User manual

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Chapter 2
Networking Overview for the New
User/Installer
More and more often, non-technical computer users are called on
to install new software and hardware on their computers.
Frequently, the documentation accompanying the hardware/
software assumes the installer is experienced with PC
installations in general, and installation of the manufacturer’s
type of equipment in particular. Often, this is not the case.
To resolve that conflict, this chapter will explain in general terms
what the ATI network adapter card is, what it does, and how it
plays with the rest of the system.
The Network Adapter Card
The network adapter card may be considered to be a “two-sided”
device, that plugs into a vacant card slot inside your computer.
One “side” of the device can talk to your computer, through the
slot it plugs into. The other “side” of the adapter card talks to an
external connector and a network of cables and/or optical fibers
that is in turn connected to other adapter cards, and therefore
other computers.
Network Software
Before you can use this connectivity, you must have software
installed on your personal computer (PC) that can utilize your
network connection. This software may be Novell NetWare,
Microsoft Windows for Workgroups, Sun PC-NFS, Banyan
Vines, or other similar software packages.
613-10434-00.bk Page 3 Monday, March 18, 1996 2:53 PM