The 3Com 3C900-TPO is a notable PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) network interface card manufactured by 3Com Corporation, a pioneering company in networking hardware. This NIC, part of the EtherLink III series, played a significant role during the late 1990s and early 2000s, marking a pivotal era in networking technology.
The "TPO" in its name stands for "Twisted Pair Only," signifying its compatibility with twisted-pair Ethernet cabling, which was a prevalent networking standard at the time. With a data transfer rate of 10 Mbps (megabits per second), the 3C900-TPO provided reliable connectivity for businesses and individuals.
One of its standout features was its broad compatibility with various operating systems, including DOS, Windows, and various Unix-like systems, making it a versatile choice for diverse computing environments.
Installation typically involved inserting the NIC into an available PCI slot on a motherboard and configuring the necessary software drivers, a process that was relatively straightforward for most users.
