COMPARING THE i230 PCMCIA CARD W/ THE i200 PCI CARD
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The iNet-230 PCMCIA instruNet card controls an instruNet network (i100 and/or i4xx Card Cages) via a PCMCIA card slot. The iNet-230 is similar to the iNet-200 PCI controller, except it enables one to do data acquisition with instruNet from a laptop computer. Also:

External Power Supply
The iNet-230 requires an external power supply:

#iNet-312.8, 110/220VAC, 5V/3.5A, +12V/1.5A, -12V/0.8A, 3 prong USA plug
#iNet-312.8eu, 110/220VAC, 5V/3.5A, +12V/1.5A, -12V/0.8A, 2 prong Euro CE plug

No Counter/Timer Signals
The controller counter/timer signals (there are 10 of these on the iNet-200 pci card) are not accessible on the iNet-230, due to space considerations. If one wanted access to of these signals, they could solder a small wire to a pin, and route it outside the card, to a connector, which is mounted on the iNet-230 housing. If using an input, it would be recommended that they place a 1K resistor in series w/ the pin, to protect it from overvoltage. This is a little messy, and is only advocated for those who are comfortable with kind of activity.

Compatibility
The iNet-230 is compatible with Windows computers with ≥ 1 available Type II 16bit Pcmcia slot.

Heat & Power Considerations
The iNet-230 card draws about 300mA at 5Volts from the PCMCIA socket. Consequently, it heats by 1.5Watts. The pcmcia specification says cards can draw a maximum of 1Amp and heat by a maximum of 5Watts. Therefore, the iNet-230 should not get too hot, since Laptop computers should provide adequate ventilation to for up to 5Watts. Yet some laptops do not do well here, since they are focusing on being light weight and being about to survive for long periods of time on batteries. One way to reduce the temperature inside a laptop is to place the laptop on several rubber supports so that it sits about 2cm off the table. This allows cool air to move over the bottom surface of the laptop, and subsequently draw heat away from the system.

Mechanical Surviveability
All PCMCIA cards are inherently vulnerable to structural failures, since they have very little material, and sometimes inadverterantly absorb powerful forces on small surface areas. The iNet-230 has 2 connectors, a DB25 and DIN5 that are large, strong, & not prone to breaking. The plastic supports around the DB25 are also strong. The weak link is the card itself. Therefore it is recommended that the card be handled with care, and inserted into the computer without bending. Also, one should attach the DB25 and DIN5 cables to the card before insertion, and not later yank on the cables.

iNet-230 Pcmcia Revision #2 Introduced June 2004
The i230 pcmcia product enclosure was redesigned mechanically June 2004. The new version ("Rev 2") has a more standard enclosure that cables to an included "Pcmcia 25 pin to DB25" Cable, instead of a DB25 connector that is mechanically attached to the pcmcia card's frame. This does not effect software, price, performance or part numbers. In summary, Rev 1 and Rev 2 are interchangeable.