Re: Need help with IIgs Appletalk

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

In article <4mm9pi$3cn@pollux.usc.edu>,
James Lockwood <jlockwoo@pollux.usc.edu> wrote:
>
> I'm a IIgs user from way back (1986) and have finally gotten my hands on
> an old ROM 0 IIgs, 1.25MB.  It feels good to be back.
> 
> I would like to network this machine to an SE/30 running System 7.1 via
> Appletalk and be able to access shared partitions under ProDOS 8.  I
> believe that the ProDOS 8 Chooser program came on my original Apple IIgs
> system disk but it is long gone.

ProDOS-8 on the IIgs has never supported file server access, UNLESS
you boot via GS/OS or ProDOS-16.  Another option is to boot from the
server, which requires the full AppleShare server software, version 3.x
(NOT 4.x) if you are running System 7.  You will also need a IIgs
running recent system software in order to set up the server properly.

Apple released an old "Apple II Workstation Software" disk, which was
based on System 3.2, or thereabouts.  This would work on a ROM 0, but
would require booting via ProDOS-16 to access the server.

The first version of GS/OS (System 4.0) didn't have file server
support at all, and it was reinstated in System 5.0.  This is a much
better implementation than earlier versions.

To use GS/OS, you will have to upgrade the ROM to version 01, which
may be tricky to get hold of.

You also need at least 1 MB of RAM to use AppleTalk (768KB is OK with
System 5.0.2 or earlier).

> Does anyone have blow by blow instructions on how to get this set up
> and where to obtain the software? 

I can reconstruct it again if I can't find an old copy I posted.  The
main problem is working out where you are going to be starting from.

> Will the standard System 7 filesharing be enough on the Mac end?

Yes, but it won't let you boot the IIgs over the network (you have to
boot locally and then mount the file server).

> Where can the Appletalk FAQ be found?

You're talking to the Apple II AppleTalk FAQ.  :-)

> How many volumes can be mounted on a IIgs at once?

Under ProDOS-8: 14, normally two per slot.  I'm not sure how AppleTalk
deals with unit numbers (they are faked anyway), but the number of
network volumes will be limted to (14 minus number of local devices).

(In theory, 16 volumes can be supported by the ON_LINE call, but this
may be limited to 14 to avoid compatibility errors with programs that
make too many assumptions.)

Under GS/OS: the AppleShare FST supports 14 online volumes, plus you
can have lots more local ones.

Note: for ProDOS-8 to be able to access a file server volume, the hard
drive name must meet ProDOS naming restrictions.  The same applies to
any folder or file that is to be accessed by ProDOS-8 programs.  GS/OS
has no such limits.

> Also:  the power supply seems to be flaky.  Are the pinouts available
> anywhere?

The hardware reference documents the internal power connector.
(Hunting through shelf...)

The pins are numbered from 1 to 7.  Pin 1 is closest to the front of
the computer.  They are:

7   -5 volts           250 mA
6   -12 volts          250 mA
5   +12 volts            1 A
4   +5 volts             4 A
3   No connection
2   Ground
1   Ground

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