macs_in_mixed_network.txt

[Info-Mac]

Download: http://archive.info-mac.org/info/macs-i ... etwork.hqx

A while ago (2/95) I posted the following question about bringing Macs
to a Mac-hostile network:

> I have a friend that was going to get Internet-connection to his Mac at
> work. There are some PC's to be connected as well.
>
> However, he is working in a Mac-hostile environment (tm) and now his
> system-administrator is going to refuse to connect his Mac because he
> believes that Macs with their AppleTalk-protocol are a serious security
> risk (he works in a hospital and the network is TCP/IP-based with
> connections to other hospitals).
>
> Is it really possible for AppleTalk-packets to bypass certain gateways and
> other protection schemes that IP-packets can't?

Here are the answers I got (thanks). The consensus seems to be that 1) Macs
are secure on the net and MacTCP talks the same IP as UNIX-boxes and PC's
2) Routers have to be explicitly configured to pass AppleTalk packets on
3) A lone Mac doesn't need to use AppleTalk and, if necessary, AppleTalk
can easily be switched off via the chooser 4) When used, AppleTalk and
protocols like NetBEUI and Windows for Workgroups broadcast their presence
on the net but this shouldn't cause trouble.