TCP/IP Connections Introduction User Modes Connect Via... Addressing Subnet Masks Config Router Address DNS Search Paths Hosts File 802.3 Saving Configs Troubleshooting Tools For More Info Glossary updated: 08/11/97

"Connect Via" Options The options you see here will be based on what networking hardware and software you have installed on your Macintosh. For example, if you're on an ethernet network, you'll see an option for Ethernet. If on TokenRing, you'll see an option for TokenRing. If you've installed PPP software, you'll see an option for that. Let's look at each of these in detail. AppleTalk (MacIP) This option will always be available. Using AppleTalk, or MacIP, for TCP/IP communications means that the IP packet will actually be encapsulated within an Appletalk packet. The port that the packet will be directed to will be whichever one is selected in the AppleTalk cdev, because it will in fact be an AppleTalk packet. Two Macs can talk IP directly to each other if each is setup to use MacIP. However, if the destination is not another Mac (or one of the Macs is not set up for MacIP), some other device will need to intercept the packet, strip off the encapsulation, and then send it along its way. Such a device is called (somewhat generically) a MacIP server, or sometimes a KIP (Kinetics Inernet Protocol) server, after an early router that offered this service. Many routers have this function built in (it would just need to be configured). Another example of a MacIP server is Apple's IP Gateway. In the MacTCP control panel (part of "Classic Networking"), this option was indicated by selecting one of the AppleTalk icons, i.e., "LocalTalk", or "EtherTalk" (as opposed to "Ethernet"). Why would someone want to use MacIP? One example of when MacIP would be used is when you are communicating over an AppleTalk-only link, such as localtalk or Apple Remote Access. (We'll be talking later about how other networks, like Ethernet and TokenRing, support multiple protocols simultaneously, like TCP/IP and AppleTalk) Ethernet This option is available when you have access to an ethernet network (hardware and software installed). When this option is selected, TCP/IP packets will be directed out the ethernet port. When more than one ethernet interface card is installed, you'll select which one to use. For example, you might see "Ethernet (built in)" and "Ethernet (Slot 5)". If a Token Ring card were installed along with the appropriate software, you'd see an option for "Token Ring" also; but since most of our customers are using either MacIP, PPP or Ethernet, that's where the main focus of this module will be. In the MacTCP control panel, this option was selected by choosing the "Ethernet" (or "Token Ring") icons, as opposed to "EtherTalk" (or "TokenTalk"). "PPP" or "MacPPP" Select PPP or MacPPP when you'll be using TCP/IP over a PPP connection. The PPP software itself will manage what port the modem's on, dialing out, etc. [Intro |UserModes |ConnectVia |Addressing |Subnet Masks |Config|Routers ]DNS |Search Paths |Hosts File ]802.3 ]Saving Configs ]Troubleshooting ]Tools ]More Info ]Glossary ]