Creating NetWare Clients using the EtherLink II family with WSGEN

Novell uses a program called WSGEN to generate a workstation shell for Personal Computers using NetWare 2.2 and 3.11 networks. The process includes selecting a LAN driver, configuring the driver to match the settings of your particular adapter and "Linking" the configuration information to the IPX protocol stack. The file created from this "Linking" is called IPX.COM. A separate IPX.COM must be created for each type of adapter and each particular configuration setting. If you use any of the EtherLink II family of adapters with the same settings in multiple workstations, you can use the same copy of IPX.COM in these workstations. (The EtherLink II family includes the EtherLink II, II-TP, II/16, and II/16-TP adapters.)

Before starting the WSGEN program, your adapter should be configured and installed in your workstation. You should also test your adapter using the 3C503.EXE Diagnostics program. This program can be used to test all EtherLink II adapters. You will also need a copy of 3Com's EtherLink II EtherDisk.

This document assumes you will be installing from floppy diskettes and have read, or have in your possession, all Installation and Setup manuals from Novell.

1. Format a diskette and label it LAN_DRV_503.
Note: See your DOS guide for instructions on formatting and labeling diskettes.

2. Copy all files from the \NETWARE\286 subdirectory on the EtherLink II's EtherDisk to the root directory on the LAN_DRV_503 diskette. The workstation files are the same for NetWare 286 and NetWare 386.

3. Start the NetWare Workstation Installation Process: insert the WSGEN diskette into your floppy drive, type WSGEN, and press Enter.

4. At the "Select the driver that matches the network board in your workstation" screen, press the Insert key.

Note: The 3Com 3C503 driver should already be included in the list of network boards on your screen; however, to ensure you are using the latest drivers available you should install the drivers included on the EtherDisk.

You will be prompted to "Insert a disk labeled LAN_DRV_??? in any drive and press <Enter> to continue, or <Escape> to cancel."

5. Insert the LAN_DRV_503 diskette you created in steps 1 and 2 above and press Enter. A message stating "Driver file for "3Com 3C503 EtherLink II Vx.x (date stamp)" was read successfully Press <Enter> to continue" will now appear on the screen. Press Enter.

Note: Because the EtherLink II comes pre-installed on your Novell diskettes, you should see two different EtherLink II selections. Make sure you highlight the selection with the newest version and/or date stamp.

6. Highlight the appropriate 3Com 3C503 EtherLink II driver and press Enter.

7. You will then be prompted to "Select a configuration that matches the setting on your network board." Highlight the apropriate selection and press Enter.

Note: If the settings for your adapter do not match any of the listed configurations, select the "Driver Configurable by Jumpers Utility" and run the IPX created with this option against the Jumpers Utility. Consult your NetWare documentation for more information on running the Jumpers Utility.

8. Choose "Yes, generate workstation software" and press Enter.
The IPX.COM you just created will be located on your WSGEN diskette.

9. To complete the process, copy the IPX.COM file to your boot device, along with the appropriate NETx.COM file.

Note: The x in NETx refers to the major DOS revision running on your workstation. For example, if you are using DOS 3.31, you would copy the NET3.COM file.

For more information on WSGEN and NetWare 2.2 or 3.11 workstations, consult your NetWare documentation.