Drivers 3com Network & Wireless Cards

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The next chapters of this document will describe DOS networking with a lot of detail. But for the impatient users, here's a quick HowTo: It explains how to set up a network with FreeDOS 1.2.


By default there is no network preinstalled with FreeDOS.

Download Network Card drivers for Windows, firmware, bios, tools, utilities. 3Com 11Mbps Wireless PC Card (3CRSHPW796) has the computer slot type of Type II 32-bit PC Card (3.3 V). It is compatible with operating systems Windows XP, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows 98 and Windows SE. Its wireless LAN speeds are 1, 2, 5.5.

But the installer makes it pretty simple to set it up.

  • Install FreeDOS according to http://www.freedos.org/install/
  • Afterwards, leave the CD in the tray, reboot and choose 'Boot from system harddisk'.



  • After the reboot run the package manager FDIMPLES:



(The install CD has to be present to see all the packages available.)

Wireless
  • In the left window choose Networking, in the right the programs you wish to install.
  • FDNET is mandatory for networking in virtual machines. I would also recommend at least mTCP and wget. Confirm with OK.
  • Reboot.



The boot messages above show that the C:FDOSBINFDNET.BAT network batch file was able to identify my system correctly as running in VirtualBox. It loaded the correct packet driver PCNTPK.COM. DHCP.EXE from mTCP also found the network and was configured automatically.

So far FDNET.BAT is able to identify the following virtual machines: QEMU, VirtualBox, VMWARE.


Drivers 3com Network & Wireless Cards Online

If you don't run FreeDOS in a virtual machine, you should first try to find a packet driver for your network interface card (NIC).

Many packet drivers are written and collected by Russell Nelson and his Crynwr Software. Download them from there or from the FreeDOS repository.

If you found a packet driver, please add it to your AUTOEXEC.BAT right before the line with FDNET.BAT. For instance for the 3COM 3c589 PCMCIA card you'd add:


Without a packet driver

If you can't find a packet driver for your network card, there is a good chance to find a driver that was supposed to work with Novell Netware (ODI driver) or with the Windows Lanmanager or with Windows for Workgroups (NDIS driver). It's a bit of work, but you can use these drivers as packet drivers. Learn more about NDIS drivers or ODI drivers in this documentation.


If you're using FreeDOS in VirtualBox, please check your settings for your network adapter. You have to decide between bridged Networking or NAT. Please see the HowTo about VirtualBox.

You need to configure your networking programs. For instance set the name and password for the FTP server by editing C:MTCPFTPPASS.TXT.

Wireless

Some DOS networking programs need to find the network configuration in C:FDOSWATTCP.CFG. In FreeDOS 1.2 it looks like this:

Unfortunately some old programs are not able to get the values by DHCP themselves. So either you put fixed IPs in here. Or you use a nice utility written by Canadian programmer Dave Dunfield: It will get the correct network settings via DHCP and insert them in C:FDOSWATTCP.CFG.

3com Wireless Drivers

If you want to do the latter,

  • Open C:FDOSWATTCP.CFG and delete the line
  • Go to Dave Dunfields 'DOS Widgets' page.
  • Download 'DDHCP' from the network tools section.
  • Put it into an directory C:DDHCP and add these lines to AUTOEXEC.BAT, right after the FDNET.BAT line:

(The '/F' parameter will fill in all values that are missing in WATTCP.CFG.)

Now with every reboot, WATTCP.CFG is updated with the correct network settings.

Networking FreeDOS <--- Quick Networking HowTo ---> Introduction

Officeconnect Wireless 3com

The 3Com Gigabit NIC provides 10/100/1000 Mbps autonegotiation and centralized management over Category 5 or 5e UTP cabling-simplifying your migration to Gigabit Ethernet. Their advanced processing features help lower CPU loads, improve system performance, and reduce application lag. Intelligent traffic control features accelerate network responsiveness and help ensure that time-sensitive transmissions get priority over noncritical traffic.

3com Network Driver

Extensive driver support helps ensure trouble-free installation in a broad range of systems. 3Com Connection Assistant simplifies installation and configuration for end users and technical staff. Timesaving pre-OS, after-hours, and remote capabilities-including 3Com Managed PC Boot Agent -- reduce the need for site visits and minimize work disruptions. These NICs are fully standards-compliant, delivering world-renowned 3Com reliability backed by a globally supported Limited Lifetime warranty. Their broad compatibility with hardware and software -- today and in the future -- helps preserve your Gigabit Ethernet investment.

Drivers 3com Network & Wireless Cards Download

  • Autonegotiation transparently configures NIC to match hub- or switch-port connection speed--10, 100, or 1000 Mbps
  • TCP, UDP, and IP checksum offloads reduce CPU workloads for enhanced system response and network scalability
  • 3Com Managed PC Boot Agent and other remote management features help lower network TCO
  • IEEE 802.3 support helps ensure seamless integration with standards-compliant hardware, software, and management platforms
  • 3Com Connection Assistant software provides configuration wizards and web-based support