Re: Simple IIGS-Mac network - boy i feel stupid

[lacoss@cello.gina.calstate.edu (LA County Outdoor Science School)]

ag471@yfn.ysu.edu (Eric S. Ford) writes:
> 1.  Are external hard drives (attached to the Mac server, of course) also
> "accessible" through an Appletalk network or just the internals?

Yup.  No problem.  As far as I know, there is really no difference 
between internal and external drives as far as the SCSI bus is 
concerned.  The only difference is how it is mounted and powered.
> 
> 2.  An IWII attached to a GS via Appletalk requires its own Appletalk card,
> what about an IWII connected to a Mac server?  Can it be shared via Appletalk
> without its own card?  What about a DeskJet 500?

I'm not positive on this one, but I don't think a network between a GS 
and Mac would give you access to printers directly connected to the Mac.  
To use the IW via the network, you have to have it on the network and 
with an AppleTalk card.

> 3.  What is the oldest Mac (i.e. cheapest alternative) that will support the
> role of server and accept external, scsi drives?

A Mac+ will work.  You might be able to do it with a 512 if you had 
third-party memory upgrade board and SCSI board.  But Plus's are so cheap 
now, that I don't think it would be worth fiddling around with anything 
lower.  You will need to upgrade the Mac+ to 4 megs to use it as a server.

> 4.  What is the longest "practical" distance between server and client?

I think localtalk cabling can be a couple thousand feet with no problem.  
For longer than that you would need a repeater to boost the signal 
strength.

> 5.  Where can I read about all this type stuff on my own and avoid imposing
> my ignorance on others, however willing they might be to help?

Look in Mac books that talk about networking for the general network 
stuff.  Then ask here for the GS specifics (and IIe, too).

Greg
--
-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-
Los Angeles County Outdoor Science School - Colby Ranch site
Internet email: lacoss@cello.gina.calstate.edu       Phone: (818)792-0160

Please note: This is a multi-user account.  If sending email to a 
specific person, include their name in the subject line.  Thanks.