Re: Appletalked GS under Linux

[shack@deimos.frii.com (Randy Shackelford)]

In article <33b10248.0@news2.ibm.net>,
Steven N. Hirsch <shirsch@ibm.net> wrote:

[snip]

>: You'd need a hardware router to convert the ethertalk coming from linux to
>: localtalk for the IIgs. I have a Kinetics Fastpath 4 box which does that very
>: thing on my home network. Can't comment on how linux would work with it since
>: I only have Apple hardware which includes two Macs on ethernet plus a IIgs
>: and three localtalk printers on my network.
>: -- 
>
>The Kinetics FastPath 4 is indeed the answer for IIgs <--> Linux
>networking.  There _is_ driver support under Linux for the Apple
>LocalTalk PC card, but it has severe problems interoperating with a
>IIgs (though it will work against a IIe Workstation card).
>
>I picked up a bunch of the LTPC cards and three FastPaths for < $50 at
>a flea market.  The FastPaths work fine, but you must install a fan
>(where did you physically mount it Randy?) or run them with the case
>off.  Someone didn't do their homework on heat dissipation, and they
>will overheat and go braindead if left to their own devices.

Just to make sure we're talking the same thing, my Fastpath 4 is a metal box
with roughly the same dimensions as a Disk II. A buddy recently got a Fastpath
5R, which he describes as being meant to be rack mounted. Guess that's what 
the R is for. So I didn't "mount" mine anywhere per se, it just sits on a
shelf in the cabinet which holds my printers. I've never run mine for more
than a few hours at a time, and it does get hot, but not to the overheating
point as far as I can tell. I was noticing not too long ago that there is
one of those boxes in a computer room at work, and I'd bet that it's on 24/7.

BTW that sounds like a screaming deal on the Fastpaths and localtalk cards.
-- 
Randy Shackelford                                 
shack@frii.com