Installing your Ethernet interface card is quite simple. Regardless of which Macintosh you use, the installation is basically the same:
• Turn your computer system off
• Install the Ethernet card in your computer
• Connect the cables from your Ethernet card to the rest of the network
• Install the software driver
• Re-boot. That’s it!
Whichever Macintosh system you own, you will need to have at least 1 megabyte of RAM and be operating under System 6.0.4 or later.
This manual assumes a certain basic level of Macintosh knowledge (i.e. copying files, start-up procedures, etc.). If terms like "Control Panel" or "System Folder" are unfamiliar to you, we suggest you first become familiar with the owner's manual supplied with your Macintosh.
Unpacking
Examine the shipment to make sure that everything arrived in good shape. You should have the following:
• A1 models receive both T-Connector and RJ-45 cable
Mac SE and SE/30 owners will also need a Torx™ #15 screwdriver with an extended handle, and a “case splitter” tool to aid in opening the Macintosh. You may find these supplies at most authorized Apple dealers.
Precautions!
Before starting the installation, observe these precautions:
1. Make sure that everything is turned off. Leave the Mac plugged into the wall socket to ensure proper grounding connections.
2. The video section of the Macintosh SE and SE/30 retains an electrical charge even when unplugged. Keep your hands clear of the vertical video/power board and the heavy gauge wire that fastens to the side of the video tube.
3. To minimize static electricity, avoid carpeted and low humidity areas. Ground yourself by touching the chassis of your Macintosh before touching the motherboard. If you are using an anti-static wrist strap, once you have opened the Mac, attach it to the metal chassis.
Jumper Settings
Before installing the Ethernet board, make sure that the jumpers are set for the correct media type. Twisted Pair and Triple Media boards are factory pre-set to Twisted Pair. Thin Coax boards are factory pre-set to Thin Coax.
Follow the instructions below to adjust the jumper settings:
Mac II family owners using Thick (AUI) cabling: Remove the 3 position jumper J1 (as shown in Figure 1). You may keep the plastic jumper connector attached to one of the outside prongs for safe storage.
Figure 1. Mac II NuBus Ethernet board showing location of J1.
Figure 2. LC PDS Ethernet board showing location of J2.
Mac II family and Mac LC owners using Thin Coax cabling: If you purchased an Ether A1 series board and want to use Thin Coax you must move the jumper J1 (for Mac II owners) or J2 (for Mac LC owners) to cover the center pin and the pin next to it labelled 'Thin' (as shown in Figures 1 and 2).
Cable Connections
The three different types of Ethernet connections vary in appearance and in how they connect to the Ethernet board.
Thin Coax uses a coaxial cable with BNC connectors which twist on and lock onto the T-Connector (which is supplied with the Ethernet board). The T-Connector is then locked onto the Thin Coax connector on the board. A 50Ω terminator must be installed on both ends of the Thin Coax chain.
Figure 3. Thin Coax Ethernet connection with BNC T-Connector.
Twisted Pair uses a two pair standard telephone cable with RJ-45 connectors which plug into the Twisted Pair connector on the board.
Figure 4. Twisted Pair Ethernet connection with RJ-45 Connector.
The AUI uses a DB-15 connector that attaches to an external transceiver and locks on to the board with a slide latch.
Figure 5. AUI Ethernet connection with DB-15-Connector.
After determining which cable type is going to be used, and after making the appropriate jumper changes on the board discussed earlier, install the cable as shown in Figure 3.
Note: If you are just setting up the Ethernet network, and you are using a Thin or Thick cabling scheme, make sure both ends of the network are properly terminated with 50Ω terminators.
Installation: Macintosh SE
Step 1. Turn the computer off and remove all cables attached to it. If you use a programmer’s switch, remove that too.
Step 2. Use your Torx screwdriver to remove the screws on the back of your Macintosh. You will find two screws flanking the ports and two more in the top handle.
Step 3. Work the case splitter tool around the bezel indent to separate the halves of your Macintosh.
Step 4. Tip the Mac forward, screen down, onto a soft surface and carefully lift off the back. If you have an anti-static wrist strap, attach it to the Mac chassis.
Step 5. Remove the RF shielding – this is the metal foil that runs under the Macintosh motherboard.
Step 6. Before you can remove the motherboard, there are several cable connections that must be unplugged. Be sure to note where each cable goes before removing them. Each internal drive in your Mac will have a ribbon cable running to the motherboard.
Step 7. There is also a large power cable plug that must be removed. The plug has an integrated plastic catch that must be depressed while disconnecting.
Warning: The delicate neck of the monitor tube (directly above the connector) could easily be snapped off if you slipped while unfastening the power connector. Use gentle persuasion and a rocking action to safely disconnect the power harness.
Step 8. Carefully snap out the plastic cover plate on the back housing of the Mac to allow access to the newly added peripheral.
Step 9. Re-attach the speaker wire.
Step 10. The “staggered” edge of the SE motherboard allows easy replacement of the motherboard with the Ethernet board attached.
Step 11. Re-connect all drive and power cables.
Step 12. Replace the plastic case of the Macintosh and re-fasten all screws. You are finished with the installation of the Ethernet board in the Mac SE.
Installation: Macintosh SE/30 & IIsi
Turn the computer off and remove all cables attached to it. If you use a programmer’s switch, remove that too.
Note: Mac IIsi owners should take the top off the computer and skip to Step 4 to begin installation.
Use your Torx screwdriver to remove the screws on the back of your Macintosh. You will find two screws flanking the ports and two more in the top handle.
Step 1. Work the case splitter tool around the bezel indent to separate the halves of your Macintosh.
Step 2. Tip the Mac forward, screen down onto a soft surface and carefully lift off the back. If you are using an anti-static wrist strap, attach it to the Mac chassis.
Step 3. Without removing the RF shielding, carefully tip the SE/30 back upright
Step 4. SE/30 owners do not remove the motherboard. The SE/30 is built with a socket that is accessible with the motherboard in place. It is located on the right side of the computer. Position the Ethernet board, component side facing inward, directly over the SE/30 bus socket. Slowly press the card so it seats completely on the SE/30 socket.
IIsi owners must simply position the Ethernet board over the expansion slot and slowly press the card so it seats completely on the IIsi socket. See Figure 6.
Step 5. Remove the plastic cover (which allows access to the expansion slot) out of the back of the Mac so you have access to the internal transceiver connector. Remove the two screws from the front of the internal transceiver metal bracket. Attach the ribbon cable to the internal transceiver with the internal transceiver inside the Mac's metal chassis; do not route the ribbon cable through the rectangular cut-out in the Mac's chassis.
For Mac SE/30 owners: the internal transceiver connector board must be secured to the metal chassis with the internal ribbon cable connector facing up.
For Mac IIsi owners: the internal transceiver connector board must be secured to the computers chassis with the internal ribbon cable connector facing down.
Secure the internal transceiver board to the Mac's chassis with the supplied screws.
Replace the plastic case of the Macintosh and re-fasten all screws. You are finished with the installation of the Ethernet board.
Figure 6. Placement of Ethernet card in IIsi.
Installation: Macintosh II, LC and CommSlot Cards
The Macintosh II, LC and Macs with the Communications Slot (CommSlot) were designed for easy installation of add-on boards. The procedure is clearly described in your Apple owners manual. For those without access to an Apple owners manual, we have outlined the procedure below:
Step 1. With the power off and power cord removed, open the cover (depending on which Macintosh you own, you will either have two clips or push buttons on the back cover). You may also have to remove a shipping screw centered on the back edge of the cover. Apple recommends waiting 5 minutes after turning off the system before installing any peripheral card.
Step 2. For Mac II family owners, the Ethernet board can be installed in any of the available NuBus slots in your Macintosh.
For Mac LC owners, the Ethernet board is installed in the LC PDS expansion slot.
For CommSlot Mac owners, the Ethernet board is installed in the Communications Slot.
Step 3. Discharge any static build up by touching the back of the Mac's metal case before installing the Ethernet board.
Step 4. For Mac II family owners: once a slot has been selected, knock out the corresponding plastic access panel. Mac II, IIx, and IIfx CPUs also have a “blank” metal plate covering the opening you will need to remove. Next, position the card directly above the socket and gently press the card into position. Mac II owners will also have to align the Ethernet adapter's metal fastener into two tabs on the Macintosh chassis.
For Mac LC owners: knock out the plastic cover of the expansion slot on the back left side on the outside of the computer; then simply position the connector of the Ethernet board over the expansion slot of the computer and firmly press down.
For CommSlot Mac owners: Remove the plastic cover on the back of the Mac, you will be able to slide the motherboard out of the Mac chassis. With the motherboard removed and placed on a smooth, flat, static-free surface, position the edge connector of the Ethernet board over the communications slot on the motherboard and firmly press down with a gentle rocking motion to help seat the card in the slot. Slide the motherboard assembly back into the Mac, making sure that it seats properly.
Step 5. Replace the Mac's cover and re-attach all cables.
This completes the Mac II, LC PDS and CommSlot installation.
Figure 7. Placement of Ethernet card in NuBUS Mac.
Inside Ethernet Software Tools
Overview
Included free with each Ethernet board is a copy of the Inside Ethernet software tools. The Inside Ethernet software can perform various tests on the Ethernet hardware and display information about devices installed in each expansion slot of the Mac SE/30, II family, IIsi, and the LC.
Installation
The installation of the Inside Ethernet software tools is optional. It is not needed to operate the Ethernet board. However, you may find it useful in solving problems which may occur from time to time or to simply poll information about the Ethernet board. We recommend you install it now, so it is available when you are diagnosing problems related to the Ethernet network.
Note: Inside Ethernet will not recognize an Ethernet card installed in a Macintosh SE or CommSlot.
To install the Inside Ethernet software, simply copy the Inside Ethernet application from the Software Installation Diskette to your hard drive.
Double click on the Inside Ethernet application. The window shown in Figure 8 appears.
Figure 8. Main window of Inside Ethernet software tools.
1. Slot and SCSI Devices: Shows which cards and SCSI devices are installed in the Macintosh.
2. Device Info: Provides Ethernet cards: name, slot id, address, and amount of on-board memory.
3. Tests: Provides information of what may be wrong with the Ethernet board. Checks the on-board RAM, Ethernet Controller, Transceiver; also checks the network cable connection. Of the six loopback tests, only the first two are applicable to Twisted Pair boards; all six are applicable to Thin Coax boards; none are applicable to the microSCSI.
Troubleshooting
If you have trouble with the Ethernet network where one node seems to have problems communicating or certain nodes have trouble communicating with each other, pinpoint the problem to the offending node(s) and diagnose in the following way.
First make sure that AppleTalk is active (in the Chooser) and that EtherTalk is active (in the Network Control Panel). Make sure you are using the same EtherTalk protocol as the rest of the network; that is, if the rest of the network is using Phase I, you should have also selected Phase I in the Network Control Panel; if the rest of the network is using Phase II, you should have Phase II selected in the Network Control Panel. If problems persist, continue as outlined below:
Step 1. Turn the computer off.
Step 2. Review the section on installing the Ethernet cable and make sure the cable is correctly installed.
Step 3. Make sure the Ethernet board is securely seated in the expansion slot.
Step 4. Restart the computer.
If the problem still occurs, continue the Troubleshooting process as described below.
Step 5. Launch the Inside Ethernet application.
Step 6. Click on the Test button. Does the Ethernet board pass all of the tests? Check the following for individual test failure meanings:
Controller Register Access or On Board RAM Check-If either of these tests fail, this could mean component failure on the Ethernet board.
Cable Connection-If the cable connection check fails, it could mean:
1) you have not disconnected from all network services as detailed in the on-line help section in Inside Ethernet,
2) the cable is not properly attached to the Ethernet board, or
3) if using Thin Coax cabling, the network is not terminated on both ends. After checking all these variables, disconnect the network cable from the Ethernet board, terminate the T-Connector using 50Ω loads and re-run the loopback test.
Loopback-If any of the last three tests fail, it could mean a hardware failure on the Ethernet board. If a failure occurred disconnect the network cable from the Ethernet board, terminate with a T-Connector using 50Ω loads and re-test.
Note: If problems persist, call Sonic Systems for further assistance. Technical support is available from 9am to 5pm, Pacific Standard time, Monday through Friday. The Technical Support Hotline is (408) 736-1900. Or you can send E-mail to tech@sonicsys.com.
Technical Specifications
Thin Coax Ethernet Cards
System Requirements:
Computer: Mac II family, LC, CommSlot
Media: 10 Base 2–Thin Coax
Media Interface: BNC for Thin Coax; AUI–Thick Coax or Twisted Pair with appropriate MAU (AUI not available on LC & CommSlot)
Software: System 6.0.4 or later; EtherTalk Driver, LAP Manager included
Diagnostic Software: included
Ethernet: IEEE 802.3 compatible
Technical Specifications:
Power: 600mA (1.0A for NuBus)
Bandwidth: 10Mbps
RAM: 16 Kbytes
ROM: 256 bytes
Output: BNC, AUI
Note: the Ethernet boards for a Macintosh LC and CommSlot do not have an AUI (Thick) connection.
Twisted Pair Ethernet Cards
System Requirements:
Computer: Mac II family, LC, CommSlot
Media: 10 Base T–Twisted Pair
Media Interface: RJ-45 for Twisted Pair; AUI–Thick Coax or Thin Coax with appropriate MAU (AUI not available on LC & CommSlot)
Software: System 6.0.4 or later; EtherTalk Driver, LAP Manager included
Diagnostic Software: included
Ethernet: IEEE 802.3 compatible
Technical Specifications:
Power: 600mA (1.0A for NuBus)
Bandwidth: 10Mbps
RAM: 16 Kbytes
ROM: 256 bytes
Output RJ-45, AUI
Note: the Ethernet boards for a Macintosh LC and CommSlot do not have an AUI (Thick) connection.
Combo (A1) Ethernet Cards
System Requirements:
Computer: SE, SE/30/IIsi, Mac II family, LC
Media: 10 Base-T Twisted Pair, 10 Base-2
Media Interface: RJ-45 for Twisted Pair; BNC for Thin Coax; AUI for Thick Coax
Software: System 6.0.4 or later; EtherTalk Driver, LAP Manager included
Diagnostic Software: included
Ethernet: IEEE 802.3 compatible
Technical Specifications:
Power: 600mA (1.0A for NuBus)
Bandwidth: 10Mbps
RAM: 64 Kbytes
ROM: 256 bytes
Output: RJ-45, BNC, AUI
Note: the Macintosh LC Ethernet card does not have an AUI (Thick) connection.
FCC Information
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency information, and if not installed in accordance with user’s guide, could interfere with radio communications. This Ethernet board has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A computing device pursuant to Subpart J of Part 15 of the FCC Rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such interference, in which case the user, at his own expense is required to take whatever measures that may be necessary to correct the interference. The cables supplied with this equipment are shielded and created specifically for use on this equipment. The use of shielded I/O cables are mandatory when connecting this equipment to any and all optional peripheral host devices. Failure to do so may violate FCC rules.
You may find the following booklet, “How to Identify and Resolve Radio-TV Interference Problems” (stock number 004-000-00345-4), helpful. It is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402
Copyright Notice
This manual is copyrighted with all rights reserved. Under the copyright laws, this manual or the software described within, may not be copied, in whole or part, without the written consent of the manufacturer, except in the normal use of the software to make a backup copy. The same proprietary and copyright notices must be affixed to any permitted copies as were affixed to the original. This exception does not allow copies to be made for others, whether or not sold, but all of the material purchased (with all backup copies) may be sold, given, or loaned to another person. Under the law, copying includes translating into another language or format.
Inside Ethernet is a registered trademark of Sonic Systems, Inc.
Apple, Macintosh, AppleTalk, EtherTalk, LocalTalk, HyperCard, Finder, and LaserWriter are trademarks or registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
All other trademarks and tradenames belong to their respective holders.
Specifications in this manual are subject to change.
Limited Warranty
Sonic Systems, Inc. warrants the hardware for a specific period of time from the original date of purchase against defects in materials and workmanship (see your warranty registration card for specific information). If you discover a defect in the hardware or media, Sonic Systems will replace the product at no charge to you, provided you return it during the warranty period, with transportation charges prepaid, to Sonic Systems. Please attach your name, address, telephone number, a description of the problem, and a copy of the bill of sale as proof of original purchase, to each product returned for warranty service. A Returned Materials Authorization Number (RMA) must be displayed on the outside of the package for product(s) being returned for replacement or the product will be refused. This may be obtained by calling Sonic Systems Technical Support between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Standard Time, Monday through Friday.
Phone: (408) 736-1900
Fax: (408) 736-7228
E-mail: tech@sonicsys.com
This warranty does not apply if the product has been damaged by accident, abuse, misuse, or misapplication or has been modified without the written permission of Sonic Systems.
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of implied warranties or liability for incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights which vary from state to state.
THIS WARRANTY AND REMEDIES SET FORTH ABOVE ARE EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, ORAL OR WRITTEN, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. No dealer, agent, or employee of Sonic Systems is authorized to make any extension, or addition to this warranty.
