D-Link DFE-650 Series User manual

Fast Ethernet PC Card
DFE-650 Series
User’s Guide
Rev. 01 (August, 1997)
6DFE650.01
Printed in Taiwan
RECYCLABLE

Trademarks
Copyright D-Link Corporation.
Contents subjected to revision without prior notice.
D-Link and LANsmart are registered trademarks of D-Link Corporation /
D-Link Systems, Inc.
All other trademarks belong to their owners.
Copyright Statement
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means
or used to make any derivative (such as translation, transformation or
adaptation) without permission from the D-Link Corporation / D-Link
Systems Inc., as stipulated by the United States Copyright Act of 1976.
FCC Warning
DFE-650TX FCC Class B ID KA2FEPC65001
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. 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. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not
occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct
the interference by one or more of the following measures:
•Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
•Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
•Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected.
•Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Shielded interface cables must be used in order to comply with emission
limits.
You are cautioned that changes or modifications not expressly approved by
the party responsible for compliance could void your authority to operate
the equipment.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference received,

including interference that cause undesired operation.
LIMITED WARRANTY
Hardware:
D-Link warrants its hardware products to be free from defects in
workmanship and materials, under normal use and service, for the
following lengths of time from the date of purchase from D-Link or its
authorized reseller:
Product Type Warranty Period
Network adapters Lifetime
Unmanaged and managed hubs * Lifetime
Repeaters, MAUs, transceivers, media
converters One year
Concentrators One year
Internetworking products One year
Other hardware products One year
Spare parts and spare kits 90 days
* Power supply and fans in these
devices One year
If a product does not operate as warranted during the applicable warranty
period, D-Link shall, at its option and expense, (1) repair the defective
product or part, (2) deliver to Customer an equivalent product or part to
replace the defective item. All products that are replaced will become the
property of D-Link. Replacement products may be new or reconditioned.
Any replaced or repaired product or part has a ninety (90) day warranty or
the remainder of the initial warranty period, whichever is longer.
D-Link shall not be responsible for any software, firmware, information, or
memory data of Customer contained in, stored on, or integrated with any
products returned to D-Link pursuant to any warranty.
All products with lifetime warranty have a standard five-year warranty. To
qualify for lifetime warranty, the enclosed Product Registration Card must
be completed and returned to D-Link within ninety (90) days of purchase.
Warranty service may be obtained by contacting a D-Link office for a
Return Material Authorization (RMA) number. See list of office locations
at the end of this manual. If a Product Registration Card has not been

previously sent, proof of purchase, such as a copy of the dated purchase
invoice, must be provided. Once an RMA number is issued, the defective
product must be shipped back to D-Link prepaid, insured and wrapped in
the original or similar shipping package to ensure that it will not be
damaged during shipment. When returning the defective product to D-Link
for service, the RMA number must be marked on the outside of the
shipping package. Any product returned without an RMA number shall be
rejected and sent back to the Customer, and D-Link reserves the right to
have Customer bear the cost of sending back such products. A service
charge may or may not be levied to Customer by D-Link. To find out if a
service charge is levied or not, and the charged amount, read the RMA that
is returned to Customer, or ask the D-Link office when an RMA is
requested.
Software
D-Link warrants that the software programs licensed from it will perform
in substantial conformance to the applicable published program
specifications for a period of ninety(90) days from the date of purchase
from D-Link or its authorized reseller. D-Link warrants the magnetic media
containing software against failure during the warranty period. No updates
are provided. D-Link‘s sole obligation hereunder shall be to replace any
defective software products with products which substantially conform to
D-Link’s applicable published specifications. Customer assumes
responsibility for the selection of the appropriate applications program and
associated reference materials. D-Link makes no warranty that its software
products will work in combination with any hardware of applications
software products provided by third party, that the operation of the software
products will be uninterrupted or error free, or that all defects in the
software product will be corrected. For any third party products listed in the
D-Link software product documentation or specifications as being
compatible. D-Link will make reasonable efforts to provide compatibility,
except where the non-compatibilityis caused by “bug” or defect in the third
party‘s product.
Warranty service for software products may be obtained by contacting a D-
Link office within the warranty period. See list of office locations at the
end of this manual. Where no Product Registration Card has been sent by
Customer, proof of purchase, such as a copy of the dated purchased invoice,
must be provided.

WARRANTIES EXCLUSIVE
IF THE D-LINK PRODUCT DOES NOT OPERATE AS WARRANTED ABOVE,
THE CUSTOMER'S SOLE REMEDY SHALL BE, AT D-LINK'S OPTION, REPAIR
OR REPLACEMENT. THE FOREGOING WARRANTIES AND REMEDIES ARE
EXCLUSIVE AND ARE IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED
OR IMPLIED, EITHER IN FACT OR BY OPERATION OF LAW, STATUTORY OR
OTHERWISE, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. D-LINK NEITHER ASSUMES NOR
AUTHORIZES ANY OTHER PERSON TO ASSUME FOR IT ANY OTHER
LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE SALE, INSTALLATION
MAINTENANCE OR USE OF D-LINK'S PRODUCTS.
D-LINK SHALL NOT BE LIABLE UNDER THIS WARRANTY IF ITS TESTING AND
EXAMINATION DISCLOSE THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE PRODUCT
DOES NOT EXIST OR WAS CAUSED BY THE CUSTOMER'S OR ANY THIRD
PERSON'S MISUSE, NEGLECT, IMPROPER INSTALLATION OR TESTING,
UNAUTHORIZED ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR, OR ANY OTHER CAUSE BEYOND
THE RANGE OF THE INTENDED USE, OR BY ACCIDENT, FIRE, LIGHTNING OR
OTHER HAZARD.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
IN NO EVENT WILL D-LINK BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOSS
OF DATA, LOSS OF PROFITS, COST OF COVER OR OTHER INCIDENTAL,
CONSEQUENTIAL OR INDIRECT DAMAGES ARISING OUT THE INSTALLATION,
MAINTENANCE, USE, PERFORMANCE, FAILURE OR INTERRUPTION OF A D-
LINK PRODUCT, HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY.
THIS LIMITATION WILL APPLY EVEN IF D-LINK HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
IF YOU PURCHASED A D-LINK PRODUCT IN THE UNITED STATES, SOME
STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR
INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION
MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION...........................................................1
General Description...............................................1
About Fast Ethernet ...................................................2
About Autonegotiation................................................3
LED Indicators.............................................................5
Summary of Features.................................................5
2. HARDWARE INSTALLATION .....................................8
Unpack and Inspect....................................................8
Hardware Installation..................................................9
Remove the PC Card...............................................12
Connect the Network Cable.....................................14
Connecting for Fast Ethernet...................................14
Connecting for 10Mbps Ethernet ............................14
3. SOFTWARE INSTALLATION....................................16
Run Installation Director.........................................16
DOS Platform in NetWare Network
Expanded Installation Istructions............................17
Windows 3.1 Platform in NetWare Network
Expanded Installation Instructions ..........................23
A. TROUBLESHOOTING...............................................30
Troubleshooting the Hardware Installation ............30
Troubleshooting the Software Installation..............30
B. DFE-650TX SPECIFICATIONS ................................40

1
Introduction
Thank you for choosing D-Link DFE-650, the value leader among
PC-Card Fast Ethernet adapters. This chapter provides a general
description of DFE-650 Series features, with a summary of features
at the end of the chapter. Installation instructions are given in
Chapter 2.
General Description
The D-Link DFE-650 Series Fast Ethernet PC Card is a credit-card
sized Fast-Ethernet adapter for connecting a notebook PC to an
IEEE 802.3 or 802.3u Ethernet network. The notebook PC must be
equipped with a Type II or Type III PC Card slot.
NOTE: The terms "PC Card" and "PC Card slot" are used
throughout this manual to refer to those objects as defined
in the Personal Computer Memory Card Industry Associa-
tion (PCMCIA) standards.
The DFE-650 automatically detects the parameters of its Ethernet
environment, and automatically negotiates and determines its own
speed and duplex settings as required for maximum performance in
its environment.
Inside its compact PC-Card package, the D-Link DFE-650 holds an
Ethernet controller, network processing interface, 64 Kb RAM data
buffer, a 68-pin PC Card Standard front-end plug which connects to
the notebook PC, and a 15-pin back-end receptacle for connecting

DFE-650 Series Fast Ethernet PC Card User's Guide
2
Introduction
the media coupler. The DFE-650 requires no pre-installation setup
–– simply insert its front end into the notebook PC's PC-Card slot.
The DFE-650 is supplied with a media coupler which plugs into the
back end (15-pin receptacle) of the DFE-650. The other end of the
media coupler has an RJ-45 receptacle which receives the network
cable. The media coupler features LED indications for linkage and
activity states, and for the speed and duplex settings.
About Fast Ethernet
Fast Ethernet is a network technology specified by IEEE Standard
802.3u. It extends the traditional 10Mbps (10 megabit/sec)
Ethernet technology to achieve 100Mbps (100 megabit/sec)
transmission and reception. Because Fast Ethernet retains the
traditional Ethernet CSMA/CD (Carrier Sense, Multiple Access,
Collision Detect) protocol, it remains wholly compatible with
10Mbps Ethernet while providing a tenfold increase in network
capacity.
The Fast Ethernet standard specifies three subtypes, corresponding
to three media types:
100Base-TX (using two twisted pairs in EIA 568 Category 5
UTP or STP cable)
100Base-T4 (using four twisted pairs in a Category 3,
Category 4, or Category 5 UTP cable)
100Base-FX (using two fiber-optic strands).
D-Link DFE-650 Series Fast Ethernet PC Cards offer half-duplex
100Base-TX operation (in Category 5 twisted-pair cable
environments). These products do not support 100Base-T4 or
100Base-FX operation. To provide for traditional 10Mbps Ethernet
operation in twisted-pair cable environments, the DFE-650 series

DFE-650 Series Fast Ethernet PC Card User's Guide
Introduction
3
also offers 10Mbps Ethernet operation, in full-duplex and half-
duplex modes. Selection of the best operation mode in any given
installation is automatically governed by autonegotiation.
About Autonegotiation
The basic idea of autonegotiation can be understood by reflecting
for a moment on the familiar process of making a dialup connection
between two modems. You have probably heard some
gravelly−sounding exchanges between your local modem and a
modem at the other end of a telephone line. (These exchanges are
ordinarily played out through a speaker in your local modem). 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.
The preparatory work of the two modems during those few seconds
before you see the “connect” message is to negotiate the best data
communication scheme which is supported by both modems, and
which is suitable for the quality of the telephone-line connection
between them. The parameters to be settled between the two
modems include best baud rate, compression method, and error
correction method. When the two modems have tested the phone-
line quality and have switched to the combination of parameters
which will provide the best data communication, then you are given
the “connect” message which signals the end of the inter-modem
negotiation and the beginning of your intended communication with
the remote computer.
Autonegotiation between devices within an Ethernet LAN is similar
in concept, but much briefer. The two devices involved in the
autonegotiation will be your DFE-650 Series PC Card and the hub
or switch through which it is connected into the LAN. (Switches
ordinarily provide autonegotiation functionality; hubs usually do

DFE-650 Series Fast Ethernet PC Card User's Guide
4
Introduction
not.) The parameters to be negotiated between the DFE-650 and its
supporting hub or switch include speed (100Mbps = Fast Ethernet,
or 10Mbps = traditional Ethernet) and duplex mode (half-duplex or
full-duplex).
Startup communication between the two devices occurs when both
devices are operating, the cable connection between them is good,
and the connected notebook PC's network software is loaded. As
soon as those conditions are satisfied, the preparatory process of
autonegotiation between the DFE-650 and its supporting device
begins and proceeds automatically.
If the supporting hub or switch has autonegotiation functionality,
then it and the DFE-650 exchange a series of messages in which
each device signals its capabilities and listens for corresponding
information about the other. The autonegotiation process requires
only a few milliseconds, and the two devices select the best
communication parameters supported by both devices.
If the supporting device does not have autonegotiation
functionality, then its monotone (single capability) message will be
recognized by the DFE-650’s autonegotiation facility, and the DFE-
650 will simply switch to the one of its own capabilities which
matches that of the supporting device.
Once the autonegotiation is completed, then the line is ready, and it
will provide an optimal data channel between the DFE-650 and the
supporting device. The line will remain ready without further
autonegotiation action until the linkage is broken. Autonegotiation
then reoccurs at any time that the linkage is restored, again making
the line ready for optimal data communications.

DFE-650 Series Fast Ethernet PC Card User's Guide
Introduction
5
LED Indicators
The media coupler features three LED indicators:
1. 10/100 Indicator
Steady green indicates Fast Ethernet selected.
Dark indicates 10Mbps Ethernet selected.
2. Half /Full Indicator
Steady green indicates Full-Duplex selected.
Dark indicates Half-Duplex selected.
3. Ln/Act Indicator
Steady green indicates that there is good linkage to the network
("Linkage" state, quiescent).
Flashing green indicates that the DFE-650 is transmitting or
receiving ("Activity" state). In 10Mbps mode, flashing will be
regular and periodic. In 100Mbps mode, flashing may be
irregular, with longer dark periods during heavy traffic activity.
Summary of Features
Features of Model DFE-650TX Fast Ethernet PC Card:
•100Mbps and 10Mbps data rates in compliance with IEEE
802.3 Ethernet standards 100Base-TX and 10Base-T
•Complies with PCMCIA V2.x, JEIDA V4.x, and 16-Bit PC
Card Standards
•PC Card Standard 68-pin front-end connector
•15-pin back-end connector for media coupler

DFE-650 Series Fast Ethernet PC Card User's Guide
6
Introduction
•Built-in 64KB RAM data buffer
•Full-Duplex capable in 10Mbps mode
•Autonegotiation per IEEE 802.3u specification
•No manual setup switches –– fully automatic configuration
•Low power consumption (2 watts max.)
•Electronics miniaturization by VLSI and surface-mount
fabrication technologies
•Laser-welded stainless steel case
•RJ-45 connector with auto-detection of network speed
•Software support:
Install Program
Diagnostic Program
NDIS 2.0 for Banyan
NDIS 2.0 for IBM Lan Support/Services
NDIS 2.0 for IBM Wrap Server, Lan Server,
and Communication Manager 1.x
NDIS 2.0 for MicroSoft Lan Manager for DOS
NDIS 2.0 for MicroSoft Network Client 3.0
for DOS
NDIS 2.0 for WIN/TCP PathWay Access
SUN PC-NFS V5.0
NetWare Client32 for Windows 95
NetWare Client32 for DOS/Windows 3.1
NetWare Server 3.12
NetWare Server 4.x

DFE-650 Series Fast Ethernet PC Card User's Guide
Introduction
7
NetWare DOS ODI
NetWare Lite
Personal NetWare
Windows 95
Windows 95 OSR2
Windows NT 3.51
Windows NT 4.0
Packet Driver for NCSA
Packet Driver for FTP PC/TCP
Packet Driver for IPX
Packet Driver for Winsock

2
Hardware Installation
Unpack and Inspect
NOTE: Under ordinary circumstances, the DFE-650 Series Fast
Ethernet PC Card will not be affected by static charge as
may be received through your body during handling of the
unit. In special circum-stances where you may carry an
extraordinarily high static charge, it is good practice to
reduce the charge by touching a ground before handling the
DFE-650.
Open the shipping carton and carefully remove all items. In
addition to this User's Guide, ascertain that you have:
•One DFE-650 Series Fast Ethernet PC Card
•One plastic storage bag for the PC Card
•One media coupler
•One D-Link DFE-650 Series Fast Ethernet PC Card Driver
diskette
DFE-650 Series
Fast Ethernet PC Card
Yellow arrow
on top side of
PC Card points
to front end plu
g
Media Coupler
Triangle
cast into
plastic
marks top
side of plug

DFE-650 Series Fast Ethernet PC Card User's Guide
Hardware Installation
9
In the event that any item is missing, or if you find any mismatch or
damage, promptly contact your dealer for correction.
Hardware Installation
Follow these four steps to install the DFE-650 :
Step 1 Insert the DFE-650
Under the PCMCIA standard and the corresponding Japanese
JEIDA standard, PC Cards may safely be "hot swapped" –– it is not
necessary to switch the computer's power off before installing or
removing the DFE-650, or any other PC Card.
Find/select an open Type II or Type III PC Card slot on your
notebook computer's side or rear panel. Hold the DFE-650 with the
colorful D-Link splash label upward. Notice that the splash label
features a yellow triangle or "arrow," which points to the front end
of the PC Card. Insert the front end of the PC Card into the PC
Card slot, and slide the PC Card all the way into the slot until it
reaches a firm stop.
Type II or Type III
PC Card slot
(
s
)
D-Link color-splash
label facing up
NOTE: Many notebook PCs feature a stacked pair of PC card slots,
logically (but not physically) designated as Slot 1 and Slot 2.

DFE-650 Series Fast Ethernet PC Card User's Guide
10
Hardware Installation
It is most usual for the lower one of the two slots in the
stack to be designated Slot 1, but there are exceptions. In
the subsequent procedure for DFE-650 software
installation, it may be necessary for you to know whether
your DFE-650 is installed in Slot 1 or Slot 2. Under
Windows 95, you can check by opening the Control Panel /
PC Card display. Under DOS it is also possible to make a
software check, but it is more difficult. If you are unable to
determine the DFE-650's slot number in advance, then you
can make a trial-and-error determination later, according to
instructions given in the Software Installation section of this
chapter.
Step 2 Attach the Media Coupler
The back-end receptacle of the DFE-650 remains accessible
(approximately flush with the case of the computer) when the DFE-
650 is properly seated in its PC Card slot. Taking care to keep the
top side of the media coupler plug up, insert the plug into the DFE-
650's receptacle until it is firmly seated and latched. (The top side
of the plug is labeled with a triangle molded into the plastic.)
Keep the triangle mark on
top when you plug the media
coupler into the DFE-650
NOTE: When the media coupler plug is firmly seated, it is held in
place by small latching hooks at either side of the plug. To

DFE-650 Series Fast Ethernet PC Card User's Guide
Hardware Installation
11
avoid damage when detaching the plug from the DFE-650, it
is necessary to depress the latch wings of the plug. See
the following section, "Remove Ethernet PC Card."
Step 3 Connect to the Network Medium
Make the network connection by running a UTP cable from the
supporting hub to your media coupler. Simply plug one end (RJ-45
connector) of the cable into an available hub port, and plug the
other end (RJ-45 connector) into the RJ-45 socket of the media
coupler.
UTP cable connecting media coupler to the supporting hub
Ethernet / Fast
Ethernet Hub
Media Coupler
RJ-45 Connectors
UTP Cable

DFE-650 Series Fast Ethernet PC Card User's Guide
12
Hardware Installation
Step 4 Confirm Connection (Ln/Act Indicator)
When the notebook computer's power is ON, the DFE-650 is firmly
seated in the slot connector, the media adapter plug is firmly
engaged (and latched) in the back-end receptacle of the DFE-650,
the media adapter has a good cable connection to the supporting
hub, and the supporting hub is power on and functioning properly,
then the media coupler’s Ln/Act LED glows steady green
("linkage" state).
If the Ln/Act LED remains dark without apparent cause, then the
most likely fault is poor engagement of the 68-pin front-end plug.
Review the following section titled "Remove the DFE-650," then
remove the DFE-650 from its slot. Repeat the procedures of the
above Step 1, "Insert the DFE-650," taking care to ensure that the
DFE-650 is right side up and front-end first, and that it seats firmly
in a suitable PC Card slot of your notebook. Repeat procedures of
Steps 2 and 3 as necessary get the Ln/Act LED confirmation.
NOTE: You might need to wait a few seconds following notebook
powerup, or following insertion of a PC Card, for the
software processing to be completed. The Ln/Act indicator
will remain dark until the software processing is completed.
Remove the PC Card
Follow these two steps to remove the DFE-650 its slot:
Step 1 Disconnect the Media Coupler Plug from the DFE-650
Unplug the media coupler from the DFE-650 before ejecting the
DFE-650 from the PC Card slot. The media coupler plug is held in
place by small latching hooks at either side of the plug. To remove
the media coupler plug from the DFE-650, it is necessary to unlatch
the hooks by depressing the two small latch wings of the plug. Use