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Configure MacTCP?
Posted by: WakelessFoil on 2019-05-02 22:13:18
I recently got my Macintosh Plus working with all 4 MB of ram. I have an Asante EN/SC Ethernet to SCSI adapter and want to put it to some use. I hooked up everything and downloaded the EN/SC EtherTalk software along with AppleTalk 57.0.4. Installed it on system 7.1 and also got MacTCP 2.0.6. I made sure to hook the adapter to a 10base-T only hub so it wouldn’t get confused with 10/100. I tried to configure the TCP/IP settings but I don’t think it’s making a connection at all. MacWeb won’t connect or load it just spits out an error code as if the machine was connected to nothing.

any help and/or advice is greatly appreciated!
Posted by: ArmorAlley on 2019-05-02 22:52:09
Are you sure that all of the hardware works as it should?

Have you checked that the SCSI port on the Plus works?

And that the 10 base-T router works?

And that the cables work?

I mention it because the SCSI on my IIfx has gone and I only have a 10 base-T router that has given up the ghost. It is a hazard of old machinery.
Posted by: WakelessFoil on 2019-05-02 23:17:30
Yes I am sure all of the hardware is functioning properly.

I have tested the Plus's SCSI port with an external drive so I know that's working. The EN/SC is blinking indicating it is receiving information and I did a speed test with the hub with a modern laptop and it didn't skip a beat. No more than 10 Mbps. When running the Asante Troubleshooter I can even see that the machine is receiving packets. I suspect that either something is wrong with MacWeb or that the TCP/IP settings aren't configured correctly.

Not super experienced in networking especially with exotic hardware like this.

Below is an image of the test indicating that it is receiving packets.

IMG_3206.JPG
Posted by: Dog Cow on 2019-05-02 23:33:56
or that the TCP/IP settings aren't configured correctly
Probably this is the cause. Do you have any other computers on the local Ethernet network? If so, how do their TCP/IP settings compare to what MacTCP has? The router (gateway) address and subnet mask should be the same on all computers on your local network.
Posted by: K Trueno on 2019-05-03 08:43:35
Have you set the IP manually and is it sticking around in the MacTCP panel?
Posted by: olePigeon on 2019-05-03 10:14:39
Is the DNS also filled in?
Posted by: WakelessFoil on 2019-05-03 11:27:54
Yes to both. The IP is staying when I leave MacTCP but I do not see it appearing in my routers DHCP settings. I configured the DNS by what I read from another forum on this sight. Someone said that the Domain should be a single period and the domain IP should be that of your router. I am curious if it has something to do with the MAC address (or lack there of). In addition to all this when I installed MacTCP it didn't automatically plant in my control panel I had to move it there. (Just a side note in case that would indicate an incorrect installation of the software.

PS: I am also using a WiFi bridge/Extender to make the Ethernet connection don't know if that would make any difference, it has it's own IP separate from the router.

Below are some images of my MacTCP control panel and my router settings.

Capture1.PNG

Capture2.PNG

Capture3.PNG
Posted by: Cory5412 on 2019-05-03 17:05:51
but I do not see it appearing in my routers DHCP settings
If you're configuring it manually, it might not, since you're configuring the device not to request DHCP.

PS: I am also using a WiFi bridge/Extender to make the Ethernet connection don't know if that would make any difference, it has it's own IP separate from the router.


Your Wi-Fi brudge/extender might or might not cause problems, too. Have you tested it with another computer to 1) make sure you're not introducing double-NAT and then accounting for it 2) other kinds of devices receive network connectivity (plug a laptop in, basically)

Double NAT isn't a problem per se, but you'll need to configure clients on it to be part of its network.

If your main router is in the 192.168.0.x range and your wifi bridge is hosting the network 102.168.3.x your MacTCP will need to use an IP In that range.

If it's an actual pure bridge then it shouldn't matter, but it's worth checking.
Posted by: K Trueno on 2019-05-04 16:20:55
Yup check the things Cory has mentioned.  Simplify the network then go complex (i.e. start with a laptop direct connection (with a cross-over cable depending on your laptop), then add stuff in between after.

Also, you mention a "10base-T only hub".  Old hubs have a uplink port which you might want to just ignore until you know what you are dealing with.  Modern stuff does auto-crossover things but old ones don't. 
Posted by: WakelessFoil on 2019-05-05 19:18:22
Thank you for all the responses. I will try everything I have been suggested and post my results after experimenting. I connected my MacBook to the hub and was able to obtain a connection of <10Mbps. On another note I applied the MacTCP 2.1 patch that Glenn Anderson made and it changed the panel look and made things look a little simpler. This may do nothing but it was worth a try.

Also here is a post of someone who succeeded with a very similar setup: http://lowendmac.com/rivera/05/1129.html

Below is a diagram showing the current hardware configuration.

Macintosh Plus Network Diagram.png
Posted by: WakelessFoil on 2020-03-14 18:58:43
It works!!!

89554869_2895102733889390_4813702893276233728_n.jpg
Posted by: sstaylor on 2020-03-14 19:31:40
You'll have to let us know what the secret sauce was.

It's funny, I had been reading through this nearly year-old thread just as you posted.
Posted by: Kaa on 2020-03-15 16:34:35
Cangrats!!! I'm also curious what the solution was.

It's also kinda weird seeing the Google splash screen on a Plus =P
Posted by: Will Cheyney on 2020-10-12 09:12:20
@WakelessFoil Please let us know what you did! I have never been able to get networking on my Classic Macs successfully working with Asante cards.
Posted by: davidg5678 on 2020-10-12 12:57:48
@Will Cheyney, Did you ever get a 10Mbit ethernet switch?
Posted by: Will Cheyney on 2020-10-12 16:48:46
@Will Cheyney, Did you ever get a 10Mbit ethernet switch?
@davidg5678 I did. To no avail!
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