3Com 3CSOHO100- manual

Manual Cover 5.375" x 8.5" Portrait . 4/C & 1 PMS Working File Adjust spine width size according to thickness of manual Place in appropriate high resolution artwork inside the arched mask MODEL NO. 3CSOHO100-TX 3Com Corporation P.O. Box 58145 5400 Bayfront Plaza Santa Clara, CA 95052-8145 U.S.A. Part No. 09-1569-000 Printed in the U.S[...]

Lifetime Limited W arranty 3Com’ s EtherLink ® , Fast EtherLink, OfficeConnect ® , T okenLink ® , T okenLink V elocity ® , A TMLink ™ PCI, FDDILink ™ , and T oken Ring-in-Fast Ethernet Server network interface cards have a Lifetime Limited W arranty . For further details, please see 3Com’ s Limited W arranty statement in this guide. T [...]

Customers in the countries or regions shown below should send the completed registration car d to the appropriate address. Customers in other non-U.S. locations should send the registration car d to the U.S. address on the fr ont of the card. ■ Asia 3Com Asia Ltd., Marketing Department Room 2506-07, 25/F. Citibank Tower Citibank Plaza, Central Ho[...]

http://www .3com.com/ Of ficeConnect ® Fast Ether net Network Interface Car d User Guide Member of the 3Com OfficeConnect family Part No. 09-1569-000 Published October 1998[...]

3Com Corporation ■ 5400 Bayfront Plaza ■ Santa Clara, Califor nia ■ 95052-8145 Copyright © 1998, 3Com Corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this documentation may be repr oduced in any form or by any means or used to make any derivative work (such as translation, transformation, or adaptation) without written permission from 3Com Corp[...]

C ONTENTS A BOUT T HIS G UIDE Conventions 9 Y ear 2000 Compliance 10 1 G ETTING S TARTED What This Guide Covers 11 What This Chapter Covers 11 Understanding Networking 12 Peer -to-Peer Networks 13 Client/Server Networks 14 Ethernet and Fast Ether net Networking Protocols 14 Understanding Network Interface Cards 15 About the OfficeConnect NIC 15 Re[...]

V erifying Successful Installation 32 Windows 95 and W indows 98 32 Windows NT 4.0 34 Windows NT 3.51 34 4 T ROUBLESHOOTING I NSTALLATION P ROBLEMS Basic T roubleshooting Tips 35 Interpreting the LEDs 36 Starting the 3Com NIC Diagnostics Program 37 Running the NIC Self-T ests 39 Running the Echo T est 40 Accessing the Help System 43 Viewing Release[...]

B T ECHNICAL S UPPORT Online T echnical Services 61 World Wide Web Site 61 3Com FTP Site 61 3Com Bulletin Board Service 62 Access by Analog Modem 62 Access by Digital Modem 62 3ComFacts Automated Fax Service 63 Support from Y our Network Supplier 63 Support from 3Com 63 Returning Products for Repair 65 G LOSSARY I NDEX 3C OM C ORPORATION L IMITED W[...]

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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 Hardwar e Found Dialog Box 24 6 Update Device Driver Wizard 26 7 Add New Hardwar e W izard 28 8 Network Settings Window 31 9 Device Manager Screen 33 10 General Screen 38 11 Diagnostics Screen 39 12 Echo T est Responder Scr[...]

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

A BOUT T HIS G UIDE This guide describes how to install, configure, and troubleshoot the 3Com ® Of ficeConnect ® Fast Ether net 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 release notes are shipped with your product and t[...]

10 A BOUT T HIS G UIDE Y ear 2000 Compliance For information on Y ear 2000 compliance and 3Com products, visit the 3Com Y ear 2000 Web page: http://www.3com.com/products/yr2000.html T able 2 T ext Conventions Convention Description Screen displays This typeface represents information as it appears on the screen. The words “enter” and “type”[...]

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 Ether net (100BASE-TX) network. The OfficeConnect NIC is specifically designed for the small office/home of fice environment. What This Guide Covers This guide provides [...]

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 r esources and information. A network allows you to: ■ Share r esources — Y ou and others on the network can share r es[...]

Understanding Networking 13 Every network requir es special software, called a network operating system (NOS) (such as Windows NT or NetWar e), 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 W indows 95, Windows 98, or W indows NT) that can communicat[...]

14 C HAPTER 1: G ETTING S TARTED Client/Server Networks A client/server network is ideal for organizations that requir e fast network access for large applications such as multimedia, databases, and video. In a client/server network, all shared applications and files are stor ed on one central computer known as the ser ver . Network users ( client[...]

Understanding Network Interface Cards 15 Understanding Network Interface Car ds A network interface card (NIC) is a printed cir cuit 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 media (cabling, such as unshielded twisted-pair [UTP[...]

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 mor e information.) Required Har dware Y ou can install the OfficeConnect NIC in any IBM-compatible PC wit[...]

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 Ether net network. Preparing for Installation Before you install the Of ficeConnect NIC, make sure that you have the following items: ■ OfficeConnect 10/100 Fast Ethernet NIC ■ OfficeConnect[...]

18 C HAPTER 2: I NSTALLING THE N ETWORK I NTERFACE C ARD Inserting the NIC T o 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. T o avoid damaging any static-sensitive components on the NIC, before you remove it from the co[...]

Inserting the NIC 19 Figure 3 Inserting the NIC 6 Fasten the NIC with the backplate screw you r emoved 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 Remov e slot cover 2 Inser t NIC PCI slots[...]

20 C HAPTER 2: I NSTALLING THE N ETWORK I NTERFACE C ARD Connecting the NIC to Y our 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 o connect the OfficeConnect NIC to a network [...]

Connecting the NIC to Y our 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 alr eady has a NIC inside it). Do not turn on the power to the PC. The next step is to install the network[...]

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3 I NSTALLING THE N ETWORK D RIVER This chapter describes how to install the network driver in your PC. Y ou must install the network driver so that the OfficeConnect NIC can transmit and r eceive data over the network. Instructions are pr ovided for the following operating systems supported by the OfficeConnect NIC: ■ Windows 95 ■ Windows 98[...]

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 procedur e for W indows 95 V ersion A. ■ If 4.00.950B is displayed, follow the procedur e for Windows 95 V ersion B. Windows 95 V ersion A T o install the network driver in a PC runn[...]

Windows 95 25 4 Insert the EtherDisk diskette in drive A and make sure that A: appears in the Copy files from entry box. 5 Click OK . ■ If this is the first time that networking is being installed on your PC, the Identification tab of the Network window is displayed. Go to step 6. ■ If networking has already been installed, you’r e prompt[...]

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. T o confirm successful installation, go to “V erifying Successful Installation” later in this chapter . Windows 95 V ersion B T o install the network driver in a PC running version B of Windows 95: 1 Mak[...]

Windows 95 27 4 Click Finish . The Insert Disk dialog box prompts you for the OfficeConnect EtherDisk diskette. 5 Click OK . The Copying Files dialog box appears. 6 Make sure that A: appears in the Copying files fr om entry box, and then click OK . ■ If this is the first time that networking is being installed on your PC, the Identification [...]

28 C HAPTER 3: I NSTALLING THE N ETWORK D RIVER 9 Remove the EtherDisk diskette from drive A, and then click Y es . Y ou must reboot your PC to complete the installation. After Windows restarts, you’re pr ompted for your user name and password. 10 Enter your user name and password, and then click OK . The driver installation is complete. T o con?[...]

Windows 98 29 3 Insert the EtherDisk diskette in drive A, and then click Next . 4 Select Search for the best driver for your device (Recommended) , and then click Next . 5 Select Floppy disk drives , and then click Next . Windows finds the driver file for the device. 6 Click Next . Files are copied. If the Insert Disk window appears, prompting yo[...]

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 T o 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 it’ s connected to the network, as described i[...]

Windows NT 31 Windows NT 3.51 T o 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 T ur n on the power to the PC. 3 In the Main window of the Program Manager , double-click the Control Panel icon and then the Network i[...]

32 C HAPTER 3: I NSTALLING THE N ETWORK D RIVER 8 Make sure that 3Com Of ficeConnect 10/100 Fast Ethernet NIC is selected, and then click OK . Files are copied. The 3Com NIC Diagnostics scr een appears. 9 Click Close to continue the installation. The Network Settings window reappears. 10 Click OK in the Network Settings window . If the TCP/IP Con?[...]

V erifying 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 “Frequently Asked Questions” in Chapter 4 to tro[...]

34 C HAPTER 3: I NSTALLING THE N ETWORK D RIVER Windows NT 4.0 T o confi rm that the NIC is installed correctly in a PC running W indows 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 doesn’t appear , see Chapter 4 for troubleshoo[...]

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 T roubleshooting Tips If you have trouble installing your Of ficeConnect NIC, or if the installation failed (as described in “V erifying Successful Installation” in Chapter 3), follow [...]

36 C HAPTER 4: T ROUBLESHOOTING I NSTALLATION P ROBLEMS Interpreting the LEDs The OfficeConnect NIC has thr ee light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that can help indicate when there ar e problems with your network connection. See Figure 2 in Chapter 1 for a pictur e of the LEDs. T able 4 explains the LED states. If the LNK (10 LNK or 100 LNK) LED is off a[...]

Starting the 3Com NIC Diagnostics Program 37 Starting the 3Com NIC Diagnostics Pr ogram 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 program to help tr oubleshoot problems you may e[...]

38 C HAPTER 4: T ROUBLESHOOTING I NSTALLATION P ROBLEMS 2 Click OK . The 3Com NIC Diagnostics General screen (Figur e 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 about the NIC. It also allows you to show or [...]

Running the NIC Self-T ests 39 Running the NIC Self-T ests The first tests to run when you have a problem with the OfficeConnect NIC ar e 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 the NIC. T o run the NIC self-tests: 1 Double[...]

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-T est panel. A six-test sequence begins. The status of[...]

Running the Echo T est 41 T o 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 Figur e 11. 2 On the second PC (the responding PC): a Click Respond in the Echo T est panel . The Echo T [...]

42 C HAPTER 4: T ROUBLESHOOTING I NSTALLATION P ROBLEMS Figure 13 Echo T est 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 T est Statistics Screen[...]

Accessing the Help System 43 ■ If the values of the Bytes Received, Bytes T ransmitted, Packets Received, or Packets T ransmitted statistics incr ease, the two PCs ar e successfully transmitting data over the network. ■ If the values of the statistics remain at zer o, or if there are excessive collisions, the two PCs aren’ t transmitting data[...]

44 C HAPTER 4: T ROUBLESHOOTING I NSTALLATION P ROBLEMS Viewing Release Notes, Fr equently Asked Questions, and KnowledgeBase T opics The 3Com NIC Diagnostics program contains a substantial database of support-related and service-r elated data that you can access in the following categories: release notes, frequently asked questions, and KnowledgeB[...]

Accessing 3Com Support Ser vices 45 2 Click OK . 3 Click the Support tab. The Support screen (Figur e 15) appears. Figure 15 Support Screen ■ Click Diagnostics to run the 3Com NIC diagnostic tests. See “Running the NIC Self-T ests” and “Running the Echo T est” earlier in this chapter for information on how to run the 3Com NIC diagnostic t[...]

46 C HAPTER 4: T ROUBLESHOOTING I NSTALLATION P ROBLEMS Removing NIC Softwar e This section describes how to remove a NIC’ s network driver and software fr om your PC so that you can reinstall the software or physically r emove the NIC from your PC. If you want to reinstall the OfficeConnect NIC network driver and software, you must first remov[...]

Removing NIC Software 47 Windows NT 4.0 T o remove NIC softwar e in a PC running W indows NT 4.0: 1 Double-click the My Computer icon, then the Control Panel icon, and then the Network icon. The Network screen appears. 2 Click the Adapters tab. 3 Select the name of the NIC in the Network Adapters box, and then click Remove . 4 Click Y es to confir[...]

48 C HAPTER 4: T ROUBLESHOOTING I NSTALLATION P ROBLEMS 4 Click OK . The NIC driver and diagnostic software ar e removed from the PC. The Network Settings Change dialog box appears, prompting you to r estart. ■ If you’re physically r emoving the NIC from the PC, click No . Don’t r estart the PC until you shut down the system, tur n the power [...]

Frequently Asked Questions 49 How do I remove the 3Com icon from my Windows system tray? 1 Double-click the 3Com icon to start the 3Com NIC Diagnostics program. 2 In the bottom-right corner of the main window, click the Enable T ray Control check box to remove the check mark. 3 Exit the program and the icon will not appear anymore. Which PCI slot s[...]

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5 C ONFIGURING THE NIC This chapter describes how to display and change configuration settings for the OfficeConnect NIC. T able 6 describes the configurable settings for the OfficeConnect NIC. The default setting for each option is in bold in the Available Settings column. . T able 6 OfficeConnect NIC Confi guration Settings Option Descripti[...]

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 . T o display the current configuration settings for the OfficeConnect[...]

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 (Figur e 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 setting. 5 Click OK to exit this screen. Changing[...]

Changing Configuration Settings 55 Figure 18 Properties Scr een 4 Change the NIC’ s configuration: ■ T o automatically configure the NIC to nonconflicting values with your PC, click Optimal Settings . ■ T o manually configure the NIC: a Select an option in the Individual Settings panel. For a description of each option, see T able 6 at t[...]

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A S PECIFICATIONS AND C ABLING R EQUIREMENTS This appendix lists the specifications and cable requir ements for the OfficeConnect NIC. Specifications Cabling Requir ements The cable, quality , distance, and connectors must comply with the Electronic Industries Association/ T elecommunications Industries Association (EIA/TIA) 568 Commercial Build[...]

58 A PPENDIX A: S PECIFICATIONS AND C ABLING R EQUIREMENTS Unshielded T wisted-Pair Cable T wisted-pair cable consists of copper wires surrounded by an insulator . T wo wires ar e twisted together (the twisting pr events interfer ence problems) to form a pair , and the pair forms a circuit that can transmit data. A cable is a bundle of one or more [...]

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-curr ent pulses rather than modulating them onto separate carrier frequencies. A wiring topology using 10BASE-T specifies a wiring [...]

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B T ECHNICAL S UPPORT 3Com provides easy access to technical support information thr ough 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 World Wide Web site. Online T echnical Services 3[...]

62 A PPENDIX B: T ECHNICAL S UPPORT T o 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 software such as Netscape Navigator and Intern[...]

Support from Y our 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 T ouch-T one telephone: 1 408 727 7021 Support fr om Y our Network Supplier If additional assist[...]

64 A PPENDIX B: T ECHNICAL S UPPORT Below is a list of worldwide technical telephone support numbers: Country Telephone Number Asia Pacific Rim Australia Hong Kong India Indonesia Japan Malaysia New Zealand Pakistan Philippines P.R. of China Singapore S. Korea From anywhere in S. Korea: From Seoul: Taiwan, R.O.C. Thailand 1 800 678 515 800 933 486[...]

Returning Products for Repair 65 Retur ning Products for Repair Before you send a pr oduct 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. T o obtain an RMA number , call or fax: Latin A[...]

66 A PPENDIX B: T ECHNICAL S UPPORT Latin America 1 408 326 2927 1 408 326 3355 U.S.A. and Canada 1 800 NET 3Com (1 800 638 3266) 1 408 326 7120 Country Telephone Number Fax Number[...]

G LOSSARY 10BASE-T Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.3 standar d 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 System. Collection of services on a ROM (read-only m[...]

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 a device or line transmits data in only one direc[...]

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 architectur e in which PCs and other devices, such as printers and fax machines, are connecte[...]

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I NDEX Numbers 100BASE-TX cabling 17 link LED 36 operation 59 specifications 59 10BASE-T cabling 17 link LED 36 operation 58 specifications 59 3Com bulletin board service (3Com BBS) 45, 62 3Com icon, in W indows system tray removing 49 showing 38 3Com NIC Diagnostics program changing configuration 54 starting 37 3Com support services 44 3Com URL[...]

72 I NDEX F Fast Ethernet protocol characteristics of 59 overview 14 fax service (3ComFacts) 63 frequently asked questions 48 viewing online 44 H hardware, r equired 16 Help, accessing 43 hub 13 I installing drivers verifying successful installation 32 Windows 95 23 Windows 98 28 Windows NT 30 installing the NIC 17 interrupts 49 ISA slots 18, 49 K [...]

I NDEX 73 T technical support 3Com URL 61 bulletin board service 62 fax service 63 network suppliers 63 product repair 65 tests Echo 40 NIC 39 troubleshooting 35 cable 35 LEDs 36 running NIC self-tests 39 testing network connection 40 using the 3Com NIC Diagnostics program 37 twisted-pair cable 100BASE-TX 59 10BASE-T 59 description 58, 69 U unshiel[...]

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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 warranted above during the applicable warranty period[...]

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 considered dead- or defective-on-arrival (DOA) and a repla[...]

W ARNING: 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 protection against harmful interference in a re[...]

The Software is licensed to be used on any workstation or any network server owned by or leased to you, provided that the Software is used only in connection with a 3Com adapter. You may reproduce and provide one (1) copy of the Software and supporting documentation for each such workstation or network server on which the Software is used as permit[...]