Networking Hardware

Networking Hardware

The networking hardware that comes standard on every Silicon Graphics system is an Ethernet controller and two serial ports. (Some hardware products may have more ports than this, including an ISDN port.) The Ethernet controller may be an entire board or an integrated chip. Controllers interface between the networking software and the network medium.

To connect your Ethernet controller to a network, you must have this hardware:

an Attachment Unit Interface (AUI) cable, also referred to as a dropline or even simply as a cable
a transceiver
access to an active Ethernet cable

Figure 1-1 shows how systems (termed "stations" on the network) might be connected to an Ethernet network.

Figure 1-1 : Ethernet Network Attachment The serial ports on an IRIS system allow it to connect to serial networks. Serial-line networks are systems connected by serial lines and modems. You do not need special hardware installed in your computer to connect to a serial network.

Figure 1-2 shows systems connected to a serial network using modems.

Figure 1-2 : Serial Line Network

Networking Hardware Options
Controller Interface Names