Asante AsanteTalk Instruction Manual

Frequently Asked Questions
Page 1
AsantéTalk - Frequently Asked Questions
AsantéTalk Power-Up Sequence
Q:Is there an approved power-up sequence for the
AsantéTalk?
A:Yes.In general,turn on all Localtalk devices first:print-
ers,laptops and desktop computers.Once these are
all functioning,do EITHER of the following:.If the
AsantéTalk will be connected to an existing Ethernet
network,connect the silver Ethernet cable to a hub,
bridge or router,and power up theAsantéTalk.If the
AsantéTalk will be connected to an iMac,connect the
yellow crossover cable to bothAsantéTalk and iMac,
power up the AsantéTalk,THEN power up the iMac.
Q:All my devices are on the same power strip.When I
start up my iMac in the morning,the iMac won’t see
my printer.Why?
A:For each Localtalk device to be accessible via
AsantéTalk,ALL Localtalk devices including Printer and
Computer systems must be powered-up first.This will
enable theAsantéTalk to see each Localtalk node.
Q:How long does it take for the AsantéTalk to power up?
A:It takes approximately 15 seconds for AsantéTalk to
boot and become an active node.

Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: Why can’t my Powerbook be seen on the Localtalk net-
work when I plug it into the network in the morning?
A: During its power-up sequence,the AsantéTalk polls the
Localtalk network for any available nodes.Nodes
which are added after the AsantéTalk is powered on
may not be seen. Recycling the AsantéTalk will resolve
this problem.
Q: During the boot process of theApple iMac when con-
nected directly to the AsantéTalk,the GREEN LED
labeled“LI”on the AsantéTalk will flash repeatedly
what causes this?
A: TheAsantéTalkisattemptingtoauto-negotiatewith the
iMac.AsantéTalk does not support Ethernet auto-nego-
tiation.Always power up the AsantéTalk before booting
the iMac.

Frequently Asked Questions
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Localtalk Network Topology
Q: Can I use the AsantéTalk Serial Cable on anAppletalk
compatible printer?
A: No.The AsantéTalk Serial Cable connector is designed
for serial printers and for connecting a Localtalk com-
puter to the AsantéTalk.It was not designed to estab-
lish a Localtalk network,nor was it designed to
communicate with a printer that supports theApple-
talk protocol.
Q: What cabling should I use to connect myAppletalk
printer to the AsantéTalk?
A: Localtalk connector kits are available for building a
Localtalk network. One connector must be provided
for each Localtalk device. If there is a single printer to
be attached to an iMac,for example,two Localtalk con-
nectors would need to be provided;one for the
AsantéTalk,and one for theAppletalk printer.
Q: What is the difference between Localtalk andApple-
talk?
A: Localtalk topology refers to the physical cabling used
to connect the network devices. Appletalk protocol
compatibility refers to the software language the
devices (computers and printers) use to communicate
with each other.

Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: Is Localtalk topology different from Ethernet topology?
A: Yes.Localtalk topology employs a“bus”or“daisy
chain”wiring scheme. Ethernet employs a“star”wir-
ing scheme.
Q: How is a“star”topology different from a“bus”topol-
ogy?
A: A“Star”topology requires that all cable runs terminate
at a central point such as a hub,bridge or
router.10BaseT Ethernet is the most common Ethernet
used withAppletalk.A“bus”or“daisy chain”topology
(such as a Localtalk network uses) connects several
devices in a row. It requires termination at the begin-
ning and end of the“bus”for proper communication to
occur.
Q: Does AsantéTalk support Localtalk connection devices
that utilize a“star”topology?
A: No.While some makers of Localtalk connection
devices utilize a“star”topology configuration,the
AsantéTalk complies with the Localtalk “bus”topology
specification.

Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: Does it matter where the AsantéTalk resides in the
Localtalk network topology?
A: Yes. The AsantéTalk provides optimal performance
when it resides at the beginning of the Localtalk net-
work topology,and is properly terminated.
Q: What port do I plug the Localtalk connector into on
my Localtalk Macintosh?
A: If your Macintosh has a Network Control Panel,you
should select Localtalk Built-in and plug your Localtalk
adapter connector into the Printer port.If your Macin-
tosh is running OpenTransport and has anAppletalk
Control Panel,you can select either the Printer or
Modem port.Connect the Localtalk adapter into the
port that will be used for communication.(Note –This
will NOT work with the iMac – it does not have a Local-
talk printer port!)
Q: How many Localtalk devices can I attach to the
AsantéTalk?
A: The AsantéTalk will support up to 8 additional Local-
talk devices.

Frequently Asked Questions
Page 6
Ethernet Questions
Q: What do the LED’s (lights) on my AsantéTalk mean?
A: There are 4 LED’s on the AsantéTalk to help you with
diagnostics.The solid power LED shows the unit is
receiving power.The solid green LI (or Link Integrity)
LED indicates that a valid connection has been made
between the AsantéTalk and another Ethernet device.
The RX and TX LED’s blink when traffic is received
from (RX) or transmitted to (TX) the Ethernet portion
of the network.
Q: Why isn’t there a solid green LI light on after I’ve
plugged in my Ethernet cable?
A: There may be at least 2 reasons:1.),you are using the
wrong cable. The yellow cable must be used to attach
the AsantéTalk to an Ethernet computer such as the
iMac. The Silver cable must be used to attach the
AsantéTalk to an existing Ethernet network. 2.),the
cable may be defective or the wrong type. If possible,
use the appropriate cable supplied with your
AsantéTalk. If not,use a standard IEEE Ethernet Cate-
gory 3 or 5 Ethernet cable.
Q: Is the Localtalk topology style different from Ethernet
topology?
A: Yes.Localtalk topology employs a“bus”or“daisy
chain”wiring scheme. Ethernet employs a“star”wir-
ing scheme.

Frequently Asked Questions
Page 7
Q: How is a “star”topology different from a“bus”topol-
ogy?
A: A “Star”topology requires that all cable runs terminate
at a central point such as a hub,bridge or
router.10BaseT Ethernet is the most common Ethernet
used withAppletalk.A“bus”or“daisy chain”topology
(such as a Localtalk network uses) connects several
devices in a row. It requires termination at the begin-
ning and end of the“bus”for proper communication to
occur.
Q: Can I use theYellow Ethernet Cable to Connect the
AsantéTalk to a Switch,Hub,or Bridge?
A: No.TheYellow Ethernet cable that is supplied with the
AsantéTalk is a crossover cable and will not work when
connected to a port on a Switch,Hub,or Bridge.
Q: Can I use the Silver cable to connect my iMac to the
AsantéTalk?
A: No. The Silver cable is designed to connect the
AsantéTalk to a port on a Switch,Hub or Bridge. To
connect the AsantéTalk to an iMac,use theYellow
cable which was provided with the AsantéTalk.

Frequently Asked Questions
Page 8
Q: What type of Ethernet Cable do I need to connect the
AsantéTalk to a Switch,Hub,or Bridge?
A: An Ethernet cable that is wired as a standard IEEE
10BaseT cable is required.The cable must be a Cate-
gory 3 or 5 type and not exceed an overall length of
100 Meters or 328 feet.
Q: I just connected anApple iMac to the AsantéTalk via
Ethernet.Why don’t I see my Localtalk Printers or Sys-
tems?
A: After connecting theYellow cable to the AsantéTalk
and theApple iMac the iMac must be configured for
the proper connection method - to verify or configure
the setting,simply open the Control Panel Device
namedAppletalk.For proper operation,the Connect
Via selection must be set to Ethernet.
Q: When I switch to Ethernet in myAppletalk Control
panel,it takes a while before it switches. Is this nor-
mal?
A: Yes.When making the Ethernet selection,the system
will poll the Ethernet network and may hesitate for a
few moments - this is normal.When it finishes switch-
ing,save the configuration,then go to the Chooser and
select the appropriate resource icon.

Frequently Asked Questions
Page 9
Q: Is the AsantéTalk a Router?
A: No.AsantéTalk is simply a Localtalk to Ethernet Con-
verter which allows theApple iMac or other Macintosh
systems utilizing the Ethertalk protocol on Ethernet to
print and share files withAppletalk protocol compati-
ble systems or printers on Localtalk.
Q: Will the AsantéTalk process TCP/IP?
A: No.The AsantéTalk is not a router.It will not pass IP
packets.
Q: If AsantéTalk is not a Router how do I establish Zones
within my Ethernet network?
A: Any Router including a Windows NT Server properly
configured is capable of establishing Zones for the net-
work.Both hardware and software Routers are avail-
able which allow EtherTalk and Localtalk traffic.Some
Router manufacturers include;Cisco Systems,Ascend,
and Compatible Systems.The AsantéTalk will reflect
any zones created by a router.Consult your network
administrator for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions
Page 10
Appletalk Protocol Compatibility
Q: What isAppletalk Protocol Compatibility?
A: Appletalk Protocol is the“language”used by devices
within anApple network. One of the features ofApple-
talk is that devices can be“shared”(accessed by multi-
ple users). This protocol is not dependent upon the
type of topology (physical connections) used in the
network.
Q: What types of Devices does AsantéTalk support?
A: The AsantéTalk supports allAppletalk Compatible com-
puters and printer.
Q: How can I tell if my printer isAppletalk Compatible?
A: A sure way is to contact the printer manufacturer. A
quick way to tell is what kind of icon is used to access
the printer. If theApple Laserwriter icon is used to
access the printer,it is anAppletalk compatible printer.
Most 3
rd
partyAppletalk printer icons will have a little
cable hooking into the icon. It will also have the let-
ters“AT”after the icon name. Another way is to click
on the printer icon. If the printer name shows up on
the right hand side of the Chooser window,it is an
Appletalk compatible printer. If you are requested to
choose either the printer or modem port,it is a serial
printer and cannot be shared.