I/O Devices for Workstation PC 97

This section defines the general requirements for I/O devices. Additional requirements are defined in the sections titled "Graphics Adapter and Monitor for Workstation PC 97" and "Storage and Related Peripherals for Workstation PC 97" later in this chapter.

Tips for Selecting I/O Performance Components. For PC manufacturers who want to select high-performance components for Workstation 97 systems, these are design features to look for in I/O components:

• Adapter supports bus mastering, especially for use with processors that have Pentium Pro-equivalent register sets.
• PCI adapter properly supports higher-level PCI commands for intelligent data transfer.
• Drivers are tuned for 32-bit performance.

13. Keyboard connection and keyboard

Recommended: USB connection. The external connection requirements can also be met using a PS/2-style port or wireless capabilities in the system. For complete requirements for keyboard ports and peripherals, see the "Input Components" chapter in Part 4 of this guide.

14. Pointing device connection and pointing device

Recommended: USB connection. The external connection requirements can also be met using a PS/2-style port or wireless capabilities in the system. For complete requirements for mouse ports and peripherals, see the "Input Components" chapter in Part 4 of this guide.

15. High-precision input device in addition to mouse

Recommended: USB connection. For workstations that support engineering or CAD computing, a digitizer, drawing tablet, or other special pointing device is Recommended. Any pointing device included with the system must meet the PC 97 requirements for input devices.

16. Connection for external parallel devices

Recommended: SCSI or external bus such as USB, IEEE 1394, or PC Card. This can also be provided as a parallel port with ECP mode capabilities. For complete requirements for parallel ports, see the "Serial, Parallel, and Wireless Support" chapter in Part 4 of this guide.

17. Connection for external serial devices

Recommended: USB or PC Card. This can also be provided as a 16550A serial port. For complete requirements for serial ports, see the "Serial, Parallel, and Wireless Support" chapter in Part 4 of this guide.

18. Wireless capabilities in PC system

If wireless capabilities are included in the system, PC 97 requirements must be met, as defined in the "Serial, Parallel, and Wireless Support" chapter in Part 4 of this guide.

19. CD-ROM or network adapter support for installing the operating system

For Workstation PC 97, a network adapter included with the system is strongly recommended.

The PC 97 system must include I/O device support to allow the user to install (or reinstall) the operating system. For the Windows NT operating system, either a CD-ROM drive or network adapter must be included in the system, because Windows NT does not support installing the operating system from a floppy disk drive.

• CD-ROM drive: if this device is present, the host controller must meet requirements defined in the related chapters in Part 3 of this guide, and the device must meet the requirements defined in the "Storage and Related Peripherals" chapter in Part 4 of this guide.
• Network adapter: if the network interface is implemented in the PC system (either on the system board or through an expansion card), the network adapter must meet the requirements defined in the "Network Communications" chapter in Part 4 of this guide. These requirements include support for an NDIS 4.0 miniport driver plus automatic detection of cable and transceiver type.

  An ISA-based network adapter solution is not allowed for a Workstation PC 97 system.

Note It is recognized that OEMs supply PC systems to corporations in situations where the customer will insert network adapters at the end-user site. Workstation systems designed for specific corporate customer features are exempt from this PC 97 requirement.

20. Audio support in PC system meets PC 97 requirements

If audio is implemented in a PC 97 system, it must meet the minimum requirements defined in the "Audio Components" chapter in Part 4 of this guide.

21. Communications device provided with PC system

The following device options can meet this requirement:

• Modem. If modem capabilities are implemented in the PC system, the device must meet the requirements defined in the "Modems" chapter in Part 4 of this guide.
• ISDN or cable modem for high-speed communications. High-speed communication capabilities are strongly recommended for Workstation PC 97. For information about requirements for ISDN and cable modems, see the "Network Communications" chapter in Part 4 of this guide.
• Network adapter. Requirements for a network adapter are defined earlier in this section.
• ATM adapter. If this adapter is included in a Workstation PC 97 system, it must meet the requirements defined in the "Network Communications" chapter in Part 4 of this guide.

Note It is recognized that OEMs supply PC systems to corporations in situations where the customer will insert network adapters at the end-user site or where the customer has particular feature demands. Workstation systems designed for specific corporate customers are exempt from this PC 97 requirement.