Re: Network for the GS?

[dempson@atlantis.actrix.gen.nz (David Empson)]

In article <317D4E84.52B6@miworld.net>, jblank  <jblank@miworld.net> wrote:
> I am the network administrator for a small school system, we have
> many Apple IIGS networks all using Mandrake the old digicard networking
> hardware and software.
> 
> Is there any better way to network Apple II GS's without running
> GSOS?  The machines we have do not have the RAM upgrade cards.

Running GS/OS probably wouldn't help.

The only method provided by Apple for networking Apple II machines is
AppleTalk (using the LocalTalk cabling system or a third-party
equivalent such as PhoneNet).

Support for AppleTalk is built into the IIgs (but requires booting
GS/OS to gain access to all functions, and you must have at least 512K
RAM to be able to support only network printing).

For an enhanced IIe, you need an Apple II Workstation Card.  AppleTalk
is not supported on a IIc, unenhanced IIe or II+.

On the Apple II, AppleTalk allows sharing of networked printers
(ImageWriter II, ImageWriter LQ or LaserWriter), and access to
networked file servers.  The file server must be a Macintosh.  You can
also boot the IIe or IIgs over the network, provided the Mac is
running the "AppleShare" file server software, version 2.x or 3.x (not
4.0 or later).

The LocalTalk/PhoneNet system is about as fast as a 3.5" floppy for
transferring data (assuming only one computer is attempting to use the
network).


I doubt this would be much improvement over a Digicard network, and it
would require capital outlay to upgrade the IIgses (and possibly to
buy a Mac).

I don't know of any other networking systems for the Apple II which
are still available.  We used a "Nestar" network at high school, which
uses a parallel connection between the computers.  The file server
runs under Apple Pascal and requires a monstrously huge Nestar hard
drive (the drive was about ten inches high, two feet wide and three
feet deep, and held 20MB or 40MB) or a Nestar 8-inch dual floppy drive
(also enormous).

ProDOS was not supported until I added a ProDOS block driver to the
firmware of the workstation cards.
-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand