3Com XLPCI manual

http://www .3com.com/ EtherLink ® XL PCI 1 0 Mbps Network Interface Car ds User Guide Member of the 3Com EtherLink XL family of network interface cards Part No. 09-1139-001 Published June 1998[...]

ii 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 C[...]

iii C ONTENTS A BOUT T HIS G UIDE Finding Specific Information in This Guide 1 Conventions 2 1 I NSTALLING THE N ETWORK I NTERFACE C ARD Preparing for Installation 1-2 Inserting the NIC 1-3 Connecting to the Network 1-5 RJ-45 Port 1-5 BNC Port 1-6 AUI Port 1-7 Interpreting the Link LED 1-8 2 I NSTALLING THE N ETWORK D RIVER Windows 95 2-1 Windows [...]

iv 3Com DOS Diagnostic Program 3-2 3Com NIC Diagnostics Program 3-2 Running NIC T ests 3-2 Running the Echo T est 3-4 3Com Support Services 3-7 Accessing the Help System 3-8 Release Notes, Frequently Asked Questions, and KnowledgeBase T opics 3-8 Removing NIC Software 3-9 Windows 95 and W indows NT 4.0 3-9 Windows NT 3.51 3-9 Frequently Asked Quest[...]

v Changing Ranges and Protocols B-4 C T ROUBLESHOOTING N ETWORK C ONNECTION P ROBLEMS Eliminating Potential Causes of Problems C-1 T roubleshooting Hubs with Cr ossover Cable C-2 D T ECHNICAL S UPPORT Support from Y our Network Supplier D-1 Online T echnical Services D-1 World Wide Web Site D-2 3Com Bulletin Board Service D-2 Access by Analog Modem[...]

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vii F IGURES 1-1 3C900B Network Interface Cards 1-1 1-2 Installing the 3C900B NIC 1-4 1-3 Connecting to the RJ-45 Port on the 3C900B NIC 1-5 1-4 Connecting to the BNC Port on the 3C900B-COMBO NIC 1-6 1-5 Connecting to the AUI Port on the 3C900B-COMBO NIC 1-7 2-1 Selected NIC Screen of the Configuration and Diagnostic Program 2-13 3-1 3Com NIC Diag[...]

viii T ABLES 1 Notice Icons 2 2 T ext Conventions 2 1-1 3C900B NIC Models 1-2 1-2 LED Interpretation 1-8 2-1 Network Driver T ext File Names 2-14 3-1 Frequently Asked Questions 3-10 4-1 Option Settings 4-1 A-1 Unshielded T wisted-pair Cable Categories A-2[...]

A BOUT T HIS G UIDE 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 3Com ® EtherLink ® XL PCI 10 Mbps (3C900B) network interface cards (NICs). If a release note is shipped with this product, an[...]

2 A BOUT T HIS G UIDE Conventions T able 1 and T able 2 list conventions that are used throughout this guide. T able 1 Notice Icons Icon Notice Type Description Information note Important features or instructions Caution Information to alert you to potential damage to a program, system, or device Warning Information to alert you to potential person[...]

1 I NSTALLING THE N ETWORK I NTERFACE C ARD This chapter describes the 3Com ® EtherLink ® XL PCI 10 Mbps 3C900B network interface cards (NICs). Procedur es are pr ovided for installing the NIC hardwar e and software and connecting each version of the NIC to an Ethernet network. Figure 1-1 shows the two versions of the 3C900B NIC. These NICs conne[...]

1-2 C HAPTER 1: I NSTALLING THE N ETWORK I NTERFACE C ARD Preparing for Installation Before you install the 3C900B NIC, verify that you have all of the components. If any of these items are damaged or missing, contact your shipper or network supplier . ■ EtherLink XL PCI NIC (3C900B) ■ EtherLink XL PCI Network Interface Cards User Guide (this g[...]

Inserting the NIC 1-3 Inserting the NIC The following instructions apply to installing the 3C900B NIC in most PCs. If these instructions are not appr opriate for your PC, refer to the documentation that accompanied your PC. CAUTION: Each NIC is packed in antistatic packaging to protect it during shipment. Before handling the NIC, touch the bare met[...]

1-4 C HAPTER 1: I NSTALLING THE N ETWORK I NTERFACE C ARD Figure 1-2 Installing the 3C900B NIC 4 Remove and discar d the backplate. 5 Ensur e that the shape and length of the edge connector on the NIC match the slot that you intend to use (Figure 1-2). 6 Car efully insert the NIC into the slot. Press firmly with steady pressur e to ensure that the[...]

Connecting to the Network 1-5 Connecting to the Network This section describes how to connect the 3C900B NIC to an Ethernet network using an RJ-45, BNC, or AUI port. Each 3C900B NIC provides dif ferent network ports, as shown in Figure 1-1. Follow the procedur e for the network port on the NIC that you install. When you first install the NIC and p[...]

1-6 C HAPTER 1: I NSTALLING THE N ETWORK I NTERFACE C ARD BNC Port Follow these steps to connect the BNC port on the COMBO NIC to the network: 1 Connect the BNC connector on the thin Ethernet coaxial cable to the BNC port on the NIC. See Figure 1-4. Figure 1-4 Connecting to the BNC Port on the 3C900B-COMBO NIC 2 Connect the other end of the network[...]

Connecting to the Network 1-7 AUI Port Follow these steps to connect the AUI port (Figure 1-5) on the 3C900B COMBO NIC to the network: 1 Locate the 15-pin AUI port on the NIC and move the slide latch down to the open position. Figure 1-5 Connecting to the AUI Port on the 3C900B-COMBO NIC 2 Connect the thick Ethernet coaxial cable to the AUI port on[...]

1-8 C HAPTER 1: I NSTALLING THE N ETWORK I NTERFACE C ARD Interpreting the Link LED The 3C900B NICs have one light-emitting diode (LED). When the LED is on (but before the driver is loaded), the LED indicates that the NIC is receiving power . Other than indicating that the NIC is receiving power , the LED serves no other purpose for either an AUI o[...]

2 I NSTALLING THE N ETWORK D RIVER This chapter describes how to install the network driver that allows the 3C900B NIC to transmit and receive data over an Ethernet network. T o obtain the latest shipping version of a network driver , go to the 3Com World Wide Web site: http://www.3com.com/ Before attempting to install a network driver , ask your n[...]

2-2 C HAPTER 2: I NSTALLING THE N ETWORK D RIVER Follow these steps to determine the Windows 95 version installed on your PC: 1 Right-click the My Computer icon and click Properties . The System Properties window is displayed. 2 Check the version number on the General scr een, under System: ■ If 4.00.950 is displayed, follow the procedur e for Wi[...]

Windows 95 2-3 ■ Y our workgroup name A workgroup (for example, your department name) is composed of the PCs you usually communicate with and the workgroup’ s shar ed resour ces (for example, 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. [...]

2-4 C HAPTER 2: I NSTALLING THE N ETWORK D RIVER Windows 95 OSR2 Follow these steps to install the network driver in a PC running the OSR2 version of Windows 95: 1 Install the NIC, connect to the network, and turn the power on. Windows 95 detects the NIC. The Update Device Driver Wizard starts and prompts you for a diskette or CD. 2 Insert EtherDis[...]

Windows 95 2-5 If you use peer -gr oup 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 W95NDIS.TXT file in the HELP directory on EtherDisk diskette 1. ■ A description of your computer Filling in this field is optional. Th[...]

2-6 C HAPTER 2: I NSTALLING THE N ETWORK D RIVER Confirming Installation Follow these steps to confirm that the NIC is installed and functioning correctly: 1 Right-click the My Computer icon, click Properties , and then click the Device Manager tab. A list of devices appears, arranged by type. 2 Double-click Network adapters . The name of the ins[...]

Windows NT 2-7 ■ The name of the Windows NT server domain or workgroup that you belong to ■ The IP address that you will use if your network does not have a DHCP server (TCP/IP only) Windows NT 4.0 Follow these steps to install the network driver in a PC running Windows NT 4.0: 1 Install the NIC, connect to the network, and turn the power on. 2[...]

2-8 C HAPTER 2: I NSTALLING THE N ETWORK D RIVER 8 Click OK . The 3Com NIC Diagnostics window appears, confirming successful driver installation. 9 Click Close . The Network window appears, displaying the name of the installed NIC. 10 Click Close . If you are pr ompted for network information, enter the information supplied by your MIS department.[...]

Windows NT 2-9 d Click OK in the Network Settings window and then click Restart Now . e After rebooting, r epeat step 2. 3 Click Add Adapter . The Add Network Adapter window appears. 4 Click the down arr ow to expand the list box, select <Other> Requires disk from manufacturer , and then click Continue . The Select OEM Option dialog box appea[...]

2-10 C HAPTER 2: I NSTALLING THE N ETWORK D RIVER Novell NetW ar e Client Driver This section describes how to install the Novell NetW are client driver for a PC running DOS, Windows 3.x, or Windows for Workgroups. Y ou use 3Com AutoLink software to install DOS client softwar e and drivers for Novell NetW are 3.1x or 4.x. Do not use the AutoLink dr[...]

Novell NetWare Server Driver 2-11 6 When the auto installation pr ocess is completed, remove EtherDisk diskette 1 and r eboot the PC. If you are running Windows 3.1x, after you connect to the NetWare server , run the INST ALL.EXE program for full Windows support. INST ALL.EXE gives you a full complement of NetWare requester installation files. Con[...]

2-12 C HAPTER 2: I NSTALLING THE N ETWORK D RIVER 3 Add the following two lines to the AUTOEXEC.NCF file: load C:NWSERVER3C90X.LAN slot=<slot> NAME=<name> FRAME=<frametype> bind ipx to <name> net=<number> 4 Save and exit the file, and then r eboot the server . NetW are 4.10 and 4.11 Follow these steps to install th[...]

Novell NetWare Server Driver 2-13 For example, if the server uses Ethernet_802.2, the workstation must also use Ethernet_802.2. The values <net1> and <net2> are unique numbers assigned by the network administrator to each NIC. Make sure that <net1> and <net2> ar e differ ent numbers. See the appropriate Novell NetW are manua[...]

2-14 C HAPTER 2: I NSTALLING THE N ETWORK D RIVER Supported Network Drivers T able 2-1 provides the text file and driver names for supported network drivers. These text files, which describe how to install the associated network driver , are located in the HELP directory on EtherDisk diskette 1. T able 2-1 Network Driver T ext File Names Network [...]

3 T ROUBLESHOOTING I NSTALLATION P ROBLEMS This chapter explains how to use troubleshooting techniques and 3Com diagnostic programs to isolate and solve pr oblems that may occur when you install the 3C900B NIC. If you have trouble installing your 3C900B NIC, follow these basic troubleshooting tips befor e you run the diagnostic programs. CAUTION: B[...]

3-2 C HAPTER 3: T ROUBLESHOOTING I NSTALLATION P ROBLEMS 3Com DOS Diagnostic Pr ogram Use the 3Com DOS diagnostic program to tr oubleshoot problems or change configuration settings for a 3C900B NIC installed in a PC running DOS, Windows 3.x, Windows for Workgroups, or Windows NT 3.51. For information about running the 3Com DOS diagnostic program, [...]

Running Diagnostic Programs 3-3 If the 3Com icon has been disabled and is not visible in the system tray , follow these steps: a Click Start in the Windows taskbar . b Select Programs , and then select 3Com NIC Utilities. c Click 3nicdiag. A warning message appears. 2 Click OK to disconnect your PC fr om the network to conduct this test. Y ou will [...]

3-4 C HAPTER 3: T ROUBLESHOOTING I NSTALLATION P ROBLEMS Figure 3-2 Diagnostics Screen 4 Click Start . A six-test sequence begins. The test status is displayed in the Status column as each test is completed. Y ou can click Stop to stop the tests at any point. Click the Help button on the screen to obtain general information about the function of th[...]

Running Diagnostic Programs 3-5 Follow these steps to run the Echo test: 1 On both PCs: a Click the Windows Start menu. b Select Programs . c Select 3Com NIC Utilities . d Click 3nicdiag. e Click the Diagnostics tab to display the Diagnostics screen, shown in Figur e 3-2. 2 On the r esponding PC: a Click Respond on the Diagnostics screen (Figur e 3[...]

3-6 C HAPTER 3: T ROUBLESHOOTING I NSTALLATION P ROBLEMS Figure 3-4 Echo T est Sender Screen b Click Start on the Echo T est Sender screen (Figur e 3-4). T est statistics appear in the list box of the window , as shown in Figure 3-5. Figure 3-5 Echo T est Statistics Screen c Close all open windows when the Echo test is finished.[...]

Running Diagnostic Programs 3-7 3Com Support Services The Support screen of the 3Com NIC Diagnostics pr ogram provides access to several support services. Click the Support tab on the 3Com Diagnostics General screen to display the Support screen, shown in Figur e 3-6. Figure 3-6 3Com NIC Diagnostics Support Screen ■ Click Diagnostics to run the 3[...]

3-8 C HAPTER 3: T ROUBLESHOOTING I NSTALLATION P ROBLEMS Accessing the Help System The 3C900B NIC Help system is a Windows Help application that includes 3C900B release notes, fr equently asked questions, and a KnowledgeBase of known compatibility issues. Y ou must install the 3C900B NIC and the network driver before you can access the Help system.[...]

Removing NIC Software 3-9 Click the Help button on the screen to obtain general information about the function of the screen. T o obtain specific information about any topic on the screen, click the question mark (?) at the top of the screen, move it over the topic, and click. A pop-up box displays information about the topic. Removing NIC Softwar[...]

3-10 C HAPTER 3: T ROUBLESHOOTING I NSTALLATION P ROBLEMS 3 Click Ye s . The Network Settings window is displayed. The 3C900B NIC no longer appears in the Installed Adapter Cards panel. 4 Click OK . The 3C900B NIC driver and diagnostic software ar e removed fr om the PC. The Network Settings Change dialog box is displayed, prompting you to r estart[...]

Frequently Asked Questions 3-11 What interrupts should I avoid? You should avoid using any interrupts used by ISA/EISA boards that do not properly support shared interrupts (level-triggered). If you do not know or are unsure whether other devices or adapters in your PC support shared interrupts, then avoid using them. Avoid using the same interrupt[...]

3-12 C HAPTER 3: T ROUBLESHOOTING I NSTALLATION P ROBLEMS Does the 3C900B NIC support Windows NT version 3.51 on the DEC Alpha PC? The 3C900B NIC network driver supports only Windows NT 4.0. In Windows 95, what should I do if a yellow exclamation point (!) appears next to the NIC name? 1 In the Device Manager, double-click Other Devices . 2 Click P[...]

Frequently Asked Questions 3-13 What are the PC and network requirements to run Fast IP? ■ Client requirements: PC running Windows 95 or Windows NT (versions 4 or 3.51), 3Com 3C900B NIC, and the TCP/IP stack ■ Network requirements: Switched path between stations and single broadcast domain What are the network configuration requirements for Fas[...]

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4 C HANGING C ONFIGURATION S ETTINGS This chapter describes how to display and change configuration settings for the 3C900B NIC using 3Com diagnostic programs. Before you change the settings, contact your system administrator . T able 4-1 lists the configurable options for the 3C900B NIC, the default setting for each option, and other settings th[...]

4-2 C HAPTER 4: C HANGING C ONFIGURATION S ETTINGS Using the DOS Configuration Pr ogram The configuration section of the DOS diagnostic program is used to configure the 3C900B NIC when it is installed in a PC running DOS, Windows 3.x, W indows for Workgr oups, or Windows NT 3.51. T o use the configuration portion of the DOS diagnostic program, [...]

Running the 3Com NIC Diagnostics Program 4-3 Figure 4-1 3Com NIC Diagnostics General Screen 3 Click NIC Details to display the NIC Details scr een, as shown in Figure 4-2. Figure 4-2 NIC Details Screen Each configuration setting is displayed with the current value. Use the scroll bar to display the full list.[...]

4-4 C HAPTER 4: C HANGING C ONFIGURATION S ETTINGS If a Help button appears on a screen, click the Help button to obtain general information about the function of the screen. T o obtain specific information about any topic on the screen, click the question mark (?) at the top of the screen, move it over the topic, and click. A pop-up box displays [...]

Enabling P ACE Support 4-5 Enabling P ACE Support P ACE technology enables you to establish class-of-service ranking to prioritize multimedia and real-time network data traffic. Prioritization makes sur e that critical data for selected applications gets through as fast as possible. P ACE is automatically installed on your PC when you install the [...]

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A S PECIFICATIONS AND C ABLING R EQUIREMENTS This appendix lists the specifications, cable requir ements, and connector pin assignments for the 3C900B NIC. Specifications Cabling Requir ements The cable, quality , distance, and connectors must comply with the Electronic Industries Association/T elecommunications Industries Association (EIA/TIA) 5[...]

A-2 A PPENDIX A: S PECIFICATIONS AND C ABLING R EQUIREMENTS 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 prevents 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 twisted pai[...]

RJ-45 Connector Pin Assignments A-3 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 specifi[...]

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B C ONFIGURING A DVANCED PACE O PTIONS This appendix describes how to use advanced P ACE options to configure operational settings and additional ranges and protocols of applications for which you have enabled P ACE support. Advanced P ACE options allow you to change ranges, add protocols, and define operational settings that r egulate network tr[...]

B-2 A PPENDIX B: C ONFIGURING A DVANCED PACE O PTIONS Although a video server can support up to 32 connections, a client may want to conference with only four other people at a time. The recommended setting is 16. Low-Priority Ratio When P ACE support is enabled, high-priority packets are always transmitted befor e low-priority packets. If a high-p[...]

Changing Operational Settings B-3 Disabling switch packet prioritization affects only the switch; it does not change the behavior of the P ACE driver in any way . Regardless of the switch setting, high-priority packets are transmitted ahead of most non-P ACE packets on the workstation. Disable Receive Packet Buf fering This option disables the rece[...]

B-4 A PPENDIX B: C ONFIGURING A DVANCED PACE O PTIONS Changing Ranges and Pr otocols Follow these steps to change P ACE ranges and protocols: 1 Place the cursor in the Range Start entry box and enter a port or socket start range for the application. 2 Place the cursor in the Range End entry box and enter a port or socket end range for the applicati[...]

C T ROUBLESHOOTING N ETWORK C ONNECTION P ROBLEMS This appendix provides information about using a cr ossover cable to troubleshoot network pr oblems when you know that the 3C900B NIC is working, but you cannot send or receive network traf fic. When you work with 10BASE-T cabling, concentrators, and NICs from dif ferent vendors, it is possible to [...]

C-2 A PPENDIX C: T ROUBLESHOOTING N ETWORK C ONNECTION P ROBLEMS T roubleshooting Hubs with Cr ossover Cable A crossover cable can be used to identify the type of failur e when hub performance or connectivity is in question. 1 Connect a file server and a client PC back to back with a crossover cable to verify that the NIC and network operating sys[...]

D T ECHNICAL S UPPORT Support fr om Y our Network Supplier If assistance is requir ed, contact your computer supplier for support and service of your 3Com network interface card. When you contact your for assistance, have the following information ready: ■ Product model name, part number , and serial number ■ A list of system hardwar e and soft[...]

D-2 A PPENDIX D: T ECHNICAL S UPPORT World Wide W eb Site Access the latest networking information on the 3Com Corporation World Wide Web site by entering the URL into your Internet browser: http://www.3com.com/ This service provides access to online support information such as technical documentation and software library , as well as support optio[...]

Online T echnical Ser vices D-3 Access by Digital Modem ISDN users can dial in to the 3Com BBS using a digital modem for fast access up to 56 Kbps. T o access the 3Com BBS using ISDN, use the following number: 1 408 654 2703 3ComFacts Automated Fax Service The 3ComFacts automated fax service provides technical articles, diagrams, and troubleshootin[...]

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I NDEX Numbers 10BASE-T specifications A-3 twisted-pair cable A-2 3C90X.LAN file 2-11 3Com bulletin board service (3Com BBS) D-2 3Com NIC Diagnostics program 4-2 changing configuration 4-4 Diagnostics screen 3-3 Dynamic Access Setup screen 4-5 Echo test 3-4 Echo T est Responder screen 3-5 General screen 3-3, 4-2 NIC Details screen 4-3 NIC Proper[...]

2 I NDEX Windows for Workgroups 2-10 Windows NT version 3.51 2-8 version 4.0 2-6, 2-7 E Echo test 3-4 EIA/TIA 568 standards A-1 Ethernet cable thick coaxial 1-7 thin coaxial 1-6 Ethernet protocol, characteristics of A-2 external transceiver 1-7 F Fast IP 3-12 fax service (3ComFacts) D-3 frequently asked questions 3-8, 3-10 full-duplex 4-1 H Help sy[...]

I NDEX 3 O online technical services D-1 operating voltage requirements A-1 P P ACE driver 4-5 enabling support for 4-5 option description 4-1 technology B-1 P A THWORK.TXT 2-14 P A THWORK.TXT file 2-14 P A THWORKS 2-14 PCI slot 1-3 pin assignments A-3 power requirements A-1 R release notes 3-8 removing NIC software 3-9 requir ements, cabling A-1 [...]

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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[...]