16
C
HAPTER
1: G
ETTING
S
TARTED
After the NIC is installed, these LEDs show whether there’s
an active connection between the NIC and the network,
and the speed at which you’re connected. (See
“Interpreting the LEDs” in Chapter 4 for more
information.)
Required Hardware
You can install the OfficeConnect NIC in any IBM-compatible
PC with an available PCI expansion slot. Almost all
PCs currently on the market have such slots. (See “Inserting
the NIC” in Chapter 2 for more information about
PCI expansion slots.)
Required Cabling
You need an unshielded twisted-pair cable with RJ-45
connectors on both ends to connect the OfficeConnect NIC
to the network. This cable is not supplied with the NIC.
■
If you’re connecting to a 10 Mbps Ethernet network,
use a Category 3, 4, or 5 UTP cable.
■
If you’re connecting to a 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet
network, use a Category 5 UTP cable.
The maximum Ethernet cable length allowed between
the NIC and the network device to which it is connected
is 328 feet (100 meters).
For more information on cabling, see “Cabling
Requirements” in Appendix A.
Required Software
The OfficeConnect NIC is compatible with the following
operating systems:
■
Windows 95
■
Windows 98
■
Windows NT versions 4.0 and 3.51
You can use the OfficeConnect NIC to connect to both
Microsoft and NetWare network environments.
The
EtherDisk
diskette included in your package contains the
software (configuration programs, diagnostic programs, and
device drivers) that allows your NIC to work with all of the
operating systems mentioned in this section.
