Smart 16/4 AT PnP Ringnode

The world's fastest, easiest to install and most versatile Token Ring adapter for Plug 'n' Play ISA PC applications.

Overview
Description
Specifications
Ordering Information

Overview

The Smart 16/4 AT PnP Ringnode is a high performance ISA adapter, suitable for all PC applications where investment protection is key. It provides the benefits of full Plug 'n' Play compatibility combined with the flexibility of legacy mode adapter.

The Smart 16/4 AT PnP Ringnode delivers ultimate performance for all ISA bus PCs through its broad range of configuration options. This unique flexibility, coupled with extensive DOS memory management capabilities, makes this adapter universally suited to client, gateway and workgroup server applications.

Customer Benefits

Plug and Play - Simple and fast installation
Maximum investment protection for ISA PCs
Single adapter for ALL ISA applications
Simplified support and ease of use with Madge's LAN Support Software (LSS)

Key Features

Bus master DMA and Programmed I/O data transfers
On-board processing for up to 7 protocols (including TCP/IP)
Integral FLASH ROM for advanced security and remote booting applications

Introduction

The Smart 16/4 AT PnP Ringnode is a fully Plug 'n' Play compliant Token Ring adapter, designed for use in today's high performance ISA-bus PCs. Ideal for running all ISA bus applications, it can also be used in existing non-Plug 'n' Play PC environments. When used with a Plug 'n' Play PC or operating system (such as Windows 95), connecting to a network is easy: simply plug the adapter into the PC and power-on!

This adapter reduces the cost of installing and re-configuring adapters or relocating PCs through Plug 'n' Play hardware and automatic media-sensing technology.

The Plug 'n' Play specification details hardware and software interfaces that allow a PC's BIOS and operating system to automatically configure adapter cards and other PC resources to avoid conflicts. In addition, Plug 'n' Play operating systems such as Microsoft's Windows 95 automatically load the protocol drivers and redirectors necessary to attach to file servers and other LAN resources.

As with all Madge Token Ring network products, the Smart 16/4 AT PnP Ringnode is fully compliant with the IEEE 802.5 Token Ring standard. It can be mixed freely with IBM adapters and any other Token Ring adapters.

Compatibility

The Smart 16/4 AT PnP Ringnode provides a Token ring network connection for any PC system with the 16-bit Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus. The adapter supports both 4 and 16 Mbit/s networks and is fitted with STP and UTP connectors.

Maximum configuration flexibility is provided by a choice of bus master operation or 16-bit programmed I/O, with numerous IRQ and DMA options.

Easy installation

The Plug 'n' Play specifications apply to PCs, adapter cards and operating systems. When all three elements are used together, configuration of the PC and adapters becomes completely automatic, eliminating the need for technical expertise to set up an operational PC system. Installation is faster and compatibility is assured. In addition, Madge's Smart WireSense circuitry automatically detects and drives the cable type used with the Smart 16/4 AT PnP Ringnode.

When one or more elements of the system are not Plug 'n' Play, the extent of automation is reduced and user intervention in the installation process is likely to be required. However, installation benefits still accrue from those elements which are Plug 'n' Play.

Investment protection for existing PCs and operating systems

The Smart 16/4 AT PnP Ringnode is an ideal choice for non-Plug 'n' Play client PCs. When a future move is made to Plug 'n' Play PCs or operating systems, or when Plug 'n' Play support is added to the current choice of operating system, the Smart 16/4 AT PnP Ringnode is ready to take advantage of this.

In non-Plug 'n' Play systems, easy-to-use software configuration makes the adapter quick and simple to install. Also included is a program for installing drivers and powerful diagnostics to verify correct operation of the Smart 16/4 AT PnP Ringnode hardware. The utilities are intuitive and provide excellent context-sensitive help.

Powerful LAN support software

The adapter is supplied with Madge's LAN Support Software; a complete set of drivers and utilities for all Smart 16/4 Ringnodes. This includes a range of host-resident Fastmac Plus drivers for highest performance, and Madge's unique adapter-resident Smart Software for multi-protocol flexibility.

A suite of server and workstation drivers based on Madge's Fastmac Plus technology is provided for optimum throughput with the most widely used network operating systems. Fastmac drivers are also available for the following UNIX systems: SCO, UnixWare, Sun Solaris.

Madge's Smart driver software for DOS/Windows workstations provides the widest choice of LAN protocols in the industry. Unlike Fastmac Plus drivers, Smart software is downloaded to the 512 KB of adapter memory and runs on the adapter itself. This unique approach saves DOS memory and delivers high performance with unrivalled multi-protocol flexibility.

The comprehensive driver software also supports 3270/5250 terminal emulators from IBM and other vendors and supports the required interfaces for popular TCP/IP protocol stacks such as LAN Workplace for DOS, FTP and Wollongong. All DOS drivers are compatible with Microsoft Windows and MS DOS 3.3 upwards.

Remote booting, security and LAA

The Smart 16/4 AT PnP Ringnode comes with an on-board Smartrom, Madge's re-programmable boot ROM which provides a range of boot-time security options and a programmed Locally Administered Address in addition to support for NetWare and RPL remote booting schemes.

Customer support without limits

The Smart 16/4 AT PnP Ringnode is backed by Madge's world-renowned expertise in networking. Madge's world-wide service and support organization continues to satisfy the needs of our world-wide installed base of more than two million network adapters in the most demanding Global 1000 companies.

A world-wide network of field service engineers provide a wide range of technical services including on-site support and software upgrades. Customers can also download up-to-date technical information from on-line services such as CompuServe, or can contact the Madge World Wide Web Home page (http://www.madge.com). The Smart 16/4 AT PnP Ringnode adapter comes with a lifetime* hardware warranty and a 30-day installation guarantee, which includes free technical hot-line support and on-site assistance as required.

*Full details available on request

Specifications

Network type:               4 or 16 Mbps IBM and IEEE 802.5 Token Ring
Supply voltage:             +5V DC
Power:                      5.5W Maximum
Bus interface:              16-bit  ISA compatible          
Data transfer:              Bus master DMA; 16-bit Programmed I/O;
                            16-bit Memory Mapped I/O
Ring interface:             9-pin D-type socket (STP);
                            RJ45 socket (UTP)
EMI compatibility:          FCC Class A; EN55022; EN50082-1
Memory:                     512 KB dynamic RAM on-board
IRQ options:                2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 15               
DMA options:                3, 5, 6
I/O options:                0920-093F, 0940-095F, 0960-097F, 0980-099F,
                            0A20-0A3F, 0A40-0A5F, 0A60-0A7F, 0A80-0A9F,
                            0B20-0B3F, 0B40-0B5F, 0B60-0B7F, 0B80-0B9F
Boot ROM:                   On-board Smartrom for NetWare and RPL            
Dimensions:                 160mm x 65mm             
Weight:                     0.11kg (approx) 
Temperature range:          0 - 50(C)                      
Humidity range:             10% - 80% non-condensing         
Warranty period:            Lifetime*

Ordering Information

Part No.       Description                    Qty   S/W & manuals
22-06          Smart 16/4 AT PnP Ringnode       1        1
22-16          Smart 16/4 AT PnP Ringnode      10        1
22-26          Smart 16/4 AT PnP Ringnode      20       20
22-36          Smart 16/4 AT PnP Ringnode      30        3
22-56          Smart 16/4 AT PnP Ringnode      50       50

Regional availability of products may vary, please contact your local Madge sales office for product release information.