EtherLan User Guide
CMOS Lock machine protection software in Flash ROM
All i
3
EtherLan cards are now supplied with CMOS Lock software installed in Flash
ROM. This provides the system manager with a range of protection options for the
computer, and is fully described in a separate manual supplied with the card.
Other software protocols in Flash ROM
We can also supply upgrade discs for the installation of any of a number of additional
networking protocols into the Flash ROM of your
Z3
EtherLan cards. The most commonly
requested protocols are AppFS client, ClassShare client and Acorn . The first two
of these are available on a site-wide basis for a nominal handling charge. is
supplied under license from Acorn; a license fee is payable and the upgrade is serialised to
each card which you need to upgrade.
Some older third-party protocols such as NetGain and BootP can also be supplied to
special order. These require the older (DCI-2) release of the Acorn networking protocols.
Virus Protection
If you are prepared to disconnect your computers' floppy disc drives, virus protection of
your system will be considerably enhanced. Software can then only be introduced onto the
network by authorised individuals using a computer with a floppy disc drive, probably one
which is in a secure location. All other computers may have their floppy disk drives
disconnected or even removed
2
. The AUN software will 'boot' entirely from the Flash
ROM and can be updated over the network. You should also configure these computers to
have no floppy drive as this will speed their booting; this can be done through the
!Configure application. Once this has been done the CMOS Lock software can be used to
prevent anyone other than the system manager changing the configuration.
Network Diagnostics
When used on twisted pair networks the i
3
EtherLan card supports diagnostic features to
aid detection and correction of common faults. The card automatically detects and corrects
polarity reversal on the incoming twisted pair link (typically this fault is caused by a wiring
error). Although the link will work the software records and reports the fault condition.
Additionally, a twisted pair link is continuously checked for a connection to the remote
hub. If the link becomes broken the driver software reports this.
1
Self Test and Cable Check
On power on or after a computer reset the software on the i
3
EtherLan card performs a self
test and cable check. The self test checks the on-board buffer memory, controller chip
(DMA, CRC generation and checking, address recognition, serialiser/deserialiser, transmit
and receive paths, etc.) and network interface. The cable check will determine whether
there is a properly terminated cable attached to the card. Fault conditions such as no cable
or unterminated cable will be diagnosed. A star (*) command is also provided to force such
a check on the currently-selected interface connection.
Packaging
2
Please check with Acom Computers Ltd, your dealer or distributor to ensure that you are authorised to make specific
modifications to your computer without invalidating its warranty or safety features.
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ELANUG:214, Issue 2.1
