IBM 48G7171-WITH-RPL-LONG Micro-Channel Ethernet Network Adapter with Long Card

Product Description

The IBM 48G7171-WITH-RPL-LONG is a specialized network interface card (NIC) engineered to integrate with IBM's proprietary Micro-Channel architecture. This architecture was prevalent in IBM's PS/2 line of personal computers and some RS/6000 workstations, offering a high-speed bus compared to its predecessors. The adapter's primary function is to provide Ethernet connectivity, allowing the host system to join a local area network (LAN) and communicate with other network-attached devices. This specific model, identified by the "-WITH-RPL-LONG" suffix, indicates it comes with the "RPL" (likely Remote Program Load or similar networking feature) capability and is the long card variant. The long card form factor is necessary to accommodate the full length of the Micro-Channel slot, which often housed more complex or feature-rich expansion cards. By providing a standard Ethernet interface, the 48G7171-WITH-RPL-LONG enables file sharing, network printing, and access to network resources, crucial for business and enterprise environments of its era. Installation of the 48G7171-WITH-RPL-LONG would typically involve physically inserting the card into an available Micro-Channel slot within the compatible IBM computer. Following hardware installation, the appropriate device drivers would need to be installed within the operating system to allow the system to recognize and utilize the network adapter. This ensures seamless integration and operation, enabling the computer to participate effectively in network communications.