[EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> said: > Have several macs w ethernet, cable modem on one > machine only, some preinstalled 4 pair cable in my > new home which meet in the cellar. Want about 8 > locations for ethernet/high speed internet. Will have > one room w 2 or 3 computers & network printer. > should those be on their own hub which can be > connected to another central hub (or router)? Would > like to be able to plug in to internet on entire network. > Have no hubs or router yet. Want to use an older > machine for streaming internet music to stereo and > filer server. > > 6100/60 ethernet > 7100/66 ethernet > brandnew imac 600 mhz > Performa 550 (no ethernet) > May use my performa 6300 cd > epson stylus c80 (ethernet card to come unless I can > configure one computer to be print server) > mac 128 in attic <g> > se 30 is beside it > more....
I can comment on some of this. Put router between cable modem and one or more machines. Put hub in any other room that will have more than one ethernet machine. Put hub in cellar. We need more info on your printer. You decide to make it ethernet capable or use the USB off the iMac. Other folks on this list can advise you on how to go in either case. I believe you will need an Epson software "driver" on each computer from which to print. The question then is whether such drivers are available for the older Systems like 8.1, 7.6, and 7.1. About a year ago, there was a shareware/freeware product from England specifically to reach Epson printers form various Macs. I could look for the web link if you are interested or you might find it with a Sherlock search for something like: "Epson software." Putting a USB adaptor on one of the old computers just to run the printer begs for unnecessary complication. I suspect only the iMac can perform well in streaming music. Either the 6100 or 7100 can be a nice file server, maybe the 6300 too, depending on the hard drive capacity and the size of your files. No reason why you can't have more than one server. The 6300 did not come new with an ethernet card. You can replace the old modem card in the communications slot or install a different card in the processor direct slot (PDS). The 550 also can take an ethernet card in the PDS. For $100 or less for one bridge plus connectors, you can connect the Mac 128 and the SE 30 in the same room to a "newer" computer (but not the iMac). Look at the AsanteTalk 10Base-T to LocalTalk box. These "attic" computers will not run ethernet in this configuration. You get a capability to transfer files and do e-mail within the LocalTalk network; I don't know if you can do internet e-mail or browse the internet. Maybe the old beta Mosaic browser will work on some web sites. You can find all the pieces you need from Asante and Farallon, at their web sites or in the catalogs like MacZone and MacWarehouse. Also, Asante and MacSense and a few other router manufacturers support Macintosh. And take a look at the XRouterPro link in the sponsor's listings for this e-list. I recommend one of these for anyone who does not care to learn or know about the way routers work on PCs. There are other popular router brands like Linksys and D-Link (I think) which do not support Macintosh, but which work fine for knowledgeable Mac tech-n-o-gurus. To further investigate your options, look at: http://www.knowledgehound.com/topics/networks.htm http://www.threemacs.com./network/index.html http://www.mac512.com/index.html http://www.firewallguide.com/ http://www.sustworks.com/ Most hardware routers come with built-in firewall capabilities. With IPNetRouter from sustworks, you can go the software route. But for what I see of your purposes, I'd stick with a hardware box. Looks like a nice hobby shop! -- Al Poulin Anger, hate, and revenge are for the devil, forgiveness is for God, proactive self-defense is for the rest of us. -- MacNetwork is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... XRouter Pro | Share your DSL or cable modem between multiple computers! Dr. Bott | Only $199 <http://www.drbott.com/prod/MIH130.html> Now shipping! Farallon Wireless SkyLINE PCI Card for Mac Desktops! <http://www.farallon.com/le/skyline/pci/index.html> Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> MacNetwork list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/macnet.html> Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/macnetwork%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Macintosh? Get free email and more at Applelinks! <http://www.applelinks.com>
