argon audio 9130TXA-M User manual

The World's Choice for Network Booting Solutions
1
9130TXA (Unmanaged)
with empty Boot ROM socket
9130TXA-M (Managed)
includes Argon Managed PC Boot Agent
(MBA) Boot ROM for remote management.
User’sGuide
10/100Mbps PCI
Fast Ethernet Adapter
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QUICK START GUIDE

L32-bit PCI 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet Adapter
with
Boot ROM Socket and PCI 2.2 ACPI/WOL
High Performances
This card supports speeds of up to 100Mbps, thus increasing network response time
and reducing network congestion.
Supports NWay Auto-Negotiation and Full-Duplex
This card automatically negotiates with switches/hubs to select a network speed that
will optimize your network performance. Also with full-duplex function, this card can
provide a bandwidth of up to 200Mbps in your network.
Support Wake On LAN
When this card receives a wake-up frame or magic packet from a network
management station, it will work with the system's ACPI interface to power up the
PC and enable the PC to be remotely managed by the dministrator.
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Features:
Fully complies with the IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u and IEEE 802.3x industrial
standards.
Supports 32-bit, 33MHz PCI Local Bus Master Version 2.2/2.1.
10/100Mbps Auto-Negotiation, full-/half- duplex.
Supports Wake-on-LAN power management function.
Socket for Boot-ROM.
Plug-and-Play installation.
Achieve Microsoft Certifications including 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP.
Specifications:
Product Fast Ethernet Adapter
Network Standard IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u, IEEE 802.3x
Bus Architecture PCI V.2.2/2.1, 32-bit, 33MHz
Network Port UTP x 1
Network Drivers DOS, Windows 95/98/98SE/Me/NT/2000/XP, Windows for
Workgroup 3.11, Netware Server 3.x/4.x/5.x, Netware
ODI for DOS, Netware ODI Client 32, Packet Driver,
Linux, Unix and MAC
ACPI/Wake On LAN PCI V2.2
LEDs Link/Activity
Dimension 121 × 40 mm (4.76 × 1.57 in.)
Weight 48g / 0.11lb.
Operating Temperature 32-131(0-55)
Operating Humidity 10-95% (Noncondensing)
Certification FCC Class B, CE Mark, C-Tick
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This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits of a Class B
computing devices, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed
to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential
installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy
and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications.
If you suspect this product is causing interference, turn your computer on and off
while your radio or TV is showing interference. If the interference disappears then
when you turn the computer off and reappears then you turn the computer on,
something in the computer is causing interference.
You can try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures :
1. Reorient/Relocate the receiving antenna.
2. Increase the separation between the equipment and
receiver.
3. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit
difference from that to which the receiver is
connected.
4. Ensure that all expansion slots (on the back or side
of the computer) are covered. Also ensure that all
metal retaining brackets are tightly attached to the
computer.
FCC COMPLIANCE STATEMENT
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Thanks you for purchasing our 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet Adapter. This guide is to
provide the installation and usage of this adapter for network installers and users.
The 10/100 network adapter complies to PCI 2.1 and PCI 2.2 specification and
supports half/full duplex feature which can double network speed.
This adapter supports both 10Mbps and 100Mbps network speed, 100BaseTX
operates on two pairs of category 5 UTP cable and 10BaseT operates on Category
3,4,5 UTP cable.
With the Auto-Negotiation technology, network speed is auto detected. When you
connect the adapter to 10BaseT hub via UTP cable, the network speed becomes
10Mbps. Similarly, if you connect the adapter to 100BaseTX hub, the network speed
is 100Mbps. If the hub is a switching hub which supports full duplex function, then
the speed will be doubled to 20Mbps/200Mbps.
Real hassle free installation is achieved by conforming to PCI bus. Just plug in the
card and all setup is done automatically. No more software to run !
Furthermore, this adapter support the Wake On LAN (WOL) feature allows users to
configure network adapters that are capable of “listening to” network packets even
when the computer is turned off.
This adapter supplies many drivers including NetWare Server 3.x/4.x/5.x, NetWare
ODI for DOS, NetWare ODI Client 32, NDIS driver for Windows
95/98/98SE/Me/NT/2000/XP, Windows for Workgroup 3.11, Linux, Unix, MAC and
Packet Driver for TCP/IP software. Whatever your requirements are ease of
installation, superior performance or responsive support backed up by unlimited
technical support, this adapter is the superior choice.
1Introduction
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(1) Features & Benefits
Supports 32-bit PCI Bus Master for high performance
and low processor utilization.
Complies to PCI 2.1 and PCI 2.2 specification
Complies with the IEEE 802.3 CSMA/CD,
100BaseTX and 10BaseT standard.
Full duplex design to double the performance to
20Mbps/200Mbps.
One STP connector for 100Mbps or 10Mbps network
speed.
Support Auto-negotiation function.
Built-in FIFO buffers to eliminate external memory.
Auto-setups IRQ and I/O address.
Supports early interrupt on transmit to increase
performance.
Supports NetWare Server 3.x/4.x/5.x, NetWare ODI for
DOS, NetWare ODI Client 32, NDIS driver for
Windows 95/98/98SE/Me/NT/2000/XP, Windows for
Workgroup 3.11, Linux, Unix, MAC and Packet Driver
for TCP/IP software.
Provides diagnostic software and one LED to
indicate network link/activity.
Features & S
p
ecifications
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(2) Technical Specification
Topology: Star
Connector: RJ-45
Standard: IEEE 802.3 10BaseT
IEEE 802.3u 100BaseTX
Transmission Rate: 10Mbps or 20Mbps
100Mbps or 200Mbps
Hardware Required: IBM compatible PC with
available PCI slot
( PCI 2.1 or PCI 2.2 )
IRQ Line: Assigned by system
I/O Address: Assigned by system
Drivers: NetWare Server 3.x/4.x/5.x,
NetWare ODI for DOS, NetWare
ODI Client 32, Windows
95/98/98SE/Me/NT/2000/XP,
Linux, Unix, MAC, Packet
Driver for TCP/IP software
Temperature: 00C to 550C (Operating)
Humidity: 10% to 90% (Non-condensing)
Certification: FCC Class B, CE Mark, C-Tick
Dimension: 120 x 40 mm
Weight: 50 g
Power consum
p
tion : 1.8W
(
Max.
)
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(1) Hardware Installation
To insert the network adapter into your PC, follow the steps
bellow :
1. Turn off the computer and remove its cover.
2. Insert the adapter into a PCI slot.
3. Secure this adapter to the rear of the computer
chassis and put back the computer cover.
4. Connect the adapter to the network using twisted-
pair cable.
(2) Hardware Requirement for Wake On LAN
If your motherboard support the PCI 2.1 only, then
the motherboard must provide a 3-pin WOL
connector.
(Some computers may require you to change a setting
in your computer’s BIOS or setup program to enable
the WOL feature.)
If the motherboard support PCI 2.2, we don’t need
the 3-pin WOL connector. ( the function will be
provided from the PCI bus directly )
ATX 2.01 power supply.
Note : Install only one active WOL adapter per
computer. You can install additional,
non-WOL adapters.
(3) Hardware Installation for Wake On LAN
If your motherboard support the PCI 2.2 standard, no other
procedure is needed. But, you still can follow the steps (for PCI
2.1) below on the PCI 2.2 motherboard, and all the function
include the WOL will work normally.
Installation
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If the motherboard support PCI 2.1 only, please follow the next
procedure,
1. Unpack the 3-pin auxiliary power cable.
2. Insert the 3-pin auxiliary power cable into the
connector on the adapter.
3. Attach the 3-pin auxiliary power cable to the
connector on the PC motherboard.
(4) Driver Installation
Use the drivers supplied by the diskette included in this product. For
detail description, please refer to readme.doc or readme.exe in the
diskette provides by this product.
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If you experience any problems with the adapter, first make sure
the appropriate driver is loaded, the proper cable is connected to
the adapter port and the hub complies with the adapter
specification, such as 10Mbps 10BaseT or 100Mbps 100BaseTX,
then check the LED.
The adapter provides one LED to indicate network status.
●Link/Activity
A LED indicates if the UTP port has been LINK ok or not. When the
light is OFF, it indicates that the UTP port has not been connected
or LINK not ok. When the light is ON, it indicates that the UTP port
LINK ok. When the light is BLINKING, it indicates that there is
traffic flow on the network which the adapter is connected to.
Trouble-shootin
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( Wake On LAN )
●The PC can not boot up after installing the
adapter.
1. Remove the 3-pin cable from the PC connector.
2. Boot up the PC, run setup program to configure the
adapter as “Active Low”(Default setting is “Active
High”)
3. Turn off the PC and reconnect the 3-pin cable to the
PC.
4. Boot up the PC again.
●The PC does not boot up when a Magic
Packet or Wake Up Frame is sent.
1. Check the specification of this PC meets the
hardware requirement in chapter 2.
2. Verify the BIOS setting of Wake On LAN is
configured properly. (Please check your computer
owner’s manual or contact your dealer for more
information.)
3. Remove the PC cover and check the 3-pin cable
connection.
4. Run configure program to check the setting of this
adapter.
5. If the adapter still does not wake up, install a known
good working Wake On LAN adapter and 3-pin
auxiliary power cable in the PC and recheck the PC.
[!] Contact your dealer if problem persist.
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© 2002 Argon Technology
All rights reserved.
No part of this document may be reproduced in any form or by any means or used to make derivative
work (such as translation, transformation, or adaptation) without prior written permission from Argon
Technology.
The information in this document is furnished for informational use only, is subject to change without
notice, and should not be construed as a commitment by Argon Technology. Argon Technology assumes
no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this document or any
software that may be provided in association with this document. Argon Technology may make
improvements or changes in the product(s) and/or the program(s) described in this document at any
time.
All other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Other product and corporate names may be trademarks of other companies and are used only for
explanation and to the owners’ benefit, without intent to infringe.
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CONTENTS
Chapter 1: Introduction........................................................... 17
Manageable PCs .....................................................................17
Argon Managed PC Boot Agent (MBA) ........................................17
Features................................................................................19
Boot Image Editor...................................................................19
Chapter 2: Installing MBA........................................................ 21
MBA ROM Installation ..............................................................21
Types of MBA Installation .....................................................21
ROM Installation .................................................................21
Boot Image Editor Installation ..................................................24
Chapter 3: Configuring MBA .................................................... 25
Programming Your MBA ROM Using the MBAFLASH Utility.............25
Setting the Boot Order on PCs with BBS BIOS.............................26
Configuring MBA's Options .......................................................26
Configuration Tables ...............................................................27
Changing the Options ..........................................................35
Using the MBA-Based Configuration .......................................36
Using the MBACFG Utility .....................................................37
Changing Configuration Options Using a Configuration File ........38
Changing Configuration Options from the Command Line..........40
Updating to a Newer MBA Version .........................................40
Restoring a Previously Backed-up Version...............................41
Chapter 4: Using MBA Base Code............................................. 44
Boot Failure ...........................................................................44
Displaying Verbose Status Information (v or Ctrl+Alt) .................45
Displaying MBA Information (Shift+Shift)...................................45
Troubleshooting .....................................................................46
Compatibility Problems with Option ROMs for Hard Disk or SCSI Controllers
........................................................................................46
Chapter 5: Using Pre-OS .......................................................... 47
Introduction...........................................................................47
Pre-OS Framework..................................................................48
PC Pre-OS Bootup Sequence.................................................49
Creating Pre-OS Boot Images ...................................................49
Defining Boot Image Content................................................50
Creating TCP/IP or PXE Pre-OS Boot Images ...........................51
Creating NetWare Pre-OS Boot Images ..................................51
Sample Pre-OS Frameworks .....................................................51
TCP/IP or PXE Pre-OS Sample...............................................52
NetWare Pre-OS Sample ......................................................54
Technical Information..............................................................55
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Chapter 6: Using MBA in TCP/IP Environments ....................... 56
TCP/IP-Specific Features ......................................................56
Network Requirements ........................................................56
Setting Up the Server..............................................................57
BOOTP Service ...................................................................57
DHCP Service .....................................................................57
TFTP Service ......................................................................57
Creating a Boot Diskette ......................................................57
Creating a Boot Image File Using Boot Image Editor ................58
Boot Screen .......................................................................59
Other Tools............................................................................60
FREEMEM: Free RAM Disk Memory.........................................60
BPPATCH: Supporting Replaceable Parameters ........................60
Application Notes....................................................................61
Using Memory Managers ......................................................61
Troubleshooting .....................................................................62
Quick Fixes: What to Check First ...........................................62
MBA Messages....................................................................62
File Transfer Error Messages.................................................62
Chapter 7: Using MBA in a Wired for Management Environment Using PXE
.............................................................................. 64
Introduction...........................................................................64
Quick Setup ...........................................................................66
Boot Screen .......................................................................66
Creating a PXE Boot Image File Using Boot Image Editor ..........66
Chapter 8: Using MBA in NetWare Environments..................... 68
Introduction...........................................................................68
Network Requirements ........................................................68
Quick Setup ...........................................................................69
Boot Screen .......................................................................70
Creating a Boot Image File Using Boot Image Editor ....................71
Boot Using MBA ..................................................................74
Creating Additional Boot Image Files......................................74
Creating and Editing the BOOTCONF.SYS Boot Index File ..........74
Avoiding AUTOEXEC.BAT Conflicts in SYS:LOGIN .....................76
Using Boot Image Editor to Create Additional Boot Image Files ..77
Selecting Different Images at Boot Time ....................................77
Multiple Servers: How the MSD NLM Can Help ............................77
Installing MSD ....................................................................78
MSD Command Line Options.................................................78
NODEFAULT Mode ...............................................................79
MSD Console Display ...........................................................79
MSD PC Messages ...............................................................79
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Application Notes....................................................................80
Using Novell's Client 32 for DOS/Windows with MBA ................80
Formatting Diskettes Using Windows .....................................80
Transferring From the Boot Image to SYS:LOGIN ....................81
Troubleshooting .....................................................................81
Quick Fixes: What to Check First ...........................................81
MBA Messages....................................................................82
Batch File Missing Messages and How to Avoid Them ...............83
Chapter 9: Using MBA in Remote Program Load Environments 84
Introduction...........................................................................84
RPL-Specific Features ..........................................................84
Quick Setup ...........................................................................85
Troubleshooting .....................................................................85
Appendix A: Technical Support................................................ 88
Online Technical Services.........................................................88
Argon Technology Web Site ..................................................88
Support from Your Distributor...............................................88
Support from Argon ............................................................88
Argon Software License Agreement......................................... 92
Glossary 98
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16

C
Ch ha ap pt te er r 1 1: : I In nt tr ro od du uc ct ti io on n
Thank you for choosing Argon Managed PC Boot Agent (MBA), the world's best-
selling network preboot solution for PC networks. MBA is a package of multi-
protocol firmware and software tools that enables a network administrator to
remotely administer software, operating systems, and applications over the
network, eliminating the need to visit the client's desktop in person. MBA is a
universal, easy to configure preboot solution that is compatible with today's client
and network operating systems.
With MBA installed, your client PCs can boot from the network regardless of the
contents of their local hard drives or, in some cases, without any local drives at
all. MBA makes sure your users connect to the network every time.
MBA enables new and existing PCs to take advantage of preboot management
technology to perform operating system and application installations or upgrades
as well as desktop disaster recovery. MBA includes the Wired for Management
(WfM) standard Preboot eXecution Environment (PXE) protocol, but goes beyond
that to include legacy boot protocol support for networks such as NetWare and
UNIX. MBA is the most universal, pervasive preboot solution available on the
market today.
M
Ma an na ag ge ea ab bl le e P PC Cs s
To take advantage of current and emerging Managed PC applications, companies
need PCs that can cooperate in the management process. These PCs have
management-ready network interface cards (NICs) with functions implemented in
firmware, software, and hardware. While some features are applicable only to
newer PCs, many can be implemented on existing PCs through a software
download, flash ROM update, or ROM upgrade.
In selecting management-ready PC NICs, companies can smooth the transition to
a centrally-managed environment by choosing products that support the widest
range of industry-standard protocols, existing network administration services and
tools, and management applications. Wise choices will also help to future-proof
investments for what is sure to be a period of emerging technology developments
and rapid change.
A
Ar rg go on n M Ma an na ag ge ed d P PC C B Bo oo ot t A Ag ge en nt t ( (M MB BA A) )
What It Does
The Argon Managed PC Boot Agent (MBA) enables a PC to boot from a remote
server even if the local operating system (OS) is unable to boot or is nonexistent.
It enables administrators to perform a wide range of preboot management tasks
such as virus scanning, backups, disaster recovery, reconfiguration, and
applications and OS installation and updates. MBA can automate a multicast boot,
bringing up hundreds of PCs simultaneously. All of these preboot processes are
transparent to the user, since the PC behaves as if the boot took place from the
local hard drive.
Benefits
MBA improves IS productivity and responsiveness as well as end-user satisfaction
by eliminating most of the need for on-site troubleshooting and disaster recovery.
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Instead, the vast majority of software problems can be solved remotely and
rapidly. Because boot failures typically make it impossible for users to connect
with the network, even the most sophisticated enterprise management tools at
the administrator's disposal are of no use.
MBA guarantees that every PC on the network—even those with damaged
operating systems and new PCs with no OS and unformatted hard disks—will
connect to the network. The ability to boot under management control also
protects PCs when they are most vulnerable to boot sector viruses. In addition,
MBA improves IS productivity by enabling administrators to configure or update
any number of PCs very efficiently by making changes to a single image on a
network server.
How MBA Works
PCs can be configured to boot from a server using a combination of configuration
files, boot image files, and software residing on the server's hard disk. MBA
retrieves the required information (for example, an operating system, memory
managers, network drivers) from these files on the server when the PC starts.
This process has commonly been described in the past as remotebooting.
Traditional remotebooting may not be adequate in establishing a complete work
environment due to requirements imposed by today's GUI operating systems and
applications. In this case, MBA can become a compelling administrative tool when
configured to perform a Pre-OS boot prior to every local boot. Using MBA software
and utilities including Pre-OS, a network administrator can make use of
diagnostics, configuration, or maintenance tools prior to completing the local boot
process.
FIGURE 1: HOW MBA WORKS
Standards Supported
MBA supports Wired for Management (WfM). It also supports all major boot
protocols, including not only Preboot eXecution Environment (PXE) protocol
originally defined in the Net PC specification, but also existing protocols such as
BOOTP, DHCP, RPL, and NCP/IPX. Customers thus have the flexibility to use
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Microsoft NT, Windows 2000, or to “roll their own” management solutions using
the booting support built into other platforms such as NetWare, Linux, HP UX, Sun
Solaris, and OS/2 WARP.
What You Need to Use MBA
To implement the Argon Managed PC Boot Agent you need:
A NIC with preboot agent firmware (MBA). The agent, which acts as an
additional layer of BIOS, can also be installed on an existing NIC as a chip
in the Boot ROM socket or through a system BIOS flash upgrade.
A central boot configuration server
F
Fe ea at tu ur re es s
MBA includes the following features:
Supports local and network operating systems including DOS, Windows 3.x,
Windows 9x, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Linux, Novell
NetWare, and others
Fully configurable boot options to enable client PCs to use MBA in various
environments, with or without local hard drives
Available as a network interface card (NIC) ROM; also available as a BIOS
update for motherboards which contain network interface hardware. Can be
in BIOS even if the PC has a separate NIC
Supports flash ROM configuration and update changes locally or over the
network, depending on the NIC ROM or BIOS version
Supports multiple boot protocols and network environments such as PXE,
TCP/IP, NetWare, and RPL
B
Bo oo ot t I Im ma ag ge e E Ed di it to or r
Boot Image Editor is a Windows-based utility that enables network administrators
to create and manipulate PXE, TCP/IP, and NetWare boot images. The boot image
files created with the Boot Image Editor allow network client PCs to boot from
servers instead of local drives or to perform Pre-OS tasks before booting from the
client PC’s local drive.
With Boot Image Editor, you can:
Create boot image files (from boot diskettes) that contain standard startup
files and reside on a server
Create boot image files up to 16 MB in size
View and modify the contents of boot image files
Create a menu boot file and designate a list of boot options from which end-
users can choose at boot time
Create Pre-OS boot image files that can execute third-party desktop
management agents on the client PC before it boots from the local drive
Boot Image Editor takes a snapshot of a boot diskette. Without Boot Image Editor,
creating, examining, and modifying boot image files is a tedious exercise.
Although the Boot Image Editor can be installed on any computer, it is usually
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implemented on a server or a network administration PC. For installation
instructions, see “Boot Image Editor Installation” in Chapter 2 “Installing MBA.”
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