Sun Microsystems 220R Server User Manual


 
46 Sun Enterprise 220R Server Owner’s Guide October 1999
About Network Interface Options
The system’s main logic board provides an auto-sensing, switchable
10BASE-T/100BASE-TX Ethernet interface conforming to the IEEE 802.3u Ethernet
standard. The interface configures itself automatically for either 10-Mbps or
100-Mbps operation, depending on network characteristics.
Two back panel connectors provide access to the built-in Ethernet interface:
The RJ-45 connector for connecting a twisted-pair Ethernet (TPE) cable
The Media Independent Interface (MII) connector for connecting an external MII
transceiver
Note You can use only one of the main logic board Ethernet connectors; you
cannot connect to the TPE and MII connector at the same time.
The Media Independent Interface lets you connect the system to a variety of external
Ethernet transceivers, providing compatibility with different Ethernet wiring types.
When an external transceiver is connected to the MII, the system automatically
activates the MII port and disables the TPE port.
Sun Microsystems offers an MII-to-AUI transceiver as a separate optional order
(order number X467A). A number of third-party MII transceivers are also available
for connecting to TX, T4, FX, and AUI-type Ethernet networks.
For instructions on configuring the main logic board Ethernet interface, see “How to
Configure the Standard Ethernet Interface” on page 47. For information about
operating characteristics and configuration parameters for the hme Fast Ethernet
device driver, see Platform Notes: The Fast Ethernet Device Driver. This document is
available on Solaris on Sun Hardware AnswerBook, which is provided on the Solaris
Supplement CD for the Solaris release you are running.
Additional network interfaces are available through PCI cards, providing connection
to Ethernet, token ring, fiber distributed data interface (FDDI), and other network
types. For more information, see “How to Add an Ethernet Interface” on page 49
and the documentation supplied with the PCI network interface card.