Appletalk Networking 101 - written by Nick Crowell, April 2008 [Copyright Nick Crowell April 2008, except edits by Herb Johnson. This page is linked to my Web page of Mac networking devices at http://www.retrotechnology.com/herbs_stuff/m_net.html [Mr. Crowell was kind enough to write this discussion of Appletalk for a mixed Phonenet and Ethernet network. If you have questions I'll forward some of them to him, but the point of this discussion is to provide some general information and a starting point. Check Apple's Web site in their archives for more information, and check books and other resources for more information. - Herb Johnson.] In the Beginning... To start, I would like to let you know what your options are in reference to the type of interface to use on your network. First, you need to consider what kind of devices you would like to put onto your network. To give some information on different devices, that all macs and Newtons have Localtalk. (On some "higher end" and or newer macs have ethernet in addition to localtalk). Regarding printers, some printers may have serial like the ImageWriters, but any serial interfaced printers can be bridged onto a network through a mac, that the printer is hooked up to, and also has network access (Some normally serial printers can have had Localtalk interface cards installed like ImageWriter II's and LQ's). Localtalk based printers already can be hooked up to the network w/o any problems. Now it's time to choose your network type. There are 3 basic types, standard Localtalk cabling, Ethernet cabling (to be back compatible probably 10base-T), and Farrallon's implementation of Localtalk w/ standard RJ-11 phone cables instead of expensive standard Localtalk cables (Any device does not know the difference between Localtalk to Phonenet). The Original Mac (128k) and 512k cannot use ethernet at all. The plus can only use it through still, but less expensive SCSI to Ethernet boxes (they are by no means small). The SE and any other macs up to the iMac can have ethernet added by installing PDS or PCI cards (Most macs from the G3's and later have built-in ethernet as a standard). LocalTalk (DaisyChain): length to 100 feet; 24 devices max; 230kbit/sec Phonenet (DaisyChain): length to 1800 feet; 24 devices max; 230kbit/sec Ethernet 10BASE-T: length to 328 feet; many devices; 10mb/sec I used Phonenet on the main portion of my network. I use because its cheap, versatile, and supports many devices without any hassle. On this side of the network I have a Personal Laserwriter 320, Appletalked ImageWriter II, Newton eMate 300, 512k, Plus, SE, Classic, PowerBook 180, G3 Minitower (main file and application server), Performa 6200 as Main backup server (highly recommended that you have a backup server to backup the Main server of your network and the HD's of your network clients), PowerMac 6100 (to be installed), and Personal Laserwriter (to be installed). To use Phonenet or Localtalk you need to take the node and plug it into either the Modem port or Printer port (it doesn't matter) of your device. And connect it either through either RJ-11 (Phonenet) or Localtalk cables and if at the end of the network put a terminating resistor in, and if not just add in another cable and connect both to the node (box which you plugged into machine w/ 2 ports). Congratulations, you now have been physically connected! The Software Side You think your done, don't you, but your only halfway there. Now its time to configure your software for sharing files. In system 7, (the only version which has appleshare built-in and does not need special software installed, like system 6 and below) you must goto the sharing setup control panel, type in the owner of the computers name (which will be your sign in ID), type in the desired name of your computer for your network, type in the password desired for when you sign into your network (if you want one, and lastly turn on file sharing (by hitting the "start" button). If desired turn on program sharing which will make it so other computers will be able to stream programs over the network from your computer. In system 8 and 9 it is basically the same with minor altercations. To connect to any net-workable device in system 7, 8, or 9, go to the chooser (in the apple menu). If you want to connect to a server, select the "AppleShare" icon, and any servers that are compatible and running will appear in the list to the side. You then select it and click the connect button below. You will then be shown a window asking you to put in your ID (unless you have it typed in at the chooser) and password. After that, you will hit next and be shown a list of drives. You must select the different drives you want (if you hold the "apple" key while selecting, you can select multiple drives at once). If you want them to appear at startup you can hit the check button next to them, and at startup you will get a window for your password and ID. It is basically the same in previous versions of the appleshare client except for some altercations. For printers, use the icon in the chooser of your desired printer. Ethernet... I have bridged my small fledgling of an ethernet network by a great product by Asante. The Asante Ethernet to Localtalk bridge offers seamless transition from the conversion. I have a to iMacs on the ethernet side. A iMac G3 350 running 9.1/10.1 and iMac intel core 2 duo running 10.4.11, they both connect through a 10/100 Network Switch (mine happens to be Netgear, but it doesn't matter). Now I have opened the door to an annoying and to many people troublesome problem, the compatibility of different AFP protocols (AFP stands for Appletalk File-sharing Protocol which is one of the layers of this complex, yet "easy" from the outside network). I am going to try to put this as simply as possible. 10.2 and greater than, are (as far as I know) not compatible to OS 9 and back systems. To achieve sharing beyond this can be tough. If your machine or OS supports "classic" systems, you will be fine if you share through your classic system, but there is currently only way to share through a non-classic supporting system. You have to use a 3rd party emulator to run OS 9 or earlier. Sheepshaver seems to be a popular answer to this question, but to be honest I have never gotten it configured correctly to work. The best way to get you vintage macs any abandonware applications from the internet is to have an older Powermac or newer 680x0 on the internet. Download it from there, and then send it over your network. Even though, you may want to use your brand new iMac running leopard to do it because it is faster and has lots of eye candy, but its a big hassle. (By the way I am actually writing this on my PowerBook 180). On the ethernet side, I would like to and am working on adding a PC as a server. To accomplish this through ethernet you need a ethernet card (a given, unless built-in) and a DOS and/or Windows based AppleShare client installed on the computer. There are many to chose from in fact, there was one maid be Miramar systems (now named something else) called PC MacLan. There were versions for it to run on Windows 3.1-2K. The version for 3.1 was available for download in 05', but I missed the boat. They were bought up by another company which no longer offers it as a free download as they used to, but there is bound to be a copy out there somewhere. I have yet to find it. Personally I would only want to do it because for once we found a good use for all those ugly Windows boxes, and because it would be a nice feat to accomplish. Early Server Clients- Now if you are not using panther, tiger, leopard, or a PC this is the section in my lengthy article you want to read. I would like to get into the old stuff. Well the oldest I have ever used on the way of appleshare server software was 2.0.l circa 1986/7. The biggest problem with this software, was when you installed it on your Plus in 87' w/ new gigantic 100mb HD, you didn't realize you were kissing your precious Finder, that you have been loading w/ DA's, goodbye! This application took the place of you very familiar Finder which you could no longer get to anymore. That is partially the reason I don't recommend doing this. If you must do it, you are probably an advanced user and it is pretty straight forward for people familiar w/ older macs. In Conclusion I know I have only somewhat touched on important and complex issues. There is still much for me to add, but in my opinion this is enough to get all the 1st timers off until I add another article. If you have any pressing issues or have questions on things I haven't covered, please inquire to Mr. Johnson and he will forward them to me. Postscript- If you want links to other good web resources on Appletalk networking please inquire.