D-Link DFE-538TX User manual

DFE-538TX
Fast Ethernet Adapter
for PCI Bus
User’s Guide
Rev. 07 (Aug. 2002)
Printed in Taiwan

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Table of Contents
Introduction........................................................................................... 1
Contents of Package ............................................................................ 2
Technology Basics............................................................................... 3
About Fast Ethernet ......................................................................................... 3
About Auto-Negotiation.................................................................................... 4
About PCI Bus.................................................................................................. 5
Features ........................................................................................................... 5
Wake On LAN .............................................................................................. 5
Connecting the WOL Cable .........................................................................6
Flow Control ................................................................................................. 7
Networking Basics ............................................................................... 8
Computer Identification .................................................................................... 8
Sharing Files .................................................................................................. 10
Sharing Printers ............................................................................................. 15
Assigning a Static IP Address........................................................................ 21
Networking with Windows 2000 ........................................................ 24
Configuring Your Network Settings ............................................................... 24
Configuring your Network Identification......................................................... 25
Configuring the IP Address for TCP/IP.......................................................... 28
Sharing Drives................................................................................................ 31

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Sharing Folders.............................................................................................. 34
Sharing a Printer ............................................................................................ 36
Troubleshooting ................................................................................. 42
Verify Each Computers Identification ........................................................42
Verify Network Adapter Installation ...........................................................42
Verify Cable Connections ..........................................................................44
Understanding Indicators ........................................................................... 44
Diagnostics and Checking Communications.............................................44
Pinging your DFE-538TX Card .................................................................. 45
Running Diagnostics on a Network Adapter..............................................47
Specifications ..................................................................................... 51
D-Link Offices ..................................................................................... 53
LIMITED WARRANTY ......................................................................... 54
FCC Certifications .............................................................................. 59
Registration Card ............................................................................... 61

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Introduction
The D-Link DFE-538TX is ideal for the small office or home office environment.
After completing the steps in this manual, you will have the ability to share
information and resources - such as files and printers - and take full advantage of a
"connected" environment for work and play!
The DFE-538TX comes with drivers for the most popular operating systems and
can be integrated into a larger network. However, this Guide is designed to help
you network two computers running Windows 95/98, Me, 2000, XP and 2003 ina
peer-to-peer configuration. Yet,the standards compliant DFE-538TX gives you the
flexibility to expand and customize your Ethernet / Fast Ethernet network at will.
The Ethernet standard allows you to connect computers and devices at speeds up to
10 Mbps. Fast Ethernet allows speeds up to 100 Mbps. A Dual-Speed 10/100 Mbps
Ethernet / Fast Ethernet network combines both standards allowing computers and
devices of different speeds to communicate with each other. The DFE-538TX is a
Dual-Speed 10/100 Mbps Ethernet / Fast Ethernet network card.

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Contents of Package
1 DFE-538TX Fast Ethernet Adapter
2 Drivers
3 User’s Manual
4 Quick Install Guide
DFE-538TX Fast Ethernet Adapter
Package Contents

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Technology Basics
About Fast Ethernet
Fast Ethernet is a network technology specified by IEEE Standard 802.3u. It
extends the traditional 10Mbps Ethernet technology to achieve 100Mbps
transmission and reception, while retaining the same CSMA/CD Ethernet protocol.
Thus, while Fast Ethernet provides a tenfold increase in network capacity, it is
wholly compatible with traditional 10Mbps Ethernet network facilities. This
compatibility is the key to easy and efficient upgrades to 100Mbps in your network
areas needing greater bandwidth. Upgrading selected areas to Fast Ethernet does
not require hardware or software changes in network areas where traditional
10Mbps Ethernet is providing good service. For upgrading, Fast Ethernet is the
clear choice in terms of cost-effectiveness, as well as convenience and smoothness
in transition.
Category 5 cabling is required for 100Base-TX Fast Ethernet in order to provide full
duplex operation. Full duplex 100Base-TX operation allows simultaneous
transmission and reception, both at 100Mbps, thus providing service potentially
equal to 200Mbps full-duplex service.
To provide compatibility in traditional 10Mbps Ethernet environments (where, for
example, DFE-538TX adapters are installed anticipating upgrade of supporting
switch equipment to Fast Ethernet), the DFE-538TX also supports traditional
10Mbps Ethernet operation, in full-duplex as well as half-duplex modes. Selection
of the best operation mode in any given installation is automatically governed by
auto-negotiation.

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About Auto-Negotiation
You have probably had the experience of making a dialup connection through a
modem, and have heard the sound exchange between your modem and the modem
at the other end of the telephone line. As irritating as those few seconds of noise
may be, they do let you know that your modem and the remote modem are on the
job, preparing for your intended communication with the remote computer.
When the two modems have tested the phone-line quality and settled on the
combination of shared options and parameters which will provide the best data
communication over the connecting phone line, then you are given the “connect”
message which signals the end of the intermodem negotiation and the beginning of
your intended communication with the remote computer.
Auto-negotiation between devices within an Ethernet LAN is similar in concept, but
much briefer. The two devices involved in the auto-negotiation will be the DFE-
538TX Adapter serving your station (installed in your computer), and the switch
through which it is connected to the LAN. The options to be negotiated between
the DFE-538TX and its supporting switch includes Ethernet type (100BASE-TX
Fast Ethernet or 10BASE-T Ethernet) and duplex mode (half-duplex, being one-
way-at-a-time, or full duplex, being simultaneous transmit-and receive.)
Startup communication between the two devices occurs when both devices
are powered up. Once the cable connection and the Network Operating
System software is satisfied, the preparatory process of auto-negotiation
between the DFE-538TX and its supporting switch proceeds automatically. If
the switch has auto-negotiation functionality, it and the DFE-538TX exchange
a series of messages, each device signals its capabilities and listens for
corresponding information about the other. The auto-negotiation process
requires only a few milliseconds, and the two devices select the best
communication parameters supported by both.

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If the switch does not support auto-negotiation, the (single capability)
message will be recognized by the DFE-538TX auto-negotiation facility,
which will switch to those settings of its own capabilities, which match that of
the switch.
Auto-negotiation reoccurs any time the linkage is restored, making the line
ready again for optimal data communications.
About PCI Bus
Your DFE-538TX Adapter delivers outstanding performance by fully
exploiting the advance features of your computer’s PCI bus. DFE-538TX
Adapters utilize the Bus Master Mode of the PCI bus, allowing direct
transfers of Ethernet packet content between computer memory and the
adapter’s controller, thus minimizing network demands on the CPU. The
adapter’s controller function provides the additional benefit of reduced
command processing overhead.
The working relationship between a DFE-538TX adapter and main memory
working in Bus Master mode is powered by the Bridge/Memory Controller of
the PCI bus. This reduces the CPU role in network operations, thus freeing
the CPU to service other tasks, with resulting improvement in overall
computing (multitasking) performance. At the same time, it produces
superior network throughput by reducing latency (waiting for CPU service)
during transmissions and receptions.
Features
Wake On LAN
Wake On LAN (WOL) is an ACPI function allowing a powered down (sleeping)
computer to be powered ON from a remote station. To use the WOL feature, the
NIC must be WOL capable and the motherboard of the PC must be ACPI compliant.
While powered-down computers Sleep, WOL enabled NICs monitor LAN traffic

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for valid Wake-up frames. When one is received, the NIC will immediately wake-
up and send a signal to the motherboard to power ON the computer.
Some uses for the WOL feature include:
• Forgot a document and are out of town? Send a Wake-up signal to your
computer and retrieve the needed file.
• Initiate long routines and reports before you get to work.
• Transfer files when the network traffic is low (during late hours).
• Power ON your PC before you arrive to work.
• The MIS department can upgrade software on computers after hours from a
remote station.
Connecting the WOL Cable
NOTE: If your system’s motherboard WOL Connector does not fit the WOL
Cable or does not have 3 pins, do not attempt to force a connection or alter the
components to fit. Doing so could permanently damage your computer.
The WOL function is system dependent, in addition to the following instructions,
you may need to download WOL software from INTEL or another
manufacturer’s website.
Please consult your computer’s manual for specific BIOS settings.
The WOL Cable is an interconnect cable with standard 3-pin connectors on each
end. Please follow the procedures listed below to ensure proper installation of the
WOL cable.
1. Connect either end connector of the WOL Cable to the NIC WOL
Connector. Both ends of the WOL Cable are identical, so either end may be
used.
2. Examine the PC motherboard and/or refer to the manual for the
motherboard to locate the corresponding WOL Connector on the

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motherboard. The actual location is system dependent, but the motherboard
may have a label beside the WOL Connector. After you have located the
WOL connector on the motherboard, connect the cable.
3. Power-ON the PC and press “Delete” or “F1” when prompted to enter the
PCI/ISA BIOS CMOS Setup. Enable the WOL function or the power-ON
function of the PC. The name of this function is system dependent, but may
be located in a category heading titled something like Power Management.
Refer to your computer’s manual for more information regarding the
CMOS Setup Utility and BIOS settings.
Flow Control
The DFE-538TX implements IEEE 802.3x compliant flow control for full duplex,
which provides traffic management functions for full-duplex operation. Flow
control allows for enhanced full duplex operation with switches. When operating at
full duplex (requiring a direct connection to a switch) and the switch’s data buffer is
about to overflow, a Pause frame will be transmitted to the DFE-538TX. The
ensuing idle time keeps the buffer from overflowing and prevents data from being
lost. This enhancement can improve network throughput, avoid collisions and
prevent lost data, helping the network achieve optimal performance.

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Networking Basics
You may have had some ideas about how to use your new network prior to
installing this kit – sharing files, printing from any computer on the network, or
accessing the Internet on multiple computers with one connection. This section will
help you get started on those ideas or even give you some new ones. However, this
section is not intended to be a comprehensive guide to networking, it is just an
outline of a few networking basics.
If you installed your DFE-538TX on computers running Windows 95, you got an
opportunity to give each computer a name during the installation of the network
system software. If you had previously given your Windows 95 computers names or
if you are using Windows 98, you may need to verify that each computer has a
unique name and common workgroup name.
Computer Identification
1. On your Desktop, right-click the icon "Network Neighborhood" and select
"Properties" from the context menu.

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Click the "Identification" tab on the top of the dialog box.
2. Type a unique, identifying name for this particular computer in the "Computer
name:" box. This will be the name that other computers on your network will
use to communicate with this computer. Each computer’s name must be unique
on a particular network or confusion will result. (The computer’s name should
be 15 or fewer characters with no spaces.)
3. Type the workgroup name this computer will be a part of in the "Workgroup:"
box. All of the computers on your network should have an identical Workgroup
name.
4. The "Computer Description:" box is optional. You may enter a description that
will help you identify this computer on your network. Then click OK.
5. Repeat this process for each computer on your network to ensure that they all
have a unique "Computer Name" and identical "Workgroup."

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Sharing Files
With your computers connected together on a network, you may now open and save
files on another computer. You will be able to specify particular folders or disk
drives to "share" and even password protect them. The steps below will enable you
to share specific files and folders with other computers on your network.
1. On your Desktop, right-click the icon "Network Neighborhood" and select
"Properties" from the context menu.

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This dialog box is where you will configure most of your computers network
settings. It is also available through the "Network" icon in the Control Panel.
2. Click the "File and Print Sharing…" button.

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3. Select "I want to be able to give others access to my files."
4. Click OK on the "File and Print Sharing" dialog box.
5. Click OK on the "Network" dialog box.
6. Provide the Windows 95/98 installation CD or diskette(s) if prompted or
direct Windows to the proper location of the installation files. Reboot if
prompted.

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7. You will now be able to identify a particular folder or disk drive to share. You
may want to share a folder that both you and a colleague/family member need
to access occasionally. Or, maybe you want to share a CD-ROM drive so your
other computer that does not have one can read CD’s. Both of these processes
are the same. Only the disk drives and folders that you specifically identify as
shared will be accessible to other computers on your network.
8. Find the disk drive or folder you want to share with Windows Explorer or the
"My Computer" icon on your desktop.
9. Right-click on the disk drive or folder icon and select "Sharing…"

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10. Select "Share As:" to set the parameters for sharing this particular disk drive
or folder.
The "Share Name:" box is used to identify the disk drive or folder you are sharing to
other computers on the network. You can give it any name you wish. However, a
specific identification may help as more resources on your network are shared. The
"Comment:" box is optional. You can use this box to further describe the disk drive
or folder for others on the network.
"Access Type:" allows you to designate how much someone else on the network
can do with this disk drive or folder. "Read-Only" allows others to only look at or
open the files on the disk drive or in the folder. "Full" allows others to read, write,
open, save, copy, move, and delete files on the disk or in the folder. "Depends on
Password" gives other computers access conditional upon the password they
provide.
"Passwords:" allow you to apply a level of security to your shared disk drives and
folders. Another computer (user) will be required to enter the password you
designate here before accessing the disk drive or folder. Two passwords are used to
give two levels of security (or access) to others on the network using the "Depends
on Password" setting. Leaving the "Password" boxes empty gives everyone on the
network access to the disk drive or folder.
11. Navigate to the computer with the shared disk drive or folder (recognized by
the "Computer Name" you provided), double-click. You should now see the
disk drive or folder, double-click. If you specified a password when sharing
this disk drive or folder, you will be prompted for the password.
12. You can access a disk drive or folder shared over the network from most
Windows 95/98 applications. To make this process easier, Windows allows
you to map these disk drives and folders to a drive letter on another computer.
For example, on a computer where you are accessing a shared folder from
another computer, inside Windows Explorer right-click and select "Map

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Network Drive…" You will then be able to assign an available drive letter.
Checking "Reconnect at logon" allows Windows to map this network drive
each time you start your computer.
Sharing Printers
"Sharing" a printer connected to one computer with other computers on your
network can be very convenient - allowing you to print from any computer on the
network. The steps below will enable you to print with other computers on your
network.

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1. On your Desktop, right-click the icon "Network Neighborhood" and select
"Properties" from the context menu.
1. Click "File and Print Sharing…"
2. Select "I want to be able to allow others to print to my printer(s)."
3. Click OK on the "File and Print Sharing" dialog box.
4. Click OK on the "Network" dialog box.
5. Provide the Windows 95/98 installation CD or diskette(s) if prompted or
direct Windows to the proper location of the installation files. Reboot if
prompted.

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6. You may now share any installed printers connected to this computer with
other computers on your network.