3Com Fast EtherLink and EtherLink III Adapter Configuration

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0

SUMMARY

This article describes the 3Com Fast EtherLink and the 3Com EtherLink III Bus Master Adapters Configuration and Diagnostic Program instructions.

MORE INFORMATION

The configuration portion of the program allows you to change the configuration parameters for the adapter. This allows the adapter to fit the specific environment in which it is installed.

The diagnostic portion of the Configuration and Diagnostic Program is designed to make sure the adapter is installed correctly and functioning properly in your computer. The Group 1 tests check the physical components, connectors, and circuitry of the adapter and require only that the adapter be installed in the computer. The Group 2 tests check the adapter's ability to transmit data on the network and require that the adapter be connected to a loopback plug or to a network. The Group 3 tests check the adapter's ability to correctly transmit and receive data over the network and require that the adapter be connected to a network on which an echo server has been set up.

The computer containing the adapter to be configured or tested must be running MS-DOS only.

NOTE: If this computer is an operating server, notify all users of the server to save their work and log off the network. The Configuration and Diagnostic Program disrupts the normal operation of servers and workstations, so work that is not saved may be lost.

Shut down the server, and reboot with an MS-DOS only disk. This way no drivers or TSRs will be running when the program is started.

Starting the Configuration and Diagnostic Program

There are two ways to start the program:

• Automatically, from the Install.exe program, by selecting the options in the Configuration and Diagnostic submenu.

  -or-

• Manually, from the root directory of the EtherDisk disk, by typing the following command:

         3C59XCFG [command keyword] [parameter list]
  

  3C59XCFG represents the 3Com Configuration and Diagnostic Program name. The brackets indicate that the command keyword and parameter list are optional.

  3C59XCFG without any arguments invokes the program in full Windows mode. This includes mouse support and context-sensitive help. You can press F1 for help at any time.

Command-Line Keywords

You can use the first two characters of any command or parameter as a shortcut. For example, 3C59XCFG HE RU means 3C59XCFG HELP RUN. Also, the command keywords and parameters are not case-sensitive. See below for a list of command-line keywords and their descriptions.

   Keyword      Description
   ------------------------

   Configure    Configures an adapter in one of three ways:
                1. Automatically with /auto parameter
                2. Using a specified adapter configuration file
                3. Using command-line configuration parameters

   Echoserver   Enables a designated adapter to function within the echo
                server.

   Help         Displays general or command-specific help information. To
                get command-specific help, type:

                   3C59XCFG Help [command keyword]

   Language     Invokes the program in full Windows mode using a specified
                external resource file. This option provides support for
                multiple languages via a different resource file for each
                language supported.

   List         Displays a list of installed adapters recognized by this
                program and their assigned adapter numbers.

   Run          Runs the diagnostic tests (which can also be specified
                from a file) on a selected adapter and writes the results
                to the screen, a file, or a printer.

CONFIGURATION

The adapter can be configured in one of the following four ways, which are described in greater detail below:

• Full-Screen Windows Mode
• Command Line with Auto Configuration
• Command Line with Explicit Parameters
• Command Line with Configuration File

  Full Screen Windows Mode ------------------------

  To configure the adapter using the full-screen windowing, type

        3C59XCFG
  

  and press ENTER. Then click Configure Adapter on the Install menu.

  Command Line Options --------------------

  Defaults: Configure has /Auto and /Adapternum:1 as defaults. For example, if only "3C59XCFG Configure" is used, adapter 1 will be automatically configured.

  /Adapternum:<N> specifies the adapter number to be configured for PCI and EISA computers. Run the LIST command separately to determine the adapter number to use here.

  /Slot:<S> specifies the physical slot number of the adapter to be configured in EISA computers.

  NOTE: The /Adapternum:<N> and /Slot:<S> parameters can be used with any of the Configure options that follow. They are both intended for use whenever multiple adapters are present in the computer and recognized by the Configuration and Diagnostic Program.

  Command Line with Auto Configuration ------------------------------------

  Command syntax: 3C59XCFG Configure /Auto

  The /Auto parameter configures the adapter to automatically select the media type. All other option settings are left unchanged.

  NOTE: To set the media type, the program will attempt to detect what media type is being used. Therefore, you should connect to the network first, then run /Auto, and it will configure the media type for you.

  Command Line with Explicit Parameters -------------------------------------

  Command syntax: 3C59XCFG Configure [/Bsize:<N> /Xcvr:<N> /Tr:<N>

                      /Fullduplex:<N> /Optimize:<N> /Linkbeat:<N>]
  
     Command-line configuration parameters are used to configure the adapter
     using only the option settings you specify. Some parameters are for all
     adapters, while others are for PCI only. For example, /Bsize:<N> is a
     PCI- only parameter, because with EISA adapters, the computer vendor's
     configuration utility or the option disk handles the setting of the Boot
     PROM size. In most cases, any combination of parameters can be used.
     Therefore, it is possible to modify only a few settings if needed. See
     below for a list of parameters.
  
        Parameter       Description
        ---------------------------
  
        /Bsize          Boot PROM Size (PCI only).
                        Possible values - 8, 16, 32, 64, Disabled.
  
        /Tr (or /Xcvr)  Transceiver (PCI only).
                        Possible values - 100BASE-TX, Tp, 10BASE-T (same as
                        Tp), Coax, Aui, External (same as Aui).
  
        /Optimize       Network Driver Optimization.
                        Possible values - Normal, Network, Cpu.
  
        /Linkbeat       Link beat enable/disable (pre-10BASE-T standard
                        only).
                        Possible values - Enabled, Disabled.
  
                        NOTE: Try this setting ONLY if pre-10BASE-T standard
                        hubs are in use.
  
        /Fullduplex     Full duplex enable or disable (for 10BASE-T only).
                        Possible values - Enabled, Disabled.
  
                        NOTE: Enable this setting ONLY when the adapter is
                        connected to a 10BASE-T repeater supporting full
                        duplex.
                        Otherwise, it will bring down the network.
  
     Command Line with Configuration File
     ------------------------------------
  
     Command syntax: 3C59XCFG Configure /Configfile:<filename>
  
     This syntax is used to configure an adapter with the settings specified
     in an ASCII configuration file that can be created and modified by any
     text editor. The file name can be a fully qualified MS-DOS file name
     including a path. A standard format for the file must be used, as
     follows:
  
      - Variable names and values should match the wording in the full-screen
        configuration window in most cases.
  
      - Each variable or value line should begin with an "at" symbol (@),
        followed by a variable name, a colon (:), and the value.
  
        For example: @Media type: 100BASE-TX
  
      - Any comment lines should start with a semicolon (;).
  
      - Blank lines and other white space is allowed between variable lines.
  
      - The variable names allowed are:
  
           Boot PROM size
           Media type
           Network driver optimization
           Full Duplex
           Link beat
  
      - The values allowed are the same as those shown in the full-screen
        configuration window.
  
        Example 1: @Network driver optimization:Normal
        Example 2: @Media type:On-board Coax
  
  

DIAGNOSTICS

• Full screen Windows mode:

  To run the diagnostic tests using full-screen windowing, type "3C59XCFG" (without the quotes) and press ENTER. Then click Run Tests on the Tests menu.

• Command-line option:

  Command syntax: 3C59XCFG Run [/Testfile:<filename>] [/RESULTS:[<filename> | PRN | PRNHP]] [/ADAPTERNUM:<N> | /SLOT:<S>]

  The Run parameter runs the diagnostic tests on a selected adapter and displays the results on the screen. The defaults are Adapter 1 and Group 1 tests. The parameters below are all optional.

        /Testfile:<filename> specifies a test file that contains a specific
        test setup description.
  

        /Results:[<filename> or PRN or PRNHP] specifies an alternative
        location to store the test results. This location can be an MS-DOS
        path and filename, PRN printer port (same as LPT1), or PRNHP, which
        is an HP LaserJet printer connected to LPT1.
  

        /Adapternum:<N> specifies the adapter number to be tested, in the
        case of multiple adapters installed in the computer and recognized by
        this program. Run the List command separately (see List below) to
        determine the adapter number to use.
  

        /Slot:<S> specifies the physical slot number of the adapter to be
        tested when multiple adapters are installed in EISA computers.
  

OTHER COMMAND LINE OPTIONS

• Help

  Command syntax: 3C59XCFG Help [Command Keyword]

  Help is an online summary of commands. Without a command keyword, it gives a summary of the command keywords. With a command keyword specified, it gives the parameter choices for that particular command. For example, "3C59XCFG Help Configure" gives details about the parameter options for the Configure command.

• Language

  Command syntax: 3C59XCFG Language /Langfile:<filename>

  Language invokes the program in full Windows mode using a specified external resource file. This option provides support for multiple languages via a different resource file for each language supported.

  This command requires the /Langfile:<filename> parameter. The file name is the name of the resource file that is loaded by the program. The file name can be a fully qualified MS-DOS file name.

  NOTE: At this time, there are no alternate resource files included on the EtherDisk disk.

• List

  Command syntax: 3C59XCFG List

  List displays a list of currently installed adapters (and their assigned adapter numbers) that are recognized by this program. The adapter number is then used as the <N> value for the /Adapternum:<N> parameter when multiple adapters are installed. There are no parameters associated with the List command keyword.

• Echoserver

  Command syntax: 3C59XCFG Echoserver [/Adapternum:<N> | /Slot:<S>]

  Echoserver enables an adapter to function within an echo server. In the case of multiple adapters, /Adapternum:<N> specifies the adapter number to be configured in the echo server. The /Slot:<S> parameter is available only on EISA computers, and refers to the physical slot in the echo server where the adapter is located.

FURTHER ASSISTANCE

If the adapter fails any of the diagnostic tests, see the Trouble.txt file in the Diag directory on the EtherDisk disk for troubleshooting procedures.

The Support.txt file in the Info directory on the EtherDisk disk provides information about obtaining product support for the adapter.

EtherDisk, EtherLink, and 3Com are registered trademarks of 3Com Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

For more information, contact 3com Corporation Technical Support at: (800) 876-3266.

The products included here are manufactured by vendors independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.