TechNote
Number: 00102-04
Date: April 1994
Installing the Smart 16/4 AT Ringnode in EISA computers
1 Default configuration options
Default settings have been chosen to suit a large proportion of installations. These are:
Configuration item Controlled by
Interrupt level 3 (IRQ 3) Switch 1
I/O address 0A20 - 0A2F Switches 2/1 and 2/2
ROM address CC000 - CDFFF Switches 2/1 and 2/2
ROM socket disabled Switch 2/3
Bus master DMA enabled Switch 2/4
Automatic selection between 8- and 16-bit modes enabled Switch 2/5
Bus timing method 100% compatible with the AT bus Switch 2/6
Clock source asynchronous with the bus Switch 2/7
4Mbit/s network speed Switch 2/8
DMA channel 5 Switch 3
Shielded twisted pair cabling Link block 1
Carefully check the requirements of your installation against the above list. If any of the
settings need to be changed, refer to Section 5 of this guide.
2 Handling precautions
- Do not remove the Ringnode from its protective antistatic packaging until you are ready to use it.
- Discharge the static electricity from your body by touching a protective grounding device or the metal
chassis of your computer before handling the Ringnode.
- In dry climates or other environments where static electricity is prevalent, wear a grounding
strap on your wrist before handling the Ringnode or removing the cover of your computer.
- Always handle the Ringnode carefully by its edges and avoid touching any of the components or connections.
- Take particular care when installing an optional ROM module into your Ringnode.
Use a purpose-designed chip-inserting tool.
A configuration file is supplied to assist in the installation of the Smart 16/4 AT Ringnode in
EISA computers. Follow these steps:
- Copy the file !MDG0010.CFG from the Install diskette onto the EISA configuration
disk.
- Run the configuration program. Choose the Add option from the Edit menu. A list of
option boards is displayed: select the Madge Smart 16/4 AT Ringnode. The configuration
program then displays a list of expansion slots: select an empty slot for your Ringnode.
- In the configuration program, set the correct ring speed for the Ringnode and
indicate whether the ROM socket is to be enabled or disabled. When you first add a new
card, the configuration program sets the ROM socket to disabled, and sets a memory
address for the socket. To enable the socket, select the ROM enabled option that
corresponds to this address.
- Choose Exit and select the option which allows you to view switch settings. Set the
switches on the Ringnode to match the settings displayed. Then choose Save configuration
and exit.
- Switch off your computer. Install the Ringnode according to the instructions in
Section 4. Use the slot that you chose in step 2.
Note
If you subsequently install or remove any other option boards from the computer, the
configuration program will warn you if the configuration of your Ringnode is affected as a
result. If necessary, repeat steps 4 and 5.
Always turn off the power to your computer before installing or removing any adapter cards.
- Remove the cover of your computer.
- Identify the EISA slot that was chosen in Section 3.
- Remove the blanking bracket. Keep its screw in a safe place.
- Push the Ringnode firmly into its socket. Do not force it in. If it does not slide ineasily, it may be misaligned.
- Secure the Ringnode in place with the retaining screw.
- Replace the cover of your computer.
- Connect the Ringnode to a working token ring network consisting of at least one Ringhub
(or multi-station access unit), with a data cable to connect it to your computer. Connect
the data cable to the appropriate connector (STP or UTP) on your Ringnode.
- Boot up in the normal way. If your computer automatically enters an application
program, exit from it and return to DOS. Run the Ringnode diagnostics (see Chapter 2 of the
Madge Smart LAN Support Software Installation Guide, part number 100-050) to verify that
your Smart 16/4 AT Ringnode is working correctly.
Switch block 1: interrupts
The interrupt level corresponding to each switch position is clearly printed on the
board next to switch block 1.
Position Interrupt
1 IRQ 15
2 IRQ 12
3 IRQ 11
4 IRQ 10
5 IRQ 7
6 IRQ 5
7 (default) IRQ 3
8 IRQ 2/9
Note
If the Smart 16/4 AT Ringnode is to be installed in an 8-bit expansion slot, you must use an
interrupt level of 7 or lower.
Select an interrupt level which does not conflict with any other boards or devices installed
in your computer. Some application programs (such as the IBM 3270 Emulation Program)
may also require a particular interrupt level. Several interrupt levels are commonly
used for particular purposes as described below: this may affect your choice of interrupt
level for your Ringnode.
- Interrupt level 2 (IRQ 2/9)
- (Sometimes referred to as interrupt 9: interrupt levels 2 and 9 are equivalent to each
other.) Interrupt 2 does not conflict with any standard option boards but some manufacturers'
communications adapters use this interrupt.
- Interrupt level 3 (IRQ 3)
- Interrupt 3 is the default interrupt. If your computer has a second serial port built in,
or has an alternative asynchronous adapter, this will use interrupt 3. You may be able
to disable this serial port using your computer's configuration utility. If not, do
not use interrupt 3 for your Smart 16/4 AT Ringnode. If multiple Ringnodes are installed,
only one of them can use the default interrupt level 3. We recommend interrupt 12 or 15 as
an alternative. Interrupt 3 is also used by several types of IBM communications adapter
and by some other manufacturers' network boards. If your computer has one of the following
IBM adapters, you cannot use interrupt 3:
- SDLC (Synchronous Data Link Control) adapter
- BSC (Binary Synchronous Communications) adapter
- Interrupt level 5 (IRQ 5)
- Used by an alternative parallel port. If one is installed and it is using interrupts,
avoid this setting for your Ringnode.
- Interrupt level 7 (IRQ 7)
- Used by a primary parallel printer port. If your printer is using interrupts,
avoid this setting for your Ringnode.
- Interrupt levels 10, 11, 12 and 15 (IRQ 10, 11, 12, 15)
- Occasionally, one of these interrupts may be used by a device on your computer's
motherboard. For example, some Compaq computers use interrupt 12 for the mouse.
If you suspect that you have a problem for this reason, information in your computer's
technical reference manual may help you decide on the best interrupt level.
Switch block 2: I/O and memory settings and alternative modes of operation
Some text is printed on the reverse of the board to remind you of the function of
each of the eight switches in switch block 2.
Each individual switch is identified by a pair of numbers. The first number indicates
the switch block, and the second number identifies the particular switch within the switch
block. For example, switch 2/1 means block 2, switch 1.
Switches 2/1 and 2/2: I/O and ROM addresses
Ensure that the I/O locations selected to be used by your Ringnode do not conflict
with those being used by any other adapter card installed in your computer.
These switches also control the memory address of the ROM socket (if enabled by switch
2/3). If the ROM is disabled this memory area is not used.
Switch Switch I/O ROM
2/1 2/2 address address
ON ON (default) 0A20 - 0A2F CC000 - CDFFF
OFF ON 1A20 - 1A2F DC000 - DDFFF
ON OFF 2A20 - 2A2F CE000 - CFFFF
OFF OFF 3A20 - 3A2F DE000 - DFFFF
Switch 2/3: ROM enable/disable
Do not set this switch to ON unless you have an optional ROM installed in your Smart
16/4 AT Ringnode.
Switch 2/3 ROM socket
OFF (default) disabled
ON enabled
Switch 2/4: bus master DMA enable/disable
The position of this switch has no effect if the Ringnode is installed in an 8-bit slot
or if switch 2/5 is OFF - bus master DMA is not possible in these circumstances.
Switch 2/4 Bus master DMA
ON (default) enabled
OFF disabled
Switch 2/5: 8-bit mode
The Smart 16/4 AT Ringnode can be used in either 8- or 16-bit bus slots. If the
Ringnode is installed in a 16-bit slot, but an 8-bit transfer method (as is used in an
8-bit slot) is required, set this switch OFF.
Switch 2/5 Mode
ON (default) 8/16-bit mode
OFF force 8-bit mode
16-bit mode must be selected to use the Ringnode in a Novell NetWare 386 server.
The following table summarises the relationship between switch 2/4, switch 2/5 and the choice
of expansion slot:
8-bit slot 16-bit slot
Switch 2/4 setting ON OFF ON OFF
Switch 2/5 ON c c a b
Switch 2/5 OFF c c c c
a = 16-bit bus master DMA
b = 16-bit I/O transfer
c = 8-bit I/O transfer
Switch 2/6: AT bus compatibility
If your computer is 100% AT-compatible, switch 2/6 should be set ON. If the Madge Ringnode
diagnostics program fails to locate the Ringnode, it may be because of certain incompatibilities
in the bus architecture: try setting switch 2/6 to OFF. For example, the IBM PS/2 model 30-286
requires this switch to be OFF.
Switch 2/6 Bus compatibility
ON (default) normal AT bus timing
OFF alternative bus timing
Switch 2/7: clock source
This switch defines whether bus master DMA transfers data into the computer using the
Ringnode's clock or the host computer's clock. If the host computer has a clock speed of
10MHz or more, this switch should be set to OFF.
Switch 2/7 Clock source
ON synchronous bus
OFF (default) asynchronous bus
Switch 2/8: network speed
If you are connecting the Ringnode to a 4Mbit/s token ring network, set switch 2/8 to
ON. If the network operates at 16Mbit/s, set switch 2/8 to OFF. The factory setting is
ON.
Switch 2/8 Network speed
ON (default) 4Mbit/s network
OFF 16Mbit/s network
It is most important that the Ringnode is set to the correct network speed. The operation
of your network could be seriously impaired if you attempt to insert a Ringnode set to the
wrong speed into your network.
Switch block 3: DMA channel
The DMA channel number corresponding to each switch position is clearly printed on the
board next to switch block 3. This switch has no effect unless switches 2/4 and 2/5
are both ON and the Ringnode is installed in a 16-bit expansion slot.
Position DMA Channel
1 1
2 3
3 (default) 5
4 6
Link block 1: cabling media
The Smart 16/4 AT Ringnode is designed to work with either shielded twisted pair (STP) or
unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cabling. See the Madge Smart LAN Support Software Installation
Guide for important recommendations about the use of UTP cabling.
The end bracket of the Smart 16/4 AT Ringnode has two data connectors: a 9-pin D-type for
use with STP cables and a type RJ45 for use with unshielded twisted pair. The Ringnode's
circuitry includes a media filter for UTP, which removes the need for an external filter.
Switching between STP and UTP media is performed using link block LB1. This consists of two
parts:
The words "UTP" and "STP" are printed on the board, above and below the base section.
The header block can be fitted to the base section in two ways:
- With the arrow pointing downwards (towards the word "STP"), shielded twisted pair
cabling is supported. The 9-pin D-type connector is enabled.
- With the arrow pointing upwards (towards the word "UTP"), unshielded twisted pair
cabling is supported. The RJ45 connector and on-board media filter are enabled.
Note
It is essential that the header block is fitted so that it covers all of the pins on the base
section. If the header block is misaligned, the Ringnode may not work correctly.
Take care not to bend any of the pins when removing or replacing the header block.