Abstract

3Com commissioned Tolly to evaluate features that go "beyond performance" for their network interface card. 

This Tolly Group Technology Spotlight profiles the 3Com TokenLink III as part of the broader 1994 Network Interface Cards – Beyond Performance study, which evaluated network adapters on practical deployment criteria beyond raw speed and price. Rather than focusing only on throughput, Tolly assessed NICs in four operational categories that can materially affect long-term ownership cost: compatibility with existing hardware and software, ease of installation and configuration, technical support quality, and network management capabilities. The TokenLink III examined here is an ISA-bus adapter for 4/16Mbit/s token-ring environments. 

The report notes that Tolly’s six-month research effort covered more than 20 cards across Ethernet, token ring, and FDDI topologies, spanning ISA, EISA, MCA, and PCMCIA bus types. This profile isolates the TokenLink III and compares its feature set with the prevailing “industry norm.” In compatibility, the adapter is credited with providing both a list of supported software products and operating systems and a list of PC systems in which the card had been tested. The features matrix also shows support for NDIS 2 for OS/2, NetWare 4.01 server and client ODI for OS/2 and DOS, and NetWare 3.11 server and client ODI for OS/2 and DOS. NDIS 3 is not listed, and NDIS 2 for DOS is marked with a note indicating the vendor does not supply an OEMSETUP.INF file for Microsoft Windows for Workgroups, which may make deployment harder for some users. 

For ease of use, the TokenLink III supports software-based configuration, automatic driver installation from the utility, and a diagnostic utility, while avoiding DIP-switch configuration. It does not include a flash-resident configuration utility or an upgradeable ROM. In technical support, Tolly shows strong coverage: toll-free phone access, weekday basic support, no-charge support, worldwide support, and extended support options including weekend, 24x7, on-site, and other contract-based services. The bulletin board system offering includes current driver versions, update visibility, documentation, patches, and 14.4Kbit/s-or-faster modem access. 

In management, the card does not implement DMTF, SNMP, LAN Network Manager, or proprietary management. Overall, the report presents the 3Com TokenLink III as a well-supported ISA token-ring adapter with broad software compatibility and practical installation features, but limited advanced management functionality.