--- Jeff Walther <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > At 06:41 -0800 01/15/2005, jack law wrote: > > >into a HP Laserjet 5MP through the serial port. I > >would like to allow all the computers on the > network > >to print to the 5MP. Is it possible? Is there an > >ethernet box or card that would accomodate the 5MP? > > The 5MP already has network capabilities. It's > just that the > nomenclature doesn't make that very clear. > According to the > "Interface and Network Information" section here: > <http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?objectID=bpl02556&locale=en_US#N107AF> > > the 5MP is a LocalTalk/AppleTalk printer, not a > serial port printer. > > Apple's serial ports on the Macintosh are actually > dual function. > Used in some ways they are serial ports. Used with > AppleTalk pointed > at one, that "serial" port becomes a LocalTalk port > and LocalTalk is > a type of network media. > > So in addition to your ethernet network you also > have a LocalTalk > network with just two nodes, the computer who's > serial port you're > using and the 5 MP. The trick is to interface > your LocalTalk > network to your ethernet network. > > Asante, Farallon and Dyna make or made equipment to > do exactly that. > I'm most familiar with Asante, so I'll only discuss > their products. > The most recent is the AsanteTalk. It's about the > size of a pack of > cards and connects to your ethernet network on one > side and to your > LocalTalk network on the other side. So, in > practice, you would > connect the AsanteTalk to your router with an > Ethernet patch cable > and connect the Asantetalk to your 5 MP with a > "serial" cable or a > pair of PhoneNet connectors and telephone cable. > The AsanteTalk > automatically bridges between the two network media. > You can also > use it to get your older non-ethernet equipped Macs > on the network if > you have any. > > Asante's earlier version of the AsanteTalk was the > MicroAsantePrint. > This is virtually identical except that it has more > network > management capabilities (mostly useless to a home > user) and comes > stock with fewer cables included. > > Dyna and Farallon offered similar products. > > Jeff Walther As far as networking the 5MP goes, I prefer Dayna products to Asante stuff. The proble is finding them. Dayna is out of business, but you can still find their things on eBay. Some will allow as many as 8 local talk devices (printers and other Macs) while some allow as few as 2. Asante's products don't handle power outages well as there is a preferred order of restarting that I don't think is a problem for Daynas.
The unneeded software is still available on the net for the Daynas if you get one of them. I wouldn't pay more than 30 bucks on ebay. Try to get one with a power supply (12 volts/1 amp for the Daynas except for the "minis") or you'll add $15 to your cost at Radio Shack with the wall wart. I have a couple manuals for the Dayna products so I can tell you which models support how many devices if you tell me which one you have your eye on. Concerning the Linksys router, it is my understanding the wireless sections of these don't pass AppleTalk packets (see http://www.asante.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2452)so getting the laptops to print with this hardware may cause you a headache. I too have several printers attached to a network using the ethernet/AT bridge hardware mentioned. Two 4/600s and an Imagewriter II. With help from the Linux folks, I can even print to the dot matrix in OSX! ===== Steve Hardy __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The all-new My Yahoo! - Get yours free! http://my.yahoo.com -- SuperMacs is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | Service & Replacement Parts [EMAIL PROTECTED] | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> SuperMacs list info: <http://lowendmac.com/supermacs/list.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/supermacs%40mail.maclaunch.com/> --------------------------------------------------------------- iPod Accessories for Less at 1-800-iPOD.COM Fast Delivery, Low Price, Good Deal www.1800ipod.com ---------------------------------------------------------------
