🚀 go-pugleaf

Sun, as you might know, makes the popular TOPS filesharing software for the
Mac; believe it or not, they also offer versions for PCs, Suns and (I believe)
DEC VAXen.

If a Mac on your net has an Ethernet card and the new Apple Internet Router
software, then you can 1) purchase TOPS for everyone (including the Sun),
2) hook up your Ethernet Mac to the Sun, 3) hook up your LocalTalk LAN to
the Ethernet (router) Mac, 4) configure the TOPS stations and the router, and
5) stand back in awe as everyone transparently shares files.

At least, that's the theory.  It's actually somewhat more complicated (or it
was; I don't know what's up with TOPS v. 2.2 for the Sun, which was s'posed
to fix some little problems) but that's the basic idea.  Directories and files
on the Sun, when "published," show up on the Macs as folders and files.  The
operation is transparent; the Sun can go right on UNIXing, NeWSing, Xing, or
Open-Looking to its silicon heart's content.

There may be other solutions (I understand that Novell has a few neat tricks),
but so far as I know, TOPS is the only company offering plug-n-play Sun
fileserver software for Mac networks.

-mike "fileservers are for wimps -- gimme a REMO 600 meg I can attach to my
       Mac Plus and I'll show you a fileserver, bucko :->" rose
mr2t+@andrew.cmu.edu