Netopia Fast EtherTX-10 User manual

Fast EtherTX-10/100 PCI Plus Card
User’s Guide
Fon arall 

a.Merlin100PC Book Page 1 Thursday, April 2, 1998 12:01 AM

Copyright © 1998 Netopia, Inc., formerly known as Farallon Communications, Inc. v.398
All rights reserved.
This manual and any associated artwork, software, and product designs are copyrighted with all
rights reserved. Under the copyright laws this manual, artwork, software, and product designs
may not be copied, in whole or part, without the written consent of Farallon. Under the law,
copying includes translation to another language or format.
Farallon
2470 Mariner Square Loop
Alameda, CA 94501-1010
U.S.A.
For additional copies of this user’s guide, order Farallon part number 6120310-00-02.
a.Merlin100PC Book Page 2 Thursday, April 2, 1998 12:01 AM

3
Contents
Chapter 1 — Introduction .............................................................5
Fast EtherTX-10/100 PCI Plus Card features ...................................6
Chapter 2 — Installation...............................................................7
Installing the hardware ..................................................................8
Connecting to the network ...........................................................10
Chapter 3 — Configuration .........................................................11
Windows 95................................................................................12
Windows NT 4.0..........................................................................13
Windows NT 3.5.1.......................................................................14
MacOS .......................................................................................15
Chapter 4 — Operation and Troubleshooting................................17
Operation checklist .....................................................................18
LEDs ..........................................................................................19
Troubleshooting ..........................................................................20
Manual configuration ...................................................................21
a.Merlin100PC Book Page 3 Thursday, April 2, 1998 12:01 AM

4 Contents
Appendix A —Technical Specifications........................................23
Appendix B — Fast Ethernet Networking.....................................27
Adding Fast Ethernet to 10Base-T networks ..................................27
10Base-T Ethernet guidelines.......................................................29
100Base-TX Fast Ethernet guidelines............................................30
Farallon Technical Support..........................................................31
Warranties
a.Merlin100PC Book Page 4 Thursday, April 2, 1998 12:01 AM

5
Chapter 1
Introduction
The Fast EtherTX-10/100  PCI Plus Card is an Ethernet adapter for
any Windows- or MacOS-compatible computer with a PCI expansion
slot. The RJ-45 port on the card may be connected via unshielded
twisted-pair cable to either a 10Base-T Ethernet network or a
100Base-TX Fast Ethernet network. Using the N-Way auto-negotiation
standard, the card automatically switches between 10Mbps and
100Mbps network speeds as needed.
The Fast EtherTX-10/100 PCI Plus Card also auto-detects full and half
duplex operation modes. When connected to a full duplex device, full
duplex is automatically enabled. When connected to a device that also
auto-detects, the mode with the highest performance is selected.
Alternatively, if you prefer to configure the card for a specific mode or
network speed, you can use the optional Fast EN Config Control Panel
to customize your card’s configuration.
As part of the Farallon Fast Ethernet family of products—adapter
cards, hubs, bridges, and switches—the Fast EtherTX-10/100 PCI
Plus Card is fully compliant with IEEE Ethernet standards and will help
you to build your Fast Ethernet network quickly and easily.
a.Merlin100PC Book Page 5 Thursday, April 2, 1998 12:01 AM

6 Chapter 1
F
AST
E
THER
TX-10/100 PCI P
LUS
C
ARD FEATURES
Your Fast EtherTX-10/100 PCI Plus Card has the following features:
■
Compliance with 32-bit PCI-bus specifications and with IEEE
802.3 Ethernet and 802.3u Fast Ethernet standards
■
N-Way auto-negotiation for automatic selection of 10 or 100Mbps
network operation
■
Full duplex support
■
Automatic twisted-pair receive polarity detection and correction
■
Automatic configuration without jumpers
■
Easy installation of drivers for Windows 95, Windows NT 4.0, and
Windows NT 3.5.1
■
One-button installation of Farallon’s 100% native Apple Open
Transport Ethernet driver for MacOS (driver implemented as an
extension for easy updating)
■
Control panel for optional configuration features via software (for
MacOS)
■
Full compatibility with network protocols such as TCP/IP,
AppleTalk, and IPX
■
Four status LEDs (Link, Activity, 10Mbps, and 100Mbps)
■
Single, shielded RJ-45 port for use with 2-pair Category 3, 4, or 5
UTP cable for 10Base-T Ethernet networks, and 2-pair Category 5
UTP cable for 100Base-TX Fast Ethernet networks
connector
RJ-45 port
LEDs
bracket
a.Merlin100PC Book Page 6 Thursday, April 2, 1998 12:01 AM

7
Chapter 2
Installation
Installing your Fast EtherTX-10/100 PCI Plus Card involves the
following three procedures:
1. Installing the hardware
2. Connecting to the network
3. Installing the driver and configuring your computer
Steps 1 and 2 are covered in this chapter, and step 3 is detailed in
Chapter 3. After completing all the steps, your Fast EtherTX-10/100
PCI Plus Card will be properly installed and ready for operation.
a.Merlin100PC Book Page 7 Thursday, April 2, 1998 12:01 AM

8 Chapter 2
I
NSTALLING THE HARDWARE
Note: It is recommended that the operating system be installed on
your computer before you install the Fast EtherTX-10/100 PCI
Plus Card.
1. Consult the user's guide for your computer to get specific
instructions on how to open the computer, install a card in a bus
master PCI expansion slot, and reassemble the computer. The
steps below are general guidelines for installing the card, but the
manual for your computer will tell you exactly how to do this for
your computer model.
2. Power down your computer according to the instructions in its
manual.
3. Access the computer's logic board and locate a bus master PCI
slot. On a MacOS computer, you can use any PCI slot.
4. Remove any access cover, retainer, or retainer clamp from the PCI
access port.
5. Ground yourself and then take your Fast EtherTX-10/100 PCI Plus
Card from its antistatic bag, handling the card by its edges to
avoid touching the components.
a.Merlin100PC Book Page 8 Thursday, April 2, 1998 12:01 AM

Installation 9
6. Align the card with the PCI slot and press firmly until the
connector is fully seated in the slot.
Seating the Fast EtherTX-10/100 PCI Plus Card
7. Reassemble your computer according to the instructions in its
manual.
a.Merlin100PC Book Page 9 Thursday, April 2, 1998 12:01 AM

10 Chapter 2
C
ONNECTING TO THE NETWORK
After the Fast EtherTX-10/100 PCI Plus Card is installed in your
computer, the next step is to connect it to your network.
1. Plug the network cable into the card’s RJ-45 port. For 10Base-T
Ethernet networks, use 2-pair Category 3, 4, or 5 unshielded
twisted-pair (UTP) cable. For 100Base-TX Fast Ethernet networks,
use 2-pair Category 5 UTP cable.
The card will automatically negotiate and switch speed based on
the type of hub to which it is connected. When the card is
connected to a hub or switch that supports 10Base-T Ethernet, it
operates at a network speed of 10 Mbps. When the card is
connected to a hub or switch that supports 100Base-TX Fast
Ethernet, it operates at a network speed of 100 Mbps.
2. After connecting the cable, turn on your computer.
3. Complete the installation process by configuring your computer as
described in Chapter 3.
a.Merlin100PC Book Page 10 Thursday, April 2, 1998 12:01 AM

11
Chapter 3
Configuration
After the Fast EtherTX-10/100 PCI Plus Card is connected to your
network, complete the installation process by installing the
appropriate driver and configuring the networking software. This
chapter covers configuration for the following platforms:
■
Windows 95
■
Windows NT 4.0
■
Windows NT 3.5.1
■
MacOS
Please refer to the section below that corresponds to your platform
and perform the steps that follow.
a.Merlin100PC Book Page 11 Thursday, April 2, 1998 12:01 AM

12 Chapter 3
W
INDOWS
95
1. After you have installed the card and restarted your computer, the
New Hardware Found message appears, and then the Update
Device Driver Wizard opens. In the Update Device Driver Wizard
window, click Next.
2. Insert the Farallon Windows disk into your computer, and click
Next.
3. Click Other Locations, then Browse, and select the WIN95 folder
on the Farallon disk.
4. When the Wizard finds “Farallon Fast EtherTX-10/100 PCI Plus
Card,” click Finish.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions as the Wizard copies files from
the Farallon disk and from your Windows 95 CD or disks. When
prompted for the ADDPCI.INF file, open the WIN95 folder on the
Farallon disk and select the file.
6. When the Network window appears, enter the computer name, ID,
and other information, and then click Close.
7. Again, follow the on-screen instructions as the Wizard copies
more files from your Windows 95 CD or disks. When prompted for
the DC21X4.SYS file, change the directory to the WIN95 folder on
the Farallon disk.
8. When the installation is complete, restart your computer.
a.Merlin100PC Book Page 12 Thursday, April 2, 1998 12:01 AM

Configuration 13
W
INDOWS
NT 4.0
1. Double-click My Computer, then Control Panel, then Network.
2. In the Network window, click the Adapters tab.
3. Click the Add button.
4. In the Select Network Adapters window, click the Have Disk
button.
a.Merlin100PC Book Page 13 Thursday, April 2, 1998 12:01 AM

14 Chapter 3
5. Insert the Farallon Windows disk into drive A. At the A:\ prompt,
type “WINNT40” and click OK.
6. In the Select OEM Option window, select Farallon Fast EtherTX-
10/100 PCI Plus Card and click OK.
7. In the Connection Type window, select AutoDetect and click OK.
8. Click the Close button.
9. Restart your computer.
W INDOWS NT 3.5.1
1. In the Program Manager main window, double-click the Control
Panel icon.
2. Double-click Network. The Network Settings window appears.
3. Click the Add Adapter button.
4. Select “<Other> Requires disk from manufacturer”.
5. Select Continue.
6. Insert the Farallon Windows disk when prompted to do so.
7. At the prompt type “WINNT351” and click OK.
8. Select Farallon Fast EtherTX-10/100 PCI Plus Card and click OK.
9. Select AutoDetect for the Connection Type.
10. Click OK to complete the Network Setting initialization.
11. Restart your computer.
Farallon Fast EtherTX-10/100 PCI Plus Card
a.Merlin100PC Book Page 14 Thursday, April 2, 1998 12:01 AM

Configuration 15
M
AC
OS
Note: The Fast EtherTX-10/100 PCI Plus Card requires
MacOS 7.5.3 or higher and Apple’s Open Transport
networking software version 1.1 or higher.
1. Before installing Farallon software, restart your computer while
holding down the Shift key. This temporarily disables extensions
that may cause conflicts. Then insert the Farallon MacOS disk
into the floppy drive of your computer.
2. Double-click the Installer icon. The Easy Install dialog box
appears.
3. Click the Install button. The Installer places networking software
in your System Folder.
4. After installation is complete, restart your computer.
Fast EtherTX-10/100 Plus
a.Merlin100PC Book Page 15 Thursday, April 2, 1998 12:01 AM

16 Chapter 3
5. Open the AppleTalk control panel.
6. Open the “Connect via” pop-up menu and select the Ethernet slot
where the card is installed. If a message asks you to confirm the
change of network connections, click OK.
You may also need to choose a zone. If zones are available, the
“Current zone” pop-up menu will be active. When you are finished,
close the control panel and save your settings.
7. Open the Chooser and confirm that AppleTalk is active. You may
also select network services in the Chooser. Wnen you are
finished, close the Chooser. Your computer is now configured for
Ethernet.
a.Merlin100PC Book Page 16 Thursday, April 2, 1998 12:01 AM

17
Chapter 4
Operation and Troubleshooting
Once your Fast EtherTX-10/100 PCI Plus Card is installed, you may
want to know more about how it operates. This chapter covers
operation and troubleshooting in the following sections:
■
The “Operation checklist” is an overview of the conditions
necessary for proper PCI card operation.
■
The “LEDs” section details the functionality of the indicator lights
on the bracket of your PCI card.
■
The “Troubleshooting” section provides solutions for common
problems.
■
The “Manual configuration” section shows you how to change the
speed and duplex settings of your PCI card.
a.Merlin100PC Book Page 17 Thursday, April 2, 1998 12:01 AM

18 Chapter 4
O
PERATION CHECKLIST
For proper PCI card operation, verify the following:
✔ The green link LED is lit. (The LEDs are on the PCI card’s bracket.
See the LED descriptions on the next page for more details.)
✔ For 100Base-TX connections, the 100Mbps LED is lit;
for 10Base-T connections, the 10Mbps LED is lit.
✔ The cable connection is secure. For 10Base-T Ethernet networks,
the computer is connected to the network with 2-pair EIA/TIA
Category 3 (NEMA standard) UTP cable or higher, with RJ-45
connectors. For 100Base-TX Fast Ethernet networks, 2-pair
Category 5 UTP cable is required.
✔ The Farallon driver is installed, and the networking software is
configured as described in Chapter 3.
✔ The PCI card is correctly installed in a PCI bus master slot.
✔ The distance between your computer and the hub or switch is no
more than 100 meters. (See Appendix B for networking
guidelines.)
a.Merlin100PC Book Page 18 Thursday, April 2, 1998 12:01 AM

Operation and Troubleshooting 19
LED
S
The Fast EtherTX-10/100 PCI Plus Card has LEDs that give you
information about link status, network activity, and network type.
When you start up your Macintosh, all of the LEDs flicker briefly, then
light as described below.
Fast EtherTX-10/100 PCI Plus Card LEDs
100 Mbps : A steady light indicates that the PCI card is connected to a
100Base-TX Fast Ethernet network.
10 Mbps: A steady light indicates that the PCI card is connected to a
10Base-T Ethernet network.
Link (LNK) : A steady light indicates that the PCI card is properly
connected and receiving a link signal from the hub or switch. If this
LED is not lit, it may indicate one of the following:
■
The network cable is not properly connected or is faulty.
■
A non–10Base-T or non–100Base-TX device is connected at
the other end of the network cable.
■
The network cable exceeds 100 meters.
■The hub or switch is not receiving power.
Activity (ACT): A flashing light indicates that network data is being
transmitted or received by the PCI card.
Note: For the LEDs to light as described above, the card must be
physically connected to the network, the Farallon driver must
be installed, and your computer must be configured for
networking as described in Chapter 3.
LNK ACT
100 10
10/100
a.Merlin100PC Book Page 19 Thursday, April 2, 1998 12:01 AM

20 Chapter 4
TROUBLESHOOTING
This section addresses some common problems that may arise when
installing and using the Fast EtherTX-!0/100 PCI Plus Card. The
problems are presented in bold below, followed by possible solutions.
Please also see the section on the Windows diagnostic utility later in
this chapter.
THE LINK LED IS NOT LIT
Check the following:
■The card is properly installed in its slot.
■The cable is securely connected to the card.
■The cable is the proper category and is no longer than 330 feet
(100 meters).
■The device at the other end of the cable is a 10Base-T or
100Base-TX device, and it is receiving power.
THE 100 LED IS NOT LIT
Verify that your computer is connected to a 100Base-TX hub or switch,
and that the port you are connected to is enabled for Fast Ethernet
networking.
Verify that the cable is Category 5 UTP.
WINDOWS 95 DOES NOT DETECT THE CARD
If the New Hardware Found window does not appear, follow the steps
below:
1. Double-click My Computer, then Control Panel, then Add New
Hardware.
2. In the Add New Hardware Wizard, click Next.
3. Click Yes to have Windows detect the card, and then click Next.
4. In the next window, click Next and Windows 95 will begin the
detection process.
5. When the New Hardware Found window appears, follow the
instructions for installing the driver on page 12 of this manual.
a.Merlin100PC Book Page 20 Thursday, April 2, 1998 12:01 AM