[comp.sys.mac.hardware] Ethergate, Fastpath, Gatorbox - the same choice ?

UF749@cc.usu.edu (12/04/89)

Has anyone used EtherGate from Shiva. 
They have ads at the back of every Macweek, suggesting that this is
and alternative to the Kinetics Fastpath or the Gatorbox, with the
ability to hook two Appletalk networks to one Ethernet
Would really like to know of experiences using this box
with CAP, NCSA telnet, printing to printers hooked to Macs 
from UNIX hosts and vice-versa. Experiences with Sun NFS or DEC NFS
through SPARCS or DEcstations would also be of interest.

From what I've read in this group so far it appears that the 
Fastpath is more commonly used and does "basic" things better and faster
than the Gatorbox. The Gatorbox has more features, higher cost and slower
throughput.  Is this an accurate assessment of the discussion ? How does the
EtherGate fit into the picture.
We are currently evaluating what to use to hook Macs into Unix stations
at three labs on campus. Ability to print across the network, provide a 
file server capability, ability to run printer use checking software
 (a la UT Austin PD ? program discussed in Macworld), and to mix macs with 
and without Ethercards, but all with Appletalk, with a box going to the UNIx 
machine Ether net are important. 
Info from Kinetics, Cayman or Shiva people is also welcome.

Thanks in advance
Upmanu Lall
Utah Water Research laboratory
Utah State University
UMC 82
Logan UT 84322-8200
(801)-750-3184
uf749@cc.usu.edu

billkatt@mondo.engin.umich.edu (billkatt) (12/06/89)

In article <14850@cc.usu.edu> UF749@cc.usu.edu writes:
>Has anyone used EtherGate from Shiva. ?

Yes, we have one here right now, and we couldn't be happier.  They won't
replace a FastPath, though.  They currently don't do IPTalk (which is what
unix machines speak)  I would say right now to anyone who wants a LocalTalk
to EtherTalk gateway, use an Apple Router, if that isn't feasible, use an
EtherGate.

If you want to speak AppleTalk to Unix machines or use IP on localtalk
machines, you are going to need a FastPath or Gator Box somewhere along the
line.  What you need to decide is how many you need.  I can suggest a few
guidelines on those ratios, too.  It is a good idea to use one FastPath per
two heavily used unix hosts or 10-15 lightly used unix hosts.  I can't even
guess with gatox boxes, because I don't have enough experience with them.
You also cannot have more than 60 LocalTalk macs speaking IP simultaneously
though one FastPath.  I have used up to 45, and it seems reasonable,
probably due to the fact that LocalTalk is slow.
-Steve