Can I use Performa 6115 as print server?

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GEOS's picture
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Can I use Performa 6115 as print server?

Hey all, I was wondering if it would be possible to use my Performa 6115 as a Print server so I can use my Laser Writer 360 with my Powermac G3 and eMac since the newer Macs lack the Printer and Localtalk ports. Both the New macs and Performa have ethernet. I have already networked the 6115 and Powermac together

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it will most likely need OS 9

it will most likely need OS 9 on it, but I see no problem with it. It will be awefully slow though...
Be sure to have the Ram maxed out

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Well, its already got 9 on it

Well, its already got 9 on it and it has 72mb of RAM in it which is almost the maximum. I have a bunch of faster powermacs I could use, but the performa is the only one that fits in the space I have avalible. Is there any spacific setup I have to do to make this all work? do I just set Appletalk for ethernet and the printer for the printer port and it will work? If I am missing anything please let me know. I'm good with Macs, just never had to do networking using 2 different ports before.

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61xx RAM max

hey,

Actually, the 6100 series can take 256MB. I have one with a G3 accelerator running 128MB and it rocks. Pulled that baby out of a dotcom's dumpster in 1999 and right now it's working for a low-budget film production company. Those 61s can get kicked in the butt and deliver . . .

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You might have luck with Appl

You might have luck with Apple's Localtalk Bridge software, which lets a host Mac - your Performa - act as a bridge between an ethernet and localtalk network.
I've used it with some success between computers on a localtalk network and my file server, but haven't tried it with printers. From what I've read, it's picky.
I've sent you a PM.

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You shouldn't need any of that stuff...

You shouldn't need any of that stuff to use your 6100 as a print server. You definitely don't need to use Mac OS 9. As a matter of fact, Mac OS 9 is overkill for a machine that is going to be a dedicated print server. I'd go with something between Mac OS 7.6 and 8.6 and a minimal System install. Don't install anything that you don't need. i.e. extensions, control panels, etc.

You will need to install Apple's printshare software. This stuff is usually installed with your System Software.

You shouldn't need Localtalk bridge, huge amounts of RAM, you definitely don't need OS 9, and the 6100 is an excellent machine to use as a print server.

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Agreed

Agreed. Localtalk Bridge is only for melding an ethernet network with a serial-port (i.e. localtalk) network. And print sharing is installed by default with OS 8.6 and 9 (and possibly with earlier versions; I can't remember).

Should be pretty easy to set up, so long as you've got an ethernet transceiver for the 6115's AAUI port.

Matt

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Ok, well it is all physically

Ok, well it is all physically hooked up. Powermac ethernet to Performa, localtalk to Printer. I have the drivers installed on the performa and I can print from the Performa if I have Appletalk set for the Printer Port. Problem is, once I switch the Appletalk connection to Ethernet, I lose the ability to print since the printer is connected through the printer port. If i leave the Performa's Appletalk connected through the Printer port, I can't connect to the performa from the Powermac. I have not been able to see the printer from the G3 Powermac yet. What am I doing wrong?

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I could still be proven wrong

I could still be proven wrong, and it could just be the sushi talking, but I believe you'll need to use a hardware or software localtalk to ethernet bridge.

AFAIK the Laserwriter 360 requires Appletalk over Localtalk as opposed to, say, an Epson for the Mac which behaves as just a serial printer. This is why the 360 can operate on a phone-net, where an Epson, etc. couldn't.

Give the Localtalk Bridge software a try, and if that doesn't work, you aren't out anything.

(edit:) Didn't think this was worth an additional post: Note that Apple's Laserwriter Bridge was replaced with the Localtalk Bridge software. You're likely to have better compatibility with operating systems post-7.x with the latter. It does work with 9.1, as I've confirmed with an 8600.

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Re: Can I use Performa 6115 as print server?

Hey all, I was wondering if it would be possible to use my Performa 6115 as a Print server so I can use my Laser Writer 360 with my Powermac G3 and eMac since the newer Macs lack the Printer and Localtalk ports. Both the New macs and Performa have ethernet. I have already networked the 6115 and Powermac together

Read this: Sharing LaserWriter Select 360 with 6100 as Bridge

But go Here first. This is About This Particular Mac's printer sharing page. It's very comprehensive and easy to follow and it has the answer you seek.

EDIT: If you check out the second link that I provided above, you'll find details on how to get your other Macs to see the LaserWriter. You have to place the LaserWriter extension on all networked Macs if you're using Printer Share. You have to use LocalTalk Bridge, as eeun pointed out, if you are not using Printer Share.

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