Open Transport 1.1 Read Me
Introduction
This Read Me document contains late-breaking information about Open Transport compatibility, add-on software, and solutions to known problems with third-party software. For instructions about how to use the Open Transport control panels (AppleTalk and TCP/IP), use Macintosh Guide, available from the Guide (question mark) menu. For technical information about Open Transport, see "Open Transport Technical Info."
Network Software Selector
The Network Software Selector (NSS) enables users of most 68030, 68040, and early PowerPC-based computers to choose between Open Transport networking software and classic AppleTalk if both are installed. (You must restart the computer for the change to take effect.) PCI-based computers support only Open Transport. NSS is in the Apple Extras folder; information on using it is built into the application.
NSS is intended to ease the transition to Open Transport by allowing you to use the older networking software if there is a compatibility problem with an application and Open Transport. Once the problem is resolved, you should switch back to Open Transport.
NOTE: Because MacTCP is incompatible with Open Transport v.1.1, MacTCP is disabled any time Open Transport is selected using the Network Software Selector. (Open Transport uses the TCP/IP control panel instead of MacTCP.) If, however, you reselect classic AppleTalk, MacTCP will be enabled again, but you will need to re-enter the IP settings in the MacTCP control panel.
* For users of the older networking software, this update includes MacTCP
2.0.6, which
- shortens retransmission delays
- prevents potential out-of-memory errors
- makes configuring communications easier
- gives users more control over which servers to contact and in what order
Network Interface Options
Open Transport 1.1 supports PCI bus, NuBus, communications slot, and PC-card network interface cards as well as built-in LocalTalk and ethernet network adapters. For Macintosh models without expansion options, Open Transport supports SCSI-attached network adapters.
Third party network interface options available for Open Transport include fast ethernet, ATM, and FDDI.
Compatibility
Open Transport is compatible with:
* existing applications that use AppleTalk as specified by Apple Computer,
Inc.
* existing applications that use MacTCP as specified by Apple Computer,
Inc.
* existing devices (such as printers) that you select in the Chooser
* existing NuBus network interface cards
Open Transport is compatible with existing AppleTalk, TCP/IP LocalTalk and ethernet networks. Macintosh computers running Open Transport can be added to an existing network without upgrading other computers on the network.
Dial-up Network Connectivity
For connectivity to AppleTalk networks, Open Transport supports Apple Remote Access version 2.0.1 or later.
For dial-up connectivity to TCP/IP networks, including the Internet, Open Transport supports third party MacTCP software extensions known as Link Access Modules, or "mdevs." Serial Line Interface Protocol (SLIP) and Point to Point Protocol (PPP) connectivity are provided through mdevs.
With the appropriate mdev installed, you use either SLIP (Serial Line Interface Protocol) or PPP (Point to Point Protocol) to connect to Internet Service Providers and other dial-up IP-access points. However, not all versions of all mdevs are supported by Open Transport 1.1. For best results, be sure to use the versions of software recommended below.
Open Transport 1.1 recognizes the following MacTCP mdevs. When installed on your system, they are available in the "Connect Via:" pop-up menu in the TCP/IP control panel:
* FreePPP - version 1.0.4 or later
* MacPPP - version 2.1.4 SD or later (version 2.2.0 is not recommended).
* InterPPP - version 1.2.9 or later
* InterPPP II - version 1.1 or later
* InterSLIP - version 1.0.1 or later
* MacSLIP - version 3.0.2 or later
* VersaTerm SLIP - version 1.1.4 or later
* Sonic PPP - version 1.0.2 or later
* AOL Link - the most current version is recommended
In addition, there are a number of third party PPP mdevs (including Pacer PPP, FCR PPP and Tribe PPP) which have a common technology base and as a result are indistinguishable from one another to Open Transport. When installed, these appear in the "Connect Via:" pop-up menu in the TCP/IP control panel as "TCP/IP PPP."
NFS/Share 1.3.x and 1.4 are not compatible with Open Transport. To use NFS/Share with Open Transport, you must contact Intercon to obtain a version of NFS/Share that is compatible with Open Transport.
For more information on Open Transport compatibility, contact the developer of the software you want to use.
Obtaining Connectivity Software
FreePPP is shareware and can be found on a variety of Internet sites; typically at "info-mac" mirror sites in the comm/tcp/conn directory. A list of info-mac mirror sites can currently be found at:
http://www.info-mac.com/mirrored.html
Some sites where FreePPP can be found currently include:
ftp://mirrors.aol.com/pub/info-mac/comm/tcp/conn/
ftp://mirror.apple.com/mirrors/Info-Mac.Archive/comm/tcp/conn/
MacPPP version 2.1.4 is available as a part of the Apple Internet Connection Kit. For fax information in the US, contact Apple Computer Inc., at 800-462-4396. To locate an Apple reseller near you in the US, call 800-538-9696.
InterPPP, InterPPP II, and NFS/Share are commercial software products. For availability and ordering information in the US, contact InterCon Systems at 800-468-7266 or 703-709-5500.
MacSLIP is commercial software developed by Hyde Park Software. For availability and ordering information in the US, contact TriSoft at 800-531-5170 or 512-472-0744.
VersaTerm SLIP is commercial software developed by Synergy Software. For availability and ordering information in the US, contact Synergy at 610-779-0522.
SonicPPP is commercial software developed by Sonic Systems, Inc. For availability and ordering information in the US, contact Sonic Systems at 408-736-1900 (voice) 408-736-7228 (fax).
MacPPP and FreePPP
If you experience problems using MacPPP or FreePPP when Virtual Memory is turned on, try turning off Virtual Memory. To find out how to turn off Virtual Memory, see the topic "How do I use hard disk space as memory" in Macintosh Guide, available from the Guide (question mark) menu.
PowerBooks that are updated with the PowerPC Upgrade Card
If you have a PowerBook that is upgraded with the PowerPC Upgrade Card, the AutoRemounter control panel may not work when you are using Open Transport. If you select "After Sleep" instead of "Always" in the AutoRemounter control panel,your computer will reconnect to shared volumes when you wake the PowerBook. It may take approximately 20 seconds to remount the shared volumes.