Hello, We have a complicated mix of old and new Macs and PCs. Our LaserWriter is going bad. Since we need to replace it soon it would be a good time to upgrade our "network". Can you tell me if the following is possible?
Currently, we have a peer-to-peer Ethernet (TCP/IP) network connecting one Quadra 605, two Quadra 630s, one Bondi iMac, one new iMac, and three Windows XP PCs. Only the iMacs and the PCs need to connect to the Internet for email and the web. The three Quadras are used for some old applications for printed output only, plus they share a FileMaker Pro (version 3.0) database resident on the 605 in multi-user mode (not the server version). The three PCs print to a LaserJet by parallel connections (not TCP/IP) and the Macs all print to a LaserWriter Pro 600 over the network (through a hub) through an Ethernet to LocalTalk bridge. The LocalTalk interface is really slow for printing (for all the Macs) and for file transfer (for the iMacs and occasionally needed for the Quadras). We have benefited from the Ethernet to LocalTalk interface since LocalTalk isolates FileMaker Pro from the Internet, while allowing all the other Macs and PCs to have access over the DSL connection. We back up the Quadras by copying folders via LocalTalk to the new iMac and burning a CD. This is a really slow process. The LaserWriter Pro 600 is going bad and needs to be replaced soon. We have many, many AutoMac macros for handling printing of invoices and labels from FileMaker on the Quadra 605. We are afraid if we buy a new printer we will have to change all the macros, so would like to buy a refurbished LaserWriter Pro 600 (or 630, or whatever). Does anyone have a suggestion for improving the setup without spending very much? Could the following work? What if we bought a LaserWriter Pro 630, which has an Ethernet port built into it? Or what if we bought a LaserWriter Pro 600 plus a print server that works with OS 7-9 and OS X (for the new iMac)? Could we print out of the old Quadras and the new iMacs over TCP/IP to a networked printer, and eliminate the Ethernet to LocalTalk bridge? This would have the added benefit of allowing the PCs to print to the LaserWriter, which they cannot do now. If we did this, FileMaker Pro on the Quadra 605 would be fully exposed via TCP/IP, would it not? How could we isolate or protect it from invasion? Could we connect all the computers except the Quadra 605 via TCP/IP and just connect the Quadra 605 via LocalTalk? Or is there a way to connect the Quadra 605 via TCP/IP and still isolate FileMaker Pro from the Internet? We do not now have the ability to encrypt files or even password protect that computer. (I may be able to limit that computer's access to the Internet from the router; I don't know.) Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks very much, Gene -- Quadlist is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Enter To Win A | -- Canon PowerShot Digital Cameras start at $299 | Free iBook! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> Quadlist info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/quadlist.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/quadlist%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
