12 Oct
2001
12 Oct
'01
8:46 a.m.
On the Ethernet side, I'd not worry about specific
10bT and ThickNet
segments. Instead, I'd run a single 10b2 (ThinNet) segment and get a 10bT
hub with a BNC uplink. This also had the advantage of saving you a slot in
the box. Don't worry about ThickNet, just pick up a couple of spare 10bT or
10b2 tranceivers for the odd box with an AUI port.
That's definitely the way to go.
Just wired the house with Cat-5 this week. 10bT has the advantage that it's
also 100bT with a change of equipment. (ISTR that you can use the
unused pair in the cable for LocalTalk, but I haven't yet tried it). One
of the ports off the switch goes to 10 Mbps equipment via a hub with a BNC
uplink, the other three ports go to 100 Mbps segments.
Since you've got LocalTalk running to the box,
then I'd also run MacGate
which would let you run MacIP (IP over LocalTalk).
For those in the bay area with an Mac IIlc or a Nubus Mac II, last time I
checked, Mike Quinn Electronics had a pile of ethernet cards for them. For
those with older Macs, I saw two SCSI/ethernet boxes at WeirdStuff, didn't
check the price, though.
Eric