Re: Networking a //e

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

In article <dakidd-1504950210500001@192.0.2.1>,
Don Bruder <dakidd@cris.com> wrote:
>  
> Well, simply put, I'd like to attach the //e to the mini-net we have so
> that it can be used as (at least) a dumb-terminal and still be able to get
> to the modems through Appletalk/Phonenet. Can anybody tell me what
> hardware/software I would need to do this?

Yes and no.

Yes, you can connect to the Phonenet network (running AppleTalk).  To
do this, you need an "Apple II Workstation Card", which implements the
AppleTalk protocols.  It only works in an enhanced IIe, so you are OK
there.  You may have trouble finding one, though.  It should come with
enough documentation and software to get you started.

No, you cannot access the modem through the network.  No software has
ever been written allowing an Apple II to do this, and no comms
software will handle it either.

All you can do with a network connection is to access networked
printers (only the ImageWriter, if it is eventually connected) and file
servers.

The DeskWriter cannot be accessed from any 8-bit Apple II program
because none know how to print graphics on it, and it doesn't support
ASCII text output.  If there was an Apple LaserWriter on the network,
you could also print to that after downloading an "ImageWriter
Emulator" to it (supplied with the workstation card).

Regarding file servers: either of the Macs, if running System 7, can
be set up to run "File Sharing".  You can then access files on their
hard drives from the IIe, after logging on using the "Chooser II"
application, which is included with the workstation card.

> If I could get the thing attached to the mini-net here in the house,
> and then use either the #1 or #2 (Almost certainly #2) machine
> primarily as a router into the internet...

No-one has written software to support TCP/IP on a IIe (at least,
no-one has _realeased_ any).  It should be possible, in theory, to
send TCP/IP packets over the AppleTalk connection, encapsulated in
AppleTalk packets, and get one of the Macs to send them out over an
Ethernet connection to an Internet gateway machine.
-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand