appletalk retirement project FAQ

1. Will AppleTalk routing be discontinued in phases or all at once?

   This is under discussion. It is certainly possible to turn off AppleTalk routing for a department before September 1st, 2003 by departmental request.

2. What is AppleTalk?

   When Apple introduced the LaserWriter it was a relatively expensive piece of equipment that could only be afforded by work groups. A method was needed to share this printer among multiple users. AppleTalk was created so that users could locate and access LaserWriters as a shared resource. Some models of the ImageWriter could also be accessed via AppleTalk.

   AppleTalk was included as part of the standard Apple system software and it made an attractive method for implementing other networking functions. For many years, TCP/IP was an add-on package to MacOS. Personal file sharing, introduced in System 7, used AppleTalk for sharing files over LocalTalk or Ethernet. Vendors implementing client/server applications used AppleTalk as a method for sharing information between computers.

   With the explosive growth of the Internet, TCP/IP became the de facto standard for networking. Makers of other networking protocols such as AppleTalk and IPX/SPX have been focusing on moving their support to TCP/IP to allow users to connect to resources locally or globally.

3. What is AppleTalk routing?

   Routing is used to transport AppleTalk traffic from one subnet to another. A secondary feature is that AppleTalk routers create the AppleTalk zones so familiar to Macintosh users.

4. Will my Mac look and work differently after AppleTalk is retired?

   AppleTalk routers create AppleTalk zones; these zones will no longer appear in the Chooser. All devices within the local subnet will now appear in a single zone. Printers and file servers outside the local subnet will not appear and will be not be accessible via AppleTalk.

5. How will I access printers after AppleTalk routing is discontinued?

   You can continue to access printers via the Chooser only if they are on the local subnet. For printers not on the local subnet you will need to use TCP/IP.

   For laptop users, it may be desirable to connect to printers using TCP/IP so that printers will be available if you roam into other subnets. For example, some buildings (for example, Terman Engineering) have multiple subnets. A wired or wireless connection in a conference room may not be on the same subnet as the connection in your office.

   Under MacOS 9 and earlier versions you cannot use the Chooser to create a desktop printer that uses TCP/IP. You will need to use a separate program called the "Desktop Printer Utility." Instructions for creating Desktop printers using TCP/IP can be found here.

6. Can all printers be accessed via TCP/IP?

   Most HP printers with Ethernet interfaces (also called JetDirect interfaces) can be accessed via TCP/IP. Some Apple printers also support printing via TCP/IP. These are:

   • LaserWriter 8500
   • LaserWriter 12/640PS
   • Color LaserWriter 12/660PS
   • Color LaserWriter 12/600PS
   • LaserWriter 16/600PS
   • LaserWriter Pro 810

7. Under OS 9, how can I tell if a printer icon on the desktop uses TCP/IP?

   Select the desktop printer, go to the File menu, and select Get Info. Printers that use TCP/IP will have the identifier "(LPR)" listed in the "Kind" descriptions. These printers will also have their Internet address listed and a queue name. Printers that utilize AppleTalk will have a name and a zone list in this window. See Printing How-To for more information.

8. How can I access AppleShare file servers using TCP/IP?

   The file server and the client must be able to use the Apple File Protocol (AFP) using TCP/IP. For serving files—making files available on your computer to others—MacOS 9.0 or later is required. An alternative is to use the special AppleShare IP fileserver software 5.0 or later. Clients accessing the server must be running the AppleShare client version 3.8 or later. You can display the version of the AppleShare client by selecting the file called AppleShare in the Extensions folder, going to the File menu and selecting Get Info. Note that AppleShare Client 3.8 can be retrofitted onto a system running system 7.6 and Open Transport 1.1.2 or later.

   See File Sharing How-To for instructions on accessing file servers using MacOS 9.

   For machines running OS X, select Connect to Server under the Go menu. Type the TCP/IP address in the "Address" box and click the Connect button.

9. How can I tell if a mounted file server volume is being shared using TCP/IP?

   Click on the disk that is mounted on the desktop, go to the File menu and select Get Info. Under the "Where" section of the Get Info window a shared disk will be listed as "via TCP/IP."

10. How can I share my files with others using TCP/IP?

    The ability to share files became available with MacOS 9 or with the special AppleShareIP add-on software. If you need to share files with others outside your subnet, you should strongly consider upgrading your OS to version 9. It is not recommended to use an AppleShareIP system as a desktop system.

    To make files available over TCP/IP under MacOS 9, open the File Sharing control panel. Click the check box Enable file sharing clients to connect using TCP/IP. Click the Start button located in the middle of the File Sharing window.

11. What do I tell others who want to access my computer via TCP/IP?

    Give them your IP address or the TCP/IP name of your computer. Note that the TCP/IP name is likely to be different from the AppleTalk name. The AppleTalk name might be something like, "My Computer." Your TCP/IP name will be something like, "xxxxxx.stanford.edu."

12. If I use TCP/IP to share files, does that mean that I can also share files with Windows users via TCP/IP?

    In general, no. Mac and Windows use TCP/IP to make the connection necessary for file sharing but they use different protocols.

13. What should I do to prepare for the retirement of AppleTalk?

    Examine the usage of your printers and file servers. Determine if any of these resources need to be accessed from outside your subnet. If so, you may need to take steps to make these systems available via TCP/IP. This might involve software upgrades or new hardware.

    Also examine any other software that uses AppleTalk in your department. Determine if you need access to this system from outside your subnet. If so, you should contact the vendor for updated software that uses TCP/IP or investigate purchasing software that supports TCP/IP.

14. I have questions and concerns about AppleTalk retirement.

    If you have questions about your use of AppleTalk and how it impacts your department, submit a HelpSU request. A staff member will work with you to assess your needs.