com’s SmartAgent; Desktop Management Interface
Transcend PC Link SmartAgent Driver Agents 3-13 If you have one of these drivers installed, as soon as you connect a network cable to the system, the Auto Select Media Type function detects the type of cable making the connection and automatically selects that media type, which for the 3C595-T4 PCI ...
Page 34 - Troubleshooting with the Diagnostic Tests
4 P ERFORMING T ROUBLESHOOTING AND D IAGNOSTIC T ESTS This chapter explains how to isolate and solve 10/100BASE-T4 PCI adapter problems. Make sure that the adapter is correctly installed. (See Chapter 2 for installation instructions.) This chapter contains information about the following topics: ■ D...
Page 35 - Before Running the Tests; After performing the diagnostic tests, reboot your computer.; Types of Tests; The Group 2 test (Network Loopback Test) is
4-2 C HAPTER 4: P ERFORMING T ROUBLESHOOTING AND D IAGNOSTIC T ESTS Before Running the Tests When the DOS operating system first loads, it executes the AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS files. These files are user- definable files that set up the computer environment and may also load memory managers and ...
Page 36 - Starting the Diagnostic Program; Running the Group 1 Tests; Under the
Starting the Diagnostic Program 4-3 Starting the Diagnostic Program Always run diagnostic tests with no device drivers or memory managers (EMM386.EXE and HIMEM.SYS) installed. Whenever you plan to run the diagnostic tests, you must first start your computer from a DOS diskette containing no device d...
Page 37 - Running the Group 3 Test
4-4 C HAPTER 4: P ERFORMING T ROUBLESHOOTING AND D IAGNOSTIC T ESTS 2 Press [Enter] to start the tests. Group 1 tests (the default setting) run ten times unless you specify otherwise. The test results are displayed on the screen in the Results column. To run the tests continuously, go to the Repetit...
Page 38 - Setting Up an Echo Server; Echo Server
Starting the Diagnostic Program 4-5 Setting Up an Echo Server To test 10 Mbps operation of the 10/100BASE-T4 PCI adapter, use a computer as an echo server that contains an EtherLink III adapter or another 10/100BASE-T4 PCI adapter. To test for 100 Mbps operation of the 10/100BASE-T4 PCI adapter, use...
Page 39 - Starting the Group 3 Test; Test Setup; Diagnostic Program Name
4-6 C HAPTER 4: P ERFORMING T ROUBLESHOOTING AND D IAGNOSTIC T ESTS Starting the Group 3 Test To run the Group 3 test on a Fast EtherLink PCI adapter, follow these steps: 1 Start the Configuration and Diagnostic Program. This program must be on the computer containing the adapter you want to test. 2...
Page 40 - Getting Help If a Test Fails; If any test fails, you can get additional information as follows:
Getting Help If a Test Fails 4-7 Getting Help If a Test Fails If any test fails, you can get additional information as follows: 1 Highlight the test that failed in the Run Tests dialog box and press [Enter]. 2 Highlight the Zoom button and press [Enter]. If the diagnostic tests fail, the adapter may...
Page 42 - Changing the Test Setup; To change the test parameters, follow these steps:; Miscellaneous Checks
Changing the Test Setup 4-9 Changing the Test Setup To change the test parameters, follow these steps: 1 Choose Test Setup from the Test menu in the main window of the Configuration and Diagnostic Program, or select the Test Setup button in the Run Tests dialog box. 2 Press [ Tab] to highlight any o...
Page 43 - LEDs; LED
4-10 C HAPTER 4: P ERFORMING T ROUBLESHOOTING AND D IAGNOSTIC T ESTS Check the length and rating of the UTP cable connection. Make sure the cable segment is compliant with 10BASE-T or 100BASE-T4 specifications. Maximum length for all types of cabling for this adapter is 100 meters (330 feet). Make s...
Page 44 - ABLING; This appendix discusses the following topics:; Adapter Cabling Requirements
A C ABLING This appendix discusses the following topics: ■ Adapter cabling requirements ■ Twisted-pair cable and the EIA/TIA cable categories ■ 10BASE-T operation and specifications ■ 100BASE-T specifications, including 100BASE-TX, 100BASE-T4, and 100BASE-FX ■ Pin assignments for the RJ-45 connector...
Page 45 - Category 1; —Traditional telephone cable.; Category 2; —Cable certified for data transmissions up to; Category 3; Category 4; —Used for voice and data transmission up to; Category 5; —Used for voice and data transmission up to
A-2 A PPENDIX A: C ABLING Twisted-Pair Cable Twisted-pair cable consists of copper wires surrounded by an insulator. Two wires are twisted together (the twisting prevents interference problems) to form a pair, and the pair forms a circuit that can transmit data. A cable is a bundle of one or more tw...
Page 46 - 0BASE-T Specifications; Base
10BASE-T Operation A-3 10BASE-T Operation 10BASE-T is the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.3 standard for Ethernet signaling over unshielded twisted-pair wire at 10 Mbps. Ethernet, as the most widely-used network protocol, uses 10BASE-T as its primary cabling scheme. Ethe...
Page 47 - Uses the same CSMA/CD access method and MAC functions
A-4 A PPENDIX A: C ABLING 100BASE-T Standard The 100BASE-T standard defines a network architecture based on the 10BASE-T standard that retains almost all of the original IEEE 802.3 Ethernet specification, while greatly increasing the network’s overall throughput. 100BASE-T has the following similari...
Page 50 - You have a boot PROM.
B C ONFIGURING S OFTWARE S ETTINGS The Fast EtherLink 10/100BASE-T4 PCI adapter is automatically configured by the PCI’s computer’s BIOS with the following basic configuration parameters: ■ I/O Port Address ■ Interrupt Request Level (IRQ) This is done automatically when the computer with the install...
Page 51 - Changing Software Settings; To change the software option settings, follow these steps:; Option
B-2 A PPENDIX B: C ONFIGURING S OFTWARE S ETTINGS Changing Software Settings * This option specifies whether to optimize the network driver for a normal environment, a minimized CPU utilization environment, or a maximized network performance environment. You may choose to use a larger percentage of ...
Page 52 - Troubleshooting
Changing Software Settings B-3 5 When the auto installation screen appears, as shown in Figure 3-1 press [Enter]. 6 When the main menu appears with a list of options, as shown in Figure 3-2, select Configuration/Diagnostic/ Troubleshooting . 7 When the Configuration and Diagnostic screen appears, se...
Page 53 - A second dialog box appears.
B-4 A PPENDIX B: C ONFIGURING S OFTWARE S ETTINGS In both cases, a screen similar to the one shown in Figure B-2 appears, showing the parameters for the selected adapter. Figure B-2 Changing Adapter Options 9 Press [ Tab] to highlight the main dialog box, and use the arrow keys to highlight one of t...
Page 54 - You must highlight
Changing Software Settings B-5 You must highlight OK and press [Enter] to save the settings. If you want to use the same settings on other adapters, you can save the configuration settings to a file. Select Save under File Options in the Adapter Configuration dialog box. For example, type: D:\CONFIG...
Page 55 - PECIFICATIONS; Adapter Specifications; Network Interface
C S PECIFICATIONS This appendix lists the specifications for the Fast EtherLink 10/100BASE-T4 PCI adapter. It also contains pin assignments for the adapter’s RJ-45 connector. Adapter Specifications Network Interface Physical Dimensions Environmental Operating Range Power Requirements 10 MbpsEthernet...
Page 56 - On-line Technical Services; World Wide Web site; automated fax service; Com Bulletin Board Service; Access by Modem; Call the telephone number nearest you:; Country; or
D T ECHNICAL S UPPORT 3Com provides easy access to technical support information through the variety of services described in this appendix. On-line Technical Services 3Com offers worldwide product support seven days a week, 24 hours a day, through the following on-line systems: ■ 3Com Bulletin Boar...
Page 57 - Access by ISDN; World Wide Web Site; ComForum is a CompuServe-based service containing; go threecom
D-2 A PPENDIX D: T ECHNICAL S UPPORT Access by ISDN ISDN users can dial-in to 3Com BBS using a digital modem for fast access up to 56 Kbps. To access 3ComBBS using ISDN, dial the following number: (408) 654-2703 World Wide Web Site Access the latest networking information on 3Com’s World Wide Web si...
Page 58 - ComFacts Automated Fax Service; Local numbers are available within the following countries:; Support from Your Network Supplier; Diagnostic error messages
Support from Your Network Supplier D-3 3ComFacts Automated Fax Service 3Com Corporation’s interactive fax service, 3ComFacts, provides data sheets, technical articles, diagrams, and troubleshooting instructions on 3Com products 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 3ComFacts using your touch-tone ...
Page 59 - Details about recent configuration changes, if applicable; Returning Products for Repair
D-4 A PPENDIX D: T ECHNICAL S UPPORT ■ Details about recent configuration changes, if applicable If you are outside the U.S. and Canada, contact your local 3Com sales office to find your authorized service provider: Returning Products for Repair * These numbers are toll-free. A product sent directly...
Page 60 - LOSSARY; ANSI
G LOSSARY 10BASE-T The IEEE 802.3 standard for a 10 Mbps baseband network on twisted-pair cable. 100BASE-FX The IEEE 802.3 standard for a 100 Mbps baseband network over two optical fibers. 100BASE-T The IEEE 802.3 standard for a 100 Mbps baseband network over twisted-pair cable. 100BASE-T4 The IEEE ...
Page 62 - EISA; PC bus architecture. The IBM Personal; Loopback
G LOSSARY 3 EIA/TIA Electronics Industries Association/Telecommunications Industries Association. The organization that develops wiring standards for the telecommunications industry. The EIA/TIA 568 specification applies to all unshielded twisted-pair wiring schemes that work with Ethernet, Token Ri...
Page 63 - . Drivers complying with this
4 G LOSSARY MAC Media access control. The operational scheme that gives each network node orderly access to the network cable. CSMA/CD is a MAC protocol that determines how nodes on the network share access to the cable. NDIS Network Driver Interface Specification. Defines the LAN Manager network dr...
Page 64 - STP
G LOSSARY 5 STP Shielded twisted-pair cable. Twisted-pair cabling with an overall shield to prevent the entry of outside interference, and individually shielded and twisted-pairs to prevent crosstalk. Transcend 3Com’s integrated network management solution based on groups of logically related device...
Page 65 - NDEX; Numerics
I NDEX Numerics 10/100BASE-T4 PCI adapter 1-3 100BASE-FX description A-5 100BASE-T media specifications A-4 standard A-4 100BASE-T4 description A-5 Fast Ethernet 1-1 100BASE-TX description A-4 Fast Ethernet 1-1 10BASE-T Ethernet, 10 Mbps 1-1 specifications A-3 three-repeater rule A-3 twisted-pair ca...
