Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!amdahl!ames!mailrus!ncar!tank!tartarus.uchicago.edu!david
From: david@tartarus.uchicago.edu (David J Sherman)
Newsgroups: comp.protocols.appletalk
Subject: Re: Need info on talking from unix to LaserWriter through FastPath
Keywords: serial, appletalk, serverdict
Message-ID: <2235@tank.uchicago.edu>
Date: 11 Mar 89 02:07:20 GMT
References: <172@amtfocus.UUCP> <837@wpi.wpi.edu> <439@trigraph.UUCP>
Sender: news@tank.uchicago.edu
Reply-To: david@tartarus.uchicago.edu.UUCP (David J Sherman)
Organization: University of Chicago Dept. Computer Science
Lines: 18


I have a vague recollection that we solved this problem (when we
were still using Laserwriters connected to Appletalk networks and
to Unix hosts via serial lines) by turning off the 9-pin _serial_
port.  You do this by setting the baud rate to zero, i.e. by saying
"setsccbatch 9 0 0" to the serverdict.  Apparently turning off the 
9-pin serial port does not affect Appletalk operation, even though
they use the same physical connection.

The Adobe PostScript Reference Manual (of all places) is another
place where this problem is documented.  It states in Appendix D, 
p. 276, that you should 
    Never operate a Laserwriter connected to Appletalk with 
    the switch set to any but the `AppleTalk' position.  Failure
    to heed this precaution may leave the machine in an inoperable
    state or even bring down the entire network.

-djs-