AST RESEARCH TECHNICAL BULLETIN TB-0279 05/29/87 AST PCNET/PCNET II QUICK REFERENCE MATERIAL Due to the discontinuance of AST PCnet and PCnet II Local Area Network (LAN) products, effective April 15, 1987, (the generic term "AST-PCnet" refers to both AST-PCnet and PCnet II) only limited support will be available for these products. Users who are having problems or wish to expand their AST PCnet systems will be directed to upgrade to AST- ADVANCED NETWARE or the AST-NETBIOS OPTION for network software needs. Existing AST-PCnet hardware users who wish to expand may do so via the bridging capabilities provided with AST-Advanced Netware. The following information was gathered from AST Technical Support, Marketing, and Engineering documentation, or PCnet manuals in reference to PCnet hardware exclusively. HARDWARE COMPATIBILITY PCnet hardware compatibility is dependent on the hardware configuration. Providing there are no I/O address range, IRQ line, DMA channel or network ID conflicts and the cables are properly terminated, the cards should function in IBM PC, XT AT and compatibile computers. The boards have been tested successfully in machines operating at 4.77, 6, 8, and 10 megahertz. Most incompatibility problems are the result of a non-IBM ROM BIOS or non-IBM MS-DOS. Recently, it has been discovered that PCnet adapter cards are adversely affected by the AST-3G and all other EGA boards. Current EGA users should be guided towards the AST-RSN to avoid any problems. AST-PCNET I HARDWARE OVERVIEW The AST-PCnet I Local Area Network (LAN) adapter board includes an interface to the network and runs at 800k bits per second over 75 ohm CATV coaxial cable using CSMA/CD access method. The maximum cable length is 2,000 feet using RG 59 B/U cable, or 5,000 feet using RG 11/U cable. AST PCNET I HARDWARE CONFIGURATION The AST PCnet I board came factory configured as follows: 1. I/O address range 380-38f hex (not alterable) 2. IRQ line 2 3. DMA channel 1 (not alterable) Each node (PC) on the network must have a unique network ID number. The ID numbers are hexadecimal numbers ranging from 11 to EF. To ensure future compatibility, assign network IDs in order. DIP switch SW-2 on the AST-PCnet I board sets the ID number. (see table 1-1 on page 6 for Network ID select.) The two PCs at the extreme ends of the network cable must be terminated with 75-ohm terminators. Refer to page 3 for cabling diagram, and pages 4 and 5 for hardware layout. NOTE: As a portion of the data is in pictorial form, it is not included here. To obtain a complete copy of this technical bulletin, contact: AST RESEARCH, INC. 2121 Alton Avenue Irvine, California 92714-4992 Attention: Product Support (Technical Bulletin) AST-PCNET II HARDWARE OVERVIEW The AST-PCnet II Local Area Network (LAN) adapter board includes an interface to the network and runs at 800k bits per second over Twisted Wire Pair (TWP) cable using CSMA/CA access method. The maximum cable length is 500 feet (150 meters) of Belden type 8442 TWP cable (or equivalent cable rated 120 ohm). Up to 32 PCs can be connected to each 500- foot segment of TWP cable. In addition to the standard model, the AST PCnet II board was also available with the repeater board circuitry that allows the extension of the length of the network past the 500 foot limit. The distinguishing features of the repeater board are two RJ-11 connectors (J1 and J2), where as the standard board has only one connector (J1). It was possible to connect up to four repeater boards to extend the network to a maximum 2,500 feet. AST-PCNET II HARDWARE CONFIGURATION The AST-PCnet II board came factory configured as follows: 1. I/O address range 380-38F hex 2. IRQ line 2 3. DMA channel 1 (not alterable) 4. Terminated (jumpered at T2) Each node (PC) on the network must have a unique network ID number. The ID numbers are hexadecimal numbers ranging from 11 to EF. To insure future compatibility, assign network IDs in order. Dip switch SW-1 on the AST PCnet II board sets the ID number. (See table 1-1 on page 6 for Network ID select.) The two PCs at the extreme ends of the network cables must be terminated by placing a jumper in the T-2 position. Refer to page 8 for cabling diagram, pages 9 and 10 for hardware layout, and 11 and 12 for address and terminator selection. NOTE: As a portion of the data is in pictorial form, it is not included here. To obtain a complete copy of this technical bulletin, contact: AST RESEARCH, INC. 2121 Alton Avenue Irvine, California 92714-4992 Attention: Product Support (Technical Bulletin)