3Com (R) Corporation EtherDisk (R) Diskette for the 3C90X Fast EtherLink XL/EtherLink XL Bus Master NIC Family DOS Configuration and Diagnostic Program Instructions Summary Overview -------- The configuration portion of the program allows you to change the configuration parameters for the NIC to fit the specific environment in which the NIC is installed. The diagnostic portion of the Configuration and Diagnostic Program is designed to make sure that the NIC is installed correctly and functioning properly in your computer. The Group 1 tests check the physical components, connectors, and circuitry of the NIC and require only that the NIC be installed in the computer. The Group 2 tests check the NIC's ability to transmit data on the network and require that the NIC be connected to a loopback plug or to a network (for 3C900-COMBO or 3C900-TPC). The Group 3 tests check the NIC's ability to correctly transmit and receive data over the network and require that the NIC be connected to a network on which an echo server has been set up. The computer containing the NIC to be configured or tested must be running DOS only. NOTE: If this computer is an operating server, notify all users of the server to save their work and log out from the network. The Configuration and Diagnostic Program disrupts the normal operation of servers and workstations, so work that is not saved may be lost. Then shut down the server, and reboot with a DOS-only diskette. (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: 1. Automatically, from the INSTALL.EXE program, by selecting Configuration and Diagnostic Program on the main menu. 2. Manually, from the root directory of the EtherDisk 1 diskette, by typing the following command: 3C90XCFG [command keyword] [parameter list] 3C90XCFG represents the 3Com Configuration and Diagnostic Program name. The brackets indicate that the command keyword and parameter list are optional. 3C90XCFG without any arguments invokes the program in full windows mode. This includes mouse support and context-sensitive help. 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, 3C90XCFG HE RU means 3C90XCFG HELP RUN. Also, the command keywords and parameters are not case-sensitive, so CONFIGURE, configure, and Configure, for example, will all work. CONFIGURE Configures a NIC in one of three ways: 1. Automatically with the /auto parameter 2. Using a specified NIC configuration file 3. Using command line configuration parameters ECHOSERVER Enables a designated NIC to function as an echo server. HELP Displays general or command-specific help information. To get command-specific help, type: 3C90XCFG 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 NICs and their recognized NIC numbers. RUN Executes the diagnostic tests (which can also be specified from a file) on a selected NIC and writes the results to the screen, a file, or a printer. Configuration ------------- The NIC can be configured in either full-screen windows mode or command line mode. Full Screen Windows Mode ------------------------ To configure the NIC using full-screen windowing, type: 3C90XCFG [Enter] Then select the Configure NIC option in the Install pull-down menu. Command Line Mode ----------------- Command Line Mode Defaults -------------------------- Defaults: CONFIGURE has /AUTO and /ADAPTERNUM:1 as defaults. So, for example, if only 3C90XCFG CONFIGURE is used, NIC number 1 will be auto configured. 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 NICs are present in the computer and recognized by the Configuration and Diagnostic Program. /ADAPTERNUM:N specifies the number of the NIC to be configured for PCI computers. Run the LIST command separately to determine the NIC number to use here. There are three different ways to configure the NIC using command-line mode. 1. Command line with auto configuration 2. Command line with explicit parameters 3. Command line with configuration file Command Line with Auto Configuration ------------------------------------ Command syntax: 3C90XCFG CONFIGURE /AUTO The /AUTO parameter configures the NIC media type automatically. All other options settings are left unchanged. NOTE: The program attempts to detect what media type is being used. Therefore, connect to the network first and then run 3C90CFG CONFIGURE /AUTO. The program will configure the media type for you. Command Line with Explicit Parameters ------------------------------------- Command syntax: 3C90XCFG CONFIGURE [ /BSIZE:N /XCVR:N /TR:N /FULLDUPLEX:N /OPTIMIZE:N /LINKBEAT:N ] Command line configuration parameters are used to configure the NIC using only the option settings you specify. Some parameters are for all NICs; some are for PCI only. For example, /BSIZE:N is a PCI-only parameter. In most cases, any combination of parameters can be used. Therefore, it is possible to modify only a few settings if needed. /BSIZE Boot PROM Size Possible values - 8,16,32,64,disabled /TR (or /XCVR) Transceiver 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 disable/enable (pre-10BASE-T standard only) Possible values - disabled, enabled NOTE: Try this setting ONLY if pre-10BASE-T standard hubs are in use. /FULLDUPLEX Full Duplex disable/enable Possible values - disabled, enabled NOTE: Enable this setting ONLY when the NIC is connected to a 100BASE-T or 10BASE-T repeater supporting full duplex. Otherwise, it will bring down the network. Command Line with Configuration File ------------------------------------ Command syntax: 3C90XCFG CONFIGURE /CONFIGFILE:filename /CONFIGFILE:filename is used to configure a NIC with the settings specified in an ASCII configuration file that can be created and modified by any text editor. The filename can be a fully qualified DOS filename including a path. A standard format for the file must be used, as follows: - Variable names and values match the wording in the full-screen Configure window in most cases. - Begin each variable/value line with an "at" symbol (@), followed by a variable name, a colon (:), and the value. Example: @Media type: 100BASE-TX - Blank lines and other white spaces are allowed between variable lines. - Start any comment lines with a semicolon (;). - 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 Configure window. Example 1: @Network driver optimization:Normal Example 2: @Media type:On-board Coax Diagnostic ---------- Full-Screen Windows Mode ------------------------ To run the diagnostic tests using full-screen windowing, type: 3C90XCFG [ENTER] Then select the Run Tests option in the Tests pull-down menu. Command Line Option - RUN ------------------------- Command syntax: 3C90XCFG RUN [/TESTFILE:filename] [/RESULTS:[filename | PRN | PRNHP]] [/ADAPTERNUM:N] The RUN parameter executes the diagnostic tests on a selected NIC and displays the results on the screen. The defaults are NIC number 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 a 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 NIC number to be tested, in the case of multiple NICs installed in the computer and recognized by this program. Run the LIST command separately (see LIST below) to determine the NIC number to use. Other Command Line Options -------------------------- HELP Command syntax: 3C90XCFG HELP [Command Keyword] HELP is an on-line 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, 3C90XCFG HELP CONFIGURE gives details about the parameter options for the CONFIGURE command. LANGUAGE Command syntax: 3C90XCFG LANGUAGE /LANGFILE:filename LANGUAGE invokes the program in full windows mode using a specified external resource file. This option provides support for multiple languages through a different resource file for each language supported. /LANGFILE:filename is a required parameter with this command. The filename is the name of the resource file that is loaded by the program. The filename can be a fully qualified DOS filename. NOTE: At this time, there are no alternative resource files included on the EtherDisk diskette. LIST Command syntax: 3C90XCFG LIST LIST displays a list of currently installed NICs (and their assigned NIC numbers) that are recognized by this program. The NIC number is then used as the N value for the /ADAPTERNUM:N parameter when multiple NICs are installed. There are no parameters associated with the LIST command keyword. ECHOSERVER Command syntax: 3C90XCFG ECHOSERVER [/ADAPTERNUM:N] ECHOSERVER enables a NIC to function within an echo server. /ADAPTERNUM:N specifies the NIC to be configured in the echo server, in the case of multiple NICs. Further Assistance ------------------ If the NIC fails any of the diagnostic tests, see the TROUBLE.TXT file in the \HELP directory on the EtherDisk diskette for troubleshooting procedures. The SUPPORT.TXT file in the \INFO subdirectory on the EtherDisk diskette provides information about obtaining product support for the NIC. 3Com, EtherDisk, and EtherLink are registered trademarks of 3Com Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. (%VER INSTRUCT.TXT - Configuration and Diagnostic Program Instructions v1.0e)