🚀 go-pugleaf

Origin: mhuxa

We like to connect a 3B2 to Appletalk to share the LaserWriter with
MacIntoshes on Appletalk.  Are there hardware/software available that
enable one to convert an RS232 into Appletalk?  Any pointer and
suggestion will be very helpful.

Choi Kwan
Bell Labs Murray Hill
(201) 582-5727
ihnp4!mhuxa!kwan

[Note from moderator:  There are many alternatives, including the following:

1. Dedicate a Macintosh to this task, writing a spooling program that listens
  to requests on the Modem port and converts it to AppleTalk packets on the
  Printer port.

2. Get a bridge (Seagate, Kinetics, Butcher Board, Centram Tops, etc.)
  and add a serial port to it, with appropriate software.  (Query for
  info-applebus readers: How feasible is this for the various boxes out
  there?)

3. Get an ethernet board and spooling software for your 3B2.  This will
  probably give the best performance.

  I recommend #2, if it's economically and technically feasible for you.
  An AppleTalk/Ethernet/RS232 bridge will (with the appropriate software)
  give you flexibility for many tasks as yet unimagined.  For example,
  you can use the 3B2 as a file server for your Macintoshes, or vice versa.
  you can attach modems to the serial ports on the bridge and provide
  dialup/dialout access to the 3B2 and Macs.  You can add IBM (err, AT&T)
  PC's on any of the links.]