The driver isn't strictly necessary, but it allows a system to get an IP address (not MacIP but MacTCP) over the serial connection and speeds up the comms through the port. It does indeed require "Classic Networking" and does not work with OT. However, the converter hardware still works with Open Transport. The downside is that you can only obtain IP addresses through a MacIP server, and the throughput is slower.

They are fantastic devices for getting LocalTalk devices on an EtherTalk network, though. They even work with old Apple LocalTalk printers like the LaserWriter IIf.

Peace,

Drew