3com509 Network Interface Card Overview

This guide describes these four 3Com^® EtherLink^® III 3C509B network interface cards (NICs):

• 3C509B-TPO 
• 3C509B-TPC 
• 3C509B-TP 
• 3C509B-COMBO

These 3C509B NICs, shown in Figure 1-1, belong to the best-selling EtherLink III family of NICs. 

Figure 1-1 3C509B Network Interface Cards 

The 3C509B NICs connect your ISA or EISA PC to an Ethernet network using the RJ-45, BNC, and AUI ports shown in Figure 1-1. 

The 3C509B NIC has the following features:

• Plug and Play support 
• Extensive network operating systems and PC operating systems support, including Microsoft Windows 95 and Windows NT 
• DynamicAccess features to optimize network performance 
• Interactive Access technology to minimize CPU utilization 
• PACE technology drivers that allow prioritization of applications such as video 
• Distributed remote management (dRMON) 
• AutoLink installation software, which automatically installs all Novell NetWare DOS ODI client software into your operating system 
• Parallel Tasking® technology for maximizing NIC performance 
• Full-duplex support, which allows data to be sent and received at the same time in a switched-Ethernet topology 
• Backward compatibility with 3C509 EtherLink III ISA network interface cards 
• Network management support, including SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) and DMI (Desktop Management Interface) through Transcend^® PC Link SmartAgent^® software, which is installed automatically with the drivers

DynamicAccess Technology

The DynamicAccess feature set optimizes network performance. DynamicAccess features include PACE Interactive Access technology, dRMON support, PACE real-time and multimedia application support, and PictureTel LiveShare Plus data conferencing software. 

PACE Technology Support

The 3Com PACE drivers allow you to prioritize multimedia applications like video conferencing and distance learning. Assigning a high class of service for each PACE application improves transmission for that application. 

Distributed RMON

The 3C509B NIC collects distributed remote monitoring (dRMON) information on command and sends it to network management applications to provide network management information. 

Transcend EtherLink SmartAgent Software

3Com's SmartAgent® driver agents, which provide network management capabilities for NICs and PCs, are available with Transcend® PC Link SmartAgent software or on 3Com's bulletin board service and World Wide Web site. 

(For information on 3Com's BBS and WWW site, refer to Appendix B, "Technical Support.")