NEXTSTEP for Intel Processors Release 3.3

Networking Driver Overview

Driver: IBM Token Ring
Driver Overview:  NeXTanswer #1788 
Last Update: May 6, 1996

Availability Information

A version of this driver is on the CDROM
Newer Released Driver in NeXTanswers: Yes, Version 3.33, as  NeXTanswer #2075 
Newer Beta Driver in NeXTanswers: Yes, Version 3.37, as  NeXTanswer #2029 

Driver Name / Installer .pkg: IBMTokenRing
Driver Type: Networking
Driver Scope: Product Family
Supported Components: 
PC Bus / Interface Supported by Driver*: ISA

General Overview notes: This is the new version of the IBM Token Ring driver which adds support for the Auto sense adapters.

Supported Products / Add-on Adapters:
IBM 25F7367 (ISA, 16/4 Mbps, 8-bit, 64K)
IBM 25F9858 (ISA, 4Mbps, 8-bit, 16K)
IBM 67X0438 (ISA, 4Mbps, 8-bit, 16K)
IBM 60G3994A? (ISA, 16/4 Mbps, 16-bit, 64K)
IBM 92G7668 (Auto, ISA, 16/4 Mbps, 16-bit, 64K)
IBM 41H8450 (Auto, ISA, 16/4 Mbps, 16-bit, 64K)

Supported Products / Systems (ie integrated into PC System):
Token Ring option for Compaq DeskPro and Prolinea series

Special Features of Driver / Driver Notes:
3COM TokenLink III 3C619B (Auto, ISA, 16/4 Mbps, 64k) (untested) is reported to work using the "IBM Auto 16/4 Token Ring ISA Adapter" personality.

Networking Driver Details

Network Type*: Token Ring
Speed*: 16 Mb/s, 4 Mb/s
Access Mode*: Memory Mapped
Buffer Size*: 64KB
Supported Connectors*: STP, UTP

Known Problems

Cannot netboot unless netinfo server is on the same ring. See also NeXTAnswer # 2076_Network_Booting_for_Token_Ring_Across_Source_Routing_Bridges.rtf 

Due to ongoing development and testing of OPENSTEP 4.0, the beta version (v3.37) of this driver will neither be tested on NEXTSTEP 3.3 nor upgraded to "Released" status.

Driver Version Notes

3.33 Support Auto 16/4 and add Fast Path Transmit
3.34 Survive being disconnected from the MAU, both at boot time and during operation. Fix problem with being the first node on the network.
3.36 Fix problems on a busy token ring. Symptoms include netboot flakiness/receive congestion errors. Performance improvements were also made.
3.37 Fix problem with using an MTU too large for 4Mbit rings. The driver now limits the MTU to 4472 when it automatically switches to 4Mbit/s. The MTU is also limited by the ring speed selection made on the driver's Configure panel.

Future Planning

Future / Update Planning: 
Reason for New Driver / Update: 
New Driver / Update Timeframe: 

New Driver / Update Description: 

Note: Information contained in the "Future Planning" section of this document does not constitute a commitment on the part of NeXT to complete the planned development work.

* - Indicates information that is inclusive of the entire capability of this driver. Not all devices supported by this driver may include all features listed. Check any available NeXTanswers and the hardware manual for the device for additional information.

Product Vendor

IBM Corporation
P.O. Box 12195
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-9990
USA

+1 (800) 772 2227 USA toll-free phone - Sales and Technical Support
+1 (800) 426 3333 USA toll-free phone - Information
+1 (800) 426 3395 fax back system
+1 (800) 426 1774 USA toll-free phone - IBM International Marketing Desk
011 61 2 634 9111 IBM Australia & New Zealand
011 3314 905 7000 IBM France
011 44 256 56144 IBM United Kingdom
011 813 3586 1111 IBM Japan
+1 (919) 517 0001 bulletin board system
 http://www.ibm.com/