viraf@seas.gwu.edu (Viraf Bankwalla) (07/03/90)
Hi,
A couple of weeks ago I posted a request for help on choosing a
LocalTalk card for PC's. I got several responses, and have enclosed
them below.
Thanks for all the responses.
I am currently looking at the Apple LocalTalk card, and one by
DayStar Digital. Both come with a driver to print on a LaserWriter,
and an AppleShare client. If anyone has had good/bad experiences
with either of them, I would appreciate hearing from you.
viraf bankwalla
viraf@seas.gwu.edu
...!uunet!gwusun!viraf.
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Hi,
I was wondering what the best way to share a LW between macs and PC's
are. I am aware that there are localtalk cards for the PC, could
someone please recommend some of them. Is there a better alternative ?
Thanks
viraf bankwalla
viraf@seas.gwu.edu
uunet!gwusun!viraf
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From louis@aerospace.aero.org Wed Jun 27 11:35:22 1990
Return-Path: <louis@aerospace.aero.org>
There is a box you can buy from EuroComm (619-471-9362) called LaserAccess.
It allows an Appletalk network and an RS232 line to share a LaserWriter
on the network. The price is $695, and is cheaper then using a
FastPath and CAPS if all you want is printing capability.
We have an RS232 port on our SGI workstation connected to the box and
use Transcript to drive the printer from the UNIX side. Our Mac network
is also connected into the box so that both the Mac users and Unix
users can use the LaserWriter.
We are very happy with the way that it is working. If a UNIX job is
printing, the Macs wait in the queue. With Transcript, it will try
again if the printer is busy. Periodically, we do have glitches from
the UNIX side (jobs do not print), but we are not sure what is the
cause.
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From rex@pmgvax.wr.usgs.gov Tue Jun 26 17:55:46 1990
Return-Path: <rex@pmgvax.wr.usgs.gov>
I can make a negative recommendation, but first some disclaimers. I'm a
Macintosh and Unix hacker, and hate PCs, so I rely on PC-loving colleagues
for information.
These same colleagues hate the TOPS cards and TOPS software for PCs. They
have not used anything else, so the other options might be just as bad. Note
that TOPS cards work ONLY with TOPS software.
Other PC-Localtalk cards I've heard of include Apple's (which works with
both AppleShare and TOPS), Hercules (some kind of combined video card with
Localtalk port), and Dayna.
You might look into putting your PCs on Ethernet, and linking your Ethernet
and Localtalk networks. Options for the link include Kinetics/Novell/Shiva
Fastpath (used and abused by many locations); Cayman Gatorbox (reputed to be
very slow); a Mac with Ethernet board and routing software; and various
messes using PC networks like Novell.
Random OPINIONS from the keyboard of
-- Rex Sanders
rex@pmgvax.wr.usgs.gov "Close Cover Before Striking"
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From DAVID@DARTCMS1.dartmouth.edu Tue Jun 26 16:00:34 1990
Return-Path: <DAVID@DARTCMS1.dartmouth.edu>
There are three vendors of AT cards for the PC: Apple, Dayna, and TOPs.
Printing software comes with each. In addition, the Dayna will run
AppleShare/PC. Only Dayna makes an MCA card as well as a AT buss card.
My recommendation: AT Buss Apple - MCA Buss Dayna. Avoid TOPs.
More info available if needed.
* * * * * * * * * * * * David Avery
* BITNET: DAVID@DARTCMS1 * System Manager for VM/CMS
* INTERNET: David.Avery@DARTMOUTH.EDU * Dartmouth College
* SMAIL: Kiewit Computation Center * vox clamantis in deserto
* Hanover, New Hampshire 03755 *
* * * * * * * * * * * *
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From jbm@apple.com Tue Jun 26 15:37:11 1990
Return-Path: <jbm@apple.com>
There are 2 good ways to share the printer between the two. The best way
is to get a localtalk pc card from Apple or Daystar Digital. This will allow
the PC to hook into the localtalk cabling. The software will take all print
requests and redirect them to any of the lpt ports and thus to the laserwriter.
Many pc applications have printer drivers to support postscript in this
configuration.
The second best solution would be to hook the pc directly to the serial
port on the printer. Then you would have to switch between serial and
appletalk connector to print for the pc and mac. This could be a hassle but
people are doing it this way.
Jennifer Minge
Disclaimer: I do not talk for Apple even though my ideas may make more sense.
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From seas.gwu.edu!uunet!munnari.oz.au!csc!srb813 Wed Jun 27 12:54:28 EDT 1990
Article 2453 of comp.protocols.appletalk:
Path: seas.gwu.edu!uunet!munnari.oz.au!csc!srb813
Putting the PCs onto AppleTalk is the way to go since then the Macs to get
the LaserWriters for free.
I use TOPS/DOS v3.0 with TOPS FlashCards to get the PCs talking to the
LaserWriters (and each other). TOPS is a fine product except for DOS's
major weakness ... memory. TOPS is memory-hungry. If you have extended
memory then you haven't got a problem (384K is OK, but I would recommend
1MB of extended memory). If you're stuck with 640K and can't afford to
buy an extended memory board (like the mob I'm doing a contract for) then
you definitely do have a problem. You (like me) will be minimally
configuring everything in sight, or loading and unloading modules, or
trying to convince people (or yourself) to buy some extended memory.
The other alternative is AppleTalk/PC. v2.1 runs on a FlashCard (or so I
am told) which is good because FlashCards are cheaper (at least in
Australia they are :-) ). The disadvantage is that you must have an
AppleShare server to share files. This can only be a Macintosh or a host
(a Unix box or a VAX). If you're not sharing files between the PCs then who
cares? But since you've got a network and all this great software you may
as well use all of it!
Steven Ball, Department of Computer Science, ANU
E-mail: steve@anucsd.anu.oz.au Ph. (06) 2495147
Snail-mail: GPO Box 4, CANBERRA CITY ACT 2600, AUSTRALIA
He's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy!
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From seas.gwu.edu!uunet!decwrl!apple!shoemake Wed Jun 27 12:57:00 EDT 1990
Article 2458 of comp.protocols.appletalk:
Path: seas.gwu.edu!uunet!decwrl!apple!shoemake
>Putting the PCs onto AppleTalk is the way to go since then the Macs to get
>the LaserWriters for free.
>The other alternative is AppleTalk/PC. v2.1 runs on a FlashCard (or so I
>am told) which is good because FlashCards are cheaper (at least in
>Australia they are :-) ). The disadvantage is that you must have an
>AppleShare server to share files. This can only be a Macintosh or a host
>(a Unix box or a VAX). If you're not sharing files between the PCs then who
>cares? But since you've got a network and all this great software you may
>as well use all of it!
>Steven Ball, Department of Computer Science, ANU
>E-mail: steve@anucsd.anu.oz.au Ph. (06) 2495147
>Snail-mail: GPO Box 4, CANBERRA CITY ACT 2600, AUSTRALIA
> He's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy!
AppleShare PC 2.0.x does not ship with drivers for the FlashCard. I'm not
aware of any 3rd party drivers for that card.
AppleShare PC 2.0.x ships with drivers for
Apple's LocalTalk PC card (standard bus)
DayStar Digital's LT/PC 200 LocalTalk cards (Both std and Microchannel)
3Com EtherLink MC (Microchannel)
3Com EtherLink II (3C503) (Std bus)
IBM's 4-MBit TokenRing cards (Both Std and Microchannel)
It is possible to write drivers (called MLID's) -- Apple's APDA organization
has the documentation on the interfaces and a shell driver (on disk) that you
can 'fill in the blanks' for the card specific stuff and create a driver pretty
quickly. We validated the sample driver by using it to create the DayStar
driver. It took two evenings after work to do. Ethernet and TokenRing are
more difficult (Multicast table maintenance and source routing).
By the way, DayStar also ships their cards with software to print to
LaserWriters and access AFP compatible file servers.
Mike Shoemaker
Network Connectivity Development
Apple Computer, Inc.
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From @CORNELLC.cit.cornell.edu:PJORGENS@COLGATEU.BITNET Mon Jul 2 08:53:03 1990
Return-Path: <@CORNELLC.cit.cornell.edu:PJORGENS@COLGATEU.BITNET>
I personally recommend the Apple LocalTalk PC card. It now comes with software
that redirects output from any port (COMn, LPTn) and supports LQ2500 emulation
and PostScript pass-through modes. It also comes with AppleShare PC client
software and costs a University only $197.
Peter Jorgensen
Microcomputer specialist
Colgate University - Hamilton, NY 13346
AppleLink - U0523
BITNET - PJORGENSEN@COLGATEU
tel - 315-824-1000 ext 742