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The Definitive Guide to Connecting your SE/30

The Definitive Guide to Connecting your SE/30 Networking 101 posts Apr 26, 2011 — Jan 12, 2024
Greetings comrades,

Originally the Guide was written here, but it has grown far beyond its original proportions and thus requires me to host it off site for both post limitations and the need for regular updates. You can find it at the link here:

http://www.applefool.com/se30/

Good day!

Reserved for future additions: a moderator might be required to edit this past a certain defined time.

A quick note: I edited my Help icon in the menubar so that it looks like the one from System 7.0 and 7.1. It's still 7.5 though, so don't be fooled.

Future note to do: 1) work on System 7.0 or 7.1; 2) System 6 FTP establishment; 3) build floppy that can connect to a computer that also boots; 4) get an email setup working properly; 5) this shall be filled by itself automatically with things to do (like a bigger hard drive, spare hard drive, working floppy drive for the internal bay etc); and 6) an IRC client that actually works. (Someone walk me through something...)

Oh and Windows? Eh, maybe some other time. I'll probably use FTP, as SMB isn't supported by 7.5.5. I heard that some versions of Windows (like 200 Server) can connect to these macs. I don't have Windows XP setup on my Mac mini Intel because I don't have a 10.5 disk. I like 10.4.11 better anyways but I sometime I'll get around to putting XP on it and figuring it out.

Amazingly informative post. Thanks! I just picked up an SE/30 on the weekend and this will be an extremely valuable chunk of info for when I finally get my hands on an ethernet card!

To update this thread, I just installed System 7.0.1 on my SE/30. (If I had only known it took up 2.8MB I could have done it much, much earlier...) I just installed it on the RAM Disk and copied the stuff over to the HDD once it was done.

I was able to mount my 10.2.8 iBook to the desktop with just the stock, basic install of:

• System Software for the SE/30

• EtherTalk Software

• File Sharing Software

...and that's all. Given that it mounts with 10.2.8 it should also work with 10.3 Panther, and definitely with 9.2.2. With 10.4.0, the computer doesn't even show up in Chooser. So I started Fetch 2.1.2, but found out that it needs VAS ( :?: ) or MacTCP. So when I have more time around I'll throw on MacTCP 2.1 and fiddle with it to see if FTP is the only way to connect to 10.3 (possibly) or higher.

This also reminds me, I was graciously sent a 250MB HDD to swap out my 40MB (which also has deterioration of the spindle bearings) so I wanted to copy over the 7.5.5 stuff I had left on the 40MB. Turns out the SE/30 would get the "Connection has unexpectedly broken" in Chooser, and this was through a router.

So if you have troubles like that, and a restart doesn't fix your issues, consider a crossover cable. Now it just works dandy (and through the router the 10.4.0 computer couldn't find the SE/30).

do me a favor. I think I got a website that it will work on well.

go to:

http://coius.info:8080/

That is about as simple as a webpage you can get. no CSS/weird scripting. it's hosted on a PowerBook 540c, and will display on older browsers fine afaik. I coded it without all these "extras" so I intended it to served from an old machine, and viewed with old machines.

Works very well on my LC II under Netscape, so if you try it, see what it comes up like. I am interested in seeing how it renders on your system.

You wanted to host it there also?

:-/ If you want you can do as you please with my words. Maybe we can rig up a proper gopher style website that is actually useful -- news, bbs, trading post, craigslist proxy, etc.

To add to this Guide, I figured out that you can connect to an 10.2.8 (or earlier, maybe Panther as well) with just Classic Networking, and the need for OpenTransport is really required for 10.4.x or higher. Knowing that, you can make a System 7 boot floppy (7.5 is a bit too big) that can be a restore disk if something bad happens. Considering that the OpenTransport 1.3 files take up about 1.5MB space to begin with, not to mention AppleShare Client 3.7.4, you can adjust your options a little bit.

I don't know what System 7.0.1 and OpenTransport work like, I know OpT is compatible with nearly all versions of OS 7, but I don't know if OpT 1.3 is limited to 7.5.5 minimum or not. You may need to FTP into a 10.4.x or higher system to file transfer.

Has anybody else made headways in FTP under MacTCP, email clients that work (with what provider?) and so forth?

I tried installing AppleShare 3.7.4 to 7.0.1, but it doesn't work. OpenTransport 1.3 apparently does install, but without AppleShare 3.7.4 it won't work.

In order to connect to a 10.5 or higher machine you must use FTP. AppleShare simply won't work unless you have OS 7.6 or higher.

Just tried connecting to my 10.4.11 Mac mini under System 6 and Fetch 2.1.2. No response.

System 7 does the same thing. System 7 cannot connect to this version of AppleShare, it says.

Bottom line: System 6 to 7 must use a 10.2.8 (10.3?) or earlier machine. FTP is still out in the open. For 7.5.5, the max you can connect to is 10.4.11 and only under OpenTransport (or FTP). (I'll try FTP soon to 10.5.8.) For 10.5 and above, you might need 7.6 minimum. For Windows, FTP might work, or you might be forced to use Shareway IP Personal, or DAVE. (I tried DAVE 4 at macintoshgarden.com, and it failed because it's for OS 8 and/or 9. You'll have to hunt down an older version.)

A few weeks ago I was was trying to get FTP between my SE/30(system 6 boot disk & mactcp) and windows box. I was using Quick N Easy FTP Server 3.2 Lite. I recall my SE/30 getting a dir list... like once. However, fetch kept crashing. I'd do more testing, but I don't have a HD for my SE/30, so it is a real pain trying to do it all from floppies. I know I had to set a manual address similar to the one I was attempting to connect to. Sorry, I can't remember anymore details.

I don't know if you even need MacTCP to connect using AppleShare.

You should put a Minimal Install of System 6.0.8 on a floppy, and put RAMDisk 2.01 on it. That will at least free you some space. That application has the neat ability to copy a folder (if there is only one, it'll be the System Folder) and then quickly switch to it as it quits, ejecting the floppy.

I just tried to FTP into 10.5.8 under 7.5.5 (and if it doesn't work under OpT, it definitely won't work under 7.0.1) and it says there are too many connections.

The solution might be to put a FTP server on the SE/30, and then use an FTP client on the other computer. Ideally this should work from System 6 (because System + Finder barely even fits on a floppy in SSW 7.0.1) with 9.2.2 all the way to 10.7. Ideally.

Anybody here skilled at ZTerm? I'll be looking into that next. Using ZTerm opens a telnet hole, so if you're connected to the Internet and someone is running port sniffers up and down the port #'s that may not be so hot. There is a patch that does allow SSH. More.

Stickied :D

Nicely done!

Also, this doesn't appear to be well-known, but you can do TCP/IP filesharing on old macs like the SE/30 by copying the "ShareWay IP Personal Bkgnd" application from a MacOS 9 install. You need to launch it manually, but sticking an alias into the Startup Items folder is sufficient. I seem to recall also that you need to use ResEdit and change a preferences resource that tells it not to start up on systems older than MacOS 9.

For email, there are a lot of options but they're all kinda kludgey. I wrote a howto on some options a few years ago, which is now back online at http://www.fenestrated.net/~macman/68kMail/

Also, for exchanging files with all manner of modern computers, I highly recommend running an FTP server on the old Mac itself. NetPresenz is a great and free FTP, Web, and Gopher server that works under both Classic (MacTCP) and OpenTransport networking. This should avoid a lot of the "my newer FTP server crashed Fetch" type problems.

Cheers!

That's good information. Do you happen to have the memory to know where the required hex bits are and what to change?

The copy of Shareway IP Personal in System 9 is pretty much intact as it was bundled in the system, just like System 7 and MultiFinder.

That NetPresenz sounds like a solid application. After all, if someone is still hosting a Commodore 64 web server, how hard can it be on a machine more than 8 times the computing power?

Funny how I refer to my own article for reference sometimes...

In case you might need to look up your DNS under Mac OS X:

Open System Preferences. Click Network. Select the service (AirPort, Ethernet, Bluetooth, Firewire) and select Configure (this is under 10.4). Click the TCP/IP tab. If nothing shows up under "DNS Servers" (unless you configure a different DNS) then head to Terminal and type this:

Code:
$ cat /etc/resolv.conf
This is what mine reads out at the moment:

Code:
icecubeW0A:~ icecube$ cat /etc/resolv.conf
domain domain.act.dsltmp
nameserver 192.168.0.1
nameserver 205.171.3.25
icecubeW0A:~ icecube$ []
I will see about setting up an FTP server under System 6 sometime soon. I really should do that so I can supply a System 6 Network Restore Disk. There's a 7.5 Network Access Disk but it won't boot my SE/30 even with 7.5.5 installed*, so a System 6 disk should be easier to manage. I supposed I could work on a System 7 Network Access Disk, but System and Finder barely fit on to a 1.44MB floppy. What I could do is use "1430K FREE" to enlarge a floppy space size, then strip SSW 6 down to the bone. System 6 is really doable for this, as System 7 wouldn't really give you any advantage (unless you somehow managed to install and fit OpenTransport to communicate with 10.4) and even at that, System 6 is really clever for switching boot volumes (like a RAM Disk or floppy) without restarting.

* I figure each major version updates the bootloader, just like with Mac OS X to a degree: I installed 10.5 first, then Windows XP, then 10.4, which messed up the bootloader so Windows wouldn't boot.

Okay. Now.

This is Shareway IP Personal Bgnd built into* OS 9 opened in ResEdit. I searched through all the resource fork catagories and snapped pictures of the relevant ones to help jog some old memories (Tyleress?) so I can figure out how to get this to work. It would be hot to use Opt 1.1.2 and some version of AppleShare under SSW 7 to ...maybe it won't work. FTP is always available. Sort of.

006407f0.jpg.3b6089076609ffed2bd5c46f62268b18.jpg


This is probably the required resource to change.

502f03f9.jpg.22e861e87d5cb5fadf387da7793c2daa.jpg


Yes. OS 9.2.2 comes with OpenTransport 2.8. Just so you know.

62523b34.jpg.57f62524f2dfccfbe84bb75a136db36f.jpg


Should be interesting to fiddle with this. I can't read the alpha code there though. I'd think they'd code it in hexadecimal.

The nice thing about FTP is when AFP refuses to work (SSW 7.5.5 has been taking forever to startup recently: about 30 minutes to startup File Sharing) is this can usually work.

97b5c62a.jpg.adf9ead49a8465f672cd99b042c02b4b.jpg


ca7d82fa.jpg.91203dcc7651cfbd9cbc9e00ff95da02.jpg


*: Insallation is optional, I'm told: it's been awhile since I installed OS 9 on a Mac, and the last time I did it was with the iBook which installs (more like restores) 9.2.2 from within OS X.

EDIT: Here is NetPresenz link. It won't work under System 6, or so it says. I'll continue investigating this.

I edited the field for gPRF to $0000, and using 7.5.5 cannot see or connect to a 10.5 system. I tossed the application (more like a daemon, there is nothing to indicate it is active aside from the dimmed image of the application) in the Applications folder and tossed an alias in the Startup Items folder.

I think the most reliable way to connecting using anything over 10.4 and Windows will probably require a server software kit.

EDIT:

20c67851.png.db953388bde50506998dd0ffc7e09050.png
Warning: Shareway IP Personal Bgnd crashes when attempting to shut down or restart the system (7.5.5). A fix may nor may not come along. Restart holding down the Shift key to disable Startup Items launching, as the program is always open and is only closed by the System shutdown procedure.

Apple may be considering changing their legacy software download page, I had some hiccups just now try to connect to

http://www.info.apple.com/support/oldersoftwarelist.html

....and it said the page cannot be found. It's working again, but I found this alternate link:

http://support.apple.com/kb/TA48312

I will be backing up critical download images to maintain a source for files listed here. I found that this project couldn't be completed easily without the Legacy Software Restore Disk. I recommend to all of you that you download it (just in case it gets pulled or the link goes bad) especially since the rate of decay these days on legacy software is often quite high.

One of these days I'll get to update this page with more content, EG: graphical tutorial on connecting under Win 2003 Server using AFP, hosting an email server, FTP Server under System 6, and so forth. Problem is most of this pertient stuff 1) is forgotten, 2) so antiquated that none of it is compatible any more (EG: SSL/SMTP email), 3) locked up in brains which have moved on to other things, and 4) no longer available due to broken links and general decay of digital media.

As we move faster and push on even harder in our futuristic quest of the utopian "idea" of the future, we leave behind artifacts at a increasing rate, making even a 25 year old computer a relic destined to die.

EDIT: I forgot to mention, with Shareway IP Personal Bgnd running (modified), I could not see or connect to 10.5.8. I think the universal solution is an FTP server, most optimally under System 6 in the case of emergency restore media.

For those of you with spare time and bandwidth, here's a 11 min. video of my SE/30 browsing the internet:


Sorry for the moiré :I I'm getting a WiFi connection shared from my sister's MacBook Pro, but works fine from a Linux laptop too.

My SE/30 configuration is:

20 MiB RAM

540 MB HD

(expensive) Asante MacNIC II/E PDS Ethernet card

System 7.5.5 (for any Macintosh install)

OpenTransport 1.1

Netscape Navigator 3.01

The setup procedure was surprisingly easy: TCP/IP control panel set to DHCP and there she goes... you can see the MBP with a manually set IP, but DHCP works fine on that side too. No special drivers were needed for the Asante card.

Thanks for the ideas!

System 7.5.5 (for any Macintosh install)

OpenTransport 1.1

Netscape Navigator 3.01
1) ... :-/ "For Any Macintosh"? Really? It'd take up a lot less space and start up faster without wasted control panels and INITs.

2) Where did you get NN 3.01? All I could find was a corrupted .hqx archive.

3) Version 2.1 of the Guide is on the way. Rest assured, it's very much better :) We've pretty much finished the text, now we need to have fun inserting all the pictures and a final checkup.

1) That universal 7.5.5 is my one-size-fits-all system copied on almost every SCSI disk at home, from the LC to the 7600/G3... the SE/30 usually runs on 7.1 (with quite a few complements) leaving 7.5.5 for Drive Setup and web access. That machine is still pending optimization :b&w:

2) Don't know for sure... maybe a well-preserved backup from my very first days on Internet (1996) or most likely from the plethora of MacWorld CD's I got. PM if you need something, got several versions for sure (these were freely distributed back in the day, weren't they?)

3) Great! Thanks a lot for your work! I have tried putting online my recently recapped Mac II with 7.1 (8 MB RAM + 40 MB HD makes it hard for 7.5.5) without success so far... MacTCP 2.0.4 seems so quirky > :( I'll re-read this interesting post in case I get some ideas.

Unfortunately, I can't reply to this thread from the SE/30 -- the large amount of pictures (even disabled by default!) on the Topic review scrolling window is more than NN 3.01 can handle xx( But otherwise works fine in the forum.

Version 2.1 XHTML version released.

Catch up here let me know what you think!

Special thanks to mcdermd for hosting and invaluable HTML help.

Any new discoveries? Comments, concerns?

If anybody can confirm OS 10.3.9 to SSW 6.0.8 connection through AFP, that'd be cool.

Once I can get Ubuntu working properly, then I can get Netatalk going. Grub isn't playing nice with Windows XP at the moment.

Does anyone have a MacTCP download? The tutorial refers to a link that doesn't have the full vrison, only a patch, and the Apple site doesn't have a MacTCP download. I need a 2.0 series.

I'm trying to get My SE, SE30, or Classic2 up and running, using that wonderful of items: The SCSI Ethernet Adapter!

I would recommend using MacTCP 2.1, but you have to update a 2.0.6 version to get 2.1.

The version 2.1 link should be able explain things a little bit better.

New additions:

-Added an entire new section to handle new random information such as what was added today: handling disk images under Classic, Mac OS X and Linux. Windows will come along as soon as Netatalk is setup properly and is demonstrated properly.

- Moved and changed the SSW6NAD section. Say there is a little tidbit that could be quite useful...

- Updated section on FTP to include Linux, or at least some version of Linux that is outdated. (I couldn't handle 10.04 LTS. And 10.04 LTS support is supposed to be ending in a little while.)

- Updated NetPresenz section to show an additional image of how the Log shows your IP address when starting up. Nice.

- Couple of fixes here and there.

Hope yall like it!

To come sometime...soon when it comes: how to telnet in, Netatalk, using HFV Explorer, and once I get 7.6.1 on the Duo (that'll take a while) I'll have to verify if 7.6.1 with AFP 3.8.3 will hook up with 10.5. It is supposed to, but I'd like to verify myself (or have a creditable source here).

After that, there won't be much to add for awhile, unless I obtain a copy of WS2000/2003, which probably will never happen.

A word count shows around over 75,180 characters. Good. More to come. (Way over the board limit of 60,000 characters.)

Today:

-Added a section about Linux with Netatalk. The same day I got it working (yesterday) was the same day I removed it and will not go back again to Linux. Put XP on its partition and won't look back. (I do miss 9.10 though, or 10.04 LTS with the human-theme, if Windows 7 looked like that and was as clean, plus worked well, I'd pass on XP and buy it the same week.)

-Updated with more info on disk images. Good catch on balrog pointing out that Disk Copy 6.3.3 disregards tag date vital for 400 and 800K disk images. (Stupid.)

-Fixed the More Info link on header.

-Added more links in the Links section and tuned up the section so it is more organized.

-General clean up. (forgot to update the date of last revision. oh well next time)

As the article says, if anybody out there can give me a real solid rundown on how to build, compile, and make Netatalk work with these classic Macs, I'm all ears. (I could get it to compile and build, but it wouldn't put netatalk in the proper folders. So I couldn't even get it started. First I tried 9.10, oops it's unsupported, okay let's got to 10.04 LTS, that doesn't work either, and use 11.10 solely for this section. Absolutely hate the look and change.)

Been pretty quiet here, I guess the silence is a nod of approval :D

Working another update. Finished making some useful 800K and 1440K disk images for those soldiers stuck in hard terrain. Funny how whenever I make an important discovery, I end up having to re-examine entire sections to see if they are moot or need to be rewritten :-x

I'll have to make some headway on taking a look at Netscape 4.01 and 3.04, I'll be reporting back to the rear line (here) for results. 2.02 isn't real hot unless you're using Gopher, which reminds me...Did I talk about integrated Gopher support in IE? ...nope

I've wondered a bit about mentioning Target Disk mode, I used it last weekend to restore my iBook using my Mac mini's CD drive. Worked great. But I can't speak for the older Macs, I'm not very fluent in the individual quirks of the models across the entire span. The UltraDock 16SC and SCE support Target Disk mode, but since my Duo is in parts right now and I have no compatible SCSI cable, it'll have to wait a bit. I highly doubt TDM is supported by most pre-1995 machines.

Great guide, great job. Kudos!

I have finally managed to get my trusty old SE/30 connected to the information superhighway at work, using a Dynalink SCSI ethernet converter. Unfortunately I have not been able to install OpenTransport so I had to make do with MacTCP - a less than ideal solution seeing that I am essentially "highjacking" my own IP number. To avoid IP conflicts (i.e. InterPersonal ones, between me and the network administrator) I will try to get OT up and running as soon as possible. Should be a breeze, though, since I can now download the disk images straight onto my SE/30 instead of having to burn a CD or transfer them on floppies.

Setup:

SE/30 40/20

System 7.1 / MacTCP

Dynalink SCSI

Netscape 2.0

External 24" LCD monitor

With javascript turned off Netscape 2.0 is very snappy. Webmail (Fastmail.fm) is a pleasure to use, as is Google. Facebook, however, keeps redirecting me to the mobile page. For some reason, Netscape is unsure of what to do with mobile web pages (I am asked to download the source code). Does anyone know if Netscape 3.X can handle these?

Speed is alright. I can download files in 60-70 kB/s. Unfortunately I have to disconnect my external 2 GB HD when using the Dynalink. Need to get hold of more SCSi cables. :b&w:

A bit of iCandy on my external SE/30 monitor:

scaled.php


And in all its monochrome glory...

scaled.php


Nice. It's calling home!

I could add a picture of your SCSI rig (a nicely composed shot preferred) to the Guide if you'd like. When you installed NSI 1.5.1, what selection did you use (if you customized the install)?

I find myself turning green with envy at your Display card. I might have to pick one up someday, however once the Duo is resuscitated I don't think that will be necessary.

I was going to make a section in the Guide about how to handle .jpg images. I tried GIFConverter but it just giggled at me. Maybe I'm doing it wrong. (Probably) In the meantime I just opened it in iCab and after about 5 minutes of full load, behold:

ad0bbb1b.png.7f76889eba0822ea56fda19e0f59deaa.png


(Here is the original, in case anybody was interested.)

mp.ls