NET.CFG Options for Novell NetWare

Table of Contents

APPENDIX A: NET.CFG Options For Novell NetWare

For each workstation driver you configure, select a custom set of supported values from the PCnet configuration options. If a driver configuration is different from the default settings, or if you are using multiple protocols, you should create a NET.CFG file.

The NET.CFG file is a configuration file containing section headings and options that deviate from the established defaults of the ODI software. See the OS documentation specific to your protocol for additional NET.CFG information.

Use any DOS text editor to create the file. Specify only options that will change from the defaults.

Conventions

Main section headings must be left-justified and are not case sensitive.

The heading must precede the options you want to include in that section.

Options are not case sensitive and must be preceded by a tab or hard spaces.

Precede comments with a semicolon (";") and end each line with a hard return.

Write all numbers in decimal notation except where noted otherwise.

Options

The chart below lists the driver options defined by the DOS ODI software. The options available for the PCnet driver (PCNTNW and IPX) protocol stack are shown in a sample NET.CFG file. Protocol stacks other than IPX may have additional options not listed here. Refer to that protocol's documentation for more information.

In this chart, the main NET.CFG section headings are shaded and flush with the left margin. NET.CFG options are listed under each heading and indented. The list of options shown in the chart below is not exhaustive. See the Software Keywords section of this manual for more information on which keywords may be used in the NET.CFG file.

Note: Where drivername above can be PCNTNW or PCLAPP (LAPP driver only).

The PCnet driver (PCNTNW) has the following NET.CFG options available for ISA buses:

  DMA (3,5,6,7)
  INT (3,4,5,9)
  PORT (300H,320H,340H,360H)
  NODE ADDRESS
  FRAME
  PROTOCOL (IPX)

FASTISA mode increases the performance of PCnet-ISA, PCnet-ISA+, and PCnet-ISA II in ISA machines by reducing the memory read and write cycle time from 450 ns to 350 ns. Older machines with slower memory may not support this mode.

For the PCnet-ISA+, PCnet-32, and PCnet-PCI devices, the DMA, INT, and PORT are not required for the driver. In some cases, using these keywords would be a violation of the bus specification. Otherwise, all other keywords may be used with the PCnet Family. Keywords listed in the Software Keywords section may also be used in the NET.CFG.

Sample #1: NET.CFG For PCnet-ISA Adapter Card Only

  LINK DRIVER PCNTNW

    ;Change the DMA channel (DMA) to 7.
    DMA 7
    ;Change the part (Base I/O address) to 340 hex.
    PORT 340
    ;Change the interrupt (IRQ) TO 5.
    INT 5
    ;Fast mode for ISA
    FASTISA
	

Note: Comment lines are proceeded by a semi-colon (";") before each option line to indicate the option change.

Sample #2: NET.CFG For PCnet-ISA Adapter Card Only (When Loading VLM.EXE)

  LINK DRIVER PCNTNW

    ;Change the part (Base I/O address) to 300 hex.
    PORT 300
    ;Change the DMA channel (DMA) to 5.
    DMA 5
    ;Change the interrupt (IRQ) TO 3.
    INT 5
    FRAME Ethernet_802.2
    PROTOCOL IPX EO ETHERNET_802.2 


  NetWare DOS Requester

    FIRST NETWORK DRIVE = F 

Note:Comment lines are proceeded by a semi-colon (";") before each option line to indicate the option change.

Sample #3: NET.CFG For PCnet Family Adapter Cards

For PCnet-ISA Adapter Cards

  LINK DRIVER PCNTNW

    ;Specify bus type for PCnet-ISA adapter card.
    ;No PORT keyword required if BUSTYPE is used
    BUSTYPE ISA
    ;Change the DMA channel (DMA) to 5.
    DMA 5
    ;Change the interrupt (IRQ) TO 3.
    INT 5
    ;Fast Mode for ISA bus, may be used with PCnet-ISA+
    FASTISA
    ;To change FRAME type to Ethernet_II
    FRAME Ethernet_II
    PROTOCOL IPX 8137 ETHERNET_II 

  NetWare DOS Requester

    FIRST NETWORK DRIVE = F 

For PCnet-ISA+, PCnet-ISA II, PCnet-32, and PCnet-PCI Adapter Cards

  LINK DRIVER PCNTNW

    ;Specify bus type for PCnet-PCI adapter.
    ;Use PNP for PCnet-ISA+, VESA for PCnet-32 in VL
    BUSTYPE PCI
    ;To change FRAME type to Ethernet_II
    FRAME Ethernet_II
    PROTOCOL IPX 8137 ETHERNET_II 

  NetWare DOS Requester

    FIRST NETWORK DRIVE = F 

Note:Comment lines are proceeded by a semi-colon (";") before each option line to indicate the option change.