3Com EtherLink 10/100 PCI NIC Series User manual

http://www.3com.com/
http://www.3com.com/productreg
EtherLink
®
Server
10/100 PCI NIC Family
User Guide
3C980x-TXM 10/100 PCI server network interface card with
Dynamic Access
®
technology
3C982-TXM 10/100 PCI dual port server network interface card with
Dynamic Access
®
technology
Published October 2000

3Com Corporation ■ 5400
Bayfront Plaza
■
Santa
Clara, California ■
95052-8145
Copyright © 2000 3Com Corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this documentation may be
reproduced 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 Corporation.
3Com Corporation reserves the right to revise this documentation and to make changes in content from
time to time without obligation on the part of 3Com Corporation to provide notification of such revision or
change.
3Com Corporation provides this documentation without warranty, term, or condition of any kind, either
implied or expressed, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties, terms or conditions
of merchantability, satisfactory quality, and fitness for a particular purpose. 3Com may make improvements
or changes in the product(s) and/or the program(s) described in this documentation at any time.
If there is any software on removable media described in this documentation, it is furnished under a license
agreement included with the product as a separate document, in the hard copy documentation, or on the
removable media in a directory file named LICENSE.TXT or !LICENSE.TXT. If you are unable to locate a copy,
please contact 3Com and a copy will be provided to you.
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT LEGEND
If you are a United States government agency, then this documentation and the software described herein
are provided to you subject to the following:
All technical data and computer software are commercial in nature and developed solely at private expense.
Software is delivered as “Commercial Computer Software” as defined in DFARS 252.227-7014 (June 1995)
or as a “commercial item” as defined in FAR 2.101(a) and as such is provided with only such rights as are
provided in 3Com’s standard commercial license for the Software. Technical data is provided with limited
rights only as provided in DFAR 252.227-7015 (Nov 1995) or FAR 52.227-14 (June 1987), whichever is
applicable. You agree not to remove or deface any portion of any legend provided on any licensed program
or documentation contained in, or delivered to you in conjunction with, this User Guide.
Unless otherwise indicated, 3Com registered trademarks are registered in the United States and may or may
not be registered in other countries.
3Com, the 3Com logo, DynamicAccess, EtherDisk, EtherLink, and Parallel Tasking are registered trademarks
of 3Com Corporation or its subsidiaries. 3Com Facts is a service mark of 3Com Corporation or its
subsidiaries.
Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation. Microsoft, Windows and Windows NT are
registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. NetWare and Novell are registered trademarks of Novell,
Inc. SCO, SCO OpenServer, and UnixWare are trademarks or registered trademarks of The Santa Cruz
Operation, Inc.
All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are
associated.
About This Guide
This guide describes how to install, configure, and troubleshoot the following 3Com
®
network interface
card (NIC):
This guide is intended for the network administrator, network operator, or network hardware installer.
Knowledge of Ethernet and the server network operating system is required.
Documentation is available in Adobe Acrobat Reader Portable Document Format (PDF) or HTML on the
3Com Web site: http://www.3com.com. You can download Acrobat Reader from the Adobe Systems
Incorporated web site: http://www.adobe.com/.
Description Model Number
3Com EtherLink Server 10/100 PCI NIC
3Com EtherLink 10/100 PCI Dual Port Server
NIC
3C980-TXM
3C980B-TXM
3C980C-TXM
3C982-TXM

C ONTENTS
1
I
NTRODUCTION
Overview 1
Advanced Server Features 2
Bidirectional Load Balancing 2
Self-Healing Drivers 3
Failover 3
VLANs 4
Server Features Using Other NICs 5
Hot Plug NIC Installation 5
Remote Wake-Up (Single Port Models Only) 5
Managed PC Boot Agent (MBA) Software 5
Desktop Management Interface (DMI) 2.0 6
Remote System Alerts 6
2
I
NSTALLING AND
C
ONNECTING THE
NIC
Safety Precautions 7
Installation Requirements 7
Preparing the NIC and the Computer 8
Installing and Connecting the NIC 9
Installing Software 11
Obtaining Installation Diskettes 12
Creating Diskettes in Windows 12
3
I
NSTALLING AND
C
ONFIGURING IN
W
INDOWS
Software Installation Requirements 13
Getting Help 13
Installing in Windows NT 13
Installing in Windows 2000 14
Configuring SHD Parameter Settings 14
Windows NT 14
Windows 2000 15
Verifying Successful Installation 16
Windows NT 16
Windows 2000 16
Updating Software in Windows 16
Windows NT 16
Windows 2000 17

DynamicAccess Server Features 17
Planning Groups and VLANs 17
Installing Dynamic Access Software 19
Configuring Server Features 19
Windows NT 19
Windows 2000 19
Creating a Group 20
Adding NICs to a Group 21
Specifying a Dedicated IP Address 21
Changing an IP Address 22
Creating a VLAN 22
Specifying Traffic Priorities (Windows NT 4.0 Only) 23
Saving the Configuration 23
Disabling Load Balancing for a Group 23
Changing the Primary NIC 24
Removing a NIC from a Group 24
Deleting or Editing a VLAN 24
Displaying NIC Properties 24
Displaying Group Properties 24
Specifying Failover from Gigabit to 10/100 PCI 24
Troubleshooting a Load Balancing Configuration 25
Changing Windows 2000 Property Settings 25
Identifying Windows 2000 Miniport and LAN Connections 25
4
I
NSTALLING AND
C
ONFIGURING IN
N
ET
W
ARE
Software Installation Requirements 27
Netware Packet Receive Buffers 27
Slot Numbers for Multiple NICs 27
Obtaining Slot Numbers 27
Installation and Configuration Instructions 28
Load the 3Com EtherLink Server CD 28
Copy the Driver 28
Specify the Slot Number 29
Load the Driver 29
Set Up Another NIC 29
Install Server Features 30
Configure Groups 30
Verify the Installation and Configuration 31
Changing NetWare Driver Configuration Parameters 32
Configuring Groups 34
Planning the Configuration 34
Adding a Secondary NIC to a Group 35
Adding a Group 36
Server Feature Commands 37
group 38
display status 38
help 38

link timeout 39
probe interval 39
receive timeout 39
retry count 39
send timeout 40
ungroup 40
wait timeout 40
Troubleshooting a Group Configuration 41
5
C
ONFIGURING THE
NIC
Configuration Settings 43
Configuration Methods 44
Configuring the NIC in Windows 44
Configuring the Managed PC Boot Agent (MBA) 45
Booting From the Network 45
Disabling the 3Com Logo 46
6
T
ROUBLESHOOTING THE
NIC
Interpreting the LEDs 47
Viewing the NIC LEDs in the Diagnostics Program 48
Accessing the 3Com Knowledgebase 48
Accessing the 3Com NIC Help System 48
Accessing Other Information 48
Troubleshooting the Network Connection 49
Troubleshooting Remote Wake-Up 49
Removing the Network Driver 50
Windows NT 50
Windows 2000 51
NetWare 51
Removing Server Features 51
Windows NT and Windows 2000 51
NetWare 52
Removing 3Com NIC Diagnostics 52
Windows NT and Windows 2000 52
7
R
UNNING
NIC D
IAGNOSTICS IN
W
INDOWS
Overview 53
Running the NIC Test 53
Running the Network Test 54
Viewing Network Statistics 54
Using the 3Com Icon in the Windows System Tray 54
Enabling the Icon 54
Displaying Network Statistics 55

A
I
NSTALLING A
3C
OM
NIC W
HILE
I
NSTALLING THE
NOS
Windows Fresh Installation 57
Windows NT 57
Windows 2000 57
NetWare Fresh Installation 57
Requirements 57
Installation Instructions 57
B I
NSTALLING THE
3C
OM
DMI A
GENT
Overview 59
System Requirements 60
Installation Instructions 60
C
S
PECIFICATIONS
D
T
ECHNICAL
S
UPPORT
Online Technical Services 63
World Wide Web Site 63
3Com FTP Site 63
Support from Your Network Supplier 63
Support from 3Com 64
Returning Products for Repair 66
I
NDEX
3C
OM
C
ORPORATION
L
IMITED
W
ARRANTY
R
EGULATORY
I
NFORMATION
3C
OM
E
ND
U
SER
S
OFTWARE
L
ICENSE
A
GREEMENT
P
RODUCT
R
EGISTRATION

1
I
NTRODUCTION
Overview The 3Com
®
EtherLink
®
Server 10/100 PCI NIC family of network interface cards (NIC)
connect PCI-compliant server computers to Ethernet or Fast Ethernet networks.
Parallel Tasking II
®hardware technology, plus a powerful suite of DynamicAccess®
technology software features, relieve network congestion and ensure high
performance and maximum bandwidth availability.
Figure 1 EtherLink Server 10/100 PCI NIC
Figure 2 Dual Port EtherLink Server 10/100 PCI NIC
TX DATA
ACT
10
100
L
N
K
Remote Wake-Up
(RWU) connector
MBA Boot ROM
MBA
Boot ROM
A
ACT
10/100
B
ACT
10/100

2CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
Each NIC supports these features:
■Advanced Server Features—Improve network performance, management, and
control.
■Hot Plug NIC Installation—Lets you add a new NIC or remove and replace a NIC
without turning off power to the computer.
■Remote Wake-Up (Single Port Models Only)—Lets you power-on a computer
remotely for after-hours administration.
■Integrated boot ROM (through port A on 3C982-TXM) with Managed PC Boot
Agent (MBA) Software—Adds management capabilities by enabling the
computer to boot from another computer, rather than from its local drive.
■Desktop Management Interface (DMI) 2.0—Enables managed computers and
net computers to report details about themselves and their peripheral devices
across the network to a DMI 2.0-compliant management application.
■Remote System Alerts (heartbeat packets)—Can signal a possible computer
power loss or theft.
Advanced Server
Features
3Com DynamicAccess technology advanced network software adds intelligence to
the NIC to improve network performance, management, and control.
DynamicAccess server features relieve network congestion and ensure high
performance and maximum bandwidth availability.
■Self-healing drivers (SHDs) detect common error conditions and correct them
while maintaining server link performance.
■Bidirectional load balancing groups share the network load over resilient server
links (RSLs) that keep traffic flowing both into a server and out of a server even
if a NIC in a group is temporarily disconnected.
■VLANs (IEEE 802.1Q multiple virtual LANs) let you divide network segments
into logical partitions that simplify configuration changes, organize work
groups efficiently, help to control traffic, and provide extra security.
■Traffic prioritization (IEEE 802.1p/Q)—Ensures that business-critical and
delay-sensitive traffic (such as multimedia applications) has priority over normal
data.
For detailed information on DynamicAccess technology products, go to:
http://www.3com.com/dynamicaccess
Bidirectional
Load Balancing
Bidirectional load balancing maximizes bandwidth at the server through the use of
multiple parallel resilient server links (RSLs) that share the network load.
An RSL consists of two or more NICs that form a virtual NIC. Each virtual NIC has
multiple physical NICs bound to it, forming a group. Each NIC in a group uses the
same protocols and frame types. One NIC is designated the primary NIC and the
others secondary NICs.

Advanced Server Features 3
Figure 3 Types of Load Balancing Arrangements
Self-Healing Drivers Self-healing drivers (SHDs) work together with RSLs to maintain the network
connection. An SHD monitors the NIC continuously for error conditions and
makes corrections. These corrections can include resetting the NIC, rebuilding
software data structures, temporarily disabling features, or transferring all network
traffic to secondary NICs (termed a failover event). An SHD can also continuously
monitor the status of the physical NICs in a virtual NIC group before and after
failover. Errors and actions are reported to the system console and to the system
log file. Error threshold values can be configured at any time.
Failover In addition to load balancing, RSLs provide failover fault tolerance between a
server and a switch—if one NIC in a group fails, the others assume the network
load of the failed NIC. The failover behavior of secondary NICs depends on how
you set load balancing:
■In a transmit load balancing arrangement, the primary NIC is the only one that
receives packets. If the primary NIC fails, a secondary NIC assumes the
configuration profile, network traffic, and active status of the failed
primary NIC.
■In a bidirectional load balancing arrangement, all NICs receive packets. If any
NIC fails, receive load balancing is disabled, and the other NICs continue
transmit-only load balancing activity. Receive load balancing is restored when
new connections are established with clients.
Bidirectional load balancing is restored after a failure when applications create
new connections and new clients log in.
Clients
Bidirectional
Server
Primary Secondaries
Transmit-only
Primary Secondaries
Switch ¨ ¨

4CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
Figure 4 Bidirectional Load Balancing Failover
VLANs A VLAN is a group of location-independent and topology-independent devices
that communicate as if they were on the same physical LAN. Network devices on
different LAN segments and of different media types can be members of the same
VLAN. Membership in a VLAN is determined by a VLAN tag that is transmitted
with the Ethernet frame for use by a switch.
With VLANs, you can define a network according to:
■Organizational groups—For example, you can have one VLAN for the
Marketing department and one for the Finance department.
■Application groups—For example, you can have one VLAN for e-mail users and
one for multimedia users.
Implementing VLANs on a network has these advantages:
■It eases the change and movement of devices on IP networks.
With traditional IP networks, if users move to a different IP subnet, the IP
addresses of each workstation must be updated manually. With VLANs
installed, if an end station on VLAN 1 is moved to a port elsewhere on the
network, you need only to specify that the new port is on VLAN 1.
■It helps to control traffic.
With traditional networks, congestion can be caused by broadcast traffic that is
directed to all network devices whether they require it or not. Each VLAN can
be set up to contain only those devices that need to communicate with each
other, increasing network efficiency.
■It provides extra security.
Devices within each VLAN can communicate only with member devices in the
same VLAN. If a device in VLAN 1 needs to communicate with devices in
VLAN 2, the traffic must cross a router.
The DynamicAccess technology multiple VLAN capability supports IEEE 802.1Q
VLAN tagging and works with any switch that is compliant with IEEE 802.1Q
specifications. See your Ethernet switch documentation for more information on
IEEE 802.1Q VLANs.
Server
Bidirectional
load balancing Primary failure Secondary failure
Clients
¨ ¨ ¨
Primary Secondaries Primary Secondaries Primary Secondaries
Switch

Hot Plug NIC Installation 5
Server Features Using
Other NICs
Two foreign NICs (two that are not 3Com EtherLink Server NICs) are allowed per
server. For guidelines on using foreign NICs, see these topics:
■Windows NT and Windows 2000—Planning Groups and VLANs on page 17.
■NetWare—Planning the Configuration on page 34.
Hot Plug NIC
Installation
If your computer supports PCI hot plug specifications, you can add a new 3Com
NIC or remove and replace a 3Com NIC without turning off power to the
computer. Hot plug NIC installation allows you to expand connections without
taking the computer out of service and makes troubleshooting faster and easier
because you do not need to wait for the computer to reboot.
For instructions on performing a hot plug NIC installation, refer to your computer
documentation and to the HOTPLUG.TXT file in the HELP directory on the 3Com
EtherLink Server CD.
Remote Wake-Up
(Single Port Models
Only)
Remote Wake-Up is the ability to remotely power-on a computer for after-hours
administration.
If the computer is compliant with PCI 2.2, Remote Wake-Up is automatically
enabled through the PCI bus. If the computer is compliant with PCI 2.1, Remote
Wake-Up support is enabled by connecting a Remote Wake-Up cable from the NIC
Remote Wake-Up (RWU) connector to a 3-pin Remote Wake-Up connector on the
computer motherboard.
The following items are needed to use Remote Wake-Up:
■Management application that supports Remote Wake-Up
■BIOS that supports Remote Wake-Up
■PCI 2.2-compliant bus or a 3-pin Remote Wake-Up connector on the computer
motherboard and a 5-volt standby power supply unit rated at a minimum of
375 milliamperes
■A power supply in the computer that can support multiple Remote Wake-Up
devices (to use multiple NICs as Remote Wake-Up NICs in the same computer)
If you are unsure whether the computer meets the requirements listed above, refer
to the computer documentation or contact the computer manufacturer.
For more information on Remote Wake-Up, including a list of computers that
currently support this feature, go to:
http://www.3com.com/partners/acpi
Managed PC Boot
Agent (MBA)
Software
The Managed PC Boot Agent (MBA) software adds management capabilities to
the NIC, enabling the computer to boot from the server, rather than from its
local drive.
This preboot support allows you to use management applications to perform the
following tasks remotely:
■Install and configure a new computer that has never been connected to the
network.

6CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
■Upgrade software.
■Configure or reconfigure multiple systems simultaneously.
■Scan for viruses.
■Back-up hard drives and perform disaster recovery tasks.
For information on configuring the MBA to boot from the network, see
Configuring the Managed PC Boot Agent (MBA) on page 45.
For detailed information on the MBA, see the Managed PC Boot Agent User
Guide, located with the MBA software on the 3Com EtherLink Server CD.
Desktop Management
Interface (DMI) 2.0
DMI 2.0 enables managed computers and net computers to report details about
themselves and their peripheral devices across the network to a DMI
2.0-compliant management application.
A network administrator can then use this information to configure and manage a
client or server computer remotely.
For instructions on installing the 3Com DMI Agent, see Installing the
3Com DMI Agent on page 59.
For more detailed information on DMI, go to:
http://www.3com.com/managedpc
Remote System Alerts The NIC can be configured to continuously transmit a packet to an alert target
management station. If the management station fails to receive the regularly
scheduled packet, an alert can be triggered that signals a possible computer
power loss or theft.
The NIC can also transmit a workgroup keep-alive packet periodically while the
computer is in a sleep state. This packet prevents the computer workstation
address from being aged-out of switch router tables.

2INSTALLING AND CONNECTING THE NIC
Safety Precautions Observe the following safety precautions:
Installation
Requirements
The following items are required for hardware and software installation:
■NIC—At least one 10/100 NIC.
■Processor—Intel-based CPU (Pentium-class processor).
■Server RAM—128 megabytes minimum; 256 megabytes recommended.
■PCI slot—For each NIC, one bus master slot that conforms to PCI 32/64-bit
specifications, revision 2.1 or 2.2.
■Drive—CD-ROM.
■Cable—Category 5 UTP (for 100 Mbps operation).
■Connector—RJ-45, one or two ports.
■Software—One 3Com EtherLink Server CD with DynamicAccess technology
software and network drivers.
WARNING: Computers operate with voltages that can be lethal. Before
removing the cover, turn off the computer and unplug it. Disconnect all cables
that are connected to the main system unit. Remove jewelry from your hands
and wrists. Use insulated or nonconductive tools.
CAUTION: The NIC is packed in an antistatic container to protect it during
shipment. Do not touch the components or any metal parts on the NIC, except
for the backplate. To avoid damaging the NIC or the computer, reduce static
electricity on your body by wearing an electrostatic discharge wrist strap attached
to the chassis or by touching an unpainted metal part of the chassis before
unplugging the computer and before handling the NIC.
CAUTION: Install the NIC in a PCI slot that conforms to PCI 2.1 or higher
specifications. Do not attempt to install the NIC in an ISA or EISA slot. Doing so
may damage the NIC and the computer.
WARNING: Make sure that the computer power cord is unplugged. Only
properly trained and authorized personnel should perform service. Contact the
computer manufacturer for information about safe service techniques.

8CHAPTER 2: INSTALLING AND CONNECTING THE NIC
■Operating system—Base drivers and DynamicAccess software are available
for the following operating systems:
■Microsoft Windows NT version 4.0 with the most recent Service Pack
available from Microsoft technical support (www.microsoft.com).
■Microsoft Windows 2000 with the most recent Service Pack available from
Microsoft technical support (www.microsoft.com).
■Novell NetWare version 4.2 or 5.x with the most recent patches and
updates available from Novell technical support (www.novell.com).
Base drivers are also available for the following operating systems:
■SCO UnixWare 7 available on the 3Com Web site
(http://support.3Com.com/infodeli/tools/nic/SCO.htm).
■SCO OpenServer 5 available on the 3Com Web site
(http://support.3Com.com/infodeli/tools/nic/SCO.htm).
■Linux available on the 3Com Web site
(http://support.3Com.com/infodeli/tools/nic/linux.htm).
■Computer BIOS—Latest version. Contact the computer manufacturer
to verify.
■Remote Wake-Up—For requirements, see Remote Wake-Up (Single Port
Models Only) on page 5.
Preparing the NIC and
the Computer
Observe the precautions listed in Safety Precautions on page 7. Follow these
preparation steps:
1Decide if you want to use the Remote Wake-Up feature.
If you want to use the Remote Wake-Up feature on a computer that is compliant
with PCI 2.1, you must obtain a Remote Wake-Up cable for the NIC (for details,
see Remote Wake-Up (Single Port Models Only) on page 5). If the computer is
compliant with PCI 2.2, Remote Wake-Up is automatically enabled through the
PCI bus and no Remote Wake-Up cable is required.
2Make sure that cable requirements are met.
The RJ-45 port provides a 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps connection automatically,
depending on the speed of the connected hub or switch.
The following table shows the cable requirements and maximum network cable
lengths for the RJ-45 port.
Check the 3Com Web site (http://support.3Com.com/infodeli/tools/nic) for other
supported drivers.
Network Environment Cable Required
Maximum
Cable Length
10 Mbps (10BASE-T) Category 3, 4, or 5 unshielded
twisted-pair
100 m (328 ft)
100 Mbps (100BASE-TX) Category 5 unshielded twisted-pair 100 m (328 ft)

Installing and Connecting the NIC 9
3Unpack and inspect the NIC for damage.
4Exit all open applications and user processes.
5Turn off the power to the computer and attached devices.
6Unplug the power cables from the power source.
7Remove the computer cover.
8Locate an empty, nonshared bus-mastering PCI slot and remove its slot cover. Save
the screw, if there is one.
Do not install the NIC in a shared PCI slot. Avoid any PCI slot next to an ISA slot.
This is often a shared slot and does not support bus mastering.
If you do not know how to identify a PCI slot, check the computer documentation
or ask the system administrator.
If you are planning to install the Remote Wake-Up cable, choose an empty PCI slot
that is close to the matching connector on the computer motherboard. The
Remote Wake-Up cable is required only if the computer is compliant with PCI 2.1
and you want to use the Remote Wake-Up. The cable is not required if the
computer is compliant with PCI 2.2.
9Write down the MAC address of the NIC and note the relative position of the
intended PCI slot.
This information is helpful when you are installing the network drivers and
connecting the cables to the hub or switch. The MAC address is the 12-digit
hexadecimal number printed on the small bar code label on the component side
of the NIC.
The next step is to install the NIC in the computer and connect it to the network.
Installing and
Connecting the NIC
Observe the safety precautions listed in Safety Precautions on page 7.
Prepare the NIC and the computer as described in Preparing the NIC and the
Computer on page 8.
The following instructions apply to installing the NIC in most computers. If these
instructions are not appropriate for your computer, refer to the documentation
that accompanied the computer.

10 CHAPTER 2: INSTALLING AND CONNECTING THE NIC
Figure 5 Installing and Connecting the NIC
1Carefully insert the NIC into an empty PCI slot.
Press firmly to ensure that the NIC is fully seated in the slot. Secure the NIC with
the screw if you removed one earlier.
2Follow these steps only if you need to connect a Remote Wake-up cable:
■Make sure that the NIC is properly installed in a PCI slot.
■Insert the Remote Wake-Up cable in the RWU connector on the NIC.
Twist the cable two times before attaching the cable to the computer.
■Attach the other end of the cable to the connector on the computer
motherboard. Refer to the computer documentation if you need help
locating the connector.
3Replace the computer cover and plug in the power cord.
Do not turn on the power to the computer.
TX DATA
ACT
10
100 L
N
K
–
+

Installing Software 11
4Plug the RJ-45 connector on the twisted-pair network cable into an RJ-45 port on
the NIC backplate.
If you are installing a dual port NIC, plug the first cable into Port A on the NIC
backplate.
5Connect the other end of the network cable to an active network port.
The next step is to install the software.
Figure 6 Connecting a Remote Wake-up Cable (PCI 2.1 only)
Installing Software See the following topics for requirements and instructions on installing software in
various operating systems:
■Installing and Configuring in Windows on page 13
■Updating Software in Windows on page 16.
■Installing and Configuring in NetWare on page 27
If your site network installation procedures require you to verify that installed
hardware is functional before you install software, run the 3C90XCFG.EXE DOS
diagnostics program before installing the driver. This program is located on the
3Com EtherLink Server CD.

12 CHAPTER 2: INSTALLING AND CONNECTING THE NIC
Obtaining Installation
Diskettes
If your computer does not have a CD-ROM drive, access a computer that has a
CD-ROM drive and use the installation utilities to create installation diskettes from
files on the 3Com EtherLink Server CD.
If you do not have access to a computer that has a CD-ROM drive, you can
download the drivers from the 3Com web site:
http://www.3com.com/
Creating Diskettes in
Windows
Use the installation utilities on the 3Com EtherLink Server CD to create installation
diskettes. The installation diskettes allow you to install drivers, diagnostics,
DynamicAccess technology server features, and associated text files. The
installation diskettes do not contain the user guide that is available on the 3Com
EtherLink Server CD.
You will need five blank formatted diskettes.
To create the installation diskettes:
1Turn on the power to the computer and start Windows.
2Insert the 3Com EtherLink Server CD in the CD-ROM drive.
3On the Welcome screen, click on NIC Software.
4Click Installation Utilities.
5Click on Create Installation Diskettes.
6Follow the prompts to copy files to the diskettes.

3INSTALLING AND CONFIGURING IN
WINDOWS
Software Installation
Requirements
Before you install software, you may want to verify that the installed server NICs
are functional or change their configuration settings by running DOS diagnostics.
Use the 3C90XCFG.EXE program located on the 3Com EtherLink Server CD.
If you are installing the software during the installation of the network operating
system, see Installing a 3Com NIC While Installing the NOS on page 57.
For a list of installation requirements, see Installation Requirements on page 7.
Getting Help To display the Help system during the software installation, click Help on any
3Com window.
Installing in
Windows NT
Before you begin software installation:
■Make sure that all installation requirements are met. See Installation
Requirements on page 7.
■Install the hardware. See Installing and Connecting the NIC on page 9.
Use the following procedure to install the driver and diagnostics for the first time
in a computer that is running Windows NT. (If you are updating a previous
installation, see Updating Software in Windows on page 16.)
1Boot the computer and start Windows NT.
2Log in to the Windows NT Administrator account.
3Insert the 3Com EtherLink Server CD in the CD-ROM drive.
4From the Welcome screen, select NIC Software.
5Click NIC Drivers and Diagnostics.
6Follow the Wizard prompts.
7Choose Typical or Custom Installation.
The Please Wait screen appears. After the installation is completed, an Update
dialog box appears.
The installation instructions assume you are using the Windows Auto Run
feature. If the Welcome screen does not come up automatically, you can perform
the installation by running begin.exe.

14 CHAPTER 3: INSTALLING AND CONFIGURING IN WINDOWS
8Click OK.
The Setup Complete screen appears.
If your network environment uses the TCP/IP communications protocol, the
Microsoft TCP/IP Properties dialog box appears. Enter the information needed to
define an IP address. Continue after you have defined the TCP/IP settings.
9Click Finish to complete the installation.
10 Click Exit.
11 Restart your computer for changes to take effect.
Installing in Windows
2000
Before you begin software installation:
■Make sure that all software installation requirements are met. See Installation
Requirements on page 7.
■Install the hardware. For instructions, see Installing and Connecting the NIC on
page 9.
Use the following procedure to install the driver and diagnostics for the first time
in a computer that is running Windows 2000. (If you are updating a previous
installation, see Updating Software in Windows on page 16.)
1Reboot the computer, start Windows 2000, and log in to the Windows 2000
Administrator account.
The Windows 2000 Found New Hardware wizard detects the new NICs and
begins the driver installation.
2Insert the 3Com EtherLink Server CD in the CD-ROM drive.
3From the main menu, select NIC Software.
4From the list on the left, click NIC Drivers and Diagnostics.
5Follow the Wizard prompts.
6Choose Typical or Custom Installation.
The Please Wait screen appears. After the installation is completed, an Update
dialog box appears.
7Click OK
The Setup Complete screen appears.
8Click Finish to complete the installation.
9Click Exit.
Configuring SHD
Parameter Settings
Follow the procedure for your operating system.
Windows NT
1Right-click My Network Places and select Properties from the menu.
2In the next window, right-click a connection and select Properties from the menu.
3Click Configure.