3Com 3CSOHO100- User Manual
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3Com 3CSOHO100- User Manual

3Com 3CSOHO100- User Manual

Fast ethernet network interface card
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Fast Ethernet
Network Interface Card

User Guide

MODEL NO.
3CSOHO100-TX

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  • Page 1: User Guide

    Fast Ethernet Network Interface Card User Guide MODEL NO. 3CSOHO100-TX...

  • Page 2: Lifetime Limited Warranty

    , and Token Ring-in-Fast Ethernet Server network interface cards have a Lifetime Limited Warranty. For further details, please see 3Com’s Limited Warranty statement in this guide. To ensure the very best 3Com service and support, take the time to complete the product registration card.
  • Page 3 Customers in other non-U.S. locations should send the registration card to the U.S. address on the front of the card. Asia 3Com Asia Ltd., Marketing Department Room 2506-07, 25/F. Citibank Tower Citibank Plaza, Central...

  • Page 4: Fast Ethernet

    Part No. 09-1569-000 Published October 1998 OfficeConnect Fast Ethernet Network Interface Card User Guide Member of the 3Com OfficeConnect family ®...
  • Page 5 3Com Corporation. 3Com Corporation reserves the right to revise this documentation and to make changes in content from time to time without obligation on the part of 3Com Corporation to provide notification of such revision or change.

  • Page 6: Table Of Contents

    ONTENTS BOUT Conventions Year 2000 Compliance ETTING TARTED What This Guide Covers What This Chapter Covers Understanding Networking Peer-to-Peer Networks Client/Server Networks Ethernet and Fast Ethernet Networking Protocols Understanding Network Interface Cards About the OfficeConnect NIC Required Hardware Required Cabling Required Software NSTALLING THE Preparing for Installation...
  • Page 7 Windows NT 4.0 Windows NT 3.51 ROUBLESHOOTING Basic Troubleshooting Tips Interpreting the LEDs Starting the 3Com NIC Diagnostics Program Running the NIC Self-Tests Running the Echo Test Accessing the Help System Viewing Release Notes, Frequently Asked Questions, and KnowledgeBase Topics...

  • Page 8: Fcc Declaration Of Conformity

    ECHNICAL UPPORT Online Technical Services World Wide Web Site 3Com FTP Site 3Com Bulletin Board Service Access by Analog Modem Access by Digital Modem 3ComFacts Automated Fax Service Support from Your Network Supplier Support from 3Com Returning Products for Repair...
  • Page 10 IGURES Sample Network OfficeConnect NIC Inserting the NIC Connecting the Network Cable to the NIC New Hardware Found Dialog Box Update Device Driver Wizard Add New Hardware Wizard Network Settings Window Device Manager Screen General Screen Diagnostics Screen Echo Test Responder Screen Echo Test Sender Screen Echo Test Statistics Screen Support Screen...
  • Page 11 ABLES Notice Icons Text Conventions Cable Guidelines LED Descriptions Frequently Asked Questions OfficeConnect NIC Configuration Settings Unshielded Twisted-pair Cable Categories...

  • Page 12: About This Guide

    Most user guides and release notes are available in Adobe Acrobat Reader Portable Document Format (PDF) or HTML on the 3Com World Wide Web site: http://www.3com.com/ Conventions Table 1 and Table 2 list conventions that are used throughout this guide.

  • Page 13: Year 2000 Compliance

    Keyboard key names Menu commands and buttons Words in italics Year 2000 Compliance For information on Year 2000 compliance and 3Com products, visit the 3Com Year 2000 Web page: http://www.3com.com/products/yr2000.html UIDE Description This typeface represents information as it appears on the screen.

  • Page 14: Getting Started

    The 3Com Interface Card (NIC) allows you to connect your personal computer (PC) to an Ethernet (10BASE-T) or Fast Ethernet (100BASE-TX) network. The OfficeConnect NIC is specifically designed for the small office/home office environment. What This Guide Covers This guide provides all the information you need to install the OfficeConnect NIC and connect it to a network.

  • Page 15: Understanding Networking

    1: G HAPTER Understanding Networking A computer network is a group of computers and other associated devices, such as printers, fax machines, and modems, that are connected to one another so they can share resources and information. A network allows you to: Share resources —...

  • Page 16: Peer-To-Peer Networks

    Understanding Networking Every network requires special software, called a network operating system (NOS) (such as Windows NT or NetWare), to control the flow of information between users. Each PC that you want to connect as part of the network must have an operating system (such as Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows NT) that can communicate with the NOS.

  • Page 17: Client/Server Networks

    1: G HAPTER Client/Server Networks A client/server network is ideal for organizations that require fast network access for large applications such as multimedia, databases, and video. In a client/server network, all shared applications and files are stored on one central computer known as the server. Network users (client PCs) can store their own files on their own PCs, and then use the server to access shared files and peripherals, such as printers, fax machines, and modems.

  • Page 18: Understanding Network Interface Cards

    Understanding Network Interface Cards A network interface card (NIC) is a printed circuit board that plugs into a PC expansion slot in your computer to provide a connection to a network. Once the NIC is installed in your PC, you connect it to the network media (cabling, such as unshielded twisted-pair [UTP]), which in turn connects to all the devices on the network.

  • Page 19: Required Hardware

    1: G HAPTER After the NIC is installed, these LEDs show whether there’s an active connection between the NIC and the network, and the speed at which you’re connected. (See “Interpreting the LEDs” in Chapter 4 for more information.) Required Hardware You can install the OfficeConnect NIC in any IBM-compatible PC with an available PCI expansion slot.

  • Page 20: Installing The Network Interface Card

    This chapter explains how to install the OfficeConnect NIC in your PC and connect it to an Ethernet or Fast Ethernet network. Preparing for Installation Before you install the OfficeConnect NIC, make sure that you have the following items: OfficeConnect 10/100 Fast Ethernet NIC OfficeConnect EtherDisk diskette If any of these items are damaged or missing, contact your shipper or network supplier.

  • Page 21: Inserting The Nic

    2: I HAPTER NSTALLING THE Inserting the NIC To insert the OfficeConnect NIC in your PC: 1 Remove all jewelry from your hands and wrists. CAUTION: The NIC is packed in an antistatic container to protect it during shipment. To avoid damaging any static-sensitive components on the NIC, before you remove it from the container, touch the metal chassis of your PC to discharge static electricity from your body.
  • Page 22 Figure 3 Inserting the NIC 1 Remove slot cover 6 Fasten the NIC with the backplate screw you removed in step 4. 7 Replace the PC cover. 8 Reconnect any cables that you disconnected before you opened the PC. Do not turn on the power to the PC. The next step is to connect the NIC to your network.

  • Page 23: Connecting The Nic To Your Network

    2: I HAPTER NSTALLING THE Connecting the NIC to Your Network This section describes how to connect the OfficeConnect NIC to a network device. For more information on networking or creating a peer-to-peer network, see the Network Assistant CD included in your package. To connect the OfficeConnect NIC to a network device: 1 Using an unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cable, insert one of the RJ-45 connectors on the cable into the...
  • Page 24 Connecting the NIC to Your Network 2 Insert the other end of the UTP cable into an active network port. An active network port may be on a network hub or switch, or a peripheral device (such as a printer) that is network-ready (that is, it already has a NIC inside it).

  • Page 26: Installing The Network Driver

    This chapter describes how to install the network driver in your PC. You must install the network driver so that the OfficeConnect NIC can transmit and receive data over the network. Instructions are provided for the following operating systems supported by the OfficeConnect NIC: Windows 95 Windows 98 Windows NT...

  • Page 27: Windows 95 Version A

    3: I HAPTER NSTALLING THE 2 Check the version number on the General screen, under System: If 4.00.950 or 4.00.950A is displayed, follow the procedure for Windows 95 Version A. If 4.00.950B is displayed, follow the procedure for Windows 95 Version B. Windows 95 Version A To install the network driver in a PC running version A of Windows 95:...
  • Page 28 4 Insert the EtherDisk diskette in drive A and make sure that A:\ appears in the Copy files from entry box. 5 Click OK. If this is the first time that networking is being installed on your PC, the Identification tab of the Network window is displayed.

  • Page 29: Windows 95 Version B

    3: I HAPTER NSTALLING THE 9 Enter your user name and password, and then click OK. The driver installation is complete. To confirm successful installation, go to “Verifying Successful Installation” later in this chapter. Windows 95 Version B To install the network driver in a PC running version B of Windows 95: 1 Make sure that the NIC is installed in your PC and that it’s connected to the network, as described in Chapter 2.
  • Page 30 4 Click Finish. The Insert Disk dialog box prompts you for the OfficeConnect EtherDisk diskette. 5 Click OK. The Copying Files dialog box appears. 6 Make sure that A:\ appears in the Copying files from entry box, and then click OK. If this is the first time that networking is being installed on your PC, the Identification tab of the Network window is displayed.

  • Page 31: Windows 98

    3: I HAPTER NSTALLING THE 9 Remove the EtherDisk diskette from drive A, and then click Yes. You must reboot your PC to complete the installation. After Windows restarts, you’re prompted for your user name and password. 10 Enter your user name and password, and then click OK.
  • Page 32 3 Insert the EtherDisk diskette in drive A, and then click Next. 4 Select Search for the best driver for your device (Recommended), and then click Next. 5 Select Floppy disk drives, and then click Next. Windows finds the driver file for the device. 6 Click Next.

  • Page 33: Windows Nt 4.0

    The OEM Option dialog box appears. 8 If not already selected, select 3Com OfficeConnect 10/100 Fast Ethernet NIC, and click OK. Files are copied. The 3Com NIC Diagnostics window appears. 9 Click Close to continue the installation. The Network screen appears with the OfficeConnect NIC displayed in the list of network adapters.

  • Page 34: Windows Nt 3.51

    Windows NT 3.51 To install the network driver in a PC running Windows NT 3.51: 1 Make sure that the NIC is installed in your PC and that it’s connected to the network, as described in Chapter 2. 2 Turn on the power to the PC. 3 In the Main window of the Program Manager, double-click the Control Panel icon and then the Network icon.

  • Page 35: Verifying Successful Installation

    NSTALLING THE 8 Make sure that 3Com OfficeConnect 10/100 Fast Ethernet NIC is selected, and then click OK. Files are copied. The 3Com NIC Diagnostics screen appears. 9 Click Close to continue the installation. The Network Settings window reappears. 10 Click OK in the Network Settings window.
  • Page 36 Figure 9 Device Manager Screen 2 Double-click Network adapters. The name of the installed OfficeConnect NIC appears, as shown in Figure 9. If a yellow exclamation point (!) or a red X appears next to the NIC name, the installation wasn’t successful. Go to “Frequently Asked Questions”...

  • Page 37: Windows Nt 4.0

    3: I HAPTER NSTALLING THE Windows NT 4.0 To confirm that the NIC is installed correctly in a PC running Windows NT 4.0: 1 Double-click the Network icon in the Control Panel. 2 Click the Adapters tab. The OfficeConnect NIC should appear in the list of network adapters.

  • Page 38: Troubleshooting Installation Problems

    Download the latest OfficeConnect NIC driver from the 3Com World Wide Web site and install it in your PC. Run the NIC self-tests and the Echo test again, using the same option settings as those used on the failed NIC.

  • Page 39: Interpreting The Leds

    4: T HAPTER ROUBLESHOOTING Interpreting the LEDs The OfficeConnect NIC has three light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that can help indicate when there are problems with your network connection. See Figure 2 in Chapter 1 for a picture of the LEDs. Table 4 explains the LED states. Table 4 LED Descriptions State 10 LNK...

  • Page 40: Starting The 3Com Nic Diagnostics Program

    To start the 3Com NIC Diagnostics program: 1 Double-click the 3Com icon in the Windows system tray. If the 3Com icon isn’t visible in the system tray, follow these steps: a From the Windows Start menu, select Programs. b Select 3Com NIC Utilities.
  • Page 41 The General screen displays general information about the NIC. It also allows you to show or not show the 3Com icon in the Windows system tray by clicking the Enable Tray Control check box. The 3Com icon provides quick access to the 3Com NIC Diagnostics program.

  • Page 42: Running The Nic Self-Tests

    To run the NIC self-tests: 1 Double-click the 3Com icon in the Windows system tray. If the 3Com icon isn’t visible in the system tray, follow the instructions in the previous section, “Starting the 3Com NIC Diagnostics Program.” 2 Click OK.

  • Page 43: Running The Echo Test

    The second PC receives data sent from the first PC. This is called the responding PC. The two PCs must each have a 3Com OfficeConnect NIC installed. Also make sure that the network driver is installed. CAUTION: Running the Echo test while connected to an active network with more than two computers can cause intermittent failures within the test.
  • Page 44 To run the Echo test: 1 On both PCs: a From the Windows Start menu, select Programs. b Select 3Com NIC Utilities. c Click 3nicdiag. d Click OK. e Click the Diagnostics tab to display the Diagnostics screen, shown in Figure 11.
  • Page 45 4: T HAPTER ROUBLESHOOTING Figure 13 Echo Test Sender Screen b Click Start. The two PCs attempt to transmit data to each other. Statistics appear in the window, as shown in Figure 14. Figure 14 Echo Test Statistics Screen NSTALLATION ROBLEMS...

  • Page 46: Accessing The Help System

    3 Click 3nichelp. For PCs running Windows NT 3.51, from the File menu, select Run. At the command prompt, enter the path for the 3Com NIC Help system. The default path is C:\WINNT35\SYSTEM32\3NICDIAG.HLP. The main Help screen appears, displaying information about the 3Com NIC Diagnostics General screen.

  • Page 47: Viewing Release Notes, Frequently Asked Questions, And Knowledgebase Topics

    To access the support database: 1 Double-click the 3Com icon in the Windows system tray. If the 3Com icon isn’t visible in the system tray, follow the instructions in the section “Starting the 3Com NIC Diagnostics Program” earlier in this chapter.
  • Page 48 3 Click the Support tab. The Support screen (Figure 15) appears. Figure 15 Support Screen Click Diagnostics to run the 3Com NIC diagnostic tests. See “Running the NIC Self-Tests” and “Running the Echo Test” earlier in this chapter for information on how to run the 3Com NIC diagnostic tests.

  • Page 49: Removing Nic Software

    Control Panel icon, and then the System icon. 2 Click the Device Manager tab. 3 Double-click Network adapters. 4 Select the name of the NIC, for example, 3Com OfficeConnect 10/100 Fast Ethernet (3CSOHO100-TX) NIC. 5 Click Remove. 6 Click OK to confirm the device removal.

  • Page 50: Windows Nt 3.51

    Windows NT 4.0 To remove NIC software in a PC running Windows NT 4.0: 1 Double-click the My Computer icon, then the Control Panel icon, and then the Network icon. The Network screen appears. 2 Click the Adapters tab. 3 Select the name of the NIC in the Network Adapters box, and then click Remove.

  • Page 51: Frequently Asked Questions

    4: T HAPTER ROUBLESHOOTING 4 Click OK. The NIC driver and diagnostic software are removed from the PC. The Network Settings Change dialog box appears, prompting you to restart. If you’re physically removing the NIC from the PC, click No. Don’t restart the PC until you shut down the system, turn the power off, and remove the NIC from the PC.
  • Page 52 NIC support full-duplex? Frequently Asked Questions Answer 1 Double-click the 3Com icon to start the 3Com NIC Diagnostics program. 2 In the bottom-right corner of the main window, click the Enable Tray Control check box to remove the check mark.

  • Page 54: Configuring The

    This chapter describes how to display and change configuration settings for the OfficeConnect NIC. Table 6 describes the configurable settings for the OfficeConnect NIC. The default setting for each option is in bold in the Available Settings column. Table 6 OfficeConnect NIC Configuration Settings Option Description Network Driver...

  • Page 55: Chapter 5: Configuring The Nic

    2 Double-click the 3Com icon in the Windows system tray. If the 3Com icon isn’t visible in the Windows system tray, follow these steps: a From the Windows Start menu, select Programs. b Select 3Com NIC Utilities.
  • Page 56 Displaying Configuration Settings Figure 16 General Screen Click the Help button to receive information about the diagnostic screen that’s currently active. 4 Click NIC Details. The NIC Details screen (Figure 17) appears. Figure 17 NIC Details Screen...

  • Page 57: Changing Configuration Settings

    To change OfficeConnect NIC configuration settings: 1 Double-click the 3Com icon in the Windows system tray. If the 3Com icon isn’t visible in the Windows system tray, follow these steps: a From the Windows Start menu, select Programs. b Select 3Com NIC Utilities.
  • Page 58 Figure 18 Properties Screen 4 Change the NIC’s configuration: To automatically configure the NIC to nonconflicting values with your PC, click Optimal Settings. To manually configure the NIC: a Select an option in the Individual Settings panel. For a description of each option, see Table 6 at the beginning of this chapter.

  • Page 60: Pecifications And Cabling Requirements

    This appendix lists the specifications and cable requirements for the OfficeConnect NIC. Specifications Network Interface 10 Mbps Ethernet 10BASE-T 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet 100BASE-TX Physical Dimensions Height: Length: Environmental Operating Range Operating temperature: 0˚ to 70 ˚C (32˚ to 158 ˚F) Humidity: Power Requirements Operating voltage:...

  • Page 61: Unshielded Twisted-Pair Cable

    A: S PPENDIX Unshielded Twisted-Pair Cable Twisted-pair cable consists of copper wires surrounded by an insulator. Two wires are twisted together (the twisting prevents interference problems) to form a pair, and the pair forms a circuit that can transmit data. A cable is a bundle of one or more twisted pairs surrounded by an insulator.

  • Page 62: 10Base-T Specifications

    10BASE-T Specifications The 10BASE-T name indicates a signaling speed of 10 Mbps and twisted-pair wiring. Base stands for baseband, which denotes a technique for transmitting signals as direct-current pulses rather than modulating them onto separate carrier frequencies. A wiring topology using 10BASE-T specifies a wiring hub, cable arranged in a star configuration, and unshielded twisted-pair cable.

  • Page 64: Technical Support

    3Com FTP Site Download drivers, patches, software, and MIBs across the Internet from the 3Com public FTP site. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. ECHNICAL automated fax service...

  • Page 65: 3Com Bulletin Board Service

    U.K. U.S.A. Access by Digital Modem ISDN users can dial in to the 3Com BBS using a digital modem for fast access up to 64 Kbps. To access the 3Com BBS using ISDN, use the following number: 1 847 262 6000...

  • Page 66: 3Comfacts Automated Fax Service

    If you are unable to contact your network supplier, see the following section on how to contact 3Com. Support from 3Com If you are unable to obtain assistance from the 3Com online technical resources or from your network supplier, 3Com offers technical telephone support services. To find out more about your support options, please call the 3Com technical telephone support phone number at the location nearest you.
  • Page 67 B: T PPENDIX ECHNICAL Below is a list of worldwide technical telephone support numbers: Country Asia Pacific Rim Australia Hong Kong India Indonesia Japan Malaysia New Zealand Pakistan Philippines P.R. of China Singapore S. Korea From anywhere in S. Korea: From Seoul: Taiwan, R.O.C.

  • Page 68: Returning Products For Repair

    Venezuela North America Returning Products for Repair Before you send a product directly to 3Com for repair, you must first obtain a Return Materials Authorization (RMA) number. Products sent to 3Com without RMA numbers will be returned to the sender unopened, at the sender’s expense.
  • Page 69 B: T PPENDIX ECHNICAL Country Latin America U.S.A. and Canada UPPORT Telephone Number 1 408 326 2927 1 800 NET 3Com (1 800 638 3266) Fax Number 1 408 326 3355 1 408 326 7120...

  • Page 70: Glossary

    LOSSARY 10BASE-T Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.3 standard for Ethernet signaling over unshielded twisted-pair wire at 10 Mbps. 100BASE-TX IEEE 802.3u standard for Ethernet signaling over Category 5 unshielded twisted-pair wire at 100 Mbps. BIOS Basic Input/Output System. Collection of services on a ROM (read-only memory) chip that enables hardware and software, operating systems and applications, and applications and users to communicate with one another.
  • Page 71 LOSSARY Fast Ethernet 100 Mbps technology based on the 10BASE-T Ethernet network protocol. full-duplex Communication setup in which a device or line transmits data simultaneously in both directions (the PC is sending and receiving data at the same time). half-duplex Communication setup in which a device or line transmits data in only one direction at a time.
  • Page 72 Peripheral Component Interconnect. Advanced, high-performance local bus that supports multiple peripheral devices. A local bus is one that is connected directly to the PC’s central processing unit (CPU). peer-to-peer network Networking architecture in which PCs and other devices, such as printers and fax machines, are connected directly to one another or to a central point, usually a hub.
  • Page 74 17 link LED 36 operation 58 specifications 59 3Com bulletin board service (3Com BBS) 45, 62 3Com icon, in Windows system tray removing 49 showing 38 3Com NIC Diagnostics program changing configuration 54 starting 37 3Com support services 44...
  • Page 75 65 running diagnostic tests 39 self-tests, NIC 39 server 13 shielded twisted-pair (STP) cable 58 software, required 16 specifications 57 static electricity 18 STP cable 58 support services 44 system tray, removing 3Com icon from 49...
  • Page 76 Echo 40 NIC 39 troubleshooting 35 cable 35 LEDs 36 running NIC self-tests 39 testing network connection 40 using the 3Com NIC Diagnostics program 37 twisted-pair cable 100BASE-TX 59 10BASE-T 59 description 58, 69 unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cable 17, 20, 58...

  • Page 78: Warranty

    January 1, 2000, and Customer notifies 3Com before the later of April 1, 2000, or ninety (90) days after purchase of the product from 3Com or its authorized reseller, 3Com shall, at its option and expense, provide a software update which would...

  • Page 79: Governing Law

    (48) hours of installation but no later than thirty (30) days after the date of purchase, and this is verified by 3Com, it will be considered dead- or defective-on-arrival (DOA) and a replacement shall be provided by advance replacement. The replacement product will normally be shipped not later than three (3) business days after 3Com’s...

  • Page 80: Eclaration Of Conformity

    This booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Stock No. 004-000-00345-4. NOTE: In order to maintain compliance with the limits of a Class B digital device, 3Com requires that you use quality interface cables when connecting to this device. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by 3Com could void the user’s authority to operate this equipment.
  • Page 81 TRADE SECRETS; TITLE: You acknowledge and agree that the structure, sequence and organization of the Software are the valuable trade secrets of 3Com and its suppliers. You agree to hold such trade secrets in confidence. You further acknowledge and agree that ownership of, and title to, the Software and all subsequent copies thereof regardless of the form or media are held by 3Com and its suppliers.

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