kwan@MHUXA.BTL.CSNET (03/14/86)
Origin: mhuxa We like to connect a 3B2 to Appletalk to share the LaserWriter with MacIntoshes on Appletalk. Are there hardware/software available that enable one to convert an RS232 into Appletalk? Any pointer and suggestion will be very helpful. Choi Kwan Bell Labs Murray Hill (201) 582-5727 ihnp4!mhuxa!kwan [Note from moderator: There are many alternatives, including the following: 1. Dedicate a Macintosh to this task, writing a spooling program that listens to requests on the Modem port and converts it to AppleTalk packets on the Printer port. 2. Get a bridge (Seagate, Kinetics, Butcher Board, Centram Tops, etc.) and add a serial port to it, with appropriate software. (Query for info-applebus readers: How feasible is this for the various boxes out there?) 3. Get an ethernet board and spooling software for your 3B2. This will probably give the best performance. I recommend #2, if it's economically and technically feasible for you. An AppleTalk/Ethernet/RS232 bridge will (with the appropriate software) give you flexibility for many tasks as yet unimagined. For example, you can use the 3B2 as a file server for your Macintoshes, or vice versa. you can attach modems to the serial ports on the bridge and provide dialup/dialout access to the 3B2 and Macs. You can add IBM (err, AT&T) PC's on any of the links.]