TITLE
    AppleTalk: FastPath & GatorBox are Protocol Converter & Router
Article ID:
Created:
Modified: 		4201
8/21/89
8/21/89
TOPIC

DISCUSSION



    TOPIC -----------------------------------------

    Is it true that a box, like the GatorBox and FastPath, can act in two
    modes, both operating at the same time if necessary?

    DISCUSSION ------------------------------------

    It is true that a FastPath (and a GatorBox) can be both a protocol
    converter and an AppleTalk router.

    These modes are as a simple router and as a gateway. As a simple router, it
    takes AppleTalk packets from one physical network (like LocalTalk) and
    routes them to another physical network (like EtherTalk). As a gateway, it
    takes data from a TCP/IP network and converts it to AppleTalk protocols
    (encapsulating the TCP/IP packet in an AppleTalk packet) at the same time
    as sending from one physical network to another in the same manner as the
    router aspect.

    A vocabulary note: A gateway performs protocol conversion, like
    AppleTalk to TCP/IP. A bridge connects two physical networks as one
    logical network. In AppleTalk terms, this would mean that both physical
    networks would have the same network number. A router connects two physical
    networks and maintains them as separate logical networks. In AppleTalk
    terms, this means that each network has different network numbers although
    they may or may not be in the same zone.



Document Information
Product Area: Communications-Networking
Category: Protocol and File Format Information
Sub Category: General Topics
Keywords:

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