Re: net start w/multi zones

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

Andy Charrier <charrier@spacestar.net> wrote:

> Short overview:  A single AppleTalk net over Apple's old AppleTalk
> connectors and cabling.  The net is split into 3 zones.

I assume you mean LocalTalk cabling.  You must have some kind of router
to support AppleTalk zones at all.  In addition, LocalTalk doesn't
support multiple zones on a single cable segment, so your router(s) must
be connected to at least three cable segments.  This might mean some
delays are occurring.

> In one of the zones is the file server that the AppleIIgs computer use
> to boot from. The IIgs comptuers are in a zone separate from the file
> server.
> 
> Problem: If I put the IIgs into the same zone as the server, it boots.
> When I put it in a different zone, it gives the dreaded "Check Startup
> Device" message.

It isn't clear from the technical documentation on the II and IIgs
Appletalk implementation, but I get the distinct impression that the
boot process only works if the server is in the same zone as the IIgs.

There is a good reason for this: the AppleTalk firmware in a ROM 01 IIgs
contains a bare minimum version of the protocols that supports nothing
more than booting over the network.  It almost certainly doesn't include
support for accessing other zones.

Do you have access to a ROM 3 IIgs?  It might support booting from
another zone, as it has more AppleTalk features in ROM.

> Question: Can I get the IIgs to see across zones when scan for a startup
> across the AppleTalk network?

Very unlikely.
  
> Alternative: Am I better off just booting from the floppy disk drive and
> running only the apps (instead of apps and OS) from the server?  

One other option would be to set up a small server in same zone as the
IIgs computers.  This server would allow the machines to boot over the
network, but you wouldn't actually log onto it.

This is probably better than the floppy boot method, because it means
you can have more software available on the boot volume.

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