LocalTalk-to-Ethernet bridge

A LocalTalk-to-Ethernet Bridge is a network bridge that joins the physical layer of the AppleTalk networking used by previous generations of Apple Computer products to an Ethernet network. This was an important class of products in the late 1980s and early 1990s, before Ethernet support became universal on the Mac lineup.

Some LocalTalk-to-Ethernet Bridges only performed Appletalk bridging. Others were also able to bridge other protocols using ad-hoc standards. One example was the MacIP system that allowed LocalTalk-based Macs to send and receive TCP/IP (internet) packets using the bridges as a go-between.

Examples

Hardware devices:

• Asante: AsanteTalk
• Cayman Systems: GatorBox
• Compatible Systems: Ether Route/TCP, RISC Router 3000E
• Dayna Communications: EtherPrint, EtherPrint Plus, EtherPrint-T, EtherPrint-T Plus
• Farallon: EtherPrint, EtherWave LocalTalk Adapter, StarRouter, EtherMac iPrint Adapter LT
• Kinetics: FastPath - in later years, available from Shiva Networks
• Sonic Systems: microPrint, microBridge TCP/IP
• Transware: EtherWay
• Tribe Computer Works: TribeStar
• Webster Computer Corporation: MultiGate, MultiPort/LT

Software in MacTCP era (<1995):

• Apple IP Gateway from Apple Computer
• SuperBridge/TCP from Sonic Systems

Software in Open Transport era (>1995):

• Internet Gateway from Vicomsoft
• IPNetRouter from Sustainable Softworks
• LocalTalk Bridge from Apple Computer

External links

• Oxford University resource regarding DDP-IP Gateways
• LocalTalk Bridge v2.1 download (CNET)
• Sustainable Softworks IPNetRouter
• Webster MultiPort/LT guide
• Asante AsanteTalk
• Sonic MicroPrint Manual
• Sonic MicroPrint Software
• Usenet post regarding successful use of the AsanteTalk bridge with an Apple IIgs