Last Revised
AST RESEARCH, INC.        TECHNICAL BULLETIN # 1787          12/16/97 
 
 
 
TITLE:  Bravo MS and Managed Hubs
 
 
ISSUE 
 
   Some Bravo MS workstations may not be able to connect to a server 
   when using the onboard Intel Pro 100B network adapter directly 
   connected to a managed hub.
   
   This issue may affect the following systems: 503246, 503247, 
   503250, 503251, 503320, 503321, 503322, 503323, 503417, and 
   503418. 
   
   This issue may also affect any system using an Intel Pro 100B 
   network card.    

 
BACKGROUND 
 
   A managed hub has the capability of supporting different 
   configurations on individual ports. These settings must match the 
   same settings on the workstation network card in order to 
   function properly.
   
   For example: A Chipcom Oncore 17 port hub could have different 
   settings between  2 of the 17 ports, causing only certain 
   workstations to connect. 
   
   Each individual port could have different settings for the 
   following  port configurations: Alert filter, Port connector, 
   network dip setting, link integrity, or auto polarity. 
   
   In order to function correctly, these settings would have to be 
   configured to match the settings of the workstation network card.
   
   The most common configuration problem is whether link integrity 
   is ENABLED or DISABLED. If the link integrity setting does not 
   match the network card, the workstation will not be able to 
   connect to the server. The link signal is sent by the transmitter 
   electronics when the cable is not in use. If no Link Integrity 
   Test is received, the Link is assumed to be lost.    

 
ACTION 
 
   Configure the onboard Intel Pro 100B card to a speed of 10MB/sec 
   and half-duplex mode using the following steps:
   
   1. Under Windows 95, double-click My Compute.
   
   2. Double-click the Control Panel icon under My Computer.
   
   3. Double-click the Network icon under Control Panel.
   
   4. Under the configuration tab, double-click the Intel 
      EtherExpress Pro/100 setting. This will bring up the 
      properties of the Intel card.
   
   5. Click the Advanced tab and select Duplex Mode in the 
      Property Box, then click on the arrow in the Value 
      field and select Half-Duplex.
   
   6. Under the same Advanced tab, select Speed in the 
      Property Box, then click the arrow in the Value field 
      and select 10MB/sec. 
   
   7. Click OK when finished, which will bring the network 
      properties screen back up.
   
   8. Click OK to close the network properties box.
   
   9. Shut down and restart system.
   
   Also configure the managed hub ports to have Link Integrity 
   ENABLED. This setting matches the Intel Pro 100B network card 
   default configuration that cannot be changed. 
   
   The port configuration is usually performed through a Telnet 
   connection. 
   
   Refer to the hub manufacturer documentation for configuration 
   procedures.    

 
NOTES 
 
   N/A    

 
TAN TPR 152TR 
 
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