Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!bbn!uwmcsd1!ig!jade!ucbvax!hplabs!pyramid!voder!apple!rmh
From: rmh@apple.UUCP (Rick Holzgrafe)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: appletalk address
Message-ID: <7080@apple.UUCP>
Date: 21 Dec 87 17:56:57 GMT
References: <404@sdcc15.UUCP>
Reply-To: rmh@apple.UUCP (Rick Holzgrafe)
Organization: Apple Computer Inc., Cupertino, USA
Lines: 39

(Last time I opened my big mouth, I rammed my foot down it -- twice.
Nothing daunted, here I am to try again...  :-)

In article <404@sdcc15.UUCP> sr6371@sdcc15.UUCP (yip) writes:
>Does anyone know how to set the appletalk address for a mac to a specific
>number?

Alas, you can't.  There are no permanent addresses in AppleTalk; addresses
are assigned dynamically whenever the Mac comes on-line on the net.  You
use NBP (Name Binding Protocol) to assign an arbitrary (and presumably
unique) name-and-type pair to a node-and-socket, and other folks wishing
to talk to you can use the well-known name-and-type to learn the address.

Addresses frequently remain "relatively constant": that is, the address the
Mac chooses is likely not to change if your net is stable.  This can create
an illusion of permanence.  There is a way to take advantage of it: use
NBPLookup the first time to learn the address of the destination, then
remember both the name and the address for future use.  There is an NBP
operation called NBPConfirm (IM II-301) which allows you to check that
the address is still good, with greater efficiency than a look-up.  If it's
still good, fine; if not, do the look-up again.

I hope a flame war doesn't start over networking strategies :-).  The dynamic
nature of AppleTalk addresses is to allow the "plug-and-play" feature:
no configuration needed, just plug that little cable in the back of your
Mac and boot it, and you're on the net.  The Mac does the rest.

For more info, see "Inside AppleTalk".  I don't know where you can get
it (I got mine from my Area Associate) but you might try your local
technical bookstore, or APDA.

Hope this helps.

==========================================================================
Rick Holzgrafe			 | {sun,voder,nsc,mtxinu,dual}!apple!rmh
Communications Software Engineer | AppleLink HOLZGRAFE1 (I don't look often)
Apple Computer, Inc.		 | "All opinions expressed are mine, and do
20525 Mariani Ave. MS: 27-Y	 | not necessarily represent those of my
Cupertino, CA 95014		 | employer, Apple Computer Inc."