Re: Best Way to Serve My II's

[apple2pd@garp3.icaen.uiowa.edu (ground.ecn AppleII Librarian)]

In article <3a8999bc.351009276@news1.on.sympatico.ca>,
Jeff Blakeney <CUTjefbla@bconnex.net> wrote:
>On Mon, 12 Feb 2001 21:28:57 GMT, "Simon Biber"
><simon@basilisk2.cjb.net> wrote:
>
>>Would it be possible to write drivers that take advantage of the Appletalk
>>support already in the GS-OS and/or firmware to support Ethertalk on the
>>LANceGS?
  ...
>Apple did create a system for doing AppleTalk over Ethernet which I
>believe they call EtherTalk, so it should be entirely doable on a IIgs
>with a LANceGS card.  I'm just not sure who or when such a project
>will be done.
>

I don't mean to add any misinformation to this topic, however my memory
recalls the following background.  System 6.0.1 _was_ written with
support for the 'soon to released' Apple Ethernet card.  (I recall this
was Ethertalk support, not general TCP/IP).  When Apple canceled the
Ethernet card release, GS/OS System 6.0.1 was ready to ship - only to be
delayed 6 months or so.  I believe Dave Lyons removed ethernet support
only cosmetically.  That is, the control panel, driver, etc. was removed
that were apparent to the user, but any imbedded support in the kernel
etc. was left.  (I quite sure you can scan for error msgs relating to
Ethertalk/Ethernet etc.).  So if someone could write an equivalent driver
and control panel, I think GS/OS would handle it.  The chance of this
happening for the LanceGS or other ethernet cards is very small, unless
someone (like Dave) from Apple with knowledge of the OS would do it.

Still, ethernet cards can be used and supported without the need for tight
integration with the OS.  That is what is neat about a modular OS like
GS/OS.  Software design specifics or guidleines from Apple C. Inc
would help.  Dave Lyons used to scan csa2.programmer at times.  Any
ethernet discussion in that group might provoke a response from Dave.

Ewen Wannop, Spectrum author, is probably the most knowlegable active II
programmer about supporing Ethernet cards and TCP/IP on the IIGS.

  --Steve
-- 

 --Steve  (apple2pd@ground.ecn.uiowa.edu)