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Chapter 4 Using the Network Interface Controller This chapter describes how to connect your computer system to an Ethernet network using the optional built-in network interface controller (NIC). The NIC, installed on the system board for OptiPlex Gs+ systems, provides all the functions normally handled by a separate network expansion card. To connect your system to and configure it for use on an Ethernet network, you must complete the following steps: 1. Connect the network cable to the back of your computer. See the next section, "Connecting to a Network," for detailed instructions. 2. Verify that the NIC is enabled in the System Setup program. See "NIC" in Chapter 2 for instructions. 3. Configure the NIC and install the network drivers by running the 3Com® Install program. See "Configuring the NIC" found later in this chapter for detailed instructions. 4. Run the NIC diagnostics to verify that the NIC is operating properly. See "Running the NIC Diagnostics" found later in this chapter for detailed instructions. Connecting to a Network Your computer has an RJ45 connector on the back panel for attaching an unshielded twisted pair (UTP) Ethernet cable, which is used in 10Base-T networks. Press one end of the UTP cable into the RJ45 connector (see Figure 4-1) until the cable snaps securely into place. Connect the other end of the cable to an RJ45 jack wall plate or to an RJ45 port on a UTP concentrator or hub, depending on your network configuration. Observe the following cabling restrictions for 10Base-T networks: • 10Base-T networks allow the use of 22-, 24-, and 26-gauge cable (24-gauge cable is the most common). Voice and data lines should be in separate sheaths. • The maximum cable length (between a workstation and a concentrator) is 328 feet (ft) (100 meters [m]). • The maximum number of workstations (not including concentrators) on a network is 1024. • The maximum number of daisy-chained concentrators on one network segment is four. The RJ45 connector on the computer's back panel incorporates the following indicators: • The yellow activity indicator flashes when the system is transmitting or receiving network data. (A high volume of network traffic may make this indicator appear to be in a steady "on" state.) • The green link integrity indicator lights up when there is a valid 10Base-T connection between the network and the computer. When the indicator is off, the computer is not detecting a physical connection to the network. Using the Network Interface Controller 4-1

Section	Page
Safety Instructions	3
When Using Your Computer System	3
Ergonomic Computing Habits	3
When Working Inside Your Computer	5
Protecting Against Electrostatic Discharge	5
Preface	7
About This Guide	7
Warranty and Return Policy Information	7
Other Documents You May Need	7
Notational Conventions	8
Warnings, Cautions, and Notes	8
Typographical Conventions	8
Contents	11
Introduction	19
System Features	19
Accessing Online Documentation	21
Using the Optional Floor Stand	21
Security Cable Slot and Padlock Ring	22
Energy Star Compliance	22
Getting Help	23
Using the System Setup Program	25
Entering the System Setup Program	25
System Setup Screens	26
Using the System Setup Program	26
System Setup Categories	28
Time	28
Date	28
Diskette Drive A and Diskette Drive B	28
Drive A Location	28
Drives: Primary and Secondary	28
EIDE Devices	29
If You Have a Problem	29
Base Memory	30
Extended Memory	30
Reserved Memory	30
CPU Speed	30
Num Lock	30
Keyboard Errors	30
System Password	30
Password Status	31
Boot Sequence	31
Setup Password	31
Auto Power On	31
Power Management	31
Saving Monitor Power	32
Saving EIDE Hard-Disk Drive Power	32
NIC	33
Mouse	33
Serial Port 1 and Serial Port 2	33
Parallel Port	33
Parallel Mode	33
Hard Disk	33
Diskette	34
Speaker	34
System Data Categories	34
Using the System Password Feature	34
Assigning a System Password	35
Using Your System Password to Secure Your System	35
Deleting or Changing an Existing System Password	36
Using the Setup Password Feature	36
Assigning a Setup Password	37
Operating With a Setup Password Enabled	37
Deleting or Changing an Existing Setup Password	37
Disabling a Forgotten Password	37
Responding to Error Messages	38
Using the ISA Configuration Utility	39
Quick Start	39
About the ICU	40
ISA Configuration Utility Database	40
When to Run the ICU	40
Preparing to Use the ICU	41
Backing Up the ICU Diskette	41
Starting the ICU	41
Accessing Help	41
Making Selections in the ICU	41
Adding a Listed Card	42
Adding an Unlisted Card	44
Modifying a Card	45
Removing a Card	47
Viewing Resources	47
Saving the System Configuration	48
Exiting From the ICU	48
Advanced Features of the ICU	48
Locking and Unlocking Cards	48
Locking and Unlocking All Resources	48
Locking and Unlocking Configuration Resources	49
Modifying the Configuration Manager	49
Using Image Files	50
Loading an Image File	50
Saving an Image to a File	50
Using the Network Interface Controller	51
Connecting to a Network	51
Configuring the NIC	52
Using Install in a Novell® NetWare® Environment	52
Using Install in a Non-NetWare Environment	53
Using Install to Change Configuration Settings	53
Installing a Network Driver	54
NetWare 4.0 Server Drivers	54
Running the NIC Diagnostics	55
Running the Group 1 Tests	55
Running the Group 3 Test	55
Setting Up an Echo Server	56
Running the Diagnostic Tests	56
Changing the Test Parameters	56
What to Do If a Test Fails	56
Working Inside Your Computer	59
Before You Begin	59
Safety First—For You and Your Computer	59
Unpacking Your Hardware Option	60
Removing the Computer Cover	60
Replacing the Computer Cover	60
Removing and Replacing the Expansion-Card Cage	61
Removing the Expansion-Card Cage	61
Replacing the Expansion-Card Cage	62
Inside Your Computer	62
Jumpers	62
Switches	63
System Board Labels	67
Installing System Board Options	69
Expansion Cards	70
Expansion Slots	70
Installing an Expansion Card	71
Removing an Expansion Card	72
Adding Memory	72
SIMM Installation Guidelines	72
Performing a Memory Upgrade	73
Installing a SIMM	74
Removing a SIMM	75
Upgrading the Microprocessor	75
Upgrading Video Memory	78
Replacing the System Battery	79
Installing Drives	81
Removing and Replacing FrontPanel Inserts	81
Connecting Drives	82
Installing a Drive in the 5.25-Inch Drive Bay	83
Installing an External Tape Drive	86
Installing an EIDE Hard-Disk Drive	87
Partitioning and Logically Formatting Your EIDE Ha...	89
Installing SCSI Devices	90
SCSI Configuration Guidelines	90
SCSI ID Numbers	90
SCSI Cable and SCSI Termination	90
General Procedure for Installing SCSI Devices	91
Partitioning and Formatting SCSI HardDisk Drives	93
ISA Configuration Utility Messages	95
ICU Error Messages	95
Configuration Manager Messages	100
Regulatory Notices	105
FCC Notices (U.S. Only)	105
Class A	105
Class B	106
IC Notice (Canada Only)	106
EN 55022 Compliance (Czech Republic Only)	106
CE Notice	106
VCCI Notices (Japan Only)	107
Class 1 Notice	107
Class 2 Notice	107
Korean Regulatory Notice	108
Class A Device	108
Class B Device	108
Polish Center for Testing and Certification Notice...	108
Wymagania Polskiego Centrum BadaÒ i Certyfikacji	108
Pozosta³e instrukcje bez pieczeÒstwa	109
Warranties and Return Policy	111
Limited Three-Year Warranty (U.S. Only)	111
Coverage During Year One	111
Coverage During Years Two and Three	112
General	112
Limited Three-Year Warranty (Canada Only)	112
Coverage During Year One	113
Coverage During Years Two and Three	113
General	113
“Total Satisfaction” Return Policy (U.S. and Canad...	114

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Using the Network Interface Controller

4-1

Chapter 4

Using the Network Interface Controller

his chapter describes how to connect your computer

system to an Ethernet network using the optional built-in

network interface controller (NIC). The NIC, installed on

the system board for OptiPlex Gs+ systems, provides all

the functions normally handled by a separate network

expansion card. To connect your system to and configure

it for use on an Ethernet network, you must complete the

following steps:

Connect the network cable to the back of your

computer.

See the next section, “Connecting to a Network,” for

detailed instructions.

Verify that the NIC is enabled in the System

Setup program.

See “NIC” in Chapter 2 for instructions.

Configure the NIC and install the network driv-

ers by running the 3Com

Install program.

See “Configuring the NIC” found later in this chap-

ter for detailed instructions.

Run the NIC diagnostics to verify that the NIC is

operating properly.

See “Running the NIC Diagnostics” found later in

this chapter for detailed instructions.

onnecting to a Network

Your computer has an RJ45 connector on the back panel

for attaching an unshielded twisted pair (UTP) Ethernet

cable, which is used in 10Base-T networks. Press one end

of the UTP cable into the RJ45 connector (see

Figure 4-1) until the cable snaps securely into place.

Connect the other end of the cable to an RJ45 jack wall

plate or to an RJ45 port on a UTP concentrator or hub,

depending on your network configuration. Observe the

following cabling restrictions for 10Base-T networks:

•

10Base-T networks allow the use of 22-, 24-, and

26-gauge cable (24-gauge cable is the most com-

mon). Voice and data lines should be in separate

sheaths.

•

The maximum cable length (between a workstation

and a concentrator) is 328 feet (ft) (100 meters [m]).

•

The maximum number of workstations (not including

concentrators) on a network is 1024.

•

The maximum number of daisy-chained concentrators

on one network segment is four.

The RJ45 connector on the computer’s back panel

incorporates the following indicators:

•

The yellow

activity indicator

flashes when the

system is transmitting or receiving network data. (A

high volume of network traffic may make this indi-

cator appear to be in a steady “on” state.)

•

The green

link integrity indicator

lights up when

there is a valid 10Base-T connection between the

network and the computer. When the indicator is off,

the computer is not detecting a physical connection

to the network.