shahn@hstbme.mit.edu (Samuel Hahn) (03/10/90)
I am looking for a way to use AppleTalk over asynchronous lines (i.e. a modem).
Back in 1987 Dartmouth released a DA called Asynch AppleTalk that allowed
exactly what I am looking for, but I don't think it works under System 6.0.4
The most current version on Sumex is 2.1. If anyone has a version that runs
under 6.0.4 I would appreciate it. On the other hand, if someone has managed
to get 2.1 to run under 6.0.4 please let me know how you did it...
Please respond by email..Thanks!
Sam Hahn
shahn@hstbme.mit.edushahn@hstbme.mit.edu (Samuel Hahn) (03/17/90)
A few people were also interested in my Asynch AppleTalk post a few days ago.
Here is the information I received from its developers at Dartmouth:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This file contains a series of answers to questions about Async
AppleTalk. If you have other questions, please get back to me at the
address below. Thanks.
Rich Brown
---------
What is Async AppleTalk?
Async AppleTalk is a Macintosh driver and desk accessory which allow a
user to access AppleTalk resources (file servers, laser printers, etc.)
over a dial-up RS-232 ("async") link. The driver replaces the standard
AppleTalk driver and causes the LAPWrite and LAPRead routines to send or
receive the packets on an async link, instead of the 230.4 kbps LocalTalk
cabling.
How can I use Async AppleTalk on my campus/office/home?
You'll need some other means to bridge between an Async AppleTalk link
and a an AppleTalk network. Several commercial companies have announced
packages with these capabilities. These include Infosphere
(503/226-3515); Solana Electronics (619/573-0800); Shiva (800/458-3550);
and Computer Methods (609/596-4360). Contact the individual vendors for
price and availability information.
Has Async AppleTalk been implemented in a host computer??
Computer Methods has software which runs on a VAX/VMS system and which
works with AppleTalk for VMS. I do not know of any such software running
on other hosts. Installing Async AppleTalk on a host only gives one
piece of the total puzzle, though. For Async AppleTalk to be useful on a
host, you'll need to add many of the upper layer protocols (DDP, NBP,
ATP, PAP, ASP, AFP, etc) to provide real service. It would be possible to
graft Async AppleTalk into the Columbia AppleTalk Package (CAP) on Unix
(CAP is freely available from Columbia University), but it's a
non-trivial implementation project. Dartmouth has no plans to come up
with such a package.
How do you use Async AppleTalk at Dartmouth?
The RS-232 ports on our campus network have been programmed to accept
Async AppleTalk messages from the Mac. The terminal handler then routes
them out on a standard (230.4 kbps) LocalTalk link. This makes file
servers and laserwriters available to Macs which have dialed in over
Async AppleTalk. (AppleShare, LaserWriters, and most other applications,
utilities and games work just fine...)
Is Async Appletalk compatible with all versions of the system software?
The Async AppleTalk 2.3 version works with all versions of system
software from Finder 4.1/Sys 2.0 and and up.
Is Async AppleTalk compatible with all models of Apple hardware?
I have tested Async AppleTalk with Mac/XL, 512K, 512Ke, Mac Plus, Mac SE,
Mac SE/30, Mac II, and Mac IIcx. The 2.3 version does *not* work with a
Portable or Mac IIci. We are developing a version which will fix these
compatibility problems.
Can I use a LaserWriter (on LocalTalk) while I'm using Async AppleTalk?
No. Once you start Async AppleTalk, you cannot use a different AppleTalk
link until you reboot or hangup Async AppleTalk.
Isn't the Network Control Panel device supposed to do what the Async
AppleTalk DA does?
Yes. Async AppleTalk was developed in 1985, before the Network control
panel facility was available. We have not re-worked Async AppleTalk to
exploit this facilty. I have received word from another developer who is
modifying the Async AppleTalk code to make it an 'adev'. This adev would
provide a great deal more hardware/software independence, and would allow
the use of applications which require modern AppleTalk drivers. It would
also allow the Async AppleTalk link to be installed when you start up
your machine. The developer indicates that the adev will be freely
available.
Can I use Async AppleTalk across the Internet?
Yes, sort of. You'll need to establish a telnet connection (using your
favorite terminal emulator), then connect out to another Mac which had
Async AppleTalk installed. You could then run Async AppleTalk on your
machine and the link should work. (I have not tried this; I have heard
reports of people doing this successfully through DECserver 200's.)
How was Async AppleTalk developed?
Dartmouth obtained a source license for the standard AppleTalk driver,
and replaced the 230.4 kbps LAP routines with code to send the packets
over an async link. The desk accessory was completely developed at
Dartmouth. Both modules are written in MPW assembler.
How is Async AppleTalk distributed?
Dartmouth is distributing Async AppleTalk free of charge. The package is
derived from copyrighted Apple Computer source code, with copyrighted
changes made at Dartmouth. Consequently, we ask that you observe the
following conditions: please retain all the copyright information (both
Apple Computer and Dartmouth College), and please don't charge money for
it. Otherwise, feel free to use it or pass it on to anyone. If you want
to use it in a commercial product, get a copy of our distribution policy:
it's included with a whole lot of other information about Async
AppleTalk.
How can I obtain Async AppleTalk?
* Anonymous FTP to dartvax.dartmouth.edu. Look in the pub folder for
async.at. It's a Stuffit/Binhex file with the DA, a manual, the
spec, and our distribution policy.
* Bitnet hosts: send e-mail to LISTSERV@DARTCMS1 for the same file.
The one-line message should be "get async_at package".
* Send a disk (800K) in a mailer; I'll send all the information (with
some of the sources.
---------------------------
Rich Brown E-Mail: richard.e.brown@dartmouth.edu
Manager of Special Projects Preferred AppleLink address:
Dartmouth College richard.e.brown@dartmouth.edu@dasnet#
Kiewit Computer Center Alternate AppleLink address: A0183
Hanover, NH 03755 USA Telephone: 603/646-3648