Introduct To Artisoft (LANtastic) Hardware Training Module From 3/23/1996

Introduction to Artisoft
Hardware
Module HDW01
03/23/96
ARTISOFT CORPORATE MISSION
To be a leading developer and marketer of network solutions to workgroups, small businesses, and
remote network users.
MISSION
To establish channel franchises through sales execution, support, and technical services on a global
basis.
CUSTOMER SUPPORT DEPARTMENT MISSION

To Serve customers...
Better than yesterday
Better than our competitors
Better than our customers expect.
EDUCATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT MISSION

To provide Artisoft Technical Support and Sales associates with the best training and best information
tools in the industry.
Prepared by Curt Langley
PLEASE NOTE: This is a training document. It is not intended for use as a troubleshooting reference. Product features
and concerns can and often do change without notice. Please refer to source documents or Folios for the most current
product information.
©1996 ARTISOFT, INC. All rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed,
stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language in any form by any means without the written permission of
ARTISOFT, INC.
Introduction to Artisoft Hardware
Overview
Over the years, Artisoft has manufactured several network hardware products for use
on LANtastic networks and Ethernet networks in general. Although Artisoft no longer
manufactures any hardware itself, it is still necessary for support personnel to familiarize
themselves with all Artisoft hardware products, both discontinued and current. This
module will present an overview of each primary hardware product that Artisoft has
sold over the years. The following information will be covered:
• A description of each product.

• Any default settings and specifications for each product.
• Basic configuration and troubleshooting tips.
• Current status of each product - discontinued, out of warranty, current product,
ETC.
Performance Objectives
This module is intended to be a basic overview of the Artisoft product line, not a
comprehensive installation, configuration or troubleshooting guide. Only major
networking products will be covered. A few minor hardware add-on kits or accessory
kits will also be covered. Graphics of some, but not all of the hardware will be used to
help you identify a product.
When you have completed this module, you should be able to do/understand the
following:
• Describe and discuss each major hardware product produced by Artisoft.

• Describe the default settings and configuration of each product.
Hardware/Software Requirements
There are no specific hardware requirements for this module, but it will be helpful if you
can have any samples of the covered hardware handy for reference. If you are taking
this module in the Artisoft training lab, you can obtain sample hardware from the
training staff.
Network Adapter Basics
Almost every kind of device that connects to a machine’s bus, including all network
adapters, must use an IRQ to communicate with the CPU and a IOBASE to
communicate with its associated driver program.
IRQ (Interrupt Request) - when a adapter card wants to do something, such as send
data to the machine, it generates an interrupt. This causes the CPU to stop what it is
Module HDW01 03/23/96 1

doing, service the call based on what interrupt number was used, then return to what it
was doing before it was interrupted. For example, if a network adapter signals the CPU
with an interrupt, the CPU will check its Interrupt Vector Table to see what number
interrupt was used to call it. That table will point it to the program in memory that the
adapter is calling. In this case, that would be a low level network driver. Each adapter
in a machine must have a unique IRQ number.
IOBASE (IO Port Address) - once an adapter has issued an interrupt to the CPU telling it
that it has data to give, it must have a way to actually deliver that data. The CPU and
the adapter need a place in memory to act as a “mailbox”. This mailbox can pick up
and deliver actual data in both directions. The mailbox is called the IOBASE. This
memory address is usually 8,16 or 20 bits in length. For example, if the adapter has
data for the network, it can place two bytes (16 bits) of data into that location in
memory, then signal the CPU with an interrupt that it has something for it to do. The
CPU will check the Interrupt Vector table and jump to the location in memory to
execute the low level adapter driver code. The driver will look in the appropriate
location in memory, the IOBASE, and retrieve the data. If the network has something to
send, the process is reversed.
RAMBASE - this is an area of upper memory used by an adapter for storing information.
The size will vary. This memory provides a buffer that the adapter uses to both store
information and pass information back and forth to its device driver, much like using the
IOBASE. Adapters using a rambase will usually deliver faster performance than
adapters using only an IOBASE, but this performance gain is primarily on sequential
accesses only.
Bus Types
Bus type refers to the slot specification on a particular motherboard. There are
currently five main bus types:
• ISA (Industry Standard Architecture).

• EISA (Extended Industry Standard Architecture).
• MCA (Micro Channel Architecture).
• VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) Local Bus.
• PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect).
The bus slots of each type are shaped and pinned differently, requiring a different type
of adapter. Adapters for one bus type are not compatible with adapters of another
with one exception, you can use an ISA adapter in an EISA slot. This is the only
exception. Artisoft has manufactured ISA and MCA adapters only.
The Artisoft Adapter Line

This section will cover each network adapter ever manufactured and sold by Artisoft. It
will start with the 2MBPS line of products, then conclude with the Ethernet line.
2MBPS General Information
The 2MBPS (Million Bits Per Second) line adapters were the first network adapters
manufactured by Artisoft and are proprietary. That means no other company has ever
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designed or manufactured this exact type of adapter. There are no specifications
available to the public, as there is with Ethernet.
This technology has a throughput rated at two million bits per second. As with any
transmission medium, the actual data throughput will be lower, approximately 1.5
megabits per second.
General Cable Specifications
The 2MBPS platform uses a dual, shielded, twisted pair cable. That is four wires twisted
into two pairs. The connectors at each end of the cable, and on the adapter, are DB9
(9-pin) type connectors. Each adapter has one male and one female DB9 connector.
2MBPS CABLE TYPE
Dual, Shielded, DB9 Terminator

Twisted Pair
2MBPS Cable with DB9 Connectors
The adapters are cabled together by connecting the male DB9 on one adapter with the
female DB9 on another adapter. Any open DB9 connectors must be terminated.
Supported Cables
Only the following cables are supported with the 2MBPS line of adapters. No other
type should even be considered.
Cable Type Maximum Length # of Nodes

per Segment per Segment
Artisoft cable 1500 feet 32
AT&T grade dual twisted pair telephone cable 300 feet 32
Belden 9729 and 1000 feet 32
Plenum 89729 cable
2MBPS Driver Programs
A noticeable difference between the 2MBPS adapters and the Ethernet adapters is the
driver programs loaded for LANtastic. Normally LANtastic, using an Ethernet adapter,
would load four programs in a specific order. This next table demonstrates the load
order assuming an Artisoft NodeRunner adapter.
Module HDW01 03/23/96 3

LANtastic Network Program Load Order (Ethernet)
Program Name Purpose

NR.EXE Adapter driver for the NodeRunner adapter
AILANBIO.EXE Transport Protocol, Artisoft NetBIOS
REDIR.EXE Client software
SERVER.EXE Server software
The 2MBPS platform, being proprietary to Artisoft, does things a little differently. It
combines the adapter driver and transport protocol into a single program called
LANBIOS. The driver for each 2MBPS adapter is listed in the next table.
2MBPS Drivers
Program Name Adapter

LANBIOS.EXE O2MBPS
LANBIOS2.EXE E2MBPS
LANBIOS3.EXE A2MBPS
This results in only three programs being loaded on a LANtastic machine. This next
table shows this load order assuming an A2MBPS adapter.
LANtastic Network Program Load Order (2MBPS)
Program Name Purpose

LANBIOS3.EXE Adapter driver and transport protocol for the A2MBPS
adapter
REDIR.EXE Client software
SERVER.EXE Server software
Sometimes a user will not be able to properly describe an adapter to support personnel
on the phone. This presents the person trying to support LANtastic with the task of
determining which Artisoft, or other brand, of adapter the customer is using. For
Artisoft adapters, one way to identify the adapter is to see which driver is loading in the
AUTOEXEC.BAT or STARTNET.BAT files. If it is a LANBIOS driver, then you should
immediately know that they are using a 2MBPS adapter. Depending on the version
running (LANBIOS, LANBIOS2, or LANBIOS3), you should be able to identify the
specific adapter.
Of course, the user could be loading the incorrect driver for the adapter. If that is the
case, you may have to resort to other means of identifying the card, such as describing
the connectors or opening the machine up to get the specific model number of the
card.
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O2MBPS Adapters
Description
An 8-bit, ISA, two megabit per second adapter, proprietary to Artisoft. This is referred
to as the Original 2MBPS adapter.
Warranty
Five years from date of purchase.
Current Status
This product is no longer manufactured.
Features
• Certified FCC Class B and approved by the FCC for home use.
Applications
Can still be used in a basic LANtastic network, but only on a DOS/Windows platform.
Specifications
• Cable -- Dual shielded, twisted pair cable with DB9 connectors.
• IRQ's -- 2, 3, 4, 5
• IObase -- None
• Boot Prom -- None
• Rambase -- 32k
Default is D800. Range is C000 - FFFF.
• DMA -- None
• Novell Compatible -- No
Drivers
• LANtastic -- LANBIOS.EXE
• OS/2 -- None
• NDIS -- None
• Windows 95 - None
Usage Notes
• The adapter does not use an IOBASE.
• The adapter can only access the lower IRQs.
• The IRQ and rambase are set by jumpers on the board.
• This adapter’s compatibility with faster machines, such as Pentiums, is
questionable.
• One way to identify the adapter and distinguish it from the other 2MBPS
models is its BLUE color.
Troubleshooting
Rambase conflicts are possible with this adapter. You need to exclude the rambase
with EMM386 in the CONFIG.SYS file. If running Windows, also use the
EMMEXCLUDE statement in the SYSTEM.INI file to exclude the rambase.
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E2MBPS Adapters
Description
to as the Enhanced 2MBPS adapter.
Warranty
Current Status
Features
• Software configurable IRQ and IOBASE.
• Uses an on board coprocessor to perform many functions, relieving the CPU
from the task. This usually results in faster network performance.
• 32k of onboard RAM to speed processing.
Applications
Specifications
• Cable -- Dual shielded, twisted pair cable using DB9 connectors.
• IRQ's -- 2, 3 (default), 4, 5,6,7,10,15
• IObase -- 220,240,260,280 (default), 2A0,320,340,360
• Boot Prom -- Optional Daughterboard
• Rambase -- 32k
Default is D800. Range is A000 - FFFF.
• DMA -- None
Drivers
• LANtastic -- LANBIOS2.EXE
• OS/2 -- None
• NDIS -- None
Usage Notes
• This is an 8-bit adapter, but it has the extra connectors to access IRQs 10 and
15.
questionable.
• One way to identify this adapter and distinguish it from other 2MBPS models
is by its light green color and the fact that is has only four dip switches on it.
The A2MBPS has eight and the O2MBPS has none.
• The IRQ and IOBASE are changed from the default using command line
switches.
• The rambase is set by four dip switches on the board. If changed from the
default, you must specify the new rambase on the command line loading the
driver.
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• An example of loading the LANBIOS2 driver with non-default settings would
be:
LANBIOS2 iobase=320 irq=10 rambase=c800
• The LANBIOS2 driver comes with a command line switch called /AUTO. If
you load the driver with this switch, then the driver will attempt to select its
own IRQ and IOBASE. It will usually find one that is free, but not always. This
switch does not select a rambase. Assuming a non-default rambase is used,
the command line to load the driver with the AUTO switch would be:
LANBIOS2 auto rambase=c800 verbose
The main reason to use this switch is when you are not sure which IRQ or
IOBASE to set the card to. If you load the driver with the AUTO switch, and
the adapter and network appear to function normally, then it is a fairly safe
bet that the selected settings are safe to use. You then need to hard code the
settings on the LANBIOS2 load line and remove the AUTO switch. To see
which settings the AUTO switch selected, load the driver with the VERBOSE
switch and be sure to pause the screen after the driver loads successfully.
The information displayed on the screen will show you which IRQ and
IOBASE were selected.
LANtastic (tm) NETBIOS V2.22 - (C) Copyright 1992 ARTISOFT Inc.
Command line auto verbose

Node address 00006EA00001 Adapter number 0
Interrupt request 10 RAM base D800
Maximum number of names 16 Number of buffers 8
Default number of sessions 32 System timeout 10
Default number of NCBs 32 I/O base address 280
Local interrupt stack DISABLED Bytes of memory used 1712
---- LANtastic NETBIOS installed ----
• This E2MBPS adapter has the ability to add remote booting or additional ram
to the adapter. This is accomplished using a add on board called the E2MBPS
Daughterboard. This board plugs into to E2MBPS adapter with an additional
socket. You can add a single remote boot chip or a 32k ram chip to this
board. The board contains dip switches for setting a rombase if remote
booting.
Module HDW01 03/23/96 7

The E2MBPS Daughterboard
Front View
Inserting the Daughterboard
Troubleshooting
• Rambase conflicts are possible with this adapter. You need to exclude the
rambase with EMM386 in the CONFIG.SYS file. If running Windows, also use
the EMMEXCLUDE statement in the SYSTEM.INI file to exclude the rambase.
• You do not want to leave the AUTO switch on the LANBIOS2 driver. This
may seem like an easy way to load the driver without worrying about the
settings, but it will usually result in problems. LANBIOS2 will not accurately
detect all available IRQs or IOBASES, and there is no guarantee that it will
detect the same settings every time it boots. This can lead to inconsistencies
in making or keeping a network connection. It can also result in the driver
loading most of the time, but not all of the time.
A2MBPS Adapters
Description
to as the Advanced 2MBPS adapter.
Warranty
Current Status
Features
• Software configurable IRQ and IOBASE.
• Uses an on board coprocessor to perform many functions, relieving the CPU
from the task. This usually results in faster network performance.
Module HDW01 03/23/96 8

Applications
Specifications
• Cable -- Dual shielded, twisted pair cable using DB9 connectors.
• IRQ's -- 2, 3 (default), 4, 5,6,7,10,15
• IObase -- 220 through 3E0h, 280 (default)
• Boot Prom -- Optional Daughterboard
• Rambase -- 8k
Default is D800. Range is A000 - E000.
• DMA -- None
Drivers
• LANtastic -- LANBIOS3.EXE
• OS/2 -- None
• NDIS -- None
Usage Notes
• This is an 8-bit adapter, but it has the extra connectors to access IRQs 10 and
15.
questionable.
• One way to identify this adapter and distinguish it from other 2MBPS models
is its dark green color and use of eight dip switches. The E2MBPS has four and
the O2MBPS has none.
• The IRQ and IOBASE are changed from the default using command line
switches.
• The rambase is set by four dip switches on the board. If changed from the
default, you must specify the new rambase on the command line loading the
driver.
• The A2MBPS adapter features a socket that can be used for a remote boot
ROM or 32k ram chip. The boot rombase is set by dip switches 5-8.
• The rambase on the A2MBPS adapter is set by dip switches 1-4.
• An example of loading the LANBIOS3 driver with non-default settings would
be:
LANBIOS3 iobase=320 irq=10 rambase=c800
• The LANBIOS3 driver comes with a command line switch called /AUTO. If
you load the driver with this switch, then the driver will attempt to select its
own IRQ and IOBASE. It will usually find one that is free, but not always. This
switch does not select a rambase. Assuming a non-default rambase is used,
the command line to load the driver would look like this:
LANBIOS3 auto rambase=c800 verbose
The main reason to use this switch is when you are not sure which IRQ or
IOBASE to set the card to. If you load the driver with the AUTO switch, and
the adapter and network appear to function normally, then it is a fairly safe
Module HDW01 03/23/96 9

bet that the selected settings are safe to use. You then need to hard code the
settings on the LANBIOS3 load line and remove the AUTO switch. To see
which settings the AUTO switch selected, load the driver with the VERBOSE
switch and be sure to pause the screen after the driver loads successfully.
The information displayed on the screen will show you which IRQ and
IOBASE were selected.
LANtastic (tm) NETBIOS V2.06 - (C) Copyright 1992 ARTISOFT Inc.
Command line auto verbose

Node address 00006EA00001 Adapter number 0
Interrupt request 10 RAM base D800
Maximum number of names 16 Number of buffers 8
Default number of sessions 32 System timeout 10
Default number of NCBs 32 I/O base address 280
(UDUU)
Local interrupt stack DISABLED Shared memory mode 8K
Bytes of memory used 3616
---- LANtastic NETBIOS installed ----
Troubleshooting
• Rambase conflicts are possible with this adapter. You need to exclude the
rambase with EMM386 in the CONFIG.SYS file. If running Windows, also use
the EMMEXCLUDE statement in the SYSTEM.INI file to exclude the rambase.
• You do not want to leave the AUTO switch on the LANBIOS3 driver. This
may seem like an easy way to load the driver without worrying about the
setting, but it will usually result in problems. LANBIOS3 will not accurately
detect all available IRQs or IOBASES, and there is no guarantee that it will
detect the same settings every time it boots. This can lead to inconsistencies
in making or keeping a network connection. It can also result in the driver
loading most of the time, but not all of the time.
• LANBIOS3, version 2.05, is known to have problems maintaining a
connection. Make sure the user has LANBIOS3 2.06 or higher. This can be
obtained from the BBS in a self extracting zip file called LANBIOS.EXE.
The A2MBPS Adapter
Jumpers for RAMbase

or ROMBase Address
Face Plate
View
DB15 Male
Optional Boot Connector
ROM or RAM
Upgrade
DB15 Female
Connector
Module HDW01 03/23/96 10

The 2MBPS Hub
Description
A 12 port hub designed specifically for connecting network segments using Artisoft
2MBPS adapters.
Warranty
Current Status
Features
• Can be used to extend the cable length of a 2MBPS network.
• Can connect up to six 2MBPS networks and 120 nodes.
Applications
Can only be used with LANtastic networks running Artisoft 2MBPS adapters.
Specifications
• Cable -- uses the cable specified for all 2MBPS adapters. Connects to hub with
special DB9 to RJ-11 adapter using a flat extension cable supplied by Artisoft.
Usage Notes
• Using a special DB9 to RJ-11 connector, you can run a cable from the 2MBPS
adapter to the RJ-11 port on the hub.
• The hub uses a “harmonica” with a 50 pin connector for its RJ-11 connections.
• The extension cable used to connect the DB9-RJ11 adapter cannot exceed 6
inches in length.
• You cannot mix cable types on this hub, even specified cable types.
Module HDW01 03/23/96 11

2MBPS Hub
Standard 2MBPS Harmonica With RJ11 Ports

DB9 to RJ11
Cable
Adapter
2MBPS
Hub
Extension
Cable
Simply LANtastic Adapters
Description
An 8-bit ethernet adapter specially designed for simplicity of installation.
Warranty
Current Status
Features
• Software configurable.
• Uses mini-coax cabling with popular hi-fi connectors and no terminating
resistors.
Applications
Ideal for small office/ home office networks where performance is not as important as
ease of use.
Specifications
• Cable -- Instead of coax or UTP, the card uses mini coax cable.
• (RG174A/U) with 3.5mm mini jack connectors, eliminating the need for T-
connectors. Maximum cable length is 200 feet.
• IRQ's -- 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 15
• IObase -- 300, 320, 340, 360
• Rambase -- None
Module HDW01 03/23/96 12

• DMA -- None
Drivers
• LANtastic -- NR.EXE
• OS/2 -- AEXNDIS.OS2
• NDIS -- AEXNDIS.DOS
Usage Notes
• Simply cards are self-terminating, eliminating the need for terminating resistors.
The cards on either end of the network must have only cable inserted.
• A length of RG174A/U cable can be connected to regular RG58A/U coax
using a special connector supplied by Artisoft. Only one of these connectors
is permitted in a segment. The maximum segment length remains 200'.
• Two lengths of RG174A/U cable can be linked together using a 1/8-inch
(3.5mm) Mini Jack Coupler available at any electronics supply store. The
Radio Shack part number is 274-1555 but be careful. This is a stereo coupler
and may not make a good connection to mono cable.
• The card does not have a Novell setting.
Troubleshooting
• IObase conflicts can usually be resolved by using NRMOVE to temporarily
shift the card's IObase then running NRSETUP.
The Simply Ethernet Adapter
Mini-jack
Connectors
Simply Parallel Adapter
Description
A parallel port ethernet adapter.
Warranty
Module HDW01 03/23/96 13

Current Status
Features
• Eliminates need to open computer and insert network adapter.
• Completes the "too simple to screw up" notion of Simply LANtastic.
• Works with standard, bi-directional, and enhanced parallel ports.
• Printer connects to adapter and print jobs are passed through.
• Connects to machine via proprietary cable.
• Connects to network via the same RG174/U cable with 3.5mm mini jacks that
are used by the Simply adapters.
Applications
The same as the Simply ethernet adapter, except that with this adapter even a complete
neophyte should be able to install a network.
Specifications
• Cable -- Uses mini coax cable (RG174/U) with 3.5mm mini jack connectors.
Self terminating. Maximum cable length is 200 feet.
• IRQ's -- 5, 7
• IObase -- Determined by LPT port
• Rambase -- None
• DMA -- None
Drivers
• LANtastic -- NRP.EXE
• OS/2 -- None
• NDIS -- None
• Windows 95 - none
Usage Notes
• Same cabling caveats as regular Simply installation.
Troubleshooting
Some printers have a low pickup threshold for signals coming down the cable. These
may not print if connected to the Parallel Adapter. Refer to Folios or Oprah for the
proposed fix for this problem.
Module HDW01 03/23/96 14

The Simply Parallel Adapter
SIDE VIEW
Parallel Port Power

Connection Supply
Printer Cable
AE Series (AE-1/T, AE-2 and AE-3) Adapters
Description
A 16-bit ISA ethernet card.
Warranty
Current Status
Features
• Hardware register-level compatible with the NE2000.
• Jumper configurable.
• 16K on-board RAM for buffering network traffic. Expandable to 64K.
Applications
Can be used in any network as a standard Ethernet card.
Specifications
• Cable -- Thin or thick ethernet or UTP (AE-1/T is UTP only, AE-3 supports all
three)
• IRQ -- 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 15 [w1]
• IObase -- 300, 320, 340, 360 [w4]
• Boot Prom -- Yes [w6]
• Rambase -- None
• DMA -- None
• Novell compatible -- Yes [w5]
Drivers
• LANtastic -- AEX.EXE (defaults to IRQ15) or AE2.EXE (defaults to IRQ3)
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• NDIS for OS/2 -- AEXNDIS.OS2
• Windows 95 - use AE series driver supplied by Microsoft.
Usage Notes
• AE2 adapters are workhorses with few operating problems.
• Earlier revisions (B and C) use an older NIC controller chip. Revision E and F
use the same National Semiconductor NIC controller used by the NE2000.
• A 32K memory upgrade is available to help relieve traffic bottleneck on a
resource-choked server.
Troubleshooting
Has non-standard bus timing jumper [w8] that resolves most timing problems.
AE Series Adapters
Boot ROM
Sockets
RJ45 (UTP)
DB15
(Thicknet)
BNC (Coax)
AE1-T AE2
RAM Upgrade
W8 (Non Stanbard Bus) Sockets
Jumper
RJ45 (UTP) RJ45 (UTP)
DB15 DB15
(Thicknet) (Thicknet)
BNC (Coax)
AE2-T AE3
NodeRunner 2000 and NodeRunner 2000SI Adapters
Description
• 16-bit ISA ethernet cards.
• The NR2000 is designed for use in a LANtastic network version 5.0 or earlier.
• The NR2000SI is designed for use in third-party networks or with LANtastic
version 6.0. SI cards can be identified by a red or yellow sticker on the outside
of the metal mounting bracket. Standard NR2000 cards have a white sticker.
Warranty
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Current Status
These products are no longer manufactured.
Features
• Uses ALICE chip, an Application Specific Integrated Circuitry (ASIC)
technology chip that speeds up processing and simplifies board design.
• Software configurable using NRCONFIG for NR2000 cards and NRSETUP for
either NR2000SI or NR2000 cards.
• Autosensing for 8-bit mode when inserted in 8-bit slot.
Applications
• Works in any ethernet network: LANtastic, NetWare, or otherwise.
• Works in both ISA and EISA machines.
• The NR2000A and NR2000SI/A have an option for adding an additional 32K
of SRAM for buffering network traffic.
• The NR2000 series is compatible with LANtastic 4.0 and above.
Specifications
• Cable -- thin or thick ethernet or UTP (NR2000/T is UTP only, NR2000A
supports all three)
• IRQ -- 2. 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 15
• IObase -- 300, 320, 340, 360
• Boot Prom -- Yes
• Rambase -- None
• DMA -- None
• Novell compatible -- Yes
Drivers
• LANtastic -- NODERUN.EXE (for NR2000) and NR.EXE (for NR2000SI)
• NDIS for OS/2 -- AEXNDIS.OS2
• Windows 95 - Use the NE2000 compatible driver supplied by Microsoft.
Usage Notes
• Customers get upset when they purchase an SI card then find out it will not
work in a standard NOS 5.0 network. Make sure a user purchasing an SI card
has NOS 6.0 or 5.0AI.
• NRSETUP contains a diagnostic option for troubleshooting a bad card. It also
features an automatic configuration option that helps ferret out an available
IObase and IRQ combination.
• Use the 32K RAM upgrade on A series cards if LANcheck reveals a number of
resource exhausts after a short period of network operation.
• Backward Compatibility - Drivers for using an NR2000 in a NOS 4.1 network
can be found on the driver disk in a directory labeled V4.10. There you'll find
a file named V410.EXE. This is a self-extracting executable. Run it in a blank
subdirectory on the machine's hard drive to extract the 4.1 version of
NODERUN.EXE and AILANBIO.EXE.
• Users with 4.0 networks will need to download AEX_41.EXE from the Artifacts
BBS. This is a self-extracting executable that will yield the 4.1 version of the
AEX driver. This and the 4.1 AILANBIO must be copied to every machine with
an AE2 card in the network.
Module HDW01 03/23/96 17

Troubleshooting
• IObase conflicts can usually be resolved by using NRMOVE to temporarily
shift the card's IObase then running NRSETUP.
• Most timing problems can be resolved by running NRSETUP and setting
IOCS16 timing to EARLY.
• The on-board EEPROM can sometimes become corrupted when running
NRCONFIG. If moving the IObase does not relieve the problem, the card
generally has to be replaced.
Model Types
The NodeRunner series comes in the following models:
• NodeRunner 2000/C - Coax connector only.

• NodeRunner 2000/C (SI) - Coax connector only.
• NodeRunner 2000/T - UTP connector only.
• NodeRunner 2000/T (SI) - UTP connector only.
• NodeRunner 2000/A - Coax, UTP and AUI connectors.
• NodeRunner 2000/A (SI) - Coax, UTP and AUI connectors.
• NodeRunner 2000/MC - MicroChannel, Coax and UTP connectors only.
• NodeRunner 2000/MC (SI) - MicroChannel, Coax and UTP connectors only
The NodeRunner 2000/C SI
Boot ROM
BNC
Coax
Connector
The NodeRunner 2000/A
Expansion RAM Peer Hub

Socket Connection
RJ45
UTP
DB15
Thicknet
BNC
Coax
Boot ROM
Module HDW01 03/23/96 18

NodeRunner Pro (UTP and Combo)
Description
• 16-bit ISA ethernet cards.
• Co-developed with Intel.
Warranty
Current Status
These products are currently manufactured.
Features
• Software configurable using the NPROSET program.
• Autosensing for 8-bit mode when inserted in 8-bit slot.
• Automatic configuration.
Applications
• Works in any ethernet network such as LANtastic, NetWare, Windows NT,
ETC.
• Works in both ISA and EISA machines.
• Plug-and-Play compatible.
• Concurrent Processing feature improves performance in some situations.
• Autosensing of cable type (NodeRunner Pro Combo).
Specifications
• Cable
Coax or UTP (NodeRunner Pro Combo)
UTP only( NodeRunner Pro UTP)
• IRQ -- 2. 3, 4, 5 (default), 7,9, 10, 11, 12
• IObase -- 16 bit block between 200 and 390, 300 (default)
• Boot Prom -- Yes, but not supported for LANtastic at this time.
• Rambase -- None
• DMA -- None
• Novell compatible -- No
Drivers
• LANtastic -- NPRO.EXE
• NDIS -- EPRO.DOS
• NDIS for OS/2 -- EPRO.OS2
• Windows 95 - Use the Intel PRO/10 driver supplied by Microsoft.
• Novell Client - EPROODI.COM
• Novell Server - EPRO.LAN
• Windows NT - EPRONT.SYS
• UNIX (Packet Driver) - EPROPKT.COM
Usage Notes
• NPROSET features a self diagnostic ability to test each adapter locally.
Module HDW01 03/23/96 19

• NPROSET features a network communication test for testing connection with
another NodeRunner Pro adapter on the same network.
• The Concurrent Processing feature is only used if the adapter driver is written
to use it. The native LANtastic driver, NPRO.EXE, is not written to use
Concurrent Processing.
Troubleshooting
• When using the adapter with a Plug-and-Play operating system, such as
Windows 95, you must choose the correct driver. If PnP is enabled on the
adapter, Windows 95 should detect and load the correct driver for you, the
Intel EtherExpress PRO/10 [PnP Enabled]. If PnP is not enabled, be sure to use
the Intel EtherExpress PRO/10 driver.
• The adapter features an 8-bit setting that acts like the non standard bus timing
setting found on other Artisoft adapters.
• On some machines, it may be necessary to disable the PnP setting for the
adapter, primarily on non PnP computers.
• In some instances where the drivers will not load or the adapter will not
communicate on the network, you should try disabling Concurrent Processing.
Artisoft MicroChannel Adapters
The MicroChannel bus standard was created by IBM for use in its PS2 model machines.
The bus slots and pinouts for a MicroChannel adapter are different from ISA. The two
standards are not compatible.
All MicroChannel adapters use the same types of settings that an Ethernet adapter uses.
Settings such as the IOBASE, IRQ, rambase and connector type are set by software. All
MicroChannel adapters use a program from the IBM Reference Disk to configure these
settings. This disk is supplied with the IBM machine, not by Artisoft or any other
adapter manufacturer. What each manufacturer supplies is a ADF (Adapter Description
File) to be used by the Reference Disk. These files always end in an *.ADF extension.
They should be located on the driver disk supplied with the adapter. When the
Reference program is run, it will request the driver disk from the adapter manufacturer.
Once the disk is inserted, the ADF file will be read. This file contains the information
that the Reference disk needs to configure this specific adapter, such as available IRQs
or Connector type.
Description
• 16-bit, MicroChannel adapters for use in MicroChannel machines only.
• Models were manufactured for the AE series, A2MBPS and NodeRunner
series.
Warranty
5 years from date of purchase.
Current Status
All MicroChannel adapters are no longer manufactured.
Features
• 16K of on board RAM in AE2/MC, upgradable to 64K.
• 32k of on board RAM in the NodeRunner/MC, upgradable to 64k.
Module HDW01 03/23/96 20

• 32k of on board RAM in the A2MBPS/MC.
Applications
• All models are intended for use in LANtastic networks only. You can mix
MicroChannel and Ethernet adapters on the same network.
Specifications
• Cable -- 2MBPS uses specified cable for that platform. O2MBPS, E2MBPS and
A2MBPS models were available. The AE and NodeRunner series come in
thin/thick or UTP models.
• IRQ
AE and NodeRunner - 3 (default), 4, 5,9
2MBPS - 3 (default), 4, 5, 6, 7, 9
• IObase (All Models) - 300, 320, 340, 360,1000 (default),2020,8020
• Boot Prom
AE and NodeRunner adapters - Yes
A2MBPS adapters - Yes
O2MBPS and E2MBPS adapters - None
• Rambase -- (2MBPS only) - 32k block from C0000 to BFFF, DFFFF (default)
• DMA -- None
• Novell compatible -- No
Drivers
• LANtastic
AEX.EXE for the AE series.
NR.EXE for the NodeRunner series.
LANBIOS3.EXE for the A2MBPS adapter.
• NDIS
AEXNDIS.DOS for the AE and NodeRunner adapters.
None for the 2MBPS adapter.
• NDIS for OS/2
AEXNDIS.OS2 for the AE and NodeRunner adapters.
None for the 2MBPS adapters.
• Windows 95 - None for any of the adapters.
ADF Files
• @6343.ADF - 2MBPS adapters.
• @67B0.ADF for AE and NodeRunner adapters.
Usage Notes
• When you boot the machine from the Reference Disk, the program will detect
if you have any new hardware or allow you to configure existing hardware.
The Automatic configuration method should usually be used. The system will
determine what settings to use for you. You should only do a Manual
configuration when Automatic does not seem to work properly.
• If a user does not have the ADF file needed for their Artisoft adapter, they can
download it from the Artisoft BBS. The ADF files for all Artisoft MicroChannel
models are contained in a self extracting Zip file called ADF.EXE.
MicroChannel adapters can be identified by their smaller, shorter gold contacts or the
blue plastic handles they have to make removing and inserting them easier. The
Module HDW01 03/23/96 21

following example of a MicroChannel adapter will give you an idea of how they should
look.
The AE2 MicroChannel Adapter
DB15
Thicknet
BNC
Coax
RAM Upgrade Boot ROM

Sockets Socket
Boot PROMs
Description
A boot PROM makes it possible for a machine without a floppy or hard drive to boot
up and attach to the network server.
Warranty
Current Status
Features
• A workstation equipped with a boot PROM has just enough smarts to boot up
and look for a server. It expects to find a "boot image" on the server that
contains the files that would otherwise be found on a bootable floppy.
• When the workstation finds this boot image, it completes the boot sequence
and attaches to the server.
• From this point on, the workstation accesses server resources just as it would if
it had booted from a normal device.
Applications
• Remote booting adds a measure of security because a user can't copy
information from the server onto a floppy. This is handy when you don't want
a temp worker walking off with a copy of your customer list.
• Remote booting is also ideal for adverse environments where the internals of a
floppy could get fouled.
• Remote booting is handy for network administrators who need control over
the logon scripts and don't want users swapping floppies or hacking their own
logon sequences.
• Remote booting is not necessarily lower in cost than using a floppy. The
PROM chips cost about as much as a floppy drive. There's no moving parts to
wear out, though.
Module HDW01 03/23/96 22

Remote Booting with Artisoft Adapters
Artisoft adapters use two methods for remote booting:
• Old Style -- The card driver (AEX or NR or NODERUN) and the NetBIOS driver
(AILANBIO) are coded onto the PROM. The chip uses these as the transport
protocol to load the remaining drivers from the boot image.
• FFRPL (find/found remote program load) -- The chip sets up a 360K RAMdrive
on the workstation, designates it as drive A, then makes a low level connection
to a bootstrap loader on the server. The bootstrap loader shovels the boot
image into the RAMdrive, then the workstation boots off the RAMdrive as if it
were a regular floppy drive.
Deciding which method to use depends on what style of remote boot ROM is
compatible with the adapter model and whether the user has more than 360K of files to
put in the image. The next table describes each Ethernet adapter and its accociated
boot ROM chips.
Adapter Boot ROM Comments

AE-2 rev Part #153 (NOS 4.1) Old Style only, chip not programmable.
B&C Part #853 (NOS 5.0+) FFRPL only, chip not programmable.
AE-2 rev E Part #153 (NOS 4.1) Old Sly only, chip not programmable.
Part #853 (NOS 5.0+) FFRPL only, chip not programmable.
Part #176 (all NOS) FFRPL only, 16K chip not big enough to hold Old Style.
AE-2 rev F Part #882T (all NOS) Old Style or FFRPL, 32K programmable chip, needs GAL.
NR2000 and Part #882T (NOS 5.0+) Old Style or FFRPL, 32k programmable chip,
NR2000SI discard GAL if already mounted to board.
Troubleshooting
A common problem with boot ROM chips is inserting them correctly. If they are
inserted backwards, or one of the pins on the chip does not make proper contact with
the socket, then the chip will not function. There is a notch on the boot ROM chip and
a corresponding notch on the boot ROM socket. You need to line them up to insure
proper insertion. The chip must be carefully seated, insuring that all of the pins on the
chip insert into a hole on the socket. Sometimes, it is possible for one pin to bend into
the socket, without getting into the hole. The chip may look like it is seated properly,
but is not. The usual way to check for this is to remove the chip, then carefully
straighten the pin, then reinsert the chip. The following graphic demonstrates the
proper insertion orientation.
Module HDW01 03/23/96 23

Inserting a Boot ROM Chip
Notch
Chip
Socket
T-Runner I (8 and 12 Port Ethernet Hubs)
Description
• Free-standing dynamic 10baseT concentrators. Concentrators are also called hubs.
The names are used interchangeably. Also known as the T-Runner I series.
Warranty
Current Status
Both products are no longer manufactured.
Features
• The T-Runner 8 has eight RJ-45 ports. The T-Runner 12 has 12 RJ-45 ports.
Each port is equipped with a green Link Light and an amber Activity light.
• Both units are compatible with all Artisoft 10BaseT ethernet cards.
• Both units come with a 10Base2 (thinnet) BNC connector.
• The units come with a separate 120V power supply.
• The cases are suitable for stacking or wall mounting.
Applications
• Small to medium-sized 10baseT installations where no filtering or routing is
desired.
• The thinnet port gives the hubs a significant advantage because up to 30 units
can be daisy-chained together without using any of the RJ-45 ports on each
unit and special cabling.
About 10BaseT
10BaseT uses two pairs of tiny wires that are twisted together and covered with
insulation. They are often referred to as UTP for Unshielded Twisted Pairs. One pair is
used for transmitting, the other pair for receiving. The wires are attached to an RJ-45
jack that looks similar to a phone jack.
• This style of ethernet is inherently more noisy and the cards must be designed to
compensate for this extra interference.
Module HDW01 03/23/96 24

• Hubs can be connected together using the UTP cable but not with standard
straight-through wiring. This would connect the transmit pair to the transmitter in
the hub instead of the receiver. A special crossover cable is used to connect hubs.
10BaseT installations tend to be more complex than coax to justify the extra cost of the
concentrator and the hassle of the extra cables. A typical installation might have one or
more concentrators in a stuffing room with four-conductor UTP run from each port to a
lay-down board (or patch panel) where large bundles of cables pick off the appropriate
pairs and route them through the walls to RJ-45 jacks. Another piece of UTP connects
the wall jack to the plug on the adapter card. As you can imagine, there is plenty of
room for cable screwups in this kind of installation. The advantage is that a single
segment can fail without taking down the rest of the network.
Usage Notes
• Passive hubs pass on every signal they receive. They do not discriminate as to
packet type, source, or destination. They do not amplify. A dynamic hub such
as the T-Runner series hubs boosts the signal a bit. However, they do not
reduce network traffic or extend the length of a network beyond normal
ethernet specifications.
• Ethernet specs limit the number of hubs between any two communicating
stations to a maximum of four. This makes the thinnet capability of these units
even more attractive.
Troubleshooting
• An open wire should be indicated by a loss of the link light. Because of the
number of connections between the computer and the hub, it's often the case
that the link light will be on but there is too much impedance to pass a clear
signal.
• Signals to a shorted wire will be cut by a jabber circuit in the hub before it can
bring down the other nodes. If this feature fails, every single link light and
activity light might energize. In this case, kill the power by pulling the power
jack, remove all cables, and reenergize the unit. If it appears to be functional,
reinsert the segment jacks one at a time until the failing segment causes the
symptom again.
Module HDW01 03/23/96 25

The T-Runner 8 Hub
Front View
Rear View
T-Runner II (8 and 16 Port Ethernet Hubs)
Description
• Free-standing dynamic 10baseT concentrators. Concentrators are also called hubs.
The names are used interchangeably. Also known as the T-Runner II series. These
are the successors to the T-Runner I series. They have a different look, but the
same essential functionality.
Warranty
Current Status
Both products currently manufactured.
Features
• The T-Runner II Hub 8 has eight RJ-45 ports. The T-Runner II Hub 16 has 16
RJ-45 ports. Each port is equipped with a green Link Light and an amber
Activity light.
• Both units are compatible with all Artisoft 10BaseT ethernet cards.
• Both units come with a 10Base2 (thinnet) BNC connector.
• Both units come with a AUI (thicknet) connector.
• The units come with a separate 120V power supply.
• The cases are suitable for wall mounting.
Applications
• Small to medium-sized 10baseT installations where no filtering or routing is
desired.
• The thinnet port gives the hubs a significant advantage because up to 30 units
can be daisy-chained together without using any of the RJ-45 ports on each
unit and special cabling.
Module HDW01 03/23/96 26

• The AUI (thicknet) port allows you to daisy chain up to four hubs together,
which allows you to use thicknet cable lengths (up to 500 meters) between
them.
About 10BaseT
10BaseT uses two pairs of tiny wires that are twisted together and covered with
insulation. They are often referred to as UTP for Unshielded Twisted Pairs. One pair is
used for transmitting, the other pair for receiving. The wires are attached to an RJ-45
jack that looks similar to a phone jack.
• This style of ethernet is inherently more noisy and the cards must be designed to
compensate for this extra interference.
• Hubs can be connected together using the UTP cable but not with standard
straight-through wiring. This would connect the transmit pair to the transmitter in
the hub instead of the receiver. A special crossover cable is used to connect hubs.
10BaseT installations tend to be more complex than coax to justify the extra cost of the
concentrator and the hassle of the extra cables. A typical installation might have one or
more concentrators in a stuffing room with four-conductor UTP run from each port to a
lay-down board (or patch panel) where large bundles of cables pick off the appropriate
pairs and route them through the walls to RJ-45 jacks. Another piece of UTP connects
the wall jack to the plug on the adapter card. As you can imagine, there is plenty of
room for cable screwups in this kind of installation. The advantage is that a single
segment can fail without taking down the rest of the network.
Usage Notes
• Passive hubs pass on every signal they receive. They do not discriminate as to
packet type, source, or destination. They do not amplify. A dynamic hub such
as the T-Runner series hubs boosts the signal a bit. However, they do not
reduce network traffic or extend the length of a network beyond normal
ethernet specifications.
• Ethernet specs limit the number of hubs between any two communicating
stations to a maximum of four. This makes the thinnet capability of these units
even more attractive.
Troubleshooting
• An open wire should be indicated by a loss of the link light. Because of the
number of connections between the computer and the hub, it's often the case
that the link light will be on but there is too much impedance to pass a clear
signal.
• Signals to a shorted wire will be cut by a jabber circuit in the hub before it can
bring down the other nodes. If this feature fails, every single link light and
activity light might energize. In this case, kill the power by pulling the power
jack, remove all cables, and reenergize the unit. If it appears to be functional,
reinsert the segment jacks one at a time until the failing segment causes the
symptom again.
The Artisoft Peer Hub
Description
A dynamic 10BaseT hub designed to be inserted in a computer.
Module HDW01 03/23/96 27

Warranty
Current Status
.
Features
• Looks like an 8-bit ethernet adapter but there are no ethernet processing or
transceiver circuits on it. It merely passes signals.
• Five external RJ-45 ports and two internal ports. The external ports are
compatible with all ethernet adapters using UTP connections, including the full
line of Artisoft ethernet adapters. The two internal ports can be connected to
other Artisoft AE/T series and NR2000/T series adapters mounted in the same
computer.
• If an internal connection is wired to an AE-3 or NR2000A adapter, it provides a
port to a thinnet or 10base5 installation.
• Up to four Peer Hubs can be put in one machine, providing connectivity for
up to 20 external stations plus the internal adapters.
Applications
• Small 10baseT installations where the host computer(s) has a free slot.
• Low-cost alternative to a free-standing hub.
• Particularly attractive for LANtastic networks because of the internal
connectivity options.
Usage Notes
• The Peer Hub has two operating modes, hardware and software, set by a
jumper on the card.
Hardware-only mode -- the hub uses the host computer purely as a power
supply. In this configuration the hub requires no IObase.
Software Mode -- a program called PH-SETUP.EXE is loaded when the
computer boots. The software has the following features:
1. Alarms at failure of a port.

2. Displays port status including wire reversals and transmission
problems.
3. Maintains log of port usage.
• In the software mode, the hub must communicate to the computer, which
requires an IObase. The default is 2F0h but can be changed with DIP
switches.
• If multiple hubs are put in one machine, they must each be configured with a
unique IObase. Each hub comes from the factory with a unique name so
there shouldn't be any confusion running the software.
Troubleshooting
• The only problems generally are caused by users who try to use the software
settings with the card in hardware mode, or vice-versa.
• Troubleshooting procedures for port failures are the same as for the T-Runner hubs.
Module HDW01 03/23/96 28

The Artisoft Peer Hub
Connections to
other Peer Hubs
or Artisoft Adapters
5 RJ45
UTP Ports
The Artisoft Central Station I and II
Description
A free-standing unit for connecting printers, modems, and laptops into a LANtastic
network without the need for another computer.
Warranty
Current Status
These products are no longer manufactured.
Features
• Eliminates the need to tie up a workstation with print jobs.
• Has an on-board microprocessor capable of simultaneously handling high-
speed modems, serial printers, parallel printers, and a laptop.
• Connects to network via thinnet or UTP.
• Special software is available for using the Central Station in a Novell network.
• Uses the same stackable housing as an T-Runner hubs.
• 12 volt, 1 amp, unregulated power supply.
Applications
• Remote Access to a LANtastic or Novell network. (See discussion next page
about Remote Access vs. Remote Control.)
• Allows connecting a laptop to a network without the need for purchasing
another network adapter.
• Gives greater flexibility in locating a workgroup printer.
Specifications
• 2 standard DB-9 bi-directional serial ports.
• 1 DB-9 AUX serial port capable of XON/XOFF protocol (Central Station II
only).
• 1 DB-25 parallel port designator for parallel printing connections.
• 1 DB-25 parallel port that can accommodate a laptop or another parallel
printer (Central Station II only).
Module HDW01 03/23/96 29

• 32K PEROM for storing settings. NOTE: This PEROM will be damaged if the
incorrect software is used to program it. See Troubleshooting section for
details.
Drivers
• LANtastic (Laptop to Ethernet) - CSPPORT.EXE
• LANtastic (Print Server) - CSPRINT.EXE
• LANtastic (Dial Up) - MPORT.EXE
• Novell (Laptop to Ethernet) - CSWS.COM
• Novell (Print Server) - None (not needed)
• Novell (Dial Up) - NDUWS.COM
Usage Notes
• Any modems attached to the Central Station cannot be shared by the network or
used for the purposes of dialing out. A modem connected to the Central Station
can only be used for a single remote dial in session.
• The Central Station is not compatible with LANtastic for Windows 95 machine.
• The Central Station will not support a 28.8 modem.
The Central Station ships with software for programming the PEROM and drivers for the
interfacing machines. This software falls into the following categories:
• Laptop-to-Ethernet (LTE) -- allows a laptop (or any DOS-based PC with a parallel

port) to connect to the network through the Central Station without the need for a
separate network adapter. The speed of the connection is limited by the maximum
speed of the PC's parallel port (115Kbps) but this limitation is shared by all parallel
port adapters.
• Lantastic Printer Server (LPS) -- allows a parallel or serial printer connected to the
Central Station to despool print jobs from another server or servers on the network.
This makes it possible to centralize the printers in a workgroup without tying up a
computer in that location.
Printing throughput is a bit slower than a direct connection to the server because
the job must despool over the network. Print jobs tend to be much slower than
10Mbps, though, so there is not usually a big performance penalty.
Setup at the server can be confusing because the software that intercepts the print
job and sends it on to the network must be loaded before the regular network
drivers.
• Lantastic Dialup (LDU) - allows a remote machine running LANtastic to connect to

the network with a modem without giving up the use of one of the local machines.
This kind of "remote access" is not the "remote control" touted by products like
Carbon Copy and PC Anywhere. The difference is important.
REMOTE ACCESS gives a user direct connection to the network through a modem
at the remote machine and a modem connected to the Central Station. It is as if
they had an ethernet adapter in their machine with a very, very, very long cable.
Advantages:
All the local machines can still be used for their normal functions.
There is no need for special software other than a NOS license at the
remote machine.
Module HDW01 03/23/96 30

The Central Station has the necessary buffered UARTs (Universal
Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitters) for supporting high-speed
communications.
Normal network security is used for guarding access to files.
Disadvantages:
Incurs a serious performance penalty because all data must be transferred

via modem. Where Ethernet speeds rarely fall below 5Mbps even in high
traffic conditions, the fastest modem connection supported by the
Central Station is 14.4 Kbps. The data transfer rate can be as much as
quadrupled with special compression algorithms, but these are all but
ineffective when dealing with files like executables that are already
compact. For this reason, users are encouraged strongly not to run
programs across the phone line. The program should be run locally and
only data passed along.
Also, because of the limited throughput, delivering graphics to the remote
workstation is virtually impossible. The Central Station will support
running Windows on the remote machine in Standard mode, but actually
loading long graphics files across the wire is all but out of the question.
REMOTE CONTROL gives a user control of the machine attached to a modem.

Everything the local displays locally is also displayed remotely, and every keystroke
and mouse movement made at the remote machine is echoed locally.
Advantages:
Speed. Images are virtualized so that only absolutely necessary

information is passed over the modem. Data transfer is kept local on the
ethernet so the user has the sensation of actually being at the machine.
Disadvantages:
No one else can use the machine while it is being controlled remotely.
The smoothness of the remote display isn't quite as nice as the vendors
would like you to believe.
Most remote control programs will not operate satisfactorily on a
machine that is acting as a server. This is especially true for dedicated
servers where the performance parameters have all been adjusted to
favor network traffic.
The programs are not expensive, but in general they cost more than a
node of LANtastic.
For the most part, if a user is considering the purchase of an Central
Station purely for remote dialup, and security is not an issue, they would
probably be better off buying a cheap 386 pizza box machine with no
keyboard or monitor, outfitting it with an Artisoft network adapter and a
single license of LANtastic, cabling it into the network, and putting it in a
closet somewhere.
Troubleshooting
The unit itself is reliable but the complexity of connecting modems with different DTE
rates, initialization strings, and uncertain parentage, not to mention the vagaries of
Module HDW01 03/23/96 31

telephone line connections in general, high-speed telecommunications in particular, and
various hardware and software incompatibilities at the despool servers and laptop all
combine to make the troubleshooting of Central Station problems a black art indeed.
If there are problems communicating via modem:
• Make sure the modems are set for hardware flow control and that the initialization
strings are correct. The vendor can supply these strings. A few are kept in Folios
but the list does not cover every possible model of modem.
• If the user has Windows loaded, ensure it is in Standard mode.
• Make sure the user is not trying to dial out or in through a digital PBX.
• Force the units to a lower DTE and DCE rate.
If there are problems printing:
• Make sure CSPRINT is loading before the network drivers and has the correct
parameters on the driver line.
• Make sure the printer works by connecting it with the existing cable to the parallel
port of a vanilla machine.
• If the printer is a serial printer, make sure the user has a serial printer cable and not
a null modem cable. Make sure the despooling resource is set for INT14.
If there are problems making connection from a laptop:
• The unit comes with a cable for the LTE connection. This is the only approved
cable for LTE. Others, no matter how much they look or ring out like the supplied
cable, will not be supported. New cables can be ordered.
• Vanilla the machine and handload CSPORT and the remaining network drivers.
• If the user has Windows loaded, ensure it is in Standard mode.
• Use DEBUG to verify that the parallel port is using the standard IObase. Change
the CSPORT line if necessary.
There have been three revisions of StationWare:
• Version 2.0 for use in LANtastic 4.1 networks

• Version 2.1 for use in LANtastic 5.0 networks
• Version 3.0, a feature enhancement for use in LANtastic 5.0 and 6.0 networks.
Once the PEROM of a Central Station has been updated with the new software, it
cannot be taken back to the older settings. Attempting to do so will permanently
damage the unit and is not covered by warranty.
NOTE
The manual makes several statements concerning the "upgradability" of the hardware
on board the Central Station II, specifically regarding additional memory and new
features. There are no memory upgrades available and the unit cannot use regular
DRAM in any packaging. There are no new features other than the enhancements in
version 3.0.
To review, the Central Station is a multi-connectivity product designed to perform three

functions on a LANtastic or NetWare network:
Module HDW01 03/23/96 32

• Remote Dial Up - Dialing into the network from a remote node using a
modem.
• Laptop Connection - Connect a laptop or desktop computer to the network
through the parallel port.
• Print Server - Connect printers directly to the Central Station and share them
on the network.
The Central Station has these ports available for connecting printers:
• Central Station I - LPT1, COM1, COM2

• Central Station II - LPT1, COM1, COM2, AUX , PC
In terms of printing, the Central Station I and Central Station II have a few differences:
• The Central Station I CANNOT use the AUX and PC ports for printing.
• The Central Station I can use StationWare versions 2.x and 3.x.
• The Central Station II can ONLY use StationWare 3.0 software.
The Artisoft Central Station
Activity
Lights
Front View
Power UTP AUX

Outlet Connector Port
Rear View
BNC LPT1 COM1 COM2 PC Port

Connector Port Port Port (2nd Parallef Port)
The LANtastic Sounding Board (Voice Adapter)
Artisoft manufactured a sound board that was used primarily for recording and playing
back voice mail on the LANtastic network. Originally marketed as the Voice Adapter, it
later became known as the Sounding Board. It could also be used to voice “chat” on a
LANtastic network. An additional handset from Artisoft was required to record and
listen to messages. You could use this board to record and playback the voice error
messages introduced in LANtastic 5.0. It was marketed as part of the short lived
Artisoft Net Media package and the ArtiScribe transcription program before being
discontinued.
In a Windows environment, this adapter was capable of recording sound in the

MULAW format used by Artisoft, or the Windows WAVE format. You could also
embed sound into OLE objects.
Module HDW01 03/23/96 33

Description
An 8-bit ISA adapter for recording and playing back sound on a LANtastic network. A
MicroChannel version was also manufactured.
Warranty
5 years from date of purchase
Features
• External handset for recording and listening to messages.
• PCM play and record abilities under Windows.
• Full duplex operation (record/play).
• Dual line in and line out connectors, allowing use of external components
such as a CD-ROM.
• Record and play Windows WAVE files or Artisoft MULAW files.
• Embed objects into OLE supported applications.
Current status
Applications
• The board can be used to record voice messages for use with the LANtastic
Mail feature.
• Two machines with this adapter and a handset can carry on a phone
conversation using the voice chat feature of LANtastic.
• Voice error messages can be recorded and played back in LANtastic versions
5.0 or higher.
• Multi-media presentations can be created by embedding sound into OLE
compliant applications.
Specifications
• DMA channel 1 - J1
• DMA channel 3 - J2
• Handset - standard female modular jack (M4P4C)
• Digital/Audio conversion using 8-bit sound
Drivers
• SOUNDBD.EXE - for playing and recording messages in DOS or Windows.
• SOUNDBD.DRV for using the Windows features of the adapter.
Usage Notes
• Both DMA channels must be enabled to support full duplex (two way)
communication, such as voice chat. If only one channel is active, you can
record a message, or play an existing message back, but you cannot voice
chat.
• You can convert files between MULAW and WAVE.
• This adapter IS NOT Sound Blaster compatible.
Troubleshooting
• DMA conflicts are possible, so you must check to make sure that DMA 1 and
3 are available.
Module HDW01 03/23/96 34

• If voice chat does not work, check to see that both DMA channels are
enabled.
The Artisoft Sounding Board

(Voice Adapter)
DMA
Jumpers
Handset
Jack
RCA In
RCA Out
END OF TRAINING MODULE
Module HDW01 03/23/96 35


Introduct To Artisoft (LANtastic) Hardware Training Module From 3/23/1996

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Introduct To Artisoft (LANtastic) Hardware Training Module From 3/23/1996

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Introduction to Artisoft

CUSTOMER SUPPORT DEPARTMENT MISSION

EDUCATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT MISSION

Prepared by Curt Langley

• A description of each product.

• Describe and discuss each major hardware product produced by Artisoft.

Network Adapter Basics

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• ISA (Industry Standard Architecture).

The Artisoft Adapter Line

2MBPS General Information

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General Cable Specifications

2MBPS CABLE TYPE

Dual, Shielded, DB9 Terminator

2MBPS Cable with DB9 Connectors

Cable Type Maximum Length # of Nodes

2MBPS Driver Programs

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Program Name Purpose

Program Name Adapter

LANtastic Network Program Load Order (2MBPS)

Program Name Purpose

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LANBIOS2 iobase=320 irq=10 rambase=c800

LANBIOS2 auto rambase=c800 verbose

LANtastic (tm) NETBIOS V2.22 - (C) Copyright 1992 ARTISOFT Inc.

Command line auto verbose

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Inserting the Daughterboard

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LANBIOS3 iobase=320 irq=10 rambase=c800

LANBIOS3 auto rambase=c800 verbose

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LANtastic (tm) NETBIOS V2.06 - (C) Copyright 1992 ARTISOFT Inc.

Command line auto verbose

The A2MBPS Adapter

Jumpers for RAMbase

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Standard 2MBPS Harmonica With RJ11 Ports

Simply LANtastic Adapters

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The Simply Ethernet Adapter

Simply Parallel Adapter

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Parallel Port Power

AE Series (AE-1/T, AE-2 and AE-3) Adapters

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RJ45 (UTP) RJ45 (UTP)

NodeRunner 2000 and NodeRunner 2000SI Adapters

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The NodeRunner series comes in the following models:

• NodeRunner 2000/C - Coax connector only.

The NodeRunner 2000/C SI

The NodeRunner 2000/A

Expansion RAM Peer Hub

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