Copyright © 2007 Heathkit Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved PC Fundamentals Presentation 43 – The Network Interface Card (NIC)

2 Objectives At the end of this presentation, you will be able to:

3 Describe the purpose of a network interface card. Install and configure a network interface card. Describe several types of cable that can be used with a network interface card. Define a network interface card by the type of media it will connect to, the method used to configure the card, and its address/data bus configuration. Describe the following NIC installation process. Install the hardware, install the drivers, configure the NIC, and troubleshoot the NIC.

4 The Network Interface Card is also called: The Network Card The Network Adapter The Network Adapter Card The NIC

5 The NIC is the main interface between the computer and the network cable.

6 The purpose of the NIC is to: Accept data from the computer and prepare the data for the network cable. Send the data to other computers or devices via the network cable. Accept data from the network cable and prepare the data for the computer.

7 Parallel data into serial data. CPU Memory Computer NIC Cable

8 Serial data into parallel data. CPU Memory Computer NIC Cable

9 Is this Packet for me? NIC Destination Address Source Address DataCRC Same? MAC Address

10 Considerations when selecting the NIC: Type of cable connection Type of Address/Data Bus The method used to configure the card.

11 The NIC must match the cable. BNC RJ-45

12 RJ-45 Connector

13 The NIC must match the Address/Data Bus of computer. ISA PCI

14 PCMCIA Interface

15 Installing the NIC in the computer. The NIC is installed inside the computer. It normally plugs into a bus slot in the motherboard. Some are built into the motherboard. Plug-in boards must be configured correctly.

16 NIC Configuration Methods Plug-and-Play EEPROM Jumper pins

17 Resources required may include: IRQ DMA Channel Base I/O Address

18 NIC Configuration Jumpers

19 Preparing to Install the NIC Ensure there is an open bus slot. Ensure the adapter is compatible. Ensure there are system resources available. Ensure all installation items are available. Ensure all necessary software is available.

20 Installing the NIC Hardware Configure NIC to available resources, if necessary. Attach antistatic wrist strap between yourself and the computer. Remove cover from the computer. Remove rear panel slot cover plate. Remove card from antistatic bag and immediately plug into the motherboard. Secure card to the computer.

21 Installing the NIC Software Loading the device driver used by the NIC. Loading any utilities supplied with the NIC.

22 NIC Device Driver Supports communication between NIC and the operating system. Automatically installed and configured. In other cases, device driver loaded from software supplied with NIC.

23 A more recent device driver may be available at the website of the NIC manufacturer.

24 When Good Things Go Bad Operator Problem Software Problem Hardware Problem

25 Software Problems Missing or wrong protocol. Missing or wrong driver. Missing or wrong Client. Sharing not turned on or the Sharing utility not installed.

26 Operator Problem Operator does not know the proper procedure. Operator forgets password. Operator inadvertently makes changes.

27 Suspect “operator error” when the problem is confined to a single person.

28 Test for “operator error” by having the operator try the same procedure from a known good machine.

29 Or, have another operator try the same procedure from the suspect machine.

30 The cure for most operator errors is “hand holding”.

31 Troubleshooting the NIC Is the network card talking to the motherboard? Is the NIC working internally? Is the NIC communicating with the external network?

32 Physical Symptoms Error Messages Activity Lights Link Lights

33 LEDs Link Activity

34 Link LED Activity LED LAN Connector

35

36 RJ-45 Hardware Loopback Pins 1&3 Pins 2&6

Copyright © 2007 Heathkit Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved PC Fundamentals End