EtherLan User Guide
Introduction
This User Guide relates to all versions of the i 3 EtherLan Ethernet interface card.
Packed with this guide you will find a separate leaflet which describes how to install the
particular card you have purchased; the Installation Instructions include the full packing
list for your card.
Thin Ethernet and Twisted Pair Ethernet connections on a single card
EtherLan `combo' cards can be connected to two types of Ethemet Network; thin
Ethernet (also known as Cheapernet or I0Base2) and twisted pair Ethernet (I0BaseT). You
simply plug the appropriate connector on the card to your Ethemet in the usual way. The
card will automatically sense the type of network to which it is connected - no user
configuration of the card is needed.
Note that the EtherLan 210/211 card (for the network slot of A3020/A4000 computers) is
not supplied as a 'combo' card. In order to comply with the Ethernet standards the main
part of this card is installed inside the computer, with a small adapter (the Medium
Attachment Unit or MAU) on the back of the computer. When ordering this card you need
to specify whether you require an MAU for 10BaseT (EtherLan 211) or for 10Base2
(EtherLan 210) connection.
In addition, i3 can supply interface cards which are fitted with only the 10BaseT
connection
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-the EtherLan 101 (A3000), EtherLan 511 (A5000, etc.) and the
EtherLan 601 (Rise PC/A7000). Clearly those sections of this Guide which relate to the
combo card's port selection do not apply to these 10BaseT-only cards.
With all cards, careful design ensures compliance with the electrical isolation and cable
loading standards required for Ethernet (IEEE 802.3). The voltage isolation safety barrier
required by Ethernet (500V for 10Base2; 2000V for 10BaseT) is provided by the printed
circuit board and components used, ensuring that safety standards are maintained
irrespective of any fault that may occur in the computer or elsewhere on the network
cabling.
AUN Client Software in Flash ROM
Your i3 EtherLan card has Acorn's Universal Networking (AUN) Client software in Flash
ROM. Flash ROM is a non-volatile read only memory (ROM) technology that allows
electrical reprogramming. Any software upgrades will be installed into the ROM without
ever needing to open the computer's case. The advantage of this will be appreciated by any
School Network Manager. Software upgrades can even be distributed over the network
itself.
Software will be updated on a site basis. i3 will supply an upgrade disk to an authorised
individual. The installation software requires a password before it will work, and if required
we will send this password under separate cover, for maximum security. Since a Flash
ROM upgrade requires both disc and password the possibility of accidental installation of
an outdated software version is minimised.
Cards are also available as I 0Base2 only, to special order. If your cards have only a single connection then please
ignore references to the other connector type throughout this User
Guide.
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