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 rear panel connectors provide access to the Ethernet interface:

• One RJ-45 connector for connecting a twisted-pair Ethernet (TPE) cable

• One Media Independent Interface (MII) connector for connecting an external MII transceiver

You can use only one of the main logic board Ethernet connectors; you cannot connect to the TPE and MII connectors 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 separately orderable option (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". For information about operating characteristics and configuration parameters for the hme Fast Ethernet device driver, please see Platform Notes: The Fast Ethernet Device Driver. This document is available on Solaris on Sun Hardware AnswerBook, which is provided on the SMCC Supplement CD for the Solaris release you are running.

Additional network interfaces are available through PCI cards, providing connection to Ethernet, token ring, FDDI, and other network types. For more information, see "How to Add an Ethernet Interface" and the documentation supplied with the PCI network interface card.