APPLETALK

I. INTRODUCTION

In the early 1980s, as Apple Computer, Inc. was preparing to introduce the Macintosh computer,
Apple engineers knew that networks would become a critical need. They wanted to ensure that a
Macintosh-based network was a seamless extension of the revolutionary Macintosh user interface. With
these two goals in mind, Apple decided to build a network interface into every Macintosh and to
integrate that interface into the desktop environment. Apple’s new network architecture was called
AppleTalk.

II. FEATURES

PHASE 1

Its network segments can contain no more than 135 hosts and 135 servers, and it
can support only nonextended networks.

PHASE 2

LocalTalk networks, which have a single network number and can have as many as 254 nodes.

EtherTalk and TokenTalk networks, which can be assigned a network range so that the network can
have more nodes. EtherTalk and TokenTalk networks can have as many as 253 nodes for every number
in the network range, for a maximum of 16.5 million nodes.

LocalTalk networks, which each must be in a single zone. Each EtherTalk and TokenTalk network can
have multiple zones, and individual nodes on a network can be configured to be in any one of the
network's associated zones.
III. HOW IT WORKS WITH THE OSI MODEL

APPLICATION LAYER - There is no AppleTalk protocol that maps directly to this layer, although some of
the functions of the AppleTalk Filing Protocol (AFP) fulfill this layer.

PRESENTATION LAYER - The AppleTalk Filing Protocol (AFP) spans the presentation and application
layers. AFP provides an interface between an application and a file server. It uses the services of ASP,
which, in turn, is a client of ATP.

SESSION LAYER - the process of setting up a connection over which a dialog between two applications or
processes can occur.The AppleTalk protocols implemented at the session layer are:

the AppleTalk Data Stream Protocol (ADSP), ensures reliable service between sockets.

the AppleTalk Session Protocol (ASP), opens, maintains, and closes sessions between sockets.

the Zone Information Protocol (ZIP), maintains a "map" of the zones within the network.

the Printer Access Protocol (PAP), handles requests for access to Apple LaserWriter printers.

TRANSPORT LAYER - ensures that all packets of data sent across the network are received and in the
correct order. It also provides connection and session management services.
 Name-Binding Protocol (NBP), provides translations between character-oriented names
and Internet socket addresses.

AppleTalk Transaction Protocol (ATP), reliable socket-to-socket transmissions

AppleTalk Echo Protocol (AEP), is used for maintenance.

Routing Table Maintenance Protocol (RTMP), maintains information about the current
configuration of the network.

NETWORK LAYER - specifies the network routing of data packets between nodes and the
communications between networks, which is referred to as internetworking.

The Datagram Delivery Protocol (DDP), transfers data as discrete packets and that DDP does not include
support to ensure that all packets sent are received at the
destination and that those packets that are received are in the correct
order.

DATA LINK AND PHYSICAL LAYERS - provides for connectivity.

LocalTalk, token ring, Ethernet, and Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) are examples of types of
networking hardware that AppleTalk supports.

IV. NETWORK COMPONENTS

1. Socket – A unique and addressable location in an AppleTalk node. It is the logical point at
which upper-layer AppleTalk software processes and the network layer Datagram Delivery Protocol
(DDP) interact.

2. Nodes - An AppleTalk node is a device that is connected to an AppleTalk network. This device
might be a Macintosh computer, a printer, an IBM PC, a router, or some other similar device.

V. NETWORKS

1. Non extended Networks

It is a physical network segment that is assigned only a single network number, which can range
between 1 and 1024.

2. Extended Networks

Also known as a cable range. It is a physical network segment that can be assigned multiple network
numbers.

VI. ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES

1. ADVANTAGES

a. Apple automatically includes AppleTalk in the Macintosh operating system.

b. Easy to implement and configure

c. Setting up a small workgroup is simple and inexpensive

2. DISADVANTAGES

a. It is not suitable for very large networks

b. It is very slow compared to other LAN links at 230.4 Kbps

c. It is unsuitable for bandwidth intensive applications