Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!bonnie.concordia.ca!thunder.mcrcim.mcgill.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!usc!samsung!spool2.mu.edu!uwm.edu!ux1.cso.uiuc.edu!uxh.cso.uiuc.edu!german
From: german@uxh.cso.uiuc.edu (Gregory German)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.comm
Subject: Apple's Ethernet Solution
Summary: I would like additional information on Apple's Ethernet plans.
Keywords: Apple Mac ethernet
Message-ID: <1991Jan10.220644.4237@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu>
Date: 10 Jan 91 22:06:44 GMT
Sender: news@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu (News)
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Lines: 30

I have looked over a couple of articles on Apple's newest entry into
Ethernet networking (Info World 1/7/91, clari.nb.apple) and would like
more information.

From what I read Apple is announcing a networking system that is supposed
to grow into a plug and play ethernet for Macs.  The products described 
are Ethernet cards for the LC and Nubus slots that have a small non-standard
(not 10baseT, AUI or BNC) connector that would connect to an external
non-standard transceiver.  This Apple transceiver is externally powered
and is ordered in the flavor needed to connect to your standard ethernet
connector (10baseT, AUI or BNC).

Does anyone have any additional details?  Pricing was mentioned in the
article, but I am interest in technical details.  

My gut reaction is that this is not the best move they could have made.
The requirement for an externally powered external transceiver is a
step backwards from 10baseT equipped machines.  If I have a department
wired for 10baseT then all I have is a short twisted pair jumper cable
from the phone jack to the RJ-45 on the 10baseT card.  What could be 
easier?  I can crimp a custom jumper cable in 5 minutes.  The external
would not be any more trouble than say a phone net connector IF it did
not require an external power source.

I would hope that Apple would rethink their position on this and endorse
a true standard like 10baseT, rather than head off too far down this path.
--
         Greg German (german@sonne.CSO.UIUC.EDU) (217-333-8293)
US Mail: Univ of Illinois, CSO, 1304 W Springfield Ave, Urbana, IL  61801
Office:  129 Digital Computer Lab., Network Design Office