Great answers, Jeff! Great primer on the LaserWriter II port issue. I had initially plugged it in just thinking it was a serial port and should print regardless of networking status, but your answer explained why this isn't true.
OK -- let's dig a little deeper here on the solutions side. The reason this whole scenario has come up is because I only have two Ethernet jacks on the wall with my computer (those jacks connecting eventually to a 16-port hub in my house). I used to have my 8600 and the LW connected to those jacks. Now, for my business, I'm using some Windows VPN software using Virtual PC5. The VPN software won't allow me to create a secure tunnel while sharing Internet access with the Mac side, so I had to install a PCI ethernet card and give the PC side its own network access and IP number. So, now I have the Mac side running off the Ethernet built-in and the PC side running off the Ethernet PCI, which takes up both Ethernet jacks on my wall. Thus, I have no Ethernet jack on that wall for my LaserWriter. My options were to move the printer or connect it directly to the 8600, and if you've ever lifted a LaserWriter IIg, you understand why I don't want to move it. :-) I've got three realistic solutions here, and I'm open to input on which would be the best option: 1) Use LocalTalk bridge, allowing Appletalk on both printer and ethernet ports, BUT possibly running into OS issues. 2) Forget Appletalk over the network, give Appletalk over to the printer port for the IIg, and rely on TCP File Sharing on the network instead of using Appletalk. I've heard this option is faster than LocalTalk Bridge. But what am I missing out on if I forego Appletalk? I use Timbuktu Pro on the network, but it seems I can run that on just TCP. What else would I be missing? 3) Install another hub at my computer location (I've got a 5-port somewhere), connecting the LaserWriter and 8600 Ethernet built-in to that hub, and then using just one Ethernet jack for the printer and 8600 Ethernet, while allowing the PC Ethernet to have its own jack so it can run my VPN connections directly. If this is the option, I'll need some advice as to how to make the connection to the central 16-port hub. Do it connect the cable from the 5-port to the 16-port's uplink jack or any of the other jacks on the 16-port? Which of these options is the best? Jeff Walther wrote: > >Okay, that's the problem. There are at least three possible solutions: > >1) The IIg comes equipped with an ethernet port. Just hook the >thing up to your ethernet hub with an ethernet cable. Assuming you >have a hub and have a spare port. But hubs are super cheap. Get a >simple 8 port ethernet hub for under $30 and you're set. > >2) Get the LocalTalk Bridge or LaserWriter Bridge software and >install that on your Mac. That will let you use AppleTalk on both >your printer port and your ethernet ports. There may be issues with >compatibility with later OS versions. > >3) Get an AsanteTalk LocalTalk to Ethernet bridge. Use it to >bridge from your ethnernet network to the LocalTalk port on the >printer. I'm not sure why you would do this, when you could just >hook the printer directly to the ehternet, but maybe your enet port >on the printer is busted or something. -- PCI-PowerMacs is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- Sonnet & PowerLogix Upgrades - start at $169 | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> PCI-PowerMacs list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/pci-powermacs.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; 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/pci-powermacs%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
