Apple LocalTalk interface box

[Trianon]

Hi all,

Can you connect 2 macs on an AppleTalk network with only a serial cable (as for a printer) or do you always need to the interface boxes ?
I searched the internet and it suggest it would be possible, but not working for me. I do think it should not work from what I read in the specs.

It's really difficult to find those boxes in Belgium (up to now I found only 1 as part of the big package of cables only as pick-up).
Has anybody any experience in building an alternative ?

Br,
Steve

 

[Phipli]

Can you connect 2 macs on an AppleTalk network with only a serial cable

Yup I don't even remember where my boxes are as I rarely need to connect more than two macs.

Just use a serial cable, nothing else required. Good luck!

 

[Trianon]

Thanks for the confirmation,

I will have a good look at youtube how it's done as I know the HW is good (works with ZTerminal).
Up to know I was not able to see the other computer in the list of AppleTalk control panel.

Br,
Steve

 

[Trianon]

My main goal is to write a "sceen-saver" program the runs on multiple Macs in parallel,
showing a Amiga ball (or whatever) bouncing over all the screens.
AppleTalk could be a solution to communicate to each mac where the ball will go next.

 

[Phipli]

Up to know I was not able to see the other computer in the list of AppleTalk control panel.

It will be software setup. Look for something like "setting up appleshare".

showing a Amiga ball (or whatever) bouncing over all the screens.
AppleTalk could be a solution to communicate to each mac where the ball will go next.

Yeah, there is an API for applications to communicate over the network. It's not the worst. Even HyperCard supports it - I wrote a mandatory network chat program as a kid

You do need to specifically turn it on though. There are two switches, one for applications to talk, and one for file sharing.

 

[shirsch]

I believe you need a crossover cable to wire the machines directly together.

 

[cheesestraws]

I believe you need a crossover cable to wire the machines directly together.

All official Apple serial cables are crossed over, even the ones for printers.

 

[joevt]

printer cables are cross over but modem cables are not cross over. Well, a modem cable probably won't be mini-din at both ends so it doesn't matter.

 

[finkmac]

realistically you probably won't find a non-crossed over din8 serial cable. i beeped out every single one of mine and found zero straight through ones.

 

[treellama]

realistically you probably won't find a non-crossed over din8 serial cable. i beeped out every single one of mine and found zero straight through ones.

I have one. I hate it.

 

[finkmac]

I have one. I hate it.

no, no... I needed one.. for my sun workstation keyboard! I had to buy one

 

[Trianon]

no, no... I needed one.. for my sun workstation keyboard! I had to buy one

I have both, and found this out the hard way that both are not the same.
I got one Apple (cross) cable when buying the 6300 so I made a serial connection with Zterm between 2 machines, worked file.
Took an USB to RS232 adaptor for my Windows laptop and swapped out the RS232 for RS422 driver, used my SUN cable now and worked fine.

But then a couple of days later not any more ... yes I swapped both cables !

As I understand AppleTalk (or normal serial communication) only used the 2 top left and right pins for differential signaling, so
a cheap 4 pin SVIDEO or 6 pins PS2 cable can also work if you cross the wires ? Those I can still find at a bargain price.

Instead of cutting up the wires to cross them, I plan to build a small 8 port HUB with PS2 connectors were I cross them instead.
Maybe also try if the HUB can supply a higher clock to all the Macs, oscillator + driver chip. Speed x3 x4 ...

I found many papers on AppleTalk, mostly about the API, but does it use the default asynchrony communication protocols or HDLC ?

Br,
Steve