Token-Ring Adapter Installation and Support Guide

Introduction to the Token-Ring SeverNet Adapter

(TRSA)

Token-Ring Adapter Installation and Support Guide—426955-001

1-2

Overview of the TRSA

The Token-Ring ServerNet adapter (TRSA) is one of several supported ServerNet

adapters available for use on a NonStop™ Himalaya S-series server. The TRSA

provides connectivity between the server and other nodes on a token-ring network. The

TRSA is a hardware component known as a customer replaceable unit (CRU).

Most often, the TRSA is used together with the SNAX family of SNA-based software

products. Other uses of the adapter include Expand over Token Ring, and TCP/IP over

Token Ring.

TRSA Features:

The features of the TRSA are as follows:

•

Supports a network speed of either 16 Mbps or 4 Mbps, configurable through the

Subsystem Control Facility (SCF). The default speed is 16Mpbs.

•

Operates with your existing NonStop™ Himalaya S-series network infrastructure,

including cabling (customer-supplied), protocol stacks, and user-written application

code.

•

Retains the knowledge base of Compaq network administrators and users.

•

Is fully fault-tolerant with two-channel (ServerNet X and Y fabric) connections for

each adapter.

•

Supported by Tandem Service Management (TSM) client software to facilitate

diagnostics and maintenance.

External Connectors and Indicators

The adapter provides a single token-ring interface that is IEEE 802.5 and IBM Token-

Ring compliant and that has a software configurable network speed of either 4 or 16

Mbps. The single connection can be configured for either the shielded twisted pair

(STP) or the unshielded twisted pair (UTP) token-ring networks. The connection to STP

media is through a 9-pin D connector (DB-9), whereas UTP connection is achieved

through an RJ-45 connector. Both these connectors are available on the front panel but

only one can be active at a time.

Figure 1-1

shows a front panel layout of the TRSA.

Cables that attach the adapter to the network must be ordered separately. Choose only

one of the media, STP or UTP.

Note. In K-series servers running C- and D-series software, the Token-Ring adapter has a

default sped of 4 Mbps. (Note that only D30.nn and later releases are now supported. If

you are running a network of mixed series, be sure that your rings are set to the same

speed.

Caution. If you attempt to connect both cables, the TRSA will fail.