                         3Com (R) Corporation
                    EtherDisk (R) Diskette for the
      3C90X Fast EtherLink XL/EtherLink XL Bus Master NIC Family
    DOS Configuration and Diagnostic Program Instructions Summary


Overview
--------
The configuration portion of the program allows you to change the
configuration parameters for the NIC to fit the specific environment
in which the NIC is installed.

The diagnostic portion of the Configuration and Diagnostic Program is
designed to make sure that the NIC is installed correctly and
functioning properly in your computer.  The Group 1 tests check the
physical components, connectors, and circuitry of the NIC and
require only that the NIC be installed in the computer.  The Group 2
tests check the NIC's ability to transmit data on the network and
require that the NIC be connected to a loopback plug or to a network
(for 3C900-COMBO or 3C900-TPC).  The Group 3 tests check the NIC's
ability to correctly transmit and receive data over the network and
require that the NIC be connected to a network on which an echo server
has been set up.

The computer containing the NIC to be configured or tested must be
running DOS only.

NOTE:  If this computer is an operating server, notify all users of the
       server to save their work and log out from the network.  The
       Configuration and Diagnostic Program disrupts the normal operation
       of servers and workstations, so work that is not saved may be lost.

       Then shut down the server, and reboot with a DOS-only diskette.
       (This way no drivers or TSRs will be running when the program
       is started.)


Starting the Configuration and Diagnostic Program
--------------------------------------------------
There are two ways to start the program:

1.  Automatically, from the INSTALL.EXE program, by selecting Configuration
    and Diagnostic Program on the main menu.

2.  Manually, from the root directory of the EtherDisk 1 diskette, by 
    typing the following command:

    3C90XCFG [command keyword] [parameter list]

    3C90XCFG represents the 3Com Configuration and Diagnostic Program name.
    The brackets indicate that the command keyword and parameter list are
    optional.

    3C90XCFG without any arguments invokes the program in full windows
    mode.  This includes mouse support and context-sensitive help.  
    Press [F1] for help at any time.


    Command Line Keywords
    ---------------------
    You can use the first two characters of any command or parameter as a 
    shortcut.  For example, 3C90XCFG HE RU means 3C90XCFG HELP RUN.

    Also, the command keywords and parameters are not case-sensitive, so
    CONFIGURE, configure, and Configure, for example, will all work.


    CONFIGURE
        Configures a NIC in one of three ways:

        1.  Automatically with the /auto parameter
        2.  Using a specified NIC configuration file
        3.  Using command line configuration parameters

    ECHOSERVER
        Enables a designated NIC to function as an echo
        server.

    HELP 
        Displays general or command-specific help information.  
        To get command-specific help, type:

        3C90XCFG HELP [command keyword]

    LANGUAGE 
        Invokes the program in full windows mode using a 
        specified external resource file.  This option provides
        support for multiple languages via a different resource
        file for each language supported.
       
    LIST 
        Displays a list of installed NICs and their recognized 
        NIC numbers.
       
    RUN 
        Executes the diagnostic tests (which can also be specified
        from a file) on a selected NIC and writes the results 
        to the screen, a file, or a printer.


Configuration
-------------
The NIC can be configured in either full-screen windows mode or 
command line mode.


    Full Screen Windows Mode
    ------------------------
    To configure the NIC using full-screen windowing, type:
    
    3C90XCFG [Enter] 
    
    Then select the Configure NIC option in the Install pull-down menu.


    Command Line Mode
    -----------------
        Command Line Mode Defaults
        --------------------------
        Defaults:  CONFIGURE has /AUTO and /ADAPTERNUM:1 as defaults.  
        So, for example, if only 3C90XCFG CONFIGURE is used, NIC 
        number 1 will be auto configured.

        ADAPTERNUM:N and /SLOT:S parameters can be used with any of the 
        CONFIGURE options that follow.  They are both intended for use 
        whenever multiple NICs are present in the computer and 
        recognized by the Configuration and Diagnostic Program.

        /ADAPTERNUM:N specifies the number of the NIC to be configured for 
        PCI computers.  Run the LIST command separately to determine the 
        NIC number to use here.

    There are three different ways to configure the NIC using 
    command-line mode. 
    
    1.  Command line with auto configuration

    2.  Command line with explicit parameters

    3.  Command line with configuration file
     
     
        Command Line with Auto Configuration
        ------------------------------------
        Command syntax:  3C90XCFG CONFIGURE  /AUTO

        The /AUTO parameter configures the NIC media type 
        automatically.  All other options settings are left unchanged.
 
        NOTE:  The program attempts to detect what media type is being 
               used.  Therefore, connect to the network first and then run        
               3C90CFG CONFIGURE /AUTO.  The program will configure the 
               media type for you.


        Command Line with Explicit Parameters
        -------------------------------------
        Command syntax:  3C90XCFG CONFIGURE  [ /BSIZE:N  /XCVR:N  /TR:N
                         /FULLDUPLEX:N /OPTIMIZE:N  /LINKBEAT:N ]

        Command line configuration parameters are used to configure the 
        NIC using only the option settings you specify.  Some 
        parameters are for all NICs; some are for PCI only.  For 
        example, /BSIZE:N is a PCI-only parameter. In most cases, any 
        combination of parameters can be used.  Therefore, it is possible
        to modify only a few settings if needed.

        /BSIZE           
            Boot PROM Size  
            Possible values - 8,16,32,64,disabled

        /TR (or /XCVR)
            Transceiver  
            Possible values - 100BASE-TX, TP, 10BASE-T (same as TP),
            COAX, AUI, EXTERNAL (same as AUI)

        /OPTIMIZE 
            Network Driver Optimization
            Possible values - NORMAL, NETWORK, CPU

        /LINKBEAT
            Link Beat disable/enable (pre-10BASE-T standard only)
            Possible values - disabled, enabled
            
            NOTE:  Try this setting ONLY if pre-10BASE-T standard hubs
                   are in use.

        /FULLDUPLEX
            Full Duplex disable/enable 
            Possible values - disabled, enabled

            NOTE:  Enable this setting ONLY when the NIC is
                   connected to a 100BASE-T or 10BASE-T repeater
                   supporting full duplex.  Otherwise, it will bring 
                   down the network.


        Command Line with Configuration File
        ------------------------------------
        Command syntax:  3C90XCFG CONFIGURE  /CONFIGFILE:filename

        /CONFIGFILE:filename is used to configure a NIC with the
        settings specified in an ASCII configuration file that can be 
        created and modified by any text editor.  The filename can be
        a fully qualified DOS filename including a path.  A standard
        format for the file must be used, as follows:
       
        -   Variable names and values match the wording in the
            full-screen Configure window in most cases.

        -   Begin each variable/value line with an "at" symbol (@), 
            followed by a variable name, a colon (:), and the value.

            Example:  @Media type: 100BASE-TX

        -   Blank lines and other white spaces are allowed between 
            variable lines.

        -   Start any comment lines with a semicolon (;).

        -   The variable names allowed are:
            Boot PROM size
            Media type
            Network driver optimization
            Full duplex
            Link beat

        -   The values allowed are the same as those shown in the 
            full-screen Configure window.
        
            Example 1:  @Network driver optimization:Normal
            Example 2:  @Media type:On-board Coax


Diagnostic
----------


    Full-Screen Windows Mode
    ------------------------
    To run the diagnostic tests using full-screen windowing, type:
    
    3C90XCFG [ENTER] 
    
    Then select the Run Tests option in the Tests pull-down menu.

    
    Command Line Option - RUN
    -------------------------

    Command syntax:  3C90XCFG RUN  [/TESTFILE:filename] [/RESULTS:[filename
                     | PRN | PRNHP]] [/ADAPTERNUM:N]

    The RUN parameter executes the diagnostic tests on a selected NIC
    and displays the results on the screen.  The defaults are NIC
    number 1 and Group 1 tests.  The parameters below are all optional.

    /TESTFILE:filename 
         Specifies a test file that contains a specific test setup
         description.

    /RESULTS:[filename or PRN or PRNHP] 
         Specifies an alternative location to store the test results.
         This location can be a DOS path and filename, PRN printer port
         (same as LPT1), or PRNHP, which is an HP LaserJet printer
         connected to LPT1.

    /ADAPTERNUM:N 
         Specifies the NIC number to be tested, in the case of
         multiple NICs installed in the computer and recognized by 
         this program.  Run the LIST command separately (see LIST below)
         to determine the NIC number to use.


Other Command Line Options
--------------------------

HELP
    Command syntax:  3C90XCFG HELP  [Command Keyword]

    HELP is an on-line summary of commands.  Without a command keyword,
    it gives a summary of the command keywords.  With a command keyword
    specified, it gives the parameter choices for that particular command.
    For example, 3C90XCFG HELP CONFIGURE gives details about the 
    parameter options for the CONFIGURE command.

LANGUAGE
    Command syntax:  3C90XCFG LANGUAGE  /LANGFILE:filename

    LANGUAGE invokes the program in full windows mode using a specified
    external resource file.  This option provides support for multiple
    languages through a different resource file for each language supported.

    /LANGFILE:filename is a required parameter with this command.
    The filename is the name of the resource file that is loaded by the
    program.  The filename can be a fully qualified DOS filename.

    NOTE: At this time, there are no alternative resource files included 
          on the EtherDisk diskette.

LIST
    Command syntax:  3C90XCFG LIST

    LIST displays a list of currently installed NICs (and their 
    assigned NIC numbers) that are recognized by this program. The 
    NIC number is then used as the N value for the /ADAPTERNUM:N 
    parameter when multiple NICs are installed.  There are no 
    parameters associated with the LIST command keyword.

ECHOSERVER
    Command syntax:  3C90XCFG ECHOSERVER  [/ADAPTERNUM:N]

    ECHOSERVER enables a NIC to function within an echo server.
    /ADAPTERNUM:N specifies the NIC to be configured in the 
    echo server, in the case of multiple NICs. 


Further Assistance
------------------
If the NIC fails any of the diagnostic tests, see the TROUBLE.TXT file
in the \HELP directory on the EtherDisk diskette for troubleshooting
procedures.

The SUPPORT.TXT file in the \INFO subdirectory on the EtherDisk diskette
provides information about obtaining product support for the NIC.

3Com, EtherDisk, and EtherLink are registered trademarks of 3Com
Corporation.  All other trademarks are the property of their respective 
owners.


(%VER INSTRUCT.TXT - Configuration and Diagnostic Program Instructions v1.0e)
