[WinMac] Re: TCP/IP printing

Caerwyn Pearce(caerwyn_pearce[at]compuserve.com)
Wed, 29 Jul 1998 03:50:38 -0400

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>We have Macs and PC's on a ethernet, sharing HP 4MV on its own.
>During some periods of the month, the Macs mysteriously refuse
>to see the printer, or any other Macs for that matter. I was
>told that the problem could be fixed by using TCP/IP rather than
>Appletalk.
>

I've worked with a similar network but the only problems I've seen
like that on the Mac have been due to wiring rather than software.
The Mac software has always seemed reliable.

You say Ethernet, but are you don't say which type,
          coax/BNC just daisy chained.
          twisted pair/RJ45 with a central router.
          full Ethernet.

My first suspicion is that you're running coax and you've either got a
duff
connector somewhere or you're improperly terminated.

Check network topology, terminations and connections.
What can sometimes be very misleading is which macs come and go.
It doesn't have to be related to where the problem is.
The way I understand it (but I'm not a hardware engineer) is that
a bad connection or termination can cause a reflection on the network
the reflection (same as sound waves) has the effect of cancelling out
the signal at somepoint or points.

If you have lots of extraneous cable length in the roof space or
under the floor, make sure it's not coiled cos that can set up an
inductance, which will again affect the network. It's better (but
not tidier) if it's just thrown down any old how!

Coax connectors have a limited life measured in the number of
times they've been connected. I've been told but I wouldn't say
it's a relible source that this can be as low as fifty. In practice
it's not something to worry about, but if you have some old cables
which have been use here and there for this and that, then they may
be suspect.

If you're running your cables in trunking try and avoid running mains
and network in the same trunk. In theory the coax
is shielded but in practice it's not enough.

Avoid tight turns in the coax, it's better to have an extra loop at
corners.

Most of this won't affect a small network, but as it grows then the
problems
amplify.

Having said all that I've just reread the original message and I wonder if
I haven't missed something? Are the Macs on the Ethernet or are they on a
separate LocalTalk network and you're using two ports on the printer one
for Ethernet and one for LocalTalk? If yes ignore all the above! LocalTalk
is a dog, and you'll probably avoid most of the problems by putting the
Macs
on the Ethernet. If the HP 4MV is not currently on the Ethernet then you
can put it there using one of the HP JetDirect products.

If you want more specific help email directly.

Regards

Caerwyn Pearce

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• In reply to: Ephraim Fithian: "PCMacLan on VPC"

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