3Com EtherLink
EtherLink PCI Network Interface Card User Guide
Connecting the NIC to the Network 

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Connecting the NIC to the Network

Follow the procedure for the port that matches your NIC and your network environment.

RJ-45 Port

On the 3C905C-TX-M and 3C905B NICs, the RJ-45 port provides a 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps connection automatically, depending on the speed of the connected hub or switch.

On the 3C900B NIC, the RJ-45 port provides a 10 Mbps connection only.

The following table shows the cable requirements and maximum network cable lengths for the RJ-45 port.

     

    Network Environment

    Cable Required

    Maximum Cable Length

    10 Mbps (10BASE-T)

    Category 3, 4, or 5 unshielded twisted-pair

    100 m (328 ft)

    100 Mbps
    (100BASE-TX)

    Category 5 unshielded twisted-pair

    100 m (328 ft)

     

To connect the RJ-45 port:

  1. Plug the RJ-45 connector on the twisted-pair network cable into the RJ-45 port on the NIC backplate.
  2. Connect the other end of the network cable to an active network port.

The next step is to install the network driver.

Go to Installing NIC Software in Windows or Installing the NetWare Client and Server Drivers.

BNC Port

The BNC port provides a 10 Mbps connection only.

The following table shows the cable requirement and maximum network cable length for the BNC port.

     

    Port

    Cable Required

    Maximum Network Cable Length

    BNC

    10BASE2 thin Ethernet coaxial (10 Mbps only)

    185 m (607 ft)

     

To connect the BNC port:

  1. Connect the BNC connector on the thin Ethernet cable to the BNC port on the NIC.
  2. Connect the other end of the network cable to another PC or to a 50-ohm terminator.
  3.  

     

    If your PC is the last physical device in the network daisy chain, you must connect a 50-ohm terminator to the other end of the BNC T-connector.

The next step is to install the network driver.

Go to Installing NIC Software in Windows or Installing the NetWare Client and Server Drivers.

AUI Port

The AUI port provides a 10 Mbps connection only.

The following table shows the cable requirement and maximum network cable length for the AUI port.

     

    Port

    Cable Required

    Maximum Network Cable Length

    15-pin AUI

    10BASE5 thick Ethernet coaxial (10 Mbps only)

    500 m (1,640 ft)

     

To connect the AUI port:

  1. Locate the 15-pin AUI port on the NIC and move the slide latch down to the open position.
  2. Connect the thick Ethernet coaxial cable to the AUI port on the NIC.
  3. This connector attaches in only one way. Orient the AUI connector to match the AUI port on the NIC.
  4. Move the slide latch up to the closed position to lock the AUI connector in place.
  5. Connect the other end of the network cable to an external transceiver.

The next step is to install the network driver.

Go to Installing NIC Software in Windows or Installing the NetWare Client and Server Drivers.

SC Port

The SC port on the 3C905B-FX NIC provides a 100 Mbps fiber-based connection only.

The following table shows the cable requirements and maximum network cable lengths for the SC port.

     

    Port

    Cable Required

    Maximum Network Cable Length

    SC

    Long-wavelength fiber-optic (1300 nm):

    • 50 µ/125 µ multimode fiber
    • 62.5 µ/125 µ multimode fiber

     


    Full-duplex: 2,000 m (6,560 ft )
    Half-duplex: 412 m (1,351 ft)

    Full-duplex: 2,000 m (6,560 ft )
    Half-duplex: 412 m (1,351 ft)

     

To connect the SC port:

  1. Remove the protective cover from the SC connector. on the NIC
  2. Connect the network cable to the SC connector on the NIC.
  3. Connect the other end of the cable to an active 100BASE-FX Fast Ethernet network port.

The next step is to install the network driver.

Go to Installing NIC Software in Windows or Installing the NetWare Client and Server Drivers.

ST Port

The ST port on the 3C900B-FL NIC provides a 10 Mbps fiber-based connection only.

The following table shows the cable requirements and maximum network cable lengths for the ST port.

     

    Port

    Cable Required

    Maximum Network Cable Length

    ST

    Short-wavelength fiber-optic (850 nm):

    • 50 µ/125 µ multimode fiber
    • 62.5 µ/125 µ multimode fiber

     


    Full-duplex: 2,000 m (6,560 ft )
    Half-duplex: 412 m (1,351 ft)

    Full-duplex: 2,000 m (6,560 ft )
    Half-duplex: 412 m (1,351 ft)

     

To connect the ST port:

  1. Remove the protective covers from the ST connector on the NIC.
  2. Connect the network cable to the ST connector on the NIC.
  3. The cable that you use for the 3C900B-FL NIC consists of two individual cables. You can insert either cable into the transmit (10) and receive (RX) connectors on the NIC.
  4. Connect the other end of the network cable to a 10BASE-FL Ethernet network hub or switch.
  5. Insert the cable that is connected to the transmit (10) connector on the NIC into the receive (RX) connector on the network hub or switch.
    Insert the cable that is connected to the receive (RX) connector on the NIC into the transmit (TX) connector on the network hub or switch.

The next step is to install the network driver.

Go to Installing NIC Software in Windows or Installing the NetWare Client and Server Drivers.