How to Use This Guide This installation guide shows you how to install the D-Link Token- Ring Network Adapter DT-300 for the IBM PS/2 and its compatibles. This installation guide is divided into two chapters and one appendix. Their contents are summarized below. Chapter 1 Introduction This chapter gives you an overview on the DT-300. Chapter 2 Installation This chapter discusses procedures for installation and configuration of the DT-300. Appendix RAM Paging and RAM Size This appendix provides information on the RAM Paging function of the DT-300. Chapter 1 Introduction Overview The DT-300 is a Token-Ring network adapter that allows you to attach IBM PS/2 computers and compatibles equipped with Micro Channel architecture to the IBM Token-Ring network. The DT-300 transmits data over the Token-Ring network at 4 or 16 megabits per second (Mbps), in compliance with IEEE 802.5 standards. The rate at which a single ring operates is determined by the data rate of adapters in the attaching devices, and is predefined by a switch setting. This means that the data rate of the DT-300 must match the data rate of the LAN segment to which it is attached. Otherwise, the adapter will not function properly, and network operation may be impacted. The DT-300 uses an IBM mini-module to provide the protocol-handling function, which further ensures compatible connections to an IBM Token-Ring environment. The DT-300 has a total of 64KB of RAM, 63.5KB of which is available to the user and 0.5KB of which is reserved. All 64KB of RAM reside in the computer address space. Other features of the DT-300 include: * Equipped with standard IEEE 802.2 Logical Link Control (LLC) protocol. * Connects to IBM 8228 Multistation Access Unit (MAU) or equivalent through 9-pin D-type connector; fully compatible with IBM cabling system. * Includes optional Remote Program Load (RPL) socket for remote- booting function. Early Token Release and RAM Paging The DT-300 supports Early Token Release (ETR) and RAM Paging functions. * ETR allows the DT-300 to send a free token after completing the transmission of packets in the network, without waiting for the return of the original information packet. This function increases network utilization and performance by reducing the average time required for another network adapter to gain access to the network. ETR is automatically enabled when the DT-300 data rate is set to 16 Mbps. * RAM Paging organizes the adapter's RAM into four 16KB pages that are presented to the application program one page at a time. This feature allows the DT-300 to occupy only 16KB of address space in the computer, at the same time approximating the performance of an adapter occupying 64KB of address space. For more information on RAM Paging, refer to the Appendix. Programs which support both ETR and RAM Paging of the DT-300 include the IBM Local Area Network Support Program (Version 1.1 or later), and the IBM Operating System/2 Extended Edition (Version 1.1 or later). What's Next This chapter introduced the features of the DT-300. Now that you know a little more about the adapter, you are ready to install it on your computer. The next chapter shows you how. Chapter 2 Installation The installation of the DT-300 is simple and straightforward. To install the adapter, you will perform the following: 1. Insert the adapter into your computer. 2. Set the configurationfor the DT-300. 3. Connect the DT-300 to your cabling system or to a Multistation Access Unit (MAU). Step 1 Insert the adapter To insert the adapter into your computer, perform the following procedures: 1. Turn off your computer, and remove the cover. 2. Insert the adapter into any available I/O expansion slot. 3. Secure the adapter to the rear of the computer chassis by tightening the screw. 4. Replace the cover of the computer. (figure) Step 2 Set the adapter's configuration Following installation of the DT-300 in your computer, set the adapter's configuration for settings such as its ROM address range, RAM size/address range, and interrupt level. To help you with configuring the adapter, an installation diskette is provided, containing the necessary files for this purpose. Copy these files to the PS/2 reference diskette, then perform the procedures below: 1. Insert the PS/2 Reference Diskette with the copied file into drive A, and turn on the computer. Follow the instructions that appear on the panels until you see the main menu. For more information about menu selections, use the HELP facility on the Reference Diskette. 2. On the main menu, choose the option, Set Configuration. A screen will appear, and among the options there, choose Change Configuration. 3. Another screen appears, where you can set the individual configuration settings of the DT-300. These settings are explained below. A. Primary or Alternate Adapter This indicates whether the adapter you are installing is the primary or the alternate adapter. A primary adapter is accessed at port addresses 0A20 through 0A23; an alternate adapter is accessed at port addresses 0A24 through 0A27. If one Token-Ring network adapter is installed in your computer, it may be either primary or alternate. If two are installed, one must defined as primary, and the other as alternate. If an assignment has an asterisk (*) in it, the assignment conflicts with another and must be changed. If a conflict continues to exist, you may need to change the assignments for other adapters or options in your computer to resolve the problem. To specify this setting on the program, use the keys, F5=Previous and F6=Next. (or space bar to toggle? check this) B. Adapter Data Rate This indicates the rate at which the DT-300 passes data to the network, which may be either 4 Mbps or 16 Mbps. Before setting your adapter data rate, check with your network manager on the rate to be used. The adapter data rate must match the data rate of the LAN segment. To specify this setting on the program, use the keys, F5=Previous and F6=Next. * Warning: Connecting the adapter to a LAN segment using a data rate different from the adapter data rate is never permitted and can adversely affect system operation. C. ROM Address Range This indicates the block of memory to be assigned for accessing the ROM area of the DT-300. The recommended ROM address is CC000-CDFFF. The ROM address selected for your DT-300 must not be assigned for use by any other adapter or option, and it cannot be the same as the DT-300's RAM address. If an assignment has an asterisk (*) in it, the assignment conflicts with another and must be changed. If a conflict continues to exist, you may need to change the assignments for other adapters or options in your computer to resolve the problem. To specify this setting on the program, use the keys, F5=Previous and F6=Next. D. RAM Size and Address Range This indicates the block of memory to be assigned for accessing the RAM located on the DT-300. The recommended RAM size is 16 KB / D8000-DBFFF, which allows RAM paging. The RAM address range selected for your DT-300 must not be assigned for use by any other adapter or option, and it cannot be the same as the DT-300's ROM address. If an assignment has an asterisk (*) in it, the assignment conflicts with another and must be changed. If a conflict continues to exist, you may need to change the assignments for other adapters or options in your computer to resolve the problem. To specify this setting on the program, use the keys, F5=Previous and F6=Next. The different settings for RAM size are explained below: 16 KB The recommended RAM-size setting for the DT-300, and enables the RAM Paging function. RAM Paging allows your software to access all 64 KB of RAM on the adapter one page (16 KB) at a time, while using only 16 KB of the computer's memory. For more details on RAM Paging, refer to the Appendix. 8 KB Recommended only if memory space (for what?) is limited. Use this setting if you want 8 KB of RAM to be shared by your computer and the adapter. The RAM starting address should be on a 16 KB-address boundary when you load your adapter support program. 32 KB Use this setting if you want 32 KB of RAM to be shared by your computer and the adapter, or if it is required by your application program. The RAM starting address should be on a 32 KB-address boundary when you load your adapter support program. 64 KB Use this setting if you want 64 KB of RAM to be shared by your computer and the adapter, or if it is required by your application program. The RAM starting address should be on a 64 KB-address boundary when you load your adapter support program. E. Interrupt Level This indicates the interrupt line that is needed when your adapters require services from the computer's CPU. The DT-300 can operate on one of four interrupt levels: 2, 3, 10, or 11. The recommended interrupt level is 2, but the adapter can operate on any of the four levels if necessary. As with other configuration settings, the interrupt level selected for your DT-300 must not be assigned for use by any other adapter or option. To specify this setting on the program, use the keys, F5=Previous and F6=Next. Step 3 Connect the computer to MAU After completing the installation and configuration of the DT-300, connect your PS/2 to the Multistation Access Unit (MAU). The MAU is a wiring concentrator to which computers on a Token-Ring network are connected in their formation of a ring. A ring can be expanded by cascading MAUs together. The IBM 8228 or equivalent MAU connects up to eight computers. In addition, two connectors on the MAU serve as Ring-In and Ring-Out access for connection to other MAUs, providing a means to extend the ring. To connect your computer to the MAU: 1. Insert the 9-pin D-type connector at one end of the cable into your adapter. 2. Insert the data connector at the other end of the cable into the MAU. (figure) Support for Remote Booting The DT-300 is equipped with a socket for installing a remote- booting ROM, and various ROMs are available to support different working environments. To install a boot ROM on the adapter, refer to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the boot ROM. What's Next This chapter discussed the procedures for installation and configuration of your DT-300. By this time, the adapter should have been installed in your computer, configured properly, and your computer must have been attached to the MAU. Installation of the DT-300 is a simple matter of inserting the adapter into an available expansion slot in your PS/2. For configuration, keep in mind that the assignments for each setting must not conflict with those used by other adapters or options. Finally, connecting your PS/2 to the MAU is just as easy, carried out by attaching the correct ends of the cable to the adapter and the MAU. During the configuration of your adapter, you will have set the adapter's RAM size and address range. The procedure mentions the RAM Paging function, which allows the efficient allocation of memory by the DT-300. The basic information on the RAM Paging function has been presented in this chapter. For more details, however, refer to the Appendix that follows. Appendix RAM Paging and RAM Size The DT-300 supports RAM Paging, a function that alllows network programs to access all of the 64 KB of RAM on the adapter one page (16 KB) at a time. PS/2 computers allow adapters to use up to 128 KB of the computer's memory. For the DT-300, you may choose a RAM size of 8, 16, 32 or 64 KB, and RAM Paging lets you use all available RAM on the adapter while consuming only 16KB of the computer's memory. This way, more memory can be left for use by other adapters. To use RAM Paging, you must do the following: * Select a RAM size of 16 KB. * Ensure that the appropriate software is installed. This refers to the IBM Local Area Network Support Program, Version 1.1, or the IBM Operating System/2 Extended Edition, Version 1.1, Novell NetWare 2.x and 3.x, or their equivalents. When RAM Paging is supported, the DT-300 maps the contents of the adapter's 64 KB RAM to the PS/2's memory in four pages of 16 KB each, leaving more memory for other adapters to use. Each page occupies the same memory in the PS/2, as shown in the following figure. The paging process is software-controlled. (figure) When RAM Paging is not supported, you must select a RAM size (8, 16, 32 or 64KB) and an Address Range which do not conflict with other devices. The amount of RAM you select is all that is used by the DT-300 (very vague; unclear). The larger the RAM size you select, the larger the frames you can send, and the more communication links you can establish. --------------------- Suggestions: Add another appendix for troubleshooting, and a blank page for "Notes". If possible, we must also indicate a place or number for end-users to call in case they have problems.