Description
Product Overview
The Alcatel FA111 is a high-performance 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet PCI network interface card (NIC) designed for reliable industrial and enterprise connectivity. As part of Alcatel’s legacy networking portfolio (now integrated into Nokia and ALE International), this adapter delivers robust wired networking capabilities for industrial PCs, servers, and workstations operating in demanding environments. The Alcatel FA111 features an auto-sensing 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX interface with full-duplex support, enabling seamless integration into mixed-speed networks while optimizing bandwidth utilization. Its PCI interface ensures broad compatibility with legacy industrial control systems and computing platforms, providing a critical communication backbone for real-time data acquisition, machine control, and supervisory systems. Engineered for stability, the Alcatel FA111 incorporates advanced power management and error-correction mechanisms, minimizing packet loss in electrically noisy industrial settings. This NIC excels in applications requiring deterministic data transmission, serving as a trusted connectivity solution for SCADA networks, distributed I/O systems, and manufacturing execution systems (MES). The Alcatel FA111 remains a resilient component for modernizing legacy infrastructure without compromising reliability.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter Name | Parameter Value |
| Product Model | Alcatel FA111 |
| Manufacturer | Alcatel (now ALE International/Nokia) |
| Product Type | PCI Fast Ethernet Network Interface Card |
| Interface | 32-bit PCI 2.2 (5V) |
| Data Rate | 10 Mbps (10BASE-T) / 100 Mbps (100BASE-TX) Auto-negotiating |
| Duplex Support | Full/Half Duplex (Auto-sensing) |
| Connector | RJ-45 (UTP/STP) |
| Cable Compatibility | Category 3/4/5 UTP (up to 100m) |
| Protocols | IEEE 802.3u (Fast Ethernet), IEEE 802.3x (Flow Control) |
| LED Indicators | Link/Activity, Speed (10/100 Mbps) |
| Bus Power | +5V DC (PCI bus-powered) |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to 55°C (32°F to 131°F) |
| Compliance | FCC Class B, CE Mark, RoHS |
Alcatel FA111
Main Features and Advantages
The Alcatel FA111 delivers enterprise-grade networking resilience tailored for industrial applications. Its auto-negotiation capability automatically detects optimal network speed (10/100 Mbps) and duplex mode, eliminating manual configuration errors and ensuring plug-and-play deployment. Advanced interrupt moderation and TCP/IP checksum offloading significantly reduce CPU overhead on host systems, freeing resources for critical real-time control tasks – a vital advantage for PLCs or HMI workstations.
Robust error handling: The card employs CRC validation, frame alignment checks, and automatic retransmission of corrupted packets to maintain data integrity in electrically noisy environments like factory floors. Flow control (802.3x) prevents data loss during network congestion, while diagnostic LEDs provide instant visual status for link activity and operational speed. The Alcatel FA111 supports major operating systems (Windows NT/2000/XP, Linux, VxWorks) via certified drivers, ensuring seamless integration with legacy automation software. Its low-profile PCI design minimizes space requirements and features durable capacitors rated for extended thermal cycles, delivering exceptional MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) in continuous-operation scenarios.
Application Field
The Alcatel FA111 excels in environments requiring deterministic, low-latency Ethernet connectivity for industrial control and data acquisition. In manufacturing automation, it connects PLCs (e.g., Siemens S7, Allen-Bradley ControlLogix) to SCADA systems for real-time machine monitoring and process control across automotive assembly lines or packaging machinery. Within energy infrastructure, the Alcatel FA111 enables secure communication between RTUs (Remote Terminal Units) and central monitoring stations in substations or pipeline networks, transmitting critical sensor data like pressure, flow, and temperature.
For legacy system modernization, this NIC integrates older IPC (Industrial PC) platforms into modern Ethernet-based DCS (Distributed Control Systems) or MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) without hardware replacement. It also serves as a reliable backbone for video surveillance NVRs in industrial facilities and facilitates data logging in test benches for aerospace component validation. The Alcatel FA111’s immunity to EMI/RFI interference makes it ideal for deployment near high-voltage equipment, robotics, or variable-frequency drives (VFDs).
Alcatel FA111
Related Products
Alcatel FA121: 10/100 Mbps NIC with Wake-on-LAN (WoL) support for remote management.
Netgear FA311: Functionally equivalent third-party alternative with broad OS compatibility.
Alcatel FF111: Fiber-optic variant (100BASE-FX) for extended-distance/noise-immune applications.
Alcatel FA114: 4-port 10/100 Mbps PCI NIC for high-density server connectivity.
Intel PRO/100+ PCI: Contemporary industrial NIC with similar reliability features.
Siemens CP 1616: Profinet-enabled PCI card for Siemens automation ecosystems.
Moxa PT-PCIe-305: Modern PCIe replacement with 5x GbE ports for upgraded systems.
Installation and Maintenance
Pre-installation preparation: Power down the host system and ground yourself to prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD). Verify an available PCI slot (5V, 32-bit) and ensure OS driver compatibility. Prepare a shielded Category 5e/6 cable with RJ-45 connectors, avoiding runs parallel to high-voltage wiring.
Maintenance recommendations: Periodically inspect the Alcatel FA111 for dust accumulation; use compressed air for cleaning if operating in particulate-heavy environments. Monitor network performance via OS utilities (e.g., packet loss counters) to detect early degradation. Firmware updates should only be applied if explicitly required for compatibility. For replacements, hot-swap is not supported; always power down the host before removing/inserting the Alcatel FA111. Maintain spare units in anti-static bags with controlled humidity (30-60% RH).
Product Guarantee
The Alcatel FA111 was originally backed by Alcatel’s standard warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship for 36 months from shipment. While discontinued, certified refurbished units typically carry a 1-year replacement guarantee from authorized industrial suppliers. ALE International (current brand custodian) provides legacy technical support for integration and driver compatibility. Third-party maintenance partners offer repair services and lifecycle support for critical infrastructure using the Alcatel FA111, ensuring continued operational reliability in legacy systems.
