D-Link DFE-530TX User Manual page 11

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 • onnect" 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-530TX Adapter serving your
station ( installed in your computer ), and the hub through which it is
connected into the LAN. The options to be negotiated between the
DFE-530TX and its supporting hub include 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 power-on, the cable connection between them is good,
and the Network Operating System software is running. As soon as
those conditions are satisfied, the preparatory process of auto-
negotiation between the DFE-530TX and its supporting hub
proceeds automatically. If the hub has auto-negotiation function-
ality, then it and the DFE-530TX exchange a series of messages in
which 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 devices.
If the hub does not have auto-negotiation functionality, then its
monotone (single capability) message will be recognized by the
DFE-530TX • auto-negotiation facility, and the DFE-530TX will
simply switch to the one of its own capabilities which matches that
of the hub.
Installation
DFE-530TX 10/100Mbps Ethernet Adapter for PCI Bus
3