mms00786@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (08/11/89)
Sorry if you have seen this query before. I have to maintain (and expand) a network of AT's using the IBM broadband adaptor cards. They no longer make them for the AT (they do for the MCA). In response to my first query, people told me that these were made by Sytek. Well, I still can't find any more of these boards. My question is: Where can I find more of the IBM broadband adaptors? Are there generic (and therefore cheaper) boards that I can hook up to the existing network. For example, Arcnet or Ethernet cards? Thanks in advance. Milan mms00786@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu .
meyer@s.cs.uiuc.edu (08/14/89)
I'm not so sure that IBM doesn't still make the broadband cards for AT class machines. Last summer we refitted our machines with the newest adapters from IBM, called the PC Network Adapter II. (The MCA version of this card is the PC Network Adapter II/A) Broadband networks are NOT interchangeable with ethernet and acrnet-type networks. The token ring network is much more compatible with ethernet networks than broadband systems, the difference being that the carrier is "modulated" on broadband, and is not on baseband - or token ring. As far as availability, they *SHOULD* still be available from IBM via their direct order system. It is listed in the last equipment brochure I received from them. However, if you're looking for the original model, you are out of luck as far as new equipment goes. You're probably better off going with the new adapters - they will work with the old ones, and they operate 200-300% faster. One caveat, with the new adapters, you will also have to acquire the IBM LAN Support Program, which is the set of device drivers to operate the card. The old card had this in ROM, but the new cards do not - I understand for reasons of flexibility. Don Meyer University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign meyer@s.cs.uiuc.edu College of Agriculture