Black Box LE073A-R2 User manual

1000 Park Drive • Lawrence, PA 15055-1018 • 724-746-5500 • Fax [phone]
© Copyright 2001. Black Box Corporation. All rights reserved.

CUSTOMER SUPPORT INFORMATION
Order toll-free in the U.S.: Call 877-877-BBOX (outside U.S. call 724-746-5500)
FREE technical support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Call 724-746-5500 or fax [phone]
Mailing address: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055-1018
Web site: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: [email protected]
JULY 2001
LE073A-R2 LE171
LE074A-R2 LE172
LE075A-R2 LE175
LE076A
Modular Parallel Adapters
and Modular Media Units

1
FCC/IC RFI STATEMENTS
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION AND INDUSTRY
CANADA RADIO-FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENTS
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio-frequency energy,
and if not installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions, may cause interference to radio communication.
It has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A computing
device in accordance with the specifications in Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC rules,
which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such interference
when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. Operation of
this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause interference, in which case
the user at his own expense will be required to take whatever measures may be
necessary to correct the interference.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible
for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emission from
digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulation of Industry Canada.
Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites
applicables aux appareils numériques de la classe A prescrites dans le Règlement sur le
brouillage radioélectrique publié par Industrie Canada.
TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL
BLACK BOX and the logo are registered trademarks of Black Box Corporation.
IBM and PS/2 are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation.
Microsoft, Windows, Windows NT, and LAN Manager are registered trademarks or
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Any other trademarks mentioned in this manual are acknowledged to be the property
of the trademark owners.

2
MODULAR PARALLEL ADAPTERS AND MODULAR MEDIA UNITS
EUROPEAN UNION DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
This equipment complies with the requirements of the European EMC Directive
89/336/EEC with respect to the EN55022 and EN50082-1 standards.

3
NOM STATEMENT
NORMAS OFICIALES MEXICANAS (NOM)
ELECTRICAL SAFETY STATEMENT
INSTRUCCIONES DE SEGURIDAD
1. Todas las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser leídas
antes de que el aparato eléctrico sea operado.
2. Las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser guardadas
para referencia futura.
3. Todas las advertencias en el aparato eléctrico y en sus instrucciones
de operación deben ser respetadas.
4. Todas las instrucciones de operación y uso deben ser seguidas.
5. El aparato eléctrico no deberá ser usado cerca del agua—por ejemplo,
cerca de la tina de baño, lavabo, sótano mojado o cerca de una alberca,
etc..
6. El aparato eléctrico debe ser usado únicamente con carritos o pedestales
que sean recomendados por el fabricante.
7. El aparato eléctrico debe ser montado a la pared o al techo sólo
como sea recomendado por el fabricante.
8. Servicio—El usuario no debe intentar dar servicio al equipo eléctrico
más allá a lo descrito en las instrucciones de operación. Todo otro
servicio deberá ser referido a personal de servicio calificado.
9. El aparato eléctrico debe ser situado de tal manera que su posición no
interfiera su uso. La colocación del aparato eléctrico sobre una cama,
sofá, alfombra o superficie similar puede bloquea la ventilación, no se
debe colocar en libreros o gabinetes que impidan el flujo de aire por los
orificios de ventilación.

10. El equipo eléctrico deber ser situado fuera del alcance de fuentes
de calor como radiadores, registros de calor, estufas u otros aparatos
(incluyendo amplificadores) que producen calor.
11. El aparato eléctrico deberá ser connectado a una fuente de poder sólo del
tipo descrito en el instructivo de operación, o como se indique en el aparato.
12. Precaución debe ser tomada de tal manera que la tierra fisica y la
polarización del equipo no sea eliminada.
13. Los cables de la fuente de poder deben ser guiados de tal manera que
no sean pisados ni pellizcados por objetos colocados sobre o contra ellos,
poniendo particular atención a los contactos y receptáculos donde salen
del aparato.
14. El equipo eléctrico debe ser limpiado únicamente de acuerdo
a las recomendaciones del fabricante.
15. En caso de existir, una antena externa deberá ser localizada lejos
de las lineas de energia.
16. El cable de corriente deberá ser desconectado del cuando el equipo
no sea usado por un largo periodo de tiempo.
17. Cuidado debe ser tomado de tal manera que objectos liquidos no
sean derramados sobre la cubierta u orificios de ventilación.
18. Servicio por personal calificado deberá ser provisto cuando:
A: El cable de poder o el contacto ha sido dañado; u
B: Objectos han caído o líquido ha sido derramado dentro
del aparato; o
C: El aparato ha sido expuesto a la lluvia; o
D: El aparato parece no operar normalmente o muestra un cambio
en su desempeño; o
E: El aparato ha sido tirado o su cubierta ha sido dañada.
4
MODULAR PARALLEL ADAPTERS AND MODULAR MEDIA UNITS

5
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents
Chapter Page
1. Specifications .......................................................... 8
2. Introduction .......................................................... 10
2.1 Available Models .......................................... 11
2.2 Features ........................................................ 12
3. Installation ............................................................ 14
3.1 Attaching the Modular Media Unit ............ 14
3.2 Connecting the Network Cable .................. 16
3.3 Plugging the Adapter into the Computer .... 19
3.4 Powering the Adapter ................................ 20
3.4.1 Using the Interface-Power Cable ........ 20
3.4.2 Using an External AC Power Supply
(Optional) .............................................. 22
4. Software Setup and Operation ............................ 23
4.1 Supplied Files .............................................. 23
4.2 Installing and Configuring
the NDIS 3 Driver for
Microsoft Windows or Windows NT .......... 26
4.2.1 Installing the Driver in Windows 95 ........27

Contents (continued)
Chapter Page
4.2.2 Installing the Driver in Windows
for Workgroups .................................... 28
4.2.3 Installing the Driver in Windows NT ......29
4.2.4 Configuring the Driver (Optional)..........30
4.3 Installing and Configuring the NDIS
Driver for Microsoft LAN Manager ............ 31
4.3.1 Installing the Driver for LAN Manager
Version 2.1 and Later .......................... 31
4.3.2 Installing the Driver for LAN
Manager Version 2.0 .............................. 32
4.3.3 Configuring the Driver (Optional) ...... 33
4.4 Using the ODI Driver for Novell NetWare .... 34
4.4.1 Installing the Driver .............................. 34
4.4.2 Configuring the Driver (Optional) ...... 34
4.4.3 Operating the Driver ............................ 36
4.5 Using the LANtastic/AI Version 5.x Driver .. 37
4.5.1 Installing the Driver .............................. 37
4.5.2 Configuring the Driver (Optional) ...... 38
4.5.3 Operating the Driver ............................ 38
4.6 Installing and Configuring the Packet Driver .. 39
4.6.1 Installing the Driver .............................. 39
4.6.2 Configuring the Driver (Optional) ...... 40
5. Driver Options ..........................................................41
6
MODULAR PARALLEL ADAPTERS AND MODULAR MEDIA UNITS

7
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents (continued)
Chapter Page
6. Self-Testing and Diagnostics ................................ 43
6.1 Running the Diagnostics Program ............ 43
6.2 Menu Options .............................................. 45
6.2.1 Advanced RAM Test .............................. 45
6.2.2 LPT Report ............................................ 46
6.2.3 View Configuration Files ...................... 46
6.2.4 Help ...................................................... 46
6.2.5 Quit ........................................................ 46
7. Error Messages .................................................. 47
8. Troubleshooting ................................................ 49
8.1 Calling Black Box ........................................ 50
8.2 Shipping and Packaging .............................. 51

1. Specifications
Compliance — CE, FCC Part 15 Subpart J Class A,
IC Class/classe A
Standard — IEEE 802.3 Ethernet v.2
Data Rate — 10 Mbps
Memory — (8) 32-KB network buffer segments
Interfaces and
Connectors — All Modular Parallel Adapters: IBM
PC parallel (DB25 male);
LE073A-R2, LE171: 10BASE-T (RJ-45 female);
LE074A-R2, LE172: 10BASE2 (ThinNet, BNC female);
LE076A: Either 10BASE-T (RJ-45 female) or
10BASE2 (ThinNet, BNC female), user-selectable;
LE075A-R2, LE175: 10BASE5 AUI (DB15 female)
Temperature
Tolerance — Operating: 32 to 122˚F (0 to 50˚C);
Storage: 32 to 158˚F (0 to 70˚C)
8
MODULAR PARALLEL ADAPTERS AND MODULAR MEDIA UNITS

9
CHAPTER 1: Specifications
Power — 5 VDC at up to 500 mA from PC’s
keyboard or mouse port through interface-power
cable;Can also be used with any standard AC
power supply that outputs between 4 and 20 VDC
at 500 mA on a center-positive barrel plug
Size — Adapter with Media Unit installed:
1"H x 2.4"W x 4.1"D (2.5 x 6.1 x 10.4 cm)
Weight — Adapter with Media Unit installed: 3 oz. (85 g)

10
MODULAR PARALLEL ADAPTERS AND MODULAR MEDIA UNITS
2. Introduction
The Modular Parallel Adapter easily connects notebook,
laptop, and desktop PCs to virtually any Ethernet Local
Area Network. It connects externally to a standard
parallel printer port, eliminating the need to install
internal Ethernet cards.
The Adapter is easy to install; there are no jumpers or
configuration switches to set. The device is the perfect
solution for notebook and laptop connectivity, as well as
for workstations with a limited number of internal
expansion slots.
The Adapter comes with one of several types of
Modular Media Units preattached to its network end.
Each Unit is designed for a different Ethernet interface
or set of interfaces. This allows the Adapter to be the
connection point for several common Ethernet cable
types. And because the Modular Media Units are
interchangeable, you can substitute one Unit for
another to connect the Adapter to any of these cable
types as necessary.

11
CHAPTER 2: Introduction
2.1 Available Models
The Modular Parallel Adapters’ preinstalled Modular
Media Units have different connectors to natively
support different Ethernet interfaces and cable types:
• LE073A-R2 has an RJ-45 jack to support 10BASE-T
on unshielded twisted pair.
• LE074A-R2 has a female BNC connector to support
10BASE2 ThinNet on RG58A/U coaxial cable.
• LE075A-R2 has a DB15 female connector to support
10BASE5 AUI.
Unlike the other three models, LE076A comes with
Media Units for both 10BASE-T and 10BASE2. Attach the
Unit you need.
Swap in any of the separately available Modular Media
Units to connect the Adapters to Ethernet interfaces
they don’t already support: LE171 for 10BASE-T, LE172
for ThinNet, or LE175 for AUI. The LE076A Adapter
comes with two Media Units, one for 10BASE-T and
one for 10BASE2; you can swap these Media Units as
necessary.

12
MODULAR PARALLEL ADAPTERS AND MODULAR MEDIA UNITS
2.2 Features
The Modular Parallel Adapter has these features:
• Fits any Ethernet cable type through the use
of snap-on Modular Media Units.
•
Supplied with drivers for Microsoft Windows®and
Windows NT®(NDIS 3),
Microsoft
®
LAN Manager
®
(NDIS), Novell
®
NetWare
®
(ODI™), ARTISOFT
®
LANtastic
®
, and Packet TCP/IP.
• Powered by the PC’s keyboard or mouse port
through an interface-power cable, or (optionally)
by any standard non-regulated power supply that
outputs between 4 and 20 VDC at 500 mA.
• Supports Enhanced Parallel Port (EPP) for
increased performance.
• Provides extensive diagnostics and self-testing.
• Automatically selects unidirectional or bidirectional
mode.
• Supports parallel ports LPT1 through LPT4.
• Supports interrupt lines IRQ7 and IRQ5, as well
as polling mode when no interrupt line is available.

13
CHAPTER 2: Introduction
• Power and network activity LEDs.
• Fast and easy installation.
• No jumpers or switches to set.
Figure 2-1 shows a typical Adapter, including the
preinstalled Modular Media Unit.
Figure 2-1. A Modular Parallel Adapter with its preinstalled
Modular Media Unit.

14
MODULAR PARALLEL ADAPTERS AND MODULAR MEDIA UNITS
3. Installation
Installing your Modular Parallel Adapter is a four-step
process:
1. Attach the media unit (Section 3.1).
2. Connect the network cable (Section 3.2).
3. Plug the Adapter into the computer (Section 3.3).
4. Attach the interface-power cable or AC power
supply (Section 3.4).
IMPORTANT!
Make sure the computer is turned
off while you install the Adapter.
3.1 Attaching the Modular Media Unit
Your Modular Parallel Adapter might come in one piece
with a Modular Media Unit preinstalled on the end of it,
or it might come with the Adapter and Media Unit(s)
separated. If the Media Unit isn’t attached to the
Adapter when you receive it, hold the Adapter with the
logo facing up, press the top and bottom of the Media
Unit together, and press the Unit into the Adapter until
it snaps into place (see Figure 3-1).

15
CHAPTER 3: Installation
If you’ve purchased a Modular Media Unit separately
and you want to swap it in for a Media Unit already
installed on an Adapter, remove the installed Unit by
pressing its top and bottom together and sliding it off.
Then attach the new Unit as described in the previous
paragraph.
Figure 3-1. Attaching the Media Unit.

16
MODULAR PARALLEL ADAPTERS AND MODULAR MEDIA UNITS
3.2 Connecting the Network Cable
How you connect the network cable to the Modular
Parallel Adapter will depend on the Adapter’s Ethernet
interface:
•
LE073A-R2, LE076A with 10BASE-T Media Unit
installed: Connect the 10BASE-T cable as shown in
Figure 3-2.
Figure 3-2. Connecting a 10BASE-T cable
to a 10BASE-T Adapter or Unit.
NOTE
It’s possible to use these Adapter models with non-
10BASE-T UTP networks such as Starlan 10, but if you
do, you’ll need to disable link-integrity testing. Refer to
Chapter 5.

17
CHAPTER 3: Installation
•LE074A-R2, LE076A with 10BASE2 Media Unit
installed: Make sure that your RG-58A/U coaxial
ThinNet cable has a T-connector at the end of it.
Then attach the T-connector to the BNC connector
at the back of the Media Unit as shown in
Figure 3-3.
Figure 3-3. Connecting a ThinNet cable to a ThinNet Adapter or Unit.
NOTE
Both ends of the T-connector must be attached to
network cabling. If the Adapter is at the end of a network
segment, the end of the T-connector that’s not attached
to the network must have a 50-ohm terminator installed
on it.

18
MODULAR PARALLEL ADAPTERS AND MODULAR MEDIA UNITS
•LE075A-R2 Connect the AUI cable as shown in
Figure 3-4. After you attach the cable plug to the
Adapter, press the slide latch to the left to lock the
connector in place.
Figure 3-4. Connecting an AUI cable to an AUI Adapter or Unit.