>Do I have to have a dedicated Mac server and ethernet network to support
>the 56K line? I know that theoretically LocalTalk can support TCP/IP,
>but is it feasible. I'm trying to do the most that I can with limited $.
>I would appreciate any input or advice.
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You will probably need a Mac Server for a mail server, web server, and
maybe DNS if your Internet service provider is not providing those
services,but you may be able to pay them to provide those services. The
Apple Internet Mail Server is free. People are running it on basically any
Macintosh incuding old Mac SE's. Web server software is available for
either shareware fees or educational discount pricing. For so few
computers, I wouldn't worry about it being dedicated. You just have to
make sure you leave it turned on.
If you want to use localtalk and save yourself the price of a hub (approx.
$100-$150 for 5-8 ports) and ethernet cards (approx.$80), you can take
advantage of Apple's IP Gateway ($137) software and probably their
LocalTalk Bridge ($54) software.
You'll probably need an ethernet card in at least one machine to connect to
your router (I'd use 10BASE T with a crossover cable between the computer
and the router if you don't buy a hub- people make them all the time) which
in turn is connected to your CSU/DSU and 56K line. That machine could run
the "bridge" software to get to LocalTalk, the "IP Gateway" software, and
mail server software.
Most of my schools want to use both localtalk and ethernet. They are
either using the combination above, although they usually have more
computers and we substitute the Apple Basic Internet Router Software ($274)
for the "bridge" so they can split up their localtalk and make zones; or we
use a TribeStar ($1600) with the IP upgrade to bridge localtalk and
ethernet and split up the localtalk into 8 branches.
Larry
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Larry Niebur, Coordinator of Computer Services
Northern Trails AEA
PO Box M lniebur@aea2.k12.ia.us
Clear Lake IA 50428 Phone: 515-357-6125 Fax: 515-357-3201
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