Here's the nitty gritty on exactly how I have configured a 5 Mac network using IPNetRouter (hereafter IPNR) from Sustainable Softworks. A few
disclaimers:
I am a self taught network gubie (that's halfway between newbie and guru).
I make no guarantees that this information will help you.
I make no guarantees that using this information won't screw up your system. Of course, you
could be editing a Windows Registry, or playing around in MacOSX as root, and do some real damage.
This page was originally created in March 1999, and has survived almost unchanged since then. I'll
update it someday, but IPNR is just so damn stable I never think about it until someone e-mails me.
My 7200/90 has been up for 67 days (MacOS 8.1) while running Lotus 1-2-3, MacComCenter, Photoshop,
ClarisWorks, BBEdit, Now Contact and Up-To-Date Server, and others. I cannot remember the last time
I restarted it - restarts happen because of power blinks (yes, yes, I need a UPS).
This is the logical organization of the network interfaces. It should help you conceptualize what is
happening as you read and set up IPNR with your own network.
There are other windows within IPNR, but they are not relevant to this discussion or my network. top
One Slave (Client) - An iMac, Revision B
This is the TCP/IP control panel on the iMac.
As you gaze at the elegant simplicity of the MacOS, consider that this is the only
configuration necessary. Compare this to what it takes to configure
Windows95.
This is the TCP/IP control panel of the PowerBook G3. I have several other configurations, such as
for dialing my ISP via modem. top
YA Slave - An old Mac LC using MacIP
This is the Mac TCP control panel on the Mac LC. The really useful stuff happens when you click
"More...", and you must select "Manually" under "Obtain Address" before you can set the IP address
in this window.
If you look carefully at the schematic, you'll see a modem connected to this machine. When the cable
modem is not using the phone line, this trusty 11 year old box sits idly by, waiting to receive
faxes.
<-- This is the resulting window when you click "More..." There are several things to set, in
particular the Name Server addresses, and be sure to select a default. These should be the same as
in the TCP/IP control panels of the Open Transport Macs. Notice that the gateway address (the MacIP
interface on the gateway Mac) is on a different subnet from the clients connecting over TCP/IP Open
Transport, and that it is on the same subnet as this LC. I don't know if it is necessary to be on
separate subnets, but it is cleaner when conceptualizing your network. top
And YA Slave - An old PowerBook 145b using MacIP
This is the Mac TCP control panel on the PowerBook 145b. It's essentially the same as the LC, just
with a different IP address.
If you look carefully at the schematic, you'll see the LocalTalk connector
going from the 145b to the PowerBook G3. This is an occasional connection I make for testing
purposes. I set the TCP/IP control panel to AppleTalk(MacIP), and can use either an ethernet OR
phoneNet connection for either TCP/IP OR MacIP. Obviously, TCP/IP by ethernet gives best
performance.
<-- This is the "More..." window on the 145b, essentially similar to the Mac LC.
top
Connecting (almost) automatically
This is an HTML file which, when opened in Navigator, triggers a connection via the MediaOne Cable
Modem. MediaOne provides a browser interface for connecting; when I studied the page source, I
distilled it down to what you see. I've reproduced the HTML below as text for copying and pasting.
This is only needed with one-way modems; since upgrading to a 2 way modem, I'm always connected.
<html>
<head>
<title>
MediaOne Connect
</title>
</head>
<body onLoad="document.forms.connect.submit()">
<form name="connect" method="POST" ACTION="http://192.168.100.1/connecting.html">
<input type="hidden" name="USERNAME" value="username@m1">
<input type="hidden" name="PASSWORD" value="mysecret">
<!--input type= "SUBMIT" value= "Connect to MediaOne"--></form>
</body>
</html>
If you, like me, have your own local home page, you can simply copy the HTML for the form, uncomment
the submit tag, and add it to your home page. Then, when your browser starts and goes to your home
page, a single click connects you.
What is shown here is part of an Applescript for automatic connections. It requires MacOS 8.5
or better. Do this:
Copy and Paste into Script Editor.
Compile
Save as shown below
Put an alias in the Startup Items folder.
The script will then do this:
The first time it is run, it will remember your TCP/IP settings (actually, the name of the
configuration, not the actual settings). It will also prompt you to locate your configuration file.
On subsequent runs, specifically upon restart, it will offer to connect the cable modem and
start IPNR, and handle the details for you. Hint: Use Okey-Dokey Pro to automatically
click the button so you don't need to babysit your restarts.
If you ever change the name/location of your config file, or the name of your TCP/IP configuration,
just recompile and run it again.
Here is the full script to copy and paste.
Requires MacOS 8.5 or better.
To the right is the Save window, for the benefit of those new to AppleScript and the Script Editor.
Be sure to check "Never show Startup Screen" and either save the file in the Scripts folder (in the
System folder), or in the IPNR folder. top
Closing Thoughts
My experience has been that IPNR is very stable and, once configured, no further adjustments are
needed. I would like to hear from anyone who puts this information to good use. My e-mail address is
available on the IPNetRouter Teaching Index page. If you have
questions/problems, posting to the NetTalk Mailing
List is probably the best way to go.
This is an HTML file which, when opened in Navigator, triggers a connection via the MediaOne Cable
Modem. MediaOne provides a browser interface for connecting; when I studied the page source, I
distilled it down to what you see. I've reproduced the HTML below as text for copying and pasting.
This is only needed with one-way modems; since upgrading to a 2 way modem, I'm always connected.
Here is the full script to copy and paste.
