IPC Networking

From: Mark Tapley <mtapley_at_swri.edu>
Date: Mon May 13 13:58:57 2002

>> I get the impression that two-node 10Bt networking can be done with
>> nothing but a crossover cable. (IE the chaining connection on hubs is
>> just a crossover) Is this possibly true, using just the cable?
>
>I beleive that one is possible. In fact I've seen crossover cables on
>sale for this purpose (this doesn't mean they _work_ of course :-)).

        I think they do; the one I built (matching instructions given
previously) does, with a caveat: I've used it to connect two (OT, sorry!)
Mac Powerbook 3400's. The two machines in question have to have Appletalk
changed to use ethernet within a few seconds of one another - otherwise
they each assume they are on a "dead" network and will not recognize the
other machine when it comes up. This may be a unique feature of the
Powerbooks. It is *not* a problem when the two machines are successively
hooked into a hub - even minutes apart - so I don't think it's a problem
with the Appletalk implementation, but I don't know.
        Anyone else with more experience on this? Do hubs do any
keep-aliving for their ports, or recheck periodically for connections? Do
other two-node networks need "pinging" from both ends simultaneously to
bring up?
                                                                - Mark
Received on Mon May 13 2002 - 13:58:57 BST

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