TOPIC This article provides a series of questions and answers about AppleShare 4.2.1. DISCUSSION Question: What is AppleShare? Answer: AppleShare is high-performance, easy-to-use file and print sharing software that allows networked Macintosh and Microsoft Windows software-based computers to share files, applications, and printers. Question: What is AppleShare 4.2.1? Answer: AppleShare 4.2.1 is PowerPC native which supports NuBus-based Workgroup Servers or Power Macintosh computers with classic AppleTalk, and PCI-based Workgroup Servers or Power Macintosh computers with Open Transport 1.1. It provides an average performance improvement over AppleShare 4.1 of 111% for file transfers between clients and the server. However, much larger performance gains (as high as 352%) are experienced in multi-user database applications. These are applications where the database application runs on the client workstations and the shared database file resides on the AppleShare server. AppleShare 4.2.1 supports up to four network segments simultaneously through Open Transport 1.1's multi-homing capabilities on PCI servers. AppleShare 4.2.1 also supports nearly ten times as many open files as AppleShare 4.1 (3000 instances of 346 unique files in 4.2 vs. 346 in 4.1) and increases the maximum number of concurrent users from 150 to 250.
It also includes a simple-to-manage block cache architecture that dynamically tunes itself for optimal performance. To set up the new cache, the administrator simply allocates a block of memory for the Mac OS and any server utilities (like Retrospect for nightly backups), and AppleShare 4.2.1 runs and caches data in the remaining memory. AppleGuide support in 4.2.1 also assists unfamiliar users, making it easier to:
Question: How does AppleShare 4.2.1 differ from AppleShare 4.2? Answer: AppleShare 4.2.1 adds support for multi-homing with Open Transport 1.1 on PCI-based servers. The AppleShare file server bundle comes with a version of the Apple Remote Access (ARA) Multiport server which allows dial in connections. Out of the box, you can enable two dial in connections on the server's printer and modem ports. AppleShare 4.2.1 includes COPS Inc's COPS Talk for Windows 95 users. As of 8 May 1996, COPS Talk is not shipping in the AppleShare package. An insert in the box provides an (800) number to call to order the software. AppleShare 4.2.1 also addresses problems with access privileges and modification dates in the previous version. Question: What do customers gain by running AppleShare native on PowerPC? Answer: AppleShare 4.2.1 is PowerPC native and completely optimized to take advantage of PowerPC performance and scalability, so users get the familiar ease-of-use of previous versions and dramatically improved performance. Question: How is AppleShare 4.2.1 being distributed? Answer: AppleShare 4.2.1 is distributed with PowerPC Workgroup Servers and as an upgrade for the installed base of AppleShare 4.x users. Question: Is AppleShare 4.2.1 compatible with Open Transport? Answer: AppleShare 4.2.1 is compatible with Open Transport 1.1, which includes many AppleShare server-specific features like support for multiple concurrent sessions and 100 MB Ethernet performance tuning. Apple has not certified AppleShare 4.2.1 and Open Transport on NuBus-based Power*Macintosh computers and Workgroup Servers. Customers running AppleShare 4.2.1 on these systems should continue to use the "Classic" AppleTalk stack. Question: What are the hardware requirements for AppleShare 4.2.1.
Answer: AppleShare 4.2.1 is designed and tested with PowerPC-based Workgroup Servers (WS) in mind, including both NuBus and PCI products. Therefore, AppleShare 4.2.1 is intended for the following Workgroup Servers:
Power Macintosh 8100/110 running at least Mac O/S 7.5.1
Answer: It is not necessary for customers to upgrade their AppleShare client to get the performance benefits of 4.2.1 on a server. The dramatic performance increases are due to additional server features like dynamic caching and PowerPC native code. However, on a client workstation, if a customer is using AppleShare Workstation software prior to v3.6.1, Apple recommends that customers install the latest version of the AppleShare client software. AppleShare Workstation 3.6.2, when running with Mac OS System 7.5.1 or later, will significantly improve the performance of any AFP server on the client. Macintosh clients will notice greatly improved performance when copying large files in the Finder. AppleShare Workstation 3.6.2 in conjunction with System 7.5.3 allows users to set and change passwords with the Alias Manager. Question: Can customers with AppleShare Pro, which runs on the Apple Workgroup Server (AWS) 95 with A/UX upgrade to AppleShare 4.2.1? Answer: Because AppleShare 4.2.1 is no longer distributed, you may upgrade to AppleShare IP. Additional information can be found at http://www.apple.com/appleshareip/text/purchasing.html |
| Document Information | |
| Product Area: | Apple Software; Communications-Networking |
| Category: | AppleShare |
| Sub Category: | AppleShare for Mac OS |
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