wezel@bio.vu.nl (Jos C. van Wezel) (04/26/89)
Some time ago Peter Jeremy of Alcatel-STC Australia mentioned a product called Multigate, made by Webster Computer Corp P/L in Scoresby, Australia. It is supposed to be a gateway/bridge between Ethernet and 4(!) Appletalk networks. Since then I never heard (but maybe I tap the net too little) of this machine. Is there someone who can update me on this one. Thanks, Sincerely Jos van Wezel UUCP: ...mcvax!botter!wezel@bio.vu.nl Internet: (see above) ----
ih@doc.ic.ac.uk (Ian Harries) (04/27/89)
In article <574@balaena.bio.vu.nl> wezel@bio.vu.nl (Jos C. van Wezel) writes: >Some time ago Peter Jeremy of Alcatel-STC Australia mentioned a product >called Multigate, made by Webster Computer Corp P/L in Scoresby, Australia. >It is supposed to be a gateway/bridge between Ethernet and 4(!) Appletalk >networks. >Since then I never heard (but maybe I tap the net too little) of this >machine. Is there someone who can update me on this one. > >Thanks, > >Sincerely > >Jos van Wezel >UUCP: ...mcvax!botter!wezel@bio.vu.nl >Internet: (see above) >---- Here at Imperial College, University of London, we now have 3 Multigates - with more on the way. In the Dept. of Computing itself, I replaced a pair of FastPaths bridging two LocalTalks via Ethernet with a single Multigate. We are very happy generally with performance and ease of installation. Configuration of the box is via a Hypercard stack ! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- from the manual's introduction: Network Gateway Multigate is a local area network (LAN) gateway allowing transparent connection between a maximum of four LocalTalk networks and an Ethernet. Multigate can be used as a network bridge, allowing all four LocalTalk networks to communicate with eachother. Additional Multigates, when connected to an Ethernet backbone network, provide a communication path between multiple LocalTalk networks. Network Protocols To maximise exisiting and future network facilities, Multigate is designed to support standard network protocols. When transferring packets of information, Multigate will: Exchange suitably addressed AppleTalk packets between a maximum of four LocalTalk networks. Encapsulate AppleTalk packets within User Datagram Protocol and Internet Protocol (UDP/IP) packets for internet working to any local Ethernet host Encapsulate AppleTalk packets within Apple's EtherTalk protocol for communication with Apple products connected directly to the Ethernet. Network Interfaces Datagrams (packets of information) pass through Multigate from network to network via rear panel connectors and two circuit boards, Multigate's motherboard and daughterboard. Local Interfaces The daughterboard interfaces with the four LocalTalks, called channel 0,1,2 and 3. Ethernet Interface The motherboard interfaces with the Ethernet. Multigate offers the flexibility of selecting a Standard or Thin Wire Ethernet (Cheapernet) connection. Only one of the Ethernet connections can be active at any time. Console and auxiliary Ports Two identical RS232 serial communication ports are interfaced on the motherboard. The console port is for direct Macintosh or terminal connection to Multigate, normally used for configuration. The auxiliary port is used for special perposes. For example, a host computer connected to the auxiliary port can be used to load Multigate's gateway code (application software). System Software Multigate is shipped with a box of Macintosh disks which hold the system software. The software supplied comprises: The gateway code Various utilities Gateway code All installations require the gateway code, which enables Multigate's general purpose CPU hardware to be used for dedicated gateway operation. The code is developed from Stanford Seagate communication protocol. During Multigate installation the gateway code will be initially booted from a Macintosh. Although this method of booting can continue after installation, the standard procedure is to transfer the boot file to a suitable IP host. Utilities Various utilities are supplied for use with Multigate. These utilities include: CAP (Columbia ApppeTalk Package) NCSA Telnet/FTP BBN MacDump Various public domain utilities Monitor code The motherboard also holds Multigate's CPU and memory. Part of the memory stores the monitor code, which is used for Multigate's configuration, diagnostics and booting of the gateway code. Multigate configuration involves using a Macintosh or a terminal to access the monitor. Front Panel LEDs Four LEDs, located on the front panel of the case, are used by Multigate's monitor and gateway codes to indicate operational status: CPU RUN (green) LED indicates normal operation. THe LED is on when Multigate is idle and off when busy. ETHERNET ACTIVE and APPLETALK ACTIVE (yellow) LEDs flash to indicate operational activity. The flashing rate increases as the rate of datagrams handled by Multigate increases. FAULT (red) LED indicates minor or serious problems. Specifications Dimensions 420 mm by 475 mm by 110 mm Power source 240 or 115 VAC (internal strap) Power consumption 50W Temperature 5 - 60 deg. C operating 0 - 66 deg. C storage Relative humidity 10 - 90% non-condensing Communication lines 2 RS232 serial ports Memory 512 Kb dynamic RAM 128 Kb EPROM 2 KB EEPROM Central processor 10 MHz 68010 Ethernet Interfaces DB15 Transceiver Cable Connector BNC Thin Wire (Cheapernet) LocalTalk Interfaces 4 DB9's Macintosh-compatible Anciliary Devices Battery bcked-up calendar clock Timers (6840) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- outside Australasia, Webster Computer Corporation are at: 1037 North Fair Oaks Avenue 42 Maltings Close Sunnyvale, CA 94089 Baldock, Herts SG7 6NG USA UK (408) 745 0660 Telex 172943 (0462) 89 3304 FAX (408) 745 1162 FAX (0462) 89 6187 Uk distributors: Computer International Ltd. 10 Farnbrough Close Stocklake Aylesbury Bucks HP20 1DQ (0296) 434911 Robin Harker is the person to talk to recommended retail price quoted as 3600 English Pounds, with educational discount available. *** WHEW *** This has been a public service announcement towards the greater dissemination of (hopefully) interesting and useful information, brought to you by - Ian Harries Department of Computing MicroComputer Support Officer Imperial College 180 Queen's Gate Janet: ih@uk.ac.ic.doc London SW7 2BZ DARPA: ih%doc.ic.ac.uk United Kingdom Uucp: ih@icdoc.UUCP, ukc!icdoc!ih Tel: +44 1 589 5111 x5052