This file contains the contents of the NetLink Guide in text format. If possible, use the NetLink Guide file instead. It makes it much easier to locate the information you are looking for. The NetLink Apple Guide requires system 7.5 or greater with Apple Guide installed.
NetLink Remote is a Network Control Panel item that gives AppleTalk the ability to use a modem as its network hardware. This means that when you connect with NetLink, you will have access to all of the normal AppleTalk services. You can use AppleShare¬ to move files and you can play AppleTalk games like Marathon and F/A-18 Hornet. Just about any thing that is possible when two Macs connect on a Local Area Network can be done with NetLink Remote.
NetLink Remote does not currently have the ability to act as a router for other types of network hardware. This means that when you are using NetLink, you will loose access to any other networking resources on other network hardware. This would include any AppleTalk printers or file servers on LocalTalk or EtherTalk. Because of this limitation, you can only have two computers on the network.
This limitation will be eliminated in a future version of NetLink.
System Requirements
Ñ System 7.0 or later, 7.5 or later to use this help file
Ñ 2400 bps or faster modem ( 14.4 or 28.8 recommended )
Ñ A high speed modem cable ( it must include hardware handshaking lines )
Ñ AppleTalk version 58 or greater
Setting Options
How do I select NetLink in the Network CP?
Ñ Before you can use NetLink Remote or access its setup dialog, you must make it your current network connection.
Ñ Open the Apple Menu and select Control Panels.
Using Classic AppleTalk?
Ñ Open the Network Control Panel which is located in the Control Panels window.
Ñ Click once on the NetLink icon.
Ñ If a message appears, read it and click OK to switch to NetLink.
Note: When you want to access printers and file servers on other AppleTalk hardware again, you will need to come back here and select the type of network hardware that they are connected to. This process is described in the Macintosh Guide under Networks & Telecommunications: How do I switch between types of networks?
Using Open Transport?
Ñ Open the AppleTalk Control Panel, which is located in the Control Panels window.
Ñ Select NetLink from the network type menu.
Ñ Close the AppleTalk CP and click OK to confirm that you want to switch to NetLink Remote.
Note: When you want to access printers and file servers on other AppleTalk hardware again, you will need to come back here and select the type of network hardware that they are connected to.
How do I set the DTE speed?
Ñ The DTE ( Data Terminal Equipment ) speed is the speed at which your computer communicates with your modem. Some Macs do not communicate reliably when it is set too fast, because of this it is best to be conservative with this setting. It should be set to the fastest rate at which your modem will transfer data. For example if you have a 14.4 bps modem and you will not be using modem level data compression, set it to 14.4 Kbps.
Note: Some modems only work at specific speeds. Consult you modem documentation to determine which speeds it supports.
If you find that your connection is not reliable, try reducing the DTE speed.
Ñ Bring up the NetLink Remote Setup dialog box by selecting "NetLink Setup" from the "NetLink Remote" menu.
Ñ Select a new DTE speed from the "DTE Speed" pop-up menu.
How do I specify my serial port?
ÑFor NetLink to be able to find your modem, you need to specify which serial port it is connected to. Most Macs have two built in serial ports: the modem port and the printer port. You can use either one for a modem, but the modem port is preferable. You can identify which port your modem is connected to by the small icon next to the port.
Note: Powerbooks only have one serial port. When using a powerbook, select the modem port.
NetLink Remote does not use the Communications Toolbox for performance reasons. Because of this, it does not work with any add-on serial ports that may be present on an expansion card.
Ñ Bring up the NetLink Remote Setup dialog box by selecting "NetLink Setup" from the "NetLink Remote" menu.
Ñ Select the port your modem is connected to from the Port menu.
How do I set the init string?
Ñ A modem initialization string is command sent to your modem before use. It contains a series of ╥AT╙ commands that set various modem specific options. Some possible options include modem speaker settings, compression setting, and connect rates. I would recommend that you use one of the default modem strings. If you are interested in creating your own init string, you should consult your modem documentation.
Using an incorrect init string can cause many problems, so be careful to choose an appropriate one for your modem.
Ñ Bring up the NetLink Remote Setup dialog box by selecting "NetLink Setup" from the "NetLink Remote" menu.
Ñ Choose an init string from the init menu. It should be the one that best describes your modem. For example, if your modem supports error correction, then choose an error correcting modem setting. You can find out about the features your modem supports by checking the documentation that came with it.
Ñ If needed, you may make any custom changes to the modem string now. I would not recommend making changes unless you are very familiar with the AT Command Set.
Note: Adding ╥M0╙ to the init string will disable the modem speaker, while ╥M1╙ will enable it.
How do I set the phone number?
Ñ You need to set the phone number if you intend to initiate the connection. The phone number you enter can contain any valid AT dial modifiers.
Dial Modifiers
P Pulse Dial.
W Wait for dial tone.
@ Wait for 5 seconds of silence.
! Flash hook command.
, Pause command.
& Wait for credit-card tone.
^ Toggles calling tone.
Ñ Bring up the NetLink Remote Setup dialog box by selecting "NetLink Setup" from the "NetLink Remote" menu.
Ñ If you have already stored the phone number, select it from the phone menu. If not, click the Continue Button.
Ñ Type the phone number into the phone number field.
How do I dial?
Ñ When you tell NetLink Remote to connect, it will dial if the Initiate Connection option is set. Before you dial make sure all of you settings are correct.
Ñ Bring up the NetLink Remote Setup dialog box by selecting "NetLink Setup" from the "NetLink Remote" menu.
Ñ Make sure the Initiate Connection checkbox is checked.
ÑIf you would like to dial right now, click the Connect button.
How do I answer?
Ñ When you tell NetLink Remote to connect, it will wait for a call if the Initiate Connection option is disabled. Before you dial make sure all of you settings are correct.
Ñ Bring up the NetLink Remote Setup dialog box by selecting "NetLink Setup" from the "NetLink Remote" menu.
Ñ Make sure the Initiate Connection checkbox is not checked.
Ñ If you would like to answer right now, click the Connect button.
How do I automatically answer in the background?
Ñ NetLink Remote can be set to answer the phone and connect automatically in the background. When this option is set, you can do other things while the computer is waiting for a call. This option has many possible uses. You could turn on file sharing, then connect to your computer from a remote site to access your files. You could also just set up the machine as a remote file server so others can access your files.
Setting up file sharing is described in the Macintosh Guide, which is in the Finder's help menu under Networking & Communications.
Note: When Auto Answer is enabled, you modem is not available for other applications. You will need to disable it if you want to use any other communications software.
Ñ Bring up the NetLink Remote Setup dialog box by selecting "NetLink Setup" from the "NetLink Remote" menu.
Ñ If you would like to enable Auto Answer, make sure the Auto Answer checkbox is checked. If you would like to disable Auto Answer make sure it is not checked.
Ñ Now close the NetLink Remote Setup dialog to have any changes to the Auto Answer setting go into effect.
Note: If you click Cancel instead of close, any changes you made will not take effect.
How do I dial when the computer starts?
Ñ NetLink Remote can connect to a remote system when your computer starts. This might be useful if you need to access a remote server most of the time.
Ñ Bring up the NetLink Remote Setup dialog box by selecting "NetLink Setup" from the "NetLink Remote" menu.
Ñ Check the Connect on Startup checkbox.
If you would like to disable this feature, uncheck this box.
Note: This is not available when initiate connection is not checked.
How do I set a time limit for remote users?
Ñ You can set a time limit for connect time. This would be used when a single remote server is shared by several users. It would prevent any one person from staying connected too long and preventing other users from accessing the system.
Note: The time limit on demo version of NetLink Remote cannot be changed. It will be 10 minutes until the full version is liscensed.
Ñ Bring up the NetLink Remote Setup dialog box by selecting "NetLink Setup" from the "NetLink Remote" menu.
Ñ To enable the time limit, check the Maximum Connection Time checkbox.
Ñ Set the time limit in minutes in the time field.
Definition: DTE Speed
Ñ DTE ( Data Terminal Equipment ) speed is the data rate at which your computer talks to your modem in bps ( bits per second ). It does not have to be the same speed at which your modem will be communicating with a remote modem. When a modem uses data compression such as MNP 5, or V.42 bis the modem may accept and send data faster than the actual connect speed. Therefore, the DTE speed should be set higher than the connect speed when modem level compression is used.
Note: Some Macs do not reliably communicate when the DTE speed is set too high. Power Macs and some Quadras are not subject to this limitation.
Some modems only respond to certain DTE speeds. If your modem is not responding, try changing the DTE speed to the next highest setting.
Definition: DCE Speed
Ñ DCE ( Data Communications Equipment ) speed is the data rate at which your modem talks to a remote modem in bps ( bits per second ). This is independent of the DTE speed. If you have a 14.4 modem that makes a connection at 14.4, you DCE speed is 14400 bps. If you have a 14.4 modem that connects to a 2400 modem, your DCE speed is 2400 bps.
Why can't I change the time limit?
Ñ If you have not licensed the full version of NetLink Remote, you will not be able to change the time limit. In this case, your time limit will always be 10 minutes.
Why can't I use other communications software?
Ñ LaunchNewSequence("How do I automatically answer in the background?")
If the Auto Answer option is enabled, NetLink holds the serial port open even when it's not connected. This is done so that it will be able to detect when the phone rings. This has the side effect of preventing other programs from using the serial port the modem is connected to at the same time. If you need to use other modem communications software, disable the Auto Answer option. See How do I automatically answer in the background?
The Connection
How do I connect to a remote system?
Ñ There are several ways to connect to another system. You can initiate the call, you can actively wait to receive a call, or you can passively wait for a call in the background.
How do I Initiate the call?
Ñ Make sure you have selected Initiate Connection from the setup dialog. See How do I dial?
Ñ Select Connect from the NetLink Remote Menu. A window will come up showing the connection process. Make sure that there is a computer waiting to answer at the number dialed.
Note: Running the NetLink Connect application will have the same effect.
This can also be done by clicking the Connect Button in the setup dialog.
How do I wait for a call?
Ñ Make sure that you have deselected Initiate Connection in the setup dialog. See How do I answer?
Ñ Select Connect from the NetLink Remote Menu. A window will come up while NetLink waits for a call. If you give up, press command-period.
Note: Running the NetLink Connect application will have the same effect.
This can also be done by clicking the connect button in the setup dialog.
How do I wait for a call in the background?
Ñ Make sure that you have selected Auto Answer in the setup dialog. See How do I automatically answer in the background?
Ñ You can now go about your business and do other things. NetLink will automatically answer the phone and connect in the background without disturbing you.
Note: You will not be able to use the modem for other things while Auto Answer is on. Turn it off to use your modem as a fax machine or use communications software ( other than NetLink ) to connect.
How do I disconnect from a remote system?
Ñ To disconnect from a remote system, select Disconnect from the NetLink Remote menu.
Note: Running the NetLink Disconnect application will have the same effect.
This can also be done by clicking the Disconnect button in the setup dialog.
Why can't NetLink find my modem?
Ñ There are several things that can prevent NetLink from finding your modem when you try to answer or connect.
Ñ Check to see if the modem cables on your modem are securely connected. This includes the power cable. Also make sure the modem is turned on.
Ñ Make sure the modem port setting in the NetLink Remote Setup dialog matches the port that your modem is connected too. See How do I specify my serial port?
Ñ Your modem may not be able to respond to the DTE speed you have specified. Try other DTE speeds. See How do I set the DTE speed?
Ñ If you are using an Express Modem or GV PowerPort modem, check to see that the modem control panel is set correctly. It has an option to use the internal modem or an external modem. Make sure the appropriate one is set.
Ñ If NetLink Remote still cannot find your modem, see if any of your other communications software can find it. If they cannot, there may be something wrong with the modem. If they can, then E-mail me at NetLinkR@AOL.com.
Why can't NetLink initialize my modem?
Ñ This will have something to do with the init string that you have specified. Your modem did not recognize one or more commands in the init string. Try the string "AT" and see if your modem still cannot be initialized. If it works, try another init string. If it does not work, E-mail me at NetLinkR@AOL.com. See How do I set the init string?
Why can't NetLink connect?
Ñ There are many possible reasons why NetLink Remote will not connect to a remote system.
Ñ If you have an external modem, make sure that your modem cable provides hardware handshaking lines. NetLink uses the DTR and CTS lines and if your cable does not have them, NetLink cannot connect. If you do not have one, you can buy one of these cables at most computer and software stores. Sometimes they are labeled "High Speed" modem cables. This is usually only a problem for older modems.
Ñ NetLink may time out if the modems take too long to negotiate a common protocol. If this is the case, check your modem documentation for how to specify the connect mode. The '\Nn' command set specifies the operating mode. For example '\N0' specifies no error correction. See How do I set the init string?
Ñ The other modem may not be set to answer the phone. Make sure that you have the right number and that the program answering the phone is the same version of NetLink Remote.
Why can't NetLink Auto Answer?
Ñ NetLink Remote cant warn you if an error occurs when Auto Answer is activated.
Ñ The best way to determine if there is something wrong is to uncheck the init connection button and see what happens in a manual answer. See How do I connect?: Wait for a Call
Ñ You may need to reset Auto Answer. This can be done by deselecting NetLink in the Network CP and then reselecting it.
Tips, Features, Other Information
How do I use NetLink with Marathon?
Ñ NetLink Remote can be used with both Marathon and Marathon 2. For Marathon to work with NetLink Remote and run at it's best speed certain steps need to be taken.
Ñ Marathon is very sensitive to how fast your phone network is. If it takes much more than 50ms to travel across the phone network, Marathon╒s performance will start to deteriorate. This means that a local call will usually have much better performance than a long distance call. There is not much that can be done about this other than switch long distance companies and hope they have a faster network.
Ñ Because of the way networking in Marathon is implemented, turning off modem level error correction and data compression may speed up the game significantly. NetLink Remote already provides error correction and data compression. If you know your modem supports error correction, select one of the init strings that disables error correction from the init menu.
Note: NetLink Remote's error correction is not perfect. Noise on the line can corrupt a packet beyond recognition. In that case it will not recover the packet automatically. If this happens in Marathon it will cause the game to freeze. ( It does not crash the game, it just stops it. You can still command-Q to exit and then start another game. ) If you find that this becomes a problem and you both have error correcting modems, then select one of the error correcting settings.
Ñ Set the DTE speed to match the DCE speed. This will improve reliability on some Macs. For example, if one person has a 28.8 modem and the other has a 14.4 modem, they will connect at 14.4. This means that you should set the DTE speed to 14.4 on both modems. If your modem does not support a particular DTE speed, use the next highest one that works with it.
Note: If you are using modem level data compression ( not recommended ) you should set the DTE speed as high as you can and still have a reliable connection.
Ñ Both machines must have the network setting in Marathon set to Apple Remote Access. While NetLink Remote is not ARA, this setting makes sure that Marathon does not try to send packets faster than NetLink Remote can handle.
Note: The joining computer should also set his computer to ARA.
Ñ Make sure file sharing is turned off. This can cause performance problems when playing Marathon.
How do I use NetLink with other AppleTalk games?
Ñ NetLink Remote should work with most AppleTalk games. Most of the performance notes for Marathon apply to other AppleTalk games. Just follow the normal procedure for setting up a network game as specified in the games instructions.
How do I use NetLink to share files?
Ñ We could describe the process here, all of the details are in the Macintosh Guide. Go to the Finder and select Macintosh Guide from the help menu. You will find all of the details under the heading "Networking & Communications." Running the Macintosh Guide will close this guide.
Notes: Performance
Ñ Modems are slow when compared to LocalTalk or EtherTalk. For example, a 28.8 modem transmits 28,800 bits per second, while a LocalTalk connection moves data at 230,400 bits per second, and an EtherTalk connection moves data at 10,000,000 bits per second. This means that LocalTalk is 8 times faster than a 28.8 modem and EtherTalk is 347 times faster. We╒ve done our best to optimize the speed of NetLink Remote, but modems just are not very fast when compared to a Local Area Network.
Ñ If you are running a real time game with NetLink Remote, check out the performance notes for Marathon. We have found that by conforming to those instructions, Marathon is more responsive on a 14.4 connection than it is on LocalTalk.
If you intend to use NetLink Remote for sharing files, then you should enable modem level error correction and data compression if your modem supports it. Do this by selecting one of the init strings that enables compression.
Ñ Real time games can be sensitive to the speed of your phone network. This means that a local call will almost always be faster than a long distance call. Try to stay local when playing games or find a long distance company that has a faster phone network.
Ñ If you are running on a Power Mac or a AV Quadra/Centris Mac, you should get the update to the DMA serial driver from Apple. This driver runs native on the Power Mac and fixes some bugs in the serial driver for these machines. As of this writing, the current version is ╥Serial DMA 2.0.2.╙ It should be available at Apples support sites.
Ñ If possible, avoid running a program that is on a remote volume. This can be very slow. You would be better off to copy it first and then run the copy.
Ñ NetLink Remote is compatible with Express Modems and Geoport Adapters, but because a large portion of the modem is implemented in software, they do not perform as well as hardware only modems when used for real time games. If you have one of these modems and intend to play games with it, we recommend that you get a hardware modem. It will be much faster.
Notes: Express Modems & Geoport Adapters
Ñ NetLink Remote is compatible with Express Modems and Geoport Adapters, but because a large portion of the modem is implemented in software, they do not perform as well as hardware only modems when used for real time games. If you have one of these modems and intend to play games with it, we recommend that you get a hardware modem. It will be much faster.
Notes: Global Village modems
Ñ NetLink Remote is fully compatible with Global Village modems and the GV software that comes with them. When used for real time games, the GV software can slow down the game significantly. If possible, you should disable this software when you are going to be playing games. This can be done with the Extensions Manager that comes with system 7.5 or you can just remove the files from the Extensions and Control Panels folders if you don't have any extensions management software. In the Extensions folder there is a file named "Global Village Toolbox" which should be disabled and in the Control Panels Folder, there is a file named "Teleport" which should also be disabled. Once you have done this, restart the computer.
Note: The performance problem does not affect file sharing. If you will only be sharing files, you can leave these extensions in place.
Remember that if you use your modem as a fax machine, disabling these extensions will prevent the computer from receiving faxes. Turn them back on again when you are done.
NetLink Remote¬ and NetLink¬ are trademarks of Joe Kloss.
All other product names mentioned in the documentation of NetLink Remote are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Mention of these products is for informational purposes and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation. Joe Kloss assumes no respnsibility with reguard to the selection, performance, or use of theese produts.
