ian@inmet (04/22/89)
Is there a way to run TOPS over a phone line and hook into a TOPS network from a remote Mac? What hardware/software is required? ================================================================================ Ian Dowell ian@inmet.inmet.com Intermetrics, Inc. uunet!inmet!ian
markham@rho.cs.unc.edu (Andrew Markham) (04/25/89)
In article <127200060@inmet>, ian@inmet writes: > > Is there a way to run TOPS over a phone line and hook into > a TOPS network from a remote Mac? What hardware/software > is required? > > Ian Dowell ian@inmet.inmet.com The only piece of harware/software that I have heard regarding this is the NetModem by Shiva(the 1200 is ~$359 and the 2400 is ~$439). The ads can be found in any of the usual macazines (i.e. MacUser, MacWorld, etc...). I don't know anything about the performance or how "invisible" the setup is, but would be very interested in finding out. I would think that the necessary software would be included with the modem, but since I don't have the ad here with me, I am really not sure. Hope this helps, Andrew W. Markham <markham@sunmail.cs.unc.edu> Undergraduate Assistant Computer Science Department University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
markham@rho.cs.unc.edu (Andrew Markham) (04/25/89)
In article <7908@thorin.cs.unc.edu>, markham@rho.cs.unc.edu (Andrew Markham) writes: > In article <127200060@inmet>, ian@inmet writes: > > Is there a way to run TOPS over a phone line and hook into > , but since I don't have > the ad here with me, I am really not sure. > > Andrew W. Markham <markham@sunmail.cs.unc.edu> Whoa, I lied, I found the ad for the NetModem(MacWorld - May 1989 p.5). Here is a brief summary: Hayes-compatible, can be shared(like a laserwriter), easy to set up("- just plug it in and turn it on."), dial in from a regular modem and NetModem connects you to office network, "you can access files, use TOPS, AppleShare, electronic mail, printers or any other network resources, just as if you were sitting in front of your office.". Shiva 155 Second Street Cambridge, MA 02141 1-800-458-3550 Hope this helps, Andrew W. Markham <markham@sunmail.cs.unc.edu> Undergraduate Assistant Computer Science Department University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
thecloud@dhw68k.cts.com (Ken McLeod) (04/26/89)
In article <127200060@inmet> ian@inmet writes: > >Is there a way to run TOPS over a phone line and hook into >a TOPS network from a remote Mac? What hardware/software >is required? It's possible. You'll need a fast modem; I wouldn't recommend anything less than 9600 bps. There's a desk accessory called "Async AppleTalk" which allows AppleTalk communications over a modem. This DA loads its own version of AppleTalk, dials a number which you supply, and connects to the remote Mac (which is also running TOPS). I can't recall whether the DA needs to be open on the remote Mac as well; you'll probably find unattended operation difficult. (It's been quite a while since I tried it, although one thing stands out in my mind: Finder updates were VERY slow.) Hmmm... I can't even FIND my copy of Async AppleTalk (just looked.) Does anyone else have info on this DA? Is there a better solution? -- ========== ....... ============================================= Ken McLeod :. .: UUCP: ...{spsd,zardoz,felix}!dhw68k!thecloud ========== :::.. ..::: INTERNET: thecloud@dhw68k.cts.com //// =============================================
thecloud@dhw68k.cts.com (Ken McLeod) (04/26/89)
In article <22458@dhw68k.cts.com> thecloud@dhw68k.cts.com (Ken McLeod) writes: >In article <127200060@inmet> ian@inmet writes: >> >>Is there a way to run TOPS over a phone line and hook into >>a TOPS network from a remote Mac? What hardware/software >>is required? > > Hmmm... I can't even FIND my copy of Async AppleTalk (just looked.) >Does anyone else have info on this DA? Is there a better solution? Oops... almost forgot about the Shiva NetModem. This is a special modem that can be shared (like a LaserWriter) over a network, and you can connect to it from your remote Mac (with ordinary modem) to access TOPS. Of course, this solution runs about ~$500... -- ========== ....... ============================================= Ken McLeod :. .: UUCP: ...{spsd,zardoz,felix}!dhw68k!thecloud ========== :::.. ..::: INTERNET: thecloud@dhw68k.cts.com //// =============================================
jfm@ruddles.sprl.umich.edu.engin.umich.edu (John F. Mansfield) (04/26/89)
In article <127200060@inmet> ian@inmet writes: > >Is there a way to run TOPS over a phone line and hook into >a TOPS network from a remote Mac? What hardware/software >is required? > > A Shiva NetModem and a regular Hayes compatible 2400 modem and Shiva's software and TOPS software. ALternatively I think you can use a Shiva NetSerial and a regular modem. Then presumably you could use the Hayes 9600 modems. Shiva recommends 2400 minimum, but we've tried 1200. Its rather slow but we did copy a 700k file with TOPS across phone lines, it was an image and it took 2.25 hours to transmit! A 20K application also was transferred and it ran no problem. You can tell we are still testing it. It doesnt like PBX lines to much, dialing out of one lab line into another is impossible for us. We are getting a data line installed. Since I'm here at U of M you can guess I am merely a customer of Shiva and TOPS. TOPS is definitely the way to go for small clusters of Macs. Hope this is useful, Cheers. John Mansfield North Campus Electron Microbeam Analysis Laboratory 2455 Hayward, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2143. 313-936-3352 Internet: jfm@ruddles.sprl.umich.edu or john_mansfield.um.cc.umich.edu
davis@bdmrrr.bdm.com (Arthur Davis x4675) (04/27/89)
I have a Shiva NetModem 2400 at work and it has worked like a charm for me. The only software required is provided by Shiva for use with the Apple System Software Installer. For the network side, there is a NetModem installation which allows the local net to share the modem for outgoing calls and to answer the phone for incoming calls. This is accessed as a Control Panel device. A Mac with this CDEV must be up and running for remote calls to be active and the incoming call setting must be marked for unattended phone answering. The Shiva seems to be a good Hayes clone by the way. Some standard comm packages (such as SmartCom) don't seem to care for the modem being accessed through the printer port over AppleTalk though. We use ZTerm and VersaTerm and they work fine. For remote dial-in, there is another Installer routine. TOPS is not necessary, but works fine. I can imagine how boring it would be to have a remote dial-in without some form of file service though. My Mac at home has TOPS and the NetModem dial-in installed. To use the remote hookup, AppleTalk needs to be turned on first and then TOPS activated. Dial-in is accomplished through the use of a Control Panel device called Network which the Shiva Installation puts in place. Very straightforward. You can set up the connect sequence to have a password or not as you wish (set up on the local net side). 2400 baud seems a bit slow for manipulating things on the familiar dektop, but it works fine. If faster modems appeal to you, try the NetSerial device from Shiva instead of the NetModem. You'll need to buy an appropriate 9600 modem, but the NetSerial device is cheaper than the 2400 NetModem. I think we paid around $425 for the NetModem. By the way, this setup may well work with AppleShare. Can't prove it by me though as I am not an AppleShare user. Similar products do exist to provide the Shiva remote service. Farallon's rServer is one I have heard of, but I don't have any experience with it. You might try checking out a recent copy of MacGUIDE for info and possible reviews. Arthur Davis davis@bdmrrr.bdm.com
martyl@bucket.UUCP (Marty Lee) (04/29/89)
In article <127200060@inmet>, ian@inmet writes: > > Is there a way to run TOPS over a phone line and hook into > a TOPS network from a remote Mac? What hardware/software > is required? We use TOPS and Liaison for remote access to our LAN in the office. We used Liaison over other products like Timbuktu be cause of cost and flexibility. A node with call in ability (Half bridge) is $285 list and $165 mail order. The node that can be called into is called Liaison. Also included is LiaisonNet, the call out only (Personal Bridge) software. You are allowed to copy and distribute any number of copies of LiaisonNet. I would check it out. Liaison can also bridge two appletalk networks, printer port to network A and the modem port to network B. That way you can break up large networks and restrict access/resources by user. If you have Ethertalk then you can have a 3 way bridge. For more info check out the April issue of MacUser Marty Lee teksce (Fastest path) / \ tektronix!reed! omen !bucket!martyl (Marty Lee) \ / percival
kathie@tekecs.GWD.TEK.COM (Kathleen Huddleston) (05/03/89)
You can do it with a netbridge (also Shiva, I think) and get some 9600 baud modems if you want really good performance. You might call Farallon as well as Shiva as their tech support\ people seem pretty well qualified to comment. TOPs might be worth calling,too. Post your experience if you find a good solution.
alexis@ccnysci.UUCP (Alexis Rosen) (05/03/89)
In article <7908@thorin.cs.unc.edu> markham@rho.cs.unc.edu (Andrew Markham) writes: >In article <127200060@inmet>, ian@inmet writes: >> Is there a way to run TOPS over a phone line and hook into >> a TOPS network from a remote Mac? What hardware/software >> is required? > >The only piece of harware/software that I have heard regarding this is the >NetModem by Shiva(the 1200 is ~$359 and the 2400 is ~$439). The ads can be >found in any of the usual macazines (i.e. MacUser, MacWorld, etc...). I waited a while to answer, but nobody has listed the other solution... Liason will do this very nicely with any modem hooked to any Mac on the net. The total price is comparable to a NetModem 2400, for 2400 bps access, but that's incredibly slow. With Liason, you can use any modem up to at least 19.2kbps. This makes a BIG BIG difference. The drawback is that it may slow down the host mac on the net a bit, depending on what kind of load you place on it. You can also get the Shiva NetSerial, which also allows net access to faster modems. Which one you get would probably depend on what other uses you might have for the half-bridge: The NetModem/NetSerial allow dial-out to any number, while Liason only allows connections to pre-specified locations. On the other hand, Liason has all sorts of nifty and useful bridging functions and more complete security. Liason will support dial-out to any number in the not-too-distant future, also. Either of these solutions is okay, but if you thought regular appletalk runs slowly, wait until you see it at 2400bps... Also, if you're just doing this for file transfer, this is the WRONG WAY. It's much much slower than a telecomm program would be. Consider Farallon's Timbuktu Remote instead of TOPS. --- Alexis Rosen alexis@ccnysci.{uucp,bitnet} alexis@rascal.ics.utexas.edu (last resort)
kathie@tekecs.GWD.TEK.COM (Kathleen Huddleston) (05/05/89)
Timbuktu remote is reportedly (from Faralon tech support) very slow below 9600 baud. If you want to use 2400 baud modems for file sharing, check out Telefinder from Spider Island Software (see MacUser this month). If works at 1200 or 2400 baud and uses the Mac interface. It seems to have many of the same features as a network (except no application sharing). I just ordered a copy.