Re: What is a Kinetics FastPath 4?

[EddieB@knoware.nl (EddieB)]

In article <53tdgl$ish@opal.southwind.net>, shack@onyx.southwind.net (Randy
Shackelford) wrote:

> Douglas Scott (dsscott@gte.net) wrote:
> : Paul Schultz wrote:
> : > 
> : > I have come across a couple pieces of older Mac hardware which
> : > I need help identifying. They are made by a company called 'Kinetics'
> : > and the product is called 'FastPath 4'
> : > 
> : > It appears to be some sort of Ethernet-to-AppleTalk converter box.
> : > The AppleTalk connector on the back is the DB-9 variety so this helps
> : > "date" the item.
> : > 
> : > Anyone familiar with this hardware? I am in the market for a cheap
> : > Ethernet-to-AppleTalk converter but would like to know more about
> : > these before I buy.
> 
> : Shiva purchased Kinetics a few years ago.  The FastPath 4 is essentially
> : a router to connect LocalTalk networks to EtherTalk networks (AppleTalk
> : over Ethernet).  We upgraded our FastPath 4s to FastPath 5s from Shiva. 
> : You might want to contact Shiva to see if they still do that.
> 
> I'm getting one of these to use on my network, I'd like any info on it that
> anyone can pass along.
This could be a good idea, but it is not needed. They work fine with the
latest software that is downloadable from shiva. You need the
FastpathManager 5.3 and the K-Star 9.x software which is included ub he
FastpathManager package. The ONLY problem with FP4s is that they become
*HOT* and as of that they often fail after a few days of operation. You can
however drill some holes in the back of the case and assemble a 4cm blower
inside. This works fine for me... I got 2 FP4s and they did not fail on me
after I atached the extra cooling... 
btw, you have to configure them the first time thru localtalk, afther that
you can do that over EtherNet.

Eddie Bindt