Re: Stupid GS Networking Question

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

Ron Evry <revry@clark.net> wrote:

> Hey folks,
> 
> The school I work at has about 30 Apple IIgs computers. We recently
> purchased the site license for Apple II MECC software ($250 from The
> Learning Company -- worth it) and I am trying to set up an Appletalk
> network to run the Mecc stuff. Using a donated LCII as a server and a
> slew of phone net connectors, I set up System 6.0.1 floppies in the GSes
> and found that the network will not go beyond ten GSes.

I assume you are using System 7.x File Sharing on the server?  If so,
you've just discovered one of its inherent limits.  Changing computers
will make no difference.

To be able to have more than ten clients, you will have to run the full
AppleShare server software.

If you use AppleShare version 3.0, the IIgses can even boot over the
network and won't require a local boot disk.

If you use AppleShare 4.0 or later, you lose the network boot
capability, but in theory the Apple IIgses should still be able to use
the server (I've never used anything later than 3.0).

You probably cannot run AppleShare 2.x on an LC III, because it only
runs under Mac System 6.x.

Apart from the number of users, the full AppleShare server adds many
useful features, such as administration tools, potentially acting as a
print server, and faster performance.  It ties up more resources on the
machine than File Sharing.

AppleShare is commercial, but you might be able to get hold of a cheap
copy of version 3 from somewhere.


As far as the multiple server option goes: that should work fine.  If
you have no need to communicate over the network between the servers, it
would be a good idea to break the network up into separate segments
(server and its block of clients).  This will reduce confusion for the
users (seeing more than one server), and will improve network
performance.

In particular, note that LocalTalk is only intended to support a maximum
of 32 devices per network segment.  If you want 30ish or more computers
on the same network, you should be using a router (which physically
separates the network segments).

-- 
David Empson
dempson@actrix.gen.nz
Snail mail: P.O. Box 27-103, Wellington, New Zealand