AppleTalk & Networking

[Sketz]

In doing a little research for an assignment (I'm a U.Tech computing student :-\), I read where Macintosh developed AppleTalk software in 1987 to add networking capapbilites to its then OS, Sytem 3.3. What I'd like to know is if Macs still need AppleTalk software to network themselves, or if it is now a part of the OS, like how Windows NT4/2000 have networking capabilities built into the OS? And if you have to buy and install Appletalk separately from the OS itself? ???

Additionally, if it's now a part of the OS, when was it integrated? Than in advance.

[igodit]

http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/cisintwk/ito_doc/applet.htm

[GodKid]

Hey Sketz,

Wish I saw this earlier...

IMHO Apple, during its more "brand-specific" days was concentrating on creating a dichotomous kind of marketplace where you'd either go Windows or Mac. That didn't work out.

Networking capabilities are now standard in Mac OS and OS X introduced a new network app called Rendezvous which handles all the networking issues for the mac.. from ethernet to bluetooth to IR.

OS X 10.3 (Apple's latest OS release - Oct. 24, 2003) has now squelched concerns re interoperability - ie: authentication on Windows and SMB domains - and quite effectively reduced AppleTalk to a secondary tool, used almost exclusively on Apple's X-Serve networks

[Sketz]

Is there any website where I may get some detailed information on any of the Mac OSes previous to OS X ie one w/out networking standard???

[GodKid]

none that I know of...

I can try to use my connections at Apple to get some more info for you tho.

will post if I get anything.

[Sketz]

My assignment is is to compare two Operating Systems in terms of Memory Management, Process Management, Device Management, File Management, Networking (or lack thereof), Protection & Security, and User Interface. I'm using MS-DOS as the other OS. Any info u can get would be greatly appreciated. Thanx.