3Com 3CSOHO100- - Manuals

F IGURES 1 Sample Network 12 2 OfficeConnect NIC 15 3 Inserting the NIC 19 4 Connecting the Network Cable to the NIC 20 5 New Hardware Found Dialog Box 24 6 Update Device Driver Wizard 26 7 Add New Hardware Wizard 28 8 Network Settings Window 31 9 Device Manager Screen 33 10 General Screen 38 11 Dia...

T ABLES 1 Notice Icons 9 2 Text Conventions 10 3 Cable Guidelines 17 4 LED Descriptions 36 5 Frequently Asked Questions 48 6 OfficeConnect NIC Configuration Settings 51 7 Unshielded Twisted-pair Cable Categories 58

A BOUT T HIS G UIDE This guide describes how to install, configure, and troubleshoot the 3Com ® OfficeConnect ® Fast Ethernet Network Interface Card (NIC). This guide is appropriate for anyone who is familiar with the basic elements of a PC and is interested in connecting a PC to a network. If relea...

10 A BOUT T HIS G UIDE Year 2000 Compliance For information on Year 2000 compliance and 3Com products, visit the 3Com Year 2000 Web page: http://www.3com.com/products/yr2000.html Table 2 Text Conventions Convention Description Screen displays This typeface represents information as it appears on the...

1 G ETTING S TARTED The 3Com ® OfficeConnect ® Fast Ethernet Network Interface Card (NIC) allows you to connect your personal computer (PC) to an Ethernet (10BASE-T) or Fast Ethernet (100BASE-TX) network. The OfficeConnect NIC is specifically designed for the small office/home office environment. Wh...

12 C HAPTER 1: G ETTING S TARTED Understanding Networking A computer network is a group of computers and other associated devices, such as printers, fax machines, and modems, that are connected to one another so they can share resources and information. A network allows you to: ■ Share resources — Y...

Understanding Networking 13 Every network requires special software, called a network operating system (NOS) (such as Windows NT or NetWare), to control the flow of information between users. Each PC that you want to connect as part of the network must have an operating system (such as Windows 95, W...

14 C HAPTER 1: G ETTING S TARTED Client/Server Networks A client/server network is ideal for organizations that require fast network access for large applications such as multimedia, databases, and video. In a client/server network, all shared applications and files are stored on one central compute...

Understanding Network Interface Cards 15 Understanding Network Interface Cards A network interface card (NIC) is a printed circuit board that plugs into a PC expansion slot in your computer to provide a connection to a network. Once the NIC is installed in your PC, you connect it to the network medi...

16 C HAPTER 1: G ETTING S TARTED After the NIC is installed, these LEDs show whether there’s an active connection between the NIC and the network, and the speed at which you’re connected. (See “Interpreting the LEDs” in Chapter 4 for more information.) Required Hardware You can install the OfficeCon...

2 I NSTALLING THE N ETWORK I NTERFACE C ARD This chapter explains how to install the OfficeConnect NIC in your PC and connect it to an Ethernet or Fast Ethernet network. Preparing for Installation Before you install the OfficeConnect NIC, make sure that you have the following items: ■ OfficeConnect ...

18 C HAPTER 2: I NSTALLING THE N ETWORK I NTERFACE C ARD Inserting the NIC To insert the OfficeConnect NIC in your PC: 1 Remove all jewelry from your hands and wrists. CAUTION: The NIC is packed in an antistatic container to protect it during shipment. To avoid damaging any static-sensitive componen...

Inserting the NIC 19 Figure 3 Inserting the NIC 6 Fasten the NIC with the backplate screw you removed in step 4. 7 Replace the PC cover. 8 Reconnect any cables that you disconnected before you opened the PC. Do not turn on the power to the PC. The next step is to connect the NIC to your network. 1 R...

20 C HAPTER 2: I NSTALLING THE N ETWORK I NTERFACE C ARD Connecting the NIC to Your Network This section describes how to connect the OfficeConnect NIC to a network device. For more information on networking or creating a peer-to-peer network, see the Network Assistant CD included in your package. T...

Connecting the NIC to Your Network 21 2 Insert the other end of the UTP cable into an active network port. An active network port may be on a network hub or switch, or a peripheral device (such as a printer) that is network-ready (that is, it already has a NIC inside it). Do not turn on the power to...

3 I NSTALLING THE N ETWORK D RIVER This chapter describes how to install the network driver in your PC. You must install the network driver so that the OfficeConnect NIC can transmit and receive data over the network. Instructions are provided for the following operating systems supported by the Off...

24 C HAPTER 3: I NSTALLING THE N ETWORK D RIVER 2 Check the version number on the General screen, under System: ■ If 4.00.950 or 4.00.950A is displayed, follow the procedure for Windows 95 Version A. ■ If 4.00.950B is displayed, follow the procedure for Windows 95 Version B. Windows 95 Version A To ...

26 C HAPTER 3: I NSTALLING THE N ETWORK D RIVER 9 Enter your user name and password, and then click OK . The driver installation is complete. To confirm successful installation, go to “Verifying Successful Installation” later in this chapter. Windows 95 Version B To install the network driver in a P...

28 C HAPTER 3: I NSTALLING THE N ETWORK D RIVER 9 Remove the EtherDisk diskette from drive A, and then click Yes . You must reboot your PC to complete the installation. After Windows restarts, you’re prompted for your user name and password. 10 Enter your user name and password, and then click OK . ...

30 C HAPTER 3: I NSTALLING THE N ETWORK D RIVER Windows NT This section describes how to install the network driver in a PC running Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 or 3.51. Windows NT 4.0 To install the network driver in a PC running Windows NT 4.0: 1 Make sure that the NIC is installed in your PC and that...

Windows NT 31 Windows NT 3.51 To install the network driver in a PC running Windows NT 3.51: 1 Make sure that the NIC is installed in your PC and that it’s connected to the network, as described in Chapter 2. 2 Turn on the power to the PC. 3 In the Main window of the Program Manager, double-click th...

32 C HAPTER 3: I NSTALLING THE N ETWORK D RIVER 8 Make sure that 3Com OfficeConnect 10/100 Fast Ethernet NIC is selected, and then click OK . Files are copied. The 3Com NIC Diagnostics screen appears. 9 Click Close to continue the installation. The Network Settings window reappears. 10 Click OK in t...

Verifying Successful Installation 33 Figure 9 Device Manager Screen 2 Double-click Network adapters . The name of the installed OfficeConnect NIC appears, as shown in Figure 9. If a yellow exclamation point (!) or a red X appears next to the NIC name, the installation wasn’t successful. Go to “Frequ...

34 C HAPTER 3: I NSTALLING THE N ETWORK D RIVER Windows NT 4.0 To confirm that the NIC is installed correctly in a PC running Windows NT 4.0: 1 Double-click the Network icon in the Control Panel. 2 Click the Adapters tab. The OfficeConnect NIC should appear in the list of network adapters. If it doe...

4 T ROUBLESHOOTING I NSTALLATION P ROBLEMS This chapter explains how to isolate and solve problems that may occur when you install the OfficeConnect NIC. Basic Troubleshooting Tips If you have trouble installing your OfficeConnect NIC, or if the installation failed (as described in “Verifying Succes...

36 C HAPTER 4: T ROUBLESHOOTING I NSTALLATION P ROBLEMS Interpreting the LEDs The OfficeConnect NIC has three light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that can help indicate when there are problems with your network connection. See Figure 2 in Chapter 1 for a picture of the LEDs.Table 4 explains the LED states....

Starting the 3Com NIC Diagnostics Program 37 Starting the 3Com NIC Diagnostics Program The 3Com NIC Diagnostics program allows you to run diagnostic tests, change NIC configuration settings, and access 3Com support services and Help topics. This section describes how to use the 3Com NIC Diagnostics ...

38 C HAPTER 4: T ROUBLESHOOTING I NSTALLATION P ROBLEMS 2 Click OK . The 3Com NIC Diagnostics General screen (Figure 10) appears. Figure 10 General Screen Click the Help button to receive information about the diagnostic screen that’s currently active. The General screen displays general information...

Running the NIC Self-Tests 39 Running the NIC Self-Tests The first tests to run when you have a problem with the OfficeConnect NIC are the NIC self-tests. The NIC self-tests can verify that the OfficeConnect NIC is working correctly by checking the physical components, connectors, and circuitry on t...

40 C HAPTER 4: T ROUBLESHOOTING I NSTALLATION P ROBLEMS For a description of each test, click the Help button on the screen or click the question mark (?) at the top of the screen, move it over the test, and click once. A pop-up box displays information about the test. 4 Click Start in the Self-Test...

Running the Echo Test 41 To run the Echo test: 1 On both PCs: a From the Windows Start menu, select Programs . b Select 3Com NIC Utilities. c Click 3nicdiag. d Click OK . e Click the Diagnostics tab to display the Diagnostics screen, shown in Figure 11. 2 On the second PC (the responding PC): a Clic...

42 C HAPTER 4: T ROUBLESHOOTING I NSTALLATION P ROBLEMS Figure 13 Echo Test Sender Screen b Click Start . The two PCs attempt to transmit data to each other. Statistics appear in the window, as shown in Figure 14. Figure 14 Echo Test Statistics Screen

Accessing the Help System 43 ■ If the values of the Bytes Received, Bytes Transmitted, Packets Received, or Packets Transmitted statistics increase, the two PCs are successfully transmitting data over the network. ■ If the values of the statistics remain at zero, or if there are excessive collisions...

44 C HAPTER 4: T ROUBLESHOOTING I NSTALLATION P ROBLEMS Viewing Release Notes, Frequently Asked Questions, and KnowledgeBase Topics The 3Com NIC Diagnostics program contains a substantial database of support-related and service-related data that you can access in the following categories: release no...

Accessing 3Com Support Services 45 2 Click OK . 3 Click the Support tab. The Support screen (Figure 15) appears. Figure 15 Support Screen ■ Click Diagnostics to run the 3Com NIC diagnostic tests. See “Running the NIC Self-Tests” and “Running the Echo Test” earlier in this chapter for information on ...

46 C HAPTER 4: T ROUBLESHOOTING I NSTALLATION P ROBLEMS Removing NIC Software This section describes how to remove a NIC’s network driver and software from your PC so that you can reinstall the software or physically remove the NIC from your PC. If you want to reinstall the OfficeConnect NIC network...

48 C HAPTER 4: T ROUBLESHOOTING I NSTALLATION P ROBLEMS 4 Click OK . The NIC driver and diagnostic software are removed from the PC. The Network Settings Change dialog box appears, prompting you to restart. ■ If you’re physically removing the NIC from the PC, click No . Don’t restart the PC until yo...

52 C HAPTER 5: C ONFIGURING THE NIC Displaying Configuration Settings Use the 3Com NIC Diagnostics program to display and change configuration settings for the OfficeConnect NIC. The 3Com NIC Diagnostics program is automatically installed when you install the network driver. To display the current c...

Displaying Configuration Settings 53 Figure 16 General Screen Click the Help button to receive information about the diagnostic screen that’s currently active. 4 Click NIC Details . The NIC Details screen (Figure 17) appears. Figure 17 NIC Details Screen

54 C HAPTER 5: C ONFIGURING THE NIC Each configuration setting is displayed with its current value. For a description of each setting, click the question mark in the upper right corner of the screen, drag it to a setting, and click once. A pop-up box appears, displaying information for the selected ...

Changing Configuration Settings 55 Figure 18 Properties Screen 4 Change the NIC’s configuration: ■ To automatically configure the NIC to nonconflicting values with your PC, click Optimal Settings . ■ To manually configure the NIC: a Select an option in the Individual Settings panel. For a descriptio...

A S PECIFICATIONS AND C ABLING R EQUIREMENTS This appendix lists the specifications and cable requirements for the OfficeConnect NIC. Specifications Cabling Requirements The cable, quality, distance, and connectors must comply with the Electronic Industries Association/ Telecommunications Industries...

58 A PPENDIX A: S PECIFICATIONS AND C ABLING R EQUIREMENTS Unshielded 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...

Cabling Requirements 59 10BASE-T Specifications The 10BASE-T name indicates a signaling speed of 10 Mbps and twisted-pair wiring. Base stands for baseband, which denotes a technique for transmitting signals as direct-current pulses rather than modulating them onto separate carrier frequencies. A wir...

B T ECHNICAL S UPPORT 3Com provides easy access to technical support information through a variety of services. This appendix describes these services. Information contained in this appendix is correct at time of publication. For the very latest, 3Com recommends that you access the 3Com Corporation ...

62 A PPENDIX B: T ECHNICAL S UPPORT To connect to the 3Com FTP site, enter the following information into your FTP client: ■ Hostname: ftp.3com.com (or 192.156.136.12 ) ■ Username: anonymous ■ Password: <your Internet e-mail address> A user name and password are not needed with Web browser sof...

Support from Your Network Supplier 63 3ComFacts Automated Fax Service The 3ComFacts automated fax service provides technical articles, diagrams, and troubleshooting instructions on 3Com products 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 3ComFacts using your Touch-Tone telephone: 1 408 727 7021 Support fro...

Returning Products for Repair 65 Returning Products for Repair Before you send a product directly to 3Com for repair, you must first obtain a Return Materials Authorization (RMA) number. Products sent to 3Com without RMA numbers will be returned to the sender unopened, at the sender’s expense. To ob...

G LOSSARY 10BASE-T Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.3 standard for Ethernet signaling over unshielded twisted-pair wire at 10 Mbps. 100BASE-TX IEEE 802.3u standard for Ethernet signaling over Category 5 unshielded twisted-pair wire at 100 Mbps. BIOS Basic Input/Output Sys...

68 G LOSSARY Fast Ethernet 100 Mbps technology based on the 10BASE-T Ethernet network protocol. full-duplex Communication setup in which a device or line transmits data simultaneously in both directions (the PC is sending and receiving data at the same time). half-duplex Communication setup in which...

G LOSSARY 69 PCI Peripheral Component Interconnect. Advanced, high-performance local bus that supports multiple peripheral devices. A local bus is one that is connected directly to the PC’s central processing unit (CPU). peer-to-peer network Networking architecture in which PCs and other devices, su...

I NDEX Numbers 100BASE-TX cabling 17link LED 36operation 59specifications 59 10BASE-T cabling 17link LED 36operation 58specifications 59 3Com bulletin board service (3Com BBS) 45, 62 3Com icon, in Windows system tray removing 49showing 38 3Com NIC Diagnostics program changing configuration 54startin...

3Com Corporation L IMITED W ARRANTY H ARDWARE 3Com warrants its hardware products to be free from defects in workmanship and materials, under normal use and service, for the following lengths of time from the date of purchase from 3Com or its authorized reseller: If a product does not operate as war...

Dead- or Defective-on-Arrival. In the event a product completely fails to function or exhibits a defect in materials or workmanship within the first forty-eight (48) hours of installation but no later than thirty (30) days after the date of purchase, and this is verified by 3Com, it will be consider...

WARNING: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules, and the Canadian Department of Communications Equipment Standards entitled, “Digital Apparatus,” ICES-003.These limits are designed to provide reasonable pr...