Using the Network Interface Controller 5-1Chapter 5Using the Network Interface ControllerThis chapter describes how to connect your computersystem to an Ethernet network using the built-in 3ComPeripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) 3C905TX net-work interface controller (NIC). The NIC provides all thefunctions normally provided by a separate networkexpansion card.This chapter also provides instructions for configuringthe NIC under the following operating systems:• Microsoft Windows NT 4.0• Microsoft Windows 95NOTE: The NIC drivers for systems running aDell-installed Windows NT 4.0 or Windows 95 operatingsystem are automatically detected and installed.Instructions for reinstalling these NIC drivers areincluded later in this chapter.The NIC connector on the computer’s back panel has thefollowing indicators:• A yellow activity indicator flashes when the systemis transmitting or receiving network data. (A highvolume of network traffic may make this indicatorappear to be in a steady “on” state.)• A green link integrity indicator lights up when thereis a good connection between the network and theNIC. When the green indicator is off, the computer isnot detecting a physical connection to the network.Figure 5-1. I/O Ports and Connectorslink integrityindicatorNIC connectoractivityindicator
