The SK-NET FDDI adapters attach computers to 100 Mbps Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) networks using fiber-optic cable, S/UTP or UTP (category 5) copper cable (STP is supported via a special Impedance Matching Cable).
The computer must be equipped with either a RISC/6000, a Power PC or an Intel 80286, 80386, 80486 or PENTIUM (compatible) microprocessor, and at least one available expansion slot. If you are installing a DAS adapter, two adjacent expansion slots are required (PCI DAS is an exception and requires only 1 slot).
At the moment, the range of SysKonnect FDDI adapters includes the following bus architectures:
This chapter contains information that should be read prior to the installation of the adapter.
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SK-NET FDDI-... | Model
SK-... |
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FE | 5341 |
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FE DAS | 5342 |
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UE | 5321 |
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UE DAS | 5322 |
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FI | 5141 |
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UI | 5121 |
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FM | 5241 |
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FM DAS | 5242 |
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UM | 5221 |
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UM DAS | 5222 |
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FP | 5541 |
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LP | 5543 |
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LP DAS | 5544 |
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UP | 5521 |
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UP DAS | 5522 |
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* Normally, MIC plugs and transceivers. If marked SC, SC plugs and transceivers are used.
Please refer to the Release Notes for information on current changes (if applicable).
The adapter kit consists of the following items:
If any item is missing or damaged, contact your authorized reseller.
Figure 1. SK-NET FDDI adapter kit (e.g. SK-NET FDDI-FE / SK-5341)
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Caution:
Static electricity can damage or destroy the adapter.
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A SAS adapter supports single attachment to a concentrator.
A DAS
adapter supports either dual attachment to the main ring path or dual homing to
one or two FDDI concentrators.
Note: Because of better EMI characteristics, fiber-optic components are preferable for dual attachment to the main ring path.
Figure 2. Possibilities for the Organization of an FDDI network
Note: The transceiver type of the concentrator slot(s) must match the transceiver type of the FDDI adapter(s) that are used (e.g. both fiber optic or CDDI TP-PMD/MLT-3).
There are three basic connection types that can be mixed and matched in the same network.
Class A devices can be connected directly to the FDDI dual ring. A device connected to both rings is said to be dual attached. Since each ring has a transmit and a receive line, there are two transmit paths out of and two receive paths into the dual attached device (DAS in the previous figure). Because of the redundant data paths, dual attachment offers fault tolerance.
Class B devices connect point to point to a concentrator. This connection type is known as single attached. For single attached devices, the concentrator acts as the central hub.
When SASs are connected to a single concentrator, the concentrator is said to be non-attached or stand alone. In this situation, the dual ring is collapsed into the concentrator.
Dual homing is a connection type for a Class A device where it is connected to two M ports (preferably different concentrators). The connection to one concentrator is the primary connection and is active; the connection to the second concentrator is for backup purposes and inactive. Since each connection to the concentrator has a send and a receive path, there are two transmit paths out of and two receive paths into the dual homed device. Because of the redundant data paths, dual attachment offers fault tolerance.
Concentrators which are connected to other concentrators building a tree below the dual ring are referred to as cascaded. Cascading applies to both single attached and dual homed concentrators.
The ports on the various FDDI devices are given logical names. There are four port types in FDDI: A, B, M (Master) and S (Slave).
Device Type | Ports (Qty) |
DAS | A & B (1 each) |
DAC | A & B (1 each)
M (1 or more) |
SAS | S (1) |
SAC | S (1) M (1 or more) |
Stand Alone Concentrator | M (multiple) |
For a Class A device on the dual ring, the A port connects to the B port of the upstream neighbor and the B port connects to the A port of the downstream neighbor. This daisy chaining of devices continues around the ring.
For dual attached devices on the dual ring, the function of the A and B ports is described in the following table.
Dual Attached Device Port | Function |
A | Primary Ring In
Secondary Ring Out |
B | Primary Ring Out Secondary Ring In |
On single attached devices, the S (Slave) port connects to an M (Master) port on the concentrator.
For dual homed Class A devices, the A port connects to an M port on one concentrator and the B port connects to an M port on a second (or the same) concentrator.
For dual homed devices, the function of the A and B ports is described in the table below.
Dual Homed Device Port | Function |
A | Secondary Connection |
B | Primary Connection |
Adapter type | Cables | Connectors | Correct Keying | |
SAS | Copper | One UTP (Cat. 5) or S/UTP cable | RJ-45 |
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MIC* | One fiber-optic cable | MIC |
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SC** | Two fiber-optic cables | SC |
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DAS | Copper | Two UTP (Cat. 5) or S/UTP cables | RJ-45 |
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MIC* | Two fiber-optic cables | MIC |
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SC** | Four fiber-optic cables | SC |
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Note: These cables are not provided with the adapter. Contact your network administrator for assistance in selecting the correct cable. If you are in doubt about your adapter card type (DAS, SAS, fiber-optic, copper, ...), refer to the overview in the paragraph Overview FDDI NIC Characteristics.
You will find a current list of all supported operating systems in the general README.TXT file on Diskette 1 (root directory) delivered with the adapter.