[comp.sys.mac] Mac to OS/2 server

chapman@acf4.NYU.EDU (Gary W. Chapman) (01/09/90)

We have a department with an IBM Token Ring Network, with an OS/2-based IBM
Lan Server server.  They also have a few Macs which they would like use to
access the file server.  Assuming they can work out the physical connectivity,
e.g. use Apple token ring boards, does anyone know of anything they can do on
the software side?

=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=
  Gary W. Chapman                                   INTERNET:   chapman@nyu.edu
  Microcomputer Networks Manager                    COMPUSERVE: 76424,2450
  Academic Computing Facility, New York University  BITNET:     chapman@nyuacf
  251 Mercer Street   New York, NY 10012 
=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=:=

dbrown@apple.com (David Brown) (01/10/90)

In article <33580010@acf4.NYU.EDU> chapman@acf4.NYU.EDU (Gary W. Chapman) 
writes:
> We have a department with an IBM Token Ring Network, with an OS/2-based 
IBM
> Lan Server server.  They also have a few Macs which they would like use 
to
> access the file server.  Assuming they can work out the physical 
connectivity,
> e.g. use Apple token ring boards, does anyone know of anything they can 
do on
> the software side?

The Apple TokenTalk board comes with some software - "SMB File Transfer 
Utility" that provides access to the OS/2 LAN server through Apple File 
Exchange - not the slickest interface, but it seems to work.   I just set 
up an OS/2 LAN Server and tried it.  A couple of hints:

On the OS/2 server, configure the Mac user as a DOS user.
Also on the server, use  "Resource sharing" to create at least one thing 
the Mac can attach to (the Mac documentation refers to volumes, which I 
assume is a term from the PC LAN program (which I have no experience 
with).  This command maps a "Netname" to a directory.  Then use the 
Netname you assign here as the volume on the Mac side (e.g. 
\\server\volume) when you connect.

David Brown        415-649-4000
Orion Network Systems
(a subsidiary of Apple Computer)
1995 University Ave. Suite 350
Berkeley, CA 94704

Jerry.Andrews@f426.n109.z1.fidonet.org (Jerry Andrews) (01/10/90)

Regarding tying Macs to your OS/2 server:

We've got several Macs tied to various MS-DOS-based machines on a peer-to-peer net, using Tops.  The key, methinks, is what you use as a gateway between your IBM Token Ring and the Apples.  You're gonna hafta pick that one, and that really is key.  Your message indicated "assuming we get the physical link done" -- my experience is that the specific hardware/software you use to create the physical link will mostly define what file format translators are available.  I can tell you that Tops (which is the onl


y system I've used) does have such a gateway box, and though I've not used it, I've had good success with the rest of their products, so...

And the collection of MS-DOS to Apple translators they have is impressive.  I suggest that you shop for a gateway based on who has the OS/2 to Mac translators you want to use.


--  

	Jerry Andrews at The Black Cat's Shack (Fidonet 1:109/401)
	Internet:  Jerry.Andrews@f426.n109.z1.fidonet.org    
	UUCP:      ...!uunet!blkcat!426!Jerry.Andrews

scott@h-three.UUCP (scott) (01/20/90)

Try MACLAN Connect from Miramar Systems (805/965-5161). It requires
a dedicated PC, running the MACLAN server, which mounts the SMB disk.
The MACLAN server makes the SMB disk appear like an AFP volume, so
a Mac can access it just like it would an AppleShare server.

MACLAN works with Apple's TokenTalk boards, as well as h-three's MacRing
token-ring boards.

I haven't done extensive testing with MACLAN yet. It appears as 
though it might fit your needs. 

-- 
Scott H. Crenshaw			uunet!h-three!scott  
h-three Systems Corporation             AppleLink:  H.THREE
POB 12557/ 100 Park Dr. Ste. 204	
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709	(919) 549-8334