3Com 3CSOHO100 manual Understanding Network Interface Cards, About the OfﬁceConnect NIC

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Understanding Network Interface Cards

15

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.

About the OfﬁceConnect NIC

The OfﬁceConnect NIC is a 10/100 Mbps PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) NIC. It connects your PC to a 10 Mbps Ethernet or 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet network.

Figure 2 OfﬁceConnect NIC

TX

RJ-45 port

DATA

LEDs

	ACT
	10	L
	100	N
	100	K
		K

The OfﬁceConnect NIC backplate has three light-emitting diodes (LEDs):

■10 LNK (link)

■100 LNK (link)

■ACT (activity)

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Contents Fast Ethernet Network Interface Card User Guide Lifetime Limited Warranty Sweden, Finland, Norway Asia Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal, MaltaAustralia, New Zealand Japan Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg DenmarkMember of the 3Com OfficeConnect family 3Com Corporation 5400 Bayfront Plaza Santa Clara, California Contents Configuring the NIC Technical Support Page Figures Tables Conventions Icon DescriptionYear 2000 Compliance Convention DescriptionWhat This Guide Covers What This Chapter CoversUnderstanding Networking Sample Network Computer 1Computer PrinterPeer-to-Peer Networks Client/Server Networks Ethernet and Fast Ethernet Networking ProtocolsUnderstanding Network Interface Cards About the OfﬁceConnect NICRequired Hardware Required CablingRequired Software Preparing for Installation Type Maximum Network Cable Required Cable LengthInserting the NIC See your PC documentation for detailsDo not turn on the power to the PC Connecting the NIC to Your Network Connecting the Network Cable to the NIC RJ-45 portNext step is to install the network driver. Go to Chapter Page Windows Right-click the My Computer icon, and then click PropertiesTurn on the power to the PC Windows 95 Version aYou must reboot your PC to complete the installation Click OKEnter your user name and password, and then click OK Windows 95 Version BClick Finish To install the network driver in a PC running Windows Click Yes to restart the PC Windows NT Windows NTClick Add Adapter Verifying Successful Installation Windows 95 and WindowsRemove the EtherDisk diskette from drive a Double-clickNetwork adapters Double-click the File Manager icon Troubleshooting Basic Troubleshooting TipsInterpreting the LEDs State MeaningStarting the 3Com NIC Diagnostics Program Double-click the 3Com icon in the Windows system trayClick Cancel to exit the 3Com NIC Diagnostics program General ScreenClick the Diagnostics tab Running the NIC Self-TestsRunning the Echo Test Click Start in the Self-Test panelOn both PCs On the ﬁrst PC the sending PCEcho Test Sender Screen Accessing the Help System From the Windows Start menu, select ProgramsAccessing 3Com Support Services Click OK Click the Support tab. The Support screen appearsClick OK Click the Support tab Support ScreenRemoving NIC Software Click the Device Manager tabClick Yes Frequently Asked Questions Question AnswerQuestion Answer Page Option Description Available Settings NormalAuto Select Displaying Conﬁguration Settings Click NIC Details Changing Conﬁguration Settings Click OK to exit this screenClick OK Click the Properties tab Change the NIC’s conﬁguration Page Speciﬁcations Cabling RequirementsUnshielded Twisted-Pair Cable 10BASE-T OperationCategory Use 10BASE-T Speciﬁcations 100BASE-TX Operation100BASE-TX Speciﬁcations Page Online Technical Services World Wide Web Site3Com FTP Site Access by Digital Modem 3Com Bulletin Board ServiceAccess by Analog Modem 847 262Support from 3Com 3ComFacts Automated Fax ServiceSupport from Your Network Supplier 408 727Country Telephone Number Asia Paciﬁc Rim EuropeNorth America Returning Products for RepairCountry Telephone Number Latin America Country Telephone Number Fax NumberLatin America 408 326 A. and Canada 800 NET 3Com 800 638 Bus mastering Client/server networkEthernet Half-duplex Fast EthernetFull-duplex HubServer SwitchPeer-to-peer network Unshielded twisted pair UTP cablingPage Index NumbersNIC Index Page 3Com Corporation Limited Warranty FCC Class B Statement FCC Declaration of Conformity