No PC is an island - IBM EtherJet Networking Kit, 3Com OfficeConnect Networking Kit pre-packaged LANs - Hardware Review - Evaluation

Home Office Computing, Oct, 1997 by Chris Devone

When it's time to network your business's PCs, all-in-one kits like 3Com's OfficeConnect Networking Kit and IBM's EtherJet Networking Kit make the job easier. But the process could be simpler.

Both network kits provide all the equipment needed to connect up to three PCs using 10Mbps (megabit per second) Ethernet over twisted wiring, iobaset for short, including three plug-and-play ISA-bus network cards, three 50-foot (15-meter) cables, and a hub to connect up to eight computers. Each also includes the necessary software for most network operating systems: Windows for Workgroups 3.11, 95, and NT; Novell Netware 3.x and 4.x; Banyan VINES; and Artisoft LANtastic 6.0.

Both products came with well-illustrated documentation that let us quickly install the boards and connect to the hubs. We tested the kits on a Windows 95 peer-to-peer network. Our system asked for the necessary software for both kits, but 3Com outdid IBM on less-automated operating systems such as Windows for Workgroups or VINES. While the IBM documentation showed us all the steps, 3Com's setup program automatically handled the task for most operating systems.

Once we'd set up the physical network and loaded the correct client driver software, we ran the diagnostic programs bundled with each product to check the network cards and connections. Indicator lights on the network cards and hubs told us whether the computer and hub were connected correctly.

Although both networking kits provided us with the complete hardware and device drivers, configuring the networks was still our responsibility. The IBM documentation dodged this responsibility completely, while 3Com gave us some directions for Windows 95. Unfortunately, 3Com's documentation omitted important information such as how to set up a printer on our network.

If you need tech support, both companies offer 24-hour electronic help via fax a bulletin board, and the Web. We give kudos to IBM for offering unlimited, free, 24-hour phone support; 3Com limits its free support to office hours during the first 30 days of ownership.

Despite the large difference in price, that may be reason enough to choose IBM. But 3 Com promises to provide an application later this year that will automate most of the network configuration and installation process.

On the whole, we found both kits equally good investments for starting a network. If you ever need to network more than eight computers, the IBM hub's ninth connector means you don't waste a port when connecting to another hub. For this flexibility and its support, IBM is a good buy. For a straight forward Windows 95 network installation at low price, 3Com's a steal.