CHAPTER 1. GENERAL INFORMATION

• Overview FDDI NIC Characteristics
• The Adapter Kit
• Handling Instructions
• Attaching SK-NET FDDI Adapters to Your Network
  • Connection Types
  • 1. Dual Attachment to the Dual Ring
  • 2. Single Attachment to a Concentrator
  • 3. Dual Homing
  • Port Types (A, B, M and S)
  • Port Usage in Dual Attached Connections
  • Port Usage in Single Attached Connections
  • Port Usage in Dual Homed Connections
• What You Need to Install the Adapter

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:

• EISA (Extended Industry Standard) architecture
• ISA (Industry Standard) architecture
• MCA (MicroChannel) architecture
• PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnection)

This chapter contains information that should be read prior to the installation of the adapter.

OVERVIEW FDDI NIC CHARACTERISTICS

Product		Bus Architecture				Transmission Medium		single/ dual port
SK-NET FDDI-...	Model SK-...	EISA	ISA	MCA	PCI	UTP/ S/UTP	Fiber*	SAS	DAS
FE	5341	x					x	x
FE DAS	5342	x					x		x
UE	5321	x				x		x
UE DAS	5322	x				x			x
FI	5141		x				x	x
UI	5121		x			x		x
FM	5241			x			x	x
FM DAS	5242			x			x		x
UM	5221			x		x		x
UM DAS	5222			x		x			x
FP	5541				x		x	x
LP	5543				x		SC	x
LP DAS	5544				x		SC		x
UP	5521				x	x		x
UP DAS	5522				x	x			x

* 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

The adapter kit consists of the following items:

• cardboard packaging
• anti-static bag
• the adapter
• a paper envelope containing several diskettes (e.g., Installation Diskettes)
• Release Notes (if applicable)
• This manual

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)

HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS

Caution: Static electricity can damage or destroy the adapter. Keep the card in the anti-static package until it is ready to be installed. Follow these handling instructions:

Hold the anti-static packaging containing the adapter against a metal expansion slot cover for at least 2 seconds. This action reduces any static electricity from the packaging and from your body. Do not touch any exposed printed circuitry. Do not place the adapter on the computer cover or any other metal surface. Prevent other people from touching the adapter. Limit your movement to reduce static-electricity buildup. Always handle the adapter carefully. If you need to put the adapter down, return it to the anti-static packaging. We recommend the use of a static-protective wrist strap during installation. Connect it to the computer chassis after you have removed the cover from the computer. Note: Do not connect the wrist strap to the earth (ground) of your power supply, since this could potentially be live under unfavorable conditions!

ATTACHING SK-NET FDDI ADAPTERS TO YOUR NETWORK

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).

Connection Types

There are three basic connection types that can be mixed and matched in the same network.

1. Dual Attachment to the Dual Ring

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.

2. Single Attachment to a Concentrator

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.

3. Dual Homing

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.

Port Types (A, B, M and S)

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).

Figure 3. FDDI Port/Transceiver types

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)

Port Usage in Dual Attached Connections

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

Port Usage in Single Attached Connections

On single attached devices, the S (Slave) port connects to an M (Master) port on the concentrator.

Port Usage in Dual Homed Connections

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

WHAT YOU NEED TO INSTALL THE ADAPTER

• Cables:

  Adapter type		Cables	Connectors	Correct Keying
  SAS	Copper	One UTP (Cat. 5) or S/UTP cable	RJ-45	-
  	MIC*	One fiber-optic cable	MIC	x
  	SC**	Two fiber-optic cables	SC	-
  DAS	Copper	Two UTP (Cat. 5) or S/UTP cables	RJ-45	-
  	MIC*	Two fiber-optic cables	MIC	x
  	SC**	Four fiber-optic cables	SC	-

  * MIC cabling systems generally use cables with two fiber-optic cores (SC cables: 1 core per cable)
  ** For two fiber-optic SC cables, one duplex cable can be used instead.

  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.

  
  Figure 4. Plug Types

• Empty expansion slots in which to install the adapters.
• A computer equipped with
  • an RS/6000, Power PC, Intel 80286, 80386, 80486 or PENTIUM (compatible) microprocessor,
  • MCA, ISA; EISA or PCI bus,
  • and at least one expansion slot (DAS adapter except PCI: two adjacent expansion slots).
    ISA: The computer should be correctly configured before you proceed with the adapter installation.
• The reference manual shipped with your computer.
• The cover-lock key, if the cover is locked.
• A screwdriver that fits the screws of your computer's cover.
• The Driver Installation Diskette which was delivered with the FDDI adapter.
• The Configuration Program Diskette which was delivered with your computer.
• Something to write with.
• This manual

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.