This chapter describes the IBM 16/4 Token-Ring CardBus Adapter, the contents of the adapter kit, and the other materials you will need to install the adapter.
It is important that you are familiar with the computer in which you will install the adapter, and with the operating system and network software.
The IBM 16/4 Token-Ring CardBus Adapter is a 32-bit Type II CardBus adapter. It operates at 16/4 Mbps on a token-ring network and supports full-duplex operation.
Features include:
For information about the following features, refer to IBM Token-Ring Adapter Features:
If your computer supports ACPI, it has built-in energy-saving capabilities. When you enable ACPI, usually through the computer BIOS settings, the operating system controls the power management features of your computer. Not all operating systems support ACPI BIOS mode. Refer to your operating system documentation to determine if your operating system supports ACPI. Refer to your computer system documentation to determine if your computer offers ACPI BIOS support and how to enable it. The CardBus adapter implements the PCI Bus Power Management Interface Specification Version 1.0 that works together with ACPI. The CardBus adapter (and the entire system) can be placed in various power-saving modes. You can dynamically configure the CardBus adapter to look for network protocol-specific events. Upon detecting these events, the CardBus adapter can signal a wake-up condition that brings the system to a fully-powered (operational) state.
The Auto Ring Speed function helps you to avoid problems that can result from manually configuring an incorrect data rate. The function also eliminates the need to reconfigure the CardBus adapter if the data rate of the ring changes.
| Note: | You should not select Auto Ring Speed if yours might be the first computer to attach to your ring. In that case, the CardBus adapter will not allow you to connect. You will have to try to connect again after another token-ring user is on the ring. |
When using the adapter in Auto Ring Speed mode, be aware of transmit buffer limitations that can cause problems. A 16-Mbps token ring can support transmit buffer sizes up to 17,960 bytes. A 4-Mbps token ring can support transmit buffer sizes up to 4464 bytes. This restriction, which might affect your application, is due to the speed of the media.
If your software is configured to try 16-Mbps ring operation first, use a transmit buffer size less than or equal to 4464 bytes. This will ensure that you will not have any open PC Card errors due to improper transmit buffer size if your CardBus adapter must change ring speed.
The stealth mode allows you to remove power from the CardBus adapter by removing the connector cable from the adapter. The operating system does not sense the presence of the card in the slot when the cable is detached.
If the system is running or connected to the network or both, stop the CardBus adapter before you remove the cable or card.
| Note: | Under a Plug and Play operating system, if the cable is disconnected at boot time, the operating system will not detect the adapter. Therefore, it will not try to load the device drivers. Under an operating system that is not Plug and Play, the operating system will try to load the device drivers. As a result, the operating system will generate an error message referring to the adapter or the device drivers or both. |
| Note: | You cannot use the CardBus adapter without a network operating system on the computer. |
To install your CardBus adapter, complete the following steps. You might want to mark this page for easy retrieval or make a copy for reference.
The IBM 16/4 Token-Ring CardBus Adapter kit contains the following items: