It is possible to have Ethernet channels running on a broadband network,
which is typically used in cable TV installations. It is important that
the group responsible for the cable be intimately involved in this process
since this is not a plug-and-play situation. There are a number of
different alternatives possible once you have the hardware and software
support for Ethernet in place on the cable network.
Usually, you would connect routers, such as the AppleTalk Internet Router, to
the Ethernet drops from the broadband, and all of the other Macintoshes are
connected to the Internet via routers. The routers then would be the only
Macintoshes required to have Ethernet boards. You also could use FastPaths,
GatorBoxes, or Macintoshes running Liaison as the routers.
Network Resources also offers several products that allow Macintosh users to
connect to broadband. Their MultiGate 2000 hardware router connects LocalTalk
to broadband, as if connecting a LocalTalk network to Ethernet via a router.
Their MultiGate Bridge connects any combination of broadband, Ethernet, and
fiber optics. These solutions do not require running Ethernet on broadband.
For more information on their products, search on "Network Resources and
broadband" in the Technical Info Library.
A Hayes InterBridge would not be a solution because it is a
LocalTalk-to-LocalTalk bridge, and you need an Ethernet connection.
For the asynchronous connection, Liaison definitely seems a good choice since
it also has the other capabilities mentioned above.
On the Apple II front, we are not aware of anything that will provide remote,
serial AppleTalk access similar to what is available for the Macintosh.
We strongly suggest that you get assistance from a network consultant
capable of assisting you in all phases of this type of setup. You should
also be aware that anyone doing this will need full approval from whomever
owns and operates the cable system.