Re: Access to ARA servers from IIgs

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

In article <4jq64v$1is@cello.gina.calstate.edu>,
LA County Outdoor Science School <lacoss@cello.gina.calstate.edu> wrote:
> Seems to me that I remember reading a post by someone talking about ARA
> running on a Mac that is being used as a server for IIgs's.  It was in the
> past few days, but I couldn't find it again when I went back to look.

I don't remember anything, but I have missed a lot of articles in
recent weeks.

> The post seemed to imply that when the server was hooked up to a remote
> network through ARA, that the IIgs's on the local network also had access
> to the remote network.  I have tried this with no success.

I have never tried this myself (I've never even seen ARA), but I can
provide some theory.

The IIgs should be able to log on to any server that can be addressed
on its own LocalTalk segment, and also on any other AppleTalk networks
(including EtherTalk) which are connected to the LocalTalk segment via
some kind of router (these other networks will usually be a different
named AppleTalk "Zone").

As far as I know, ARA acts as a pair of half-routers, transferring
data over a serial/modem connection between two AppleTalk networks.
As long as this is a transparent routing connection, the IIgs should be
able to see any server on the other side of the connection.

The other side of the ARA connection may be a different network zone,
and should be named as such.  At the very least, you may need to
change the selected zone in the AppleShare control panel (the default
is the local zone).

One possible problem is that naming information may take a little time
to arrive.  The IIgs won't be able to log on to a server if it cannot
get its name.

Another possible problem is delays.  The IIgs might be more sensitive
than a Mac about transmission delays to and from the server.  This
would prevent reliable communications.
-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand