Apple Remote Access MultiPort Server 2.1.1 Read Me
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This document provides late-breaking news about the Apple Remote Access MultiPort Server that is not covered in the "Apple Remote Access MultiPort Server Administrator's Guide." You may need to refer to that guide to understand the use of several terms in this document, and you may want to print this document to keep with your user's guide.
Modem Scripts
=============
The Remote Access MultiPort Server supports any Hayes-compatible 9600-bps or higher-speed modem so long as the appropriate modem script is available. Scripts for some of the most popular modems are provided on the Apple Remote Access MultiPort Server installation disks. You can also use 9600-bps or higher-speed modem scripts included with the Apple Remote Access Personal Server/Client for Macintosh software. Alternatively, if you're familiar with connection control languages (CCLs), you can write an appropriate script for your modem by using the "Apple Remote Access Scripting Guide" and the Modem WorkShop software, which are included with the Apple Remote Access MultiPort Server.
If an appropriate script is not included, and you do not choose to write a script, you should contact your modem manufacturer. The contact information for some modem manufacturers is contained at the end of this note.
Beginning with version 2.1.1 of the Apple Remote Access MultiPort Server, modem scripts are no longer stored in the Extensions Folder. A new folder called "Modem Scripts" within the Extensions Folder is created by Apple Remote Access to hold modem scripts.
The Apple Remote Access MultiPort Server Installer will move any existing scripts you may already have in your Extensions Folder to the new Modem Scripts folder in addition to placing scripts for all the modems listed above into the Modem Scripts folder.
Future remote access products from Apple will also use the Modem Scripts folder. However, there will be a transition period before other products are updated to use the new folder. Some existing products may install modem scripts into the Extensions Folder. If such a product is installed after Apple Remote Access MultiPort Server 2.1.1, you will have to open your Extensions Folder and drag the scripts into the Modem Scripts folder in order for Apple Remote Access MultiPort Server to recognize the script.
Adding Additional Ports
=======================
Apple no longer sells the Apple Remote Access MultiPort 4-Port Expansion Kits; add additional ports by buying additional server packages and installing the cards into the same machine.
Open Transport Compatibility
============================
The MultiPort Server does not rely upon nor does it install Apple's new Open Transport networking architecture. As of this writing, however, the MultiPort server is compatible with machines running Open Transport.
Using a Remote Access MultiPort Server With an Apple Internet Router
====================================================================
The Apple Remote Access MultiPort Server may be installed on a Macintosh computer along with an Apple Internet Router version 3.0.1 or later, and the two applications can be active concurrently. If you have Apple Internet Router 3.0 installed, you must upgrade to Apple Internet Router 3.0.1 before installing the MultiPort Server.
NOTE: Apple Internet Router is not compatible with Open Transport, and thus can not run on a Macintosh computer with PCI bus.
Using the Remote Access MultiPort Server With AppleShare
========================================================
The Apple Remote Access MultiPort Server may be installed on a Macintosh computer along with AppleShare version 4.0.1 or later. The Apple Remote Access MultiPort Server and AppleShare can be active concurrently.
Using the Remote Access MultiPort Server With Macintosh File Sharing
====================================================================
You cannot use the Remote Access MultiPort Server software concurrently with System 7 Macintosh file sharing. When you start the Remote Access Manager program, you will be asked to convert the Users & Groups Data File. After it is converted, only Remote Access Manager and AppleShare 4.0.1 (or later) can use the Users & Groups Data File.
Using the Remote Access MultiPort Server With the Built-in Serial Ports
=======================================================================
The built-in serial ports in your Macintosh are not available for use with the Remote Access MultiPort Server.
Automatically Starting the Remote Access MultiPort Server
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If you want the MultiPort Server to start automatically after you restart your computer, or if you want the server to restart after a power failure, place the Remote Access Manager application (or an alias) in the Startup Items folder, located in the System Folder. The MultiPort Server will only start automatically if it was running the last time you quit the Remote Access Manager application.
Printing the Remote Access MultiPort Server Log
===============================================
For best results when printing the Remote Access Manager server log:
1. Choose Page Setup from the File menu.
2. Click the Landscape icon (the icon showing a horizontal format) in the Orientation section of the dialog box.
3. Enter 70% in the Reduce or Enlarge box.
4. Click OK.
Using the Remote Access MultiPort Server With a Security Zone
=============================================================
If a security zone is advertised by a network router, make sure the security zone is available when Remote Access Manager ports are configured and turned on. Otherwise users will be disconnected and the port turned off when they attempt to dial in. See the "Apple Remote Access Security Zone Read Me" file (on the "Apple Remote Access MultiPort Server Toolkit" disk) for more information.
Zone Lists and Server Performance
=================================
Overall performance of the MultiPort Server may be diminished if a large number of zones are included as part of a user's zone access privileges. If you wish to allow or disallow a user's access to a large number of zones, it would be better to choose either "All Zones except listed" or "Only Zones listed," respectively. (See the section "Creating a New User" in Chapter 3 of the "Apple Remote Access MultiPort Administrator's Guide" for details on how to set these options.) Always try to minimize the number of zones in a user's zone list for best performance.
Using Third-Party Serial Card with Apple Remote Access MultiPort Server
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The MultiPort server is no longer bundled with an Apple-manufactured serial NuBus card. The software may be available with or without a bundled communication card. As of this writing, there are currently two bundles available; a 4-port serial NuBus card manufactured by Creative Solutions, Inc. and a 6-port serial PCI card manufactured by Keyspan. The CSI NuBus card has several advantages over the Apple Serial NB card: 1) it is a short NuBus card and will fit in those Macintoshes that do not support a full-length NuBus card. 2) It is possible to use more than one of these cards concurrently in a PowerPC NuBus machine. The Keyspan PCI card makes it possible for the MultiPort Server to run on new Macintoshes with PCI bus.
Neither the CSI NuBus card nor the Keyspan PCI card supports the Apple X.25 server. This means that a MultiPort Server equipped with these cards will no longer accept incoming ARA connections over X.25. However, this version of the MultiPort server software will continue to support X.25 for customers who already have the Apple Serial NB card and are simply upgrading the MultiPort Server software.
Using ARA 1.0 Clients with Apple Remote Access MultiPort Server
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Apple Remote Access MultiPort Server 2.1 and 2.1.1, unlike unupdated 2.0.1 software, support ARA 1.0 clients. Customers, however, are encouraged to have ARA 1.0 clients upgrade to the current client software. Future Apple Remote Access products will not support ARA 1.0 clients.
Here is a list of the 2.0 security features that have no counterpart in 1.0 clients:
* The client's account requires an external security module.
* The "Always Require User to Enter Password" checkbox is checked in the Server Preferences dialog box.
* The client's account has "Require New Password on Next Login" checked.
* The client's password has an expiration date.
* The client's password must be of a minimum size specified by the administrator.
When a 1.0 client attempts to connect to a server that has 2.0-only security features in place that apply to the client's ARA account, the connection attempt is refused by the server. The client receives the following message in a dialog box:
"The connect attempt failed. Remote Access on the computer you are calling refused to connect."
The server records the following two messages in the activity log:
"Connection attempt refused."
"Caller's ARA version insufficient for security or password settings."
Note: For all the security features just listed, if a 1.0 call is denied access and is followed by a 2.0 call to the same account, the security is handled in the standard 2.0 way. For example, say that the user's password has expired and he or she is refused access when calling in with 1.0. The next time the user calls in with 2.0, he or she will be presented with the normal password-expired dialog box.
In addition, if dial-in-and-transfer and callback-only ports are being used on the 2.0.1 MultiPort server, 1.0 clients may encounter the "The connect attempt failed╔" error message if their accounts are not set up properly for callback. The administrator should verify that a callback number is entered and checked for each 1.0 client that uses a dial-in-and-transfer port.
Other Changes in Apple Remote Access MultiPort Server since 2.0.1
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Previous versions of the MultiPort server did not correctly respond to SNMP queries. This problem has been corrected since version 2.1. NOTE: MacSNMP 1.x is not compatible with Open Transport, and thus can not run on a Macintosh with PCI bus.
When using 28.8 modems, the server would sometimes start resending data needlessly resulting in a dramatic drop in throughput. This problem has been corrected since version 2.1.
Computers running System Software version 7.5.1 and 7.5.2 occasionally experienced a crash in the Port Configuration Window in the Remote Access Administration program. This was due to a bug that has been corrected in System Software version 7.5.3 and above. The MultiPort Server Installer adds a system extension to correct this bug even with the earlier systems. The extension does not run if the bug is not present.
It is normal for some corrupted packets to pass the data integrity checks in the dial-up protocol. With earlier versions of the server, however, corrupted packets caused occasional crashes. This problem has been corrected since version 2.1.
Sorting of the network zone lists for networks with a large number of zones (500 and over) has been significantly speeded up.
Reliability of the server when using 3rd party security modules has been improved.
Reliability of the serial drivers for the Apple Serial NB card has been improved.
Version 2.1.1 of Apple Remote Access MultiPort Server supports serial connection speed of 115200 when running over a serial port on Keyspan PCI card.
Starting with version 2.1.1, it is no longer necessary to enter serial numbers to enable ports.
Virtual memory may adversely affect the performance of some server application programs, such as Apple Remote Access MultiPort Server and AppleShare. Version 2.1.1 of Apple Remote Access MultiPort Server requires virtual memory being turned off.
Modem Manufacturer Contact Information
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Global Village Communication, Inc.
----------------------------------
Global Village Communication, Inc.
1144 East Arques Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Tel: 408-523-1050
Fax: 408-523-2423
TDD: 408-523-2414
BBS: 408-523-2403
AOL: GLOBALVILL
Prodigy: FMJM51A
CompuServe: 75300,3473
Internet: techsupp@globalvillage.com
FTP:
ftp://ftp.globalvillage.com
WWW:
http://www.globalvillage.com
Motorola Information Systems Group
----------------------------------
Motorola Information Systems Group
20 Cabot Boulevard
Mansfield, Massachusetts 02048-1193
Tel: 508-261-4000
Fax: 508-337-8004
BBS: 508-261-1058
WWW:
http://www.motorola.com/MIMS/ISG
FTP:
ftp://www.mot.com/pub/MIMS/ISG
Technical Support Centers:
Mansfield, MA
508-261-0366
800-544-0062 (In U.S. and Canada only)
Huntsville, AL
205-726-0798
800-221-4380 (In U.S. and Canada only)
USRobotics
----------
USRobotics
8100 North McCormick Blvd.
Skokie, Illinois 60076-2999
BBS: 708-982-5092
FTP: FTP.USR.COM
WWW: WWW.USR.COM
CompuServe: GO USROBOTICS 76711,707
Internet: SUPPORT@USR.COM
Sportster and Worldport Products:
Fax: 708-676-7314
Telephone: 708-982-5151
Courier Only:
Fax: 708-982-0823
Hot Line: 800-550-7800 or 708-982-5010
Shared Access, and Total Control Only:
Hot Line: 800-231-8770 or 708-982-5010
Zoom Telephonics
----------------
Zoom Telephonics, Inc.
207 South Street
Boston, MA 02111
Tel: 617-423-1076
Fax: 617-423-9231
BBS: 617-423-3733
WWW:
http://www.zoomtel.com
CompuServe: GO ZOOM
These articles can help you locate the software update mentioned here:
"Where To Find Apple Software Updates" - Lists online services for free Apple software updates.
"Obtaining Apple Product Support in the USA" - Lists 800 numbers and online services for software updates, Apple support information, and a subset of the Apple Tech Info Library.