mmccann@hubcap.UUCP (Mike McCann) (05/21/88)
How can I extend an AppleTalk network so that it is longer than 1000 feet? I also want to put more than 32 devices on the network, can this be done? If you have any suggestions, please send them to me along with company names, addresses and phone numbers for the hardware I need. Thanks, Mike McCann Internet = mmccann@hubcap.clemson.edu Poole Computer Center (Box P-11) UUCP = hubcap!mmccann Clemson University Bitnet = mmccann@clemson.bitnet Clemson, S.C. 29634 -- Mike McCann Internet = mmccann@hubcap.clemson.edu Poole Computer Center (Box P-11) UUCP = hubcap!mmccann Clemson University Bitnet = mmccann@clemson.bitnet Clemson, S.C. 29634
dorourke@polyslo.UUCP (David O'Rourke) (05/21/88)
In article <1677@hubcap.UUCP> mmccann@hubcap.UUCP (Mike McCann) writes: >How can I extend an AppleTalk network so that it is longer than 1000 >feet? I have not used it. But I've heard good things about the Tops repeater from Tops. It boosts the signal so that it can travel farther. {Anybody who has a better description is welcome to clean up my description}. I don't know cost, or distribution, but I do remember some net mail about it 6 months ago. Seems everyone liked it pretty well. The other option is switching to phone net connector and standard telephone wire. They claim 3000 feet before needing a repeater. >I also want to put more than 32 devices on the network, can this >be done? Yes and No. It is possible to put more than 32 nodes on an Appletalk network, but due to the limited bandwidth and the way Appletalk works the performance starts degrading significantly after that point {I've found this to be true after only 20}. But Apple Does have a solution. Appletalk supports Zones, this allows you to break up your network into "sections" of smaller sub networks, they can still commuicate with each other, but each zone's local traffic doesn't interfere with other zones local traffic. Shiva and Hayes both make an AppleTalk bridge which is what's required to do this. I also seem to remember Tops offering a bridge also, but I'm not as sure as I am about Shiva and Hayes. Breaking Large AppleTalk networks into zones makes good administrative sence, support easier, and increases the local performance of both networks. I would look into setting up Zones, rather than triing to make one large network. It also makes it easier to add nodes in the future because each zone has the full number of nodes possible, and you can have Lots of different zones if you're willing to shell out the bucks for the bridges. AppleTalk allows 2^16 zones, I doubt anyone would really want to test that limit, but you get the idea, 4 or 5 zones wouldn't be that hard to come up with, and Appletalk can definatly handle it. Hope this helps, any questions can be sent to me directly, or via net news. -- David M. O'Rourke Disclaimer: I don't represent the school. All opinions are mine!
stew@endor.harvard.edu (Stew Rubenstein) (05/23/88)
In article <1677@hubcap.UUCP> mmccann@hubcap.UUCP (Mike McCann) writes: >How can I extend an AppleTalk network so that it is longer than 1000 >feet? I also want to put more than 32 devices on the network, can this >be done? If you have any suggestions, please send them to me along with >company names, addresses and phone numbers for the hardware I need. Farallon's PhoneNet can be up to 4000 feet of 22 gauge twisted pair. You can go longer by installing a Repeater or StarController. Both are available from Farallon. I believe you'll still be limited to 32 devices per network. Farallon Computing Inc., 2150 Kittredge, Berkeley, CA 94704 415-849-2331. Stew Rubenstein Cambridge Scientific Computing, Inc. UUCPnet: seismo!harvard!rubenstein CompuServe: 76525,421 Internet: rubenstein@harvard.harvard.edu MCIMail: CSC
magorian@umd5.umd.edu (Dan Magorian) (05/23/88)
>In article <1677@hubcap.UUCP> mmccann@hubcap.UUCP (Mike McCann) writes: >>How can I extend an AppleTalk network so that it is longer than 1000 >>feet? > > I have not used it. But I've heard good things about the Tops repeater >from Tops. It boosts the signal so that it can travel farther. The Tops repeater is a cheap (~$100) way of extending a Localtalk net that's grown too long. It just boosts the signal both directions, allowing 3000 ft and 256 nodes. But beware: ours burnt out suddenly, leaving us with problems till Tops replaced it (which they did speedily). The Farrallon system is a better answer for organizations capable of planning rather than ad-hoc "lets back-into-this-a-little-at-a-time" expansion. Dan Magorian - -