Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!atha!aunro!ukma!psuvax1!psuvm!alc
From: ALC@psuvm.psu.edu
Newsgroups: comp.protocols.appletalk
Subject: LocalTalk and Ethertalk
Message-ID: <91122.143244ALC@psuvm.psu.edu>
Date: 2 May 91 18:32:44 GMT
Organization: Penn State University
Lines: 32

I have some questions about running an AppleTalk network completely on Ethernet

We have a bunch of Macs setup, all connected to our VAX via Ethertalk
running MacTCP and NCSA Telnet for communications. Some Macs have their own
LaserWriters connected via LocalTalk. Everything runs fine.

Now, we're going to establish an AppleTalk network for the Macs which will
run under Ethertalk. So, what I've done is install the EtherTalk 2.0 drivers,
the Network DA and set the Network to Ethertalk. Fine, we can still talk
to our VAX and now, the Macs can see the AppleShare file server we have
setup also on Ethernet. HOWEVER, they CAN'T see the LocalTalk printers!

Is is possible to have AppleTalk and EtherTalk running at the same time?
We have setup a temporary solution by setting up the AppleShare machine
with Apple Internet Router and hooking up a couple of printers on it
using LocalTalk. That works ok, but some of the users still want their
own printers back locally connected.

One solution that is not possible is to rewire using LocalTalk -- too expensive
to implement. A couple of other solutions I thought of would be running
Internet routers on any machine that wanted their own printer -- this seems
very CPU intensive and subject to more potential for crashing, etc. Also,
I could put EtherPrint boxes on the printers to convert them to Ethernet. That
seems pretty expensive.

Any thoughts here?

  /^/|^|    Alan Claver, Microcomputer Info Specialist                 |^|\^\
 / / | ||^| Penn State University Libraries                         |^|| | \ \
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