Asante AsanteTalk Quick Start Guide

AsantéTalk
Ethernet to LocalTalk
Converter

User’s Manual

Quick Start Guide

This section will guide you in setting up your AsantéTalk to your Macintosh computer.
Follow the steps below to set up a direct connection or LAN connection with the As­antéTalk:

SANTÉ

A

(Yellow cable - direct connection)

1. Open the side door to expose the ports found inside your computer.

2. Locate the Ethernet port inside the computer. Plug the yellow direct connect ca­ble into the computer’s Ethernet port.

3. Plug the other end of the yellow direct connect cable into the AsantéTalk.

4. Plug the power adapter into the AsantéTalk and then into a power outlet.

5. Plug the white mini din-8 to mini din-8 cable into the Side B of the AsantéTalk.

6. Plug the other end of the mini din-8 cable into your LocalTalk
puter.

SANTÉ

A

(Silver cable - LAN connection)

1. Open the side door to expose the ports found inside your computer.

2. Locate the Ethernet port inside the computer. Plug a standard LAN cable into the
computer’s Ethernet port. Plug the other end of the standard LAN cable into a
hub or switch.

3. Plug the silver LAN cable into the AsantéTalk’s Ethernet port. Plug the other end
of the silver LAN cable into a switch or hub.

4. Plug the power adapter into the AsantéTalk and then into a power outlet.

5. Plug the existing LocalTalk network connection into Side B of the AsantéTalk.

6. If you have an network connection (i.e. cable modem, DSL, or T1 line) that con­nects your system to the Internet, you will need to temporarily disconnect it from
the network in order to set up the AsantéTalk and your printer.

DIRECT CONNECTION TO THE ETHERNET EQUIPPED MACINTOSH

T

ALK

®

TALK

CONNECTION TO THE ETHERNET EQUIPPED MACINTOSH

LAN

printer or com-

™

2

AsantéTalk Ethernet to LocalTalk Converter

Table of Contents

Quick Start Guide 2

Chapter 1 Introduction 5
Chapter 2 Specifications 11
Chapter 3 Frequently Asked Questions 13
Chapter 4 Troubleshooting 21

Appendix A Online Warranty Registration and Card 33

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4

AsantéTalk Ethernet to LocalTalk Converter

Chapter 1 Introduction

AsantéTalk is designed to allow Apple Macintosh systems using the
on-board Apple Ethernet adapter to communicate with existing Lo­calTalk devices such as printers and other Macintosh computers.

The AsantéTalk connects a LocalTalk network (or printer) and an
Ethernet network (or your computer). After you have installed it on
both networks, devices on the two networks will be able to commu­nicate through the AsantéTalk.

1.1 Package Contents

Before beginning the installation process, check the package con­tents against the items listed here. If any items are found to be
missing, contact your dealer immediately.

•

1 AsantéTalk converter

•

1 yellow RJ45 UTP crossover Ethernet cable

•

1 silver RJ45 UTP Ethernet cable

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•

1 din-8 to din-8 serial cable

•

1 power supply

•

User’s Manual (this document)

1.2 Installation Steps

Follow the steps below to connect your AsantéTalk converter:

1. Connect the AsantéTalk to your LocalTalk network or printer.

2. Connect the AsantéTalk to your computer or existing Ethernet
network.

3. (Optional) Configure your computer to communicate over
Ethernet.

Attaching the AsantéTalk to your LocalTalk network

Connect a LocalTalk adapter to the din-8 port on the AsantéTalk.
Then, connect your LocalTalk cable to the LocalTalk port on the
adapter.

See the Quick Start Guide (p. 2) for more information.

1. The AsantéTalk supports a maximum of eight (8) devices plus
the AsantéTalk, or nine (9) nodes maximum.

2. The LocalTalk network must be configured as a “bus” network.

3. The LocalTalk network must be properly terminated at both
ends of the LocalTalk cable.

Note: LocalTalk adapters/connectors from approved sources
may be used.

•

LocalTalk network configurations wired as a “star” or
“modified star” are not supported.

Note: It is recommended that the AsantéTalk be installed as
the first device in the LocalTalk network. The LocalTalk con­nector on the AsantéTalk must also include a LocalTalk
Terminator, which is normally included with the LocalTalk con-

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AsantéTalk Ethernet to LocalTalk Converter

nector kit. The installation of each LocalTalk device on the Lo­calTalk network segment requires a LocalTalk adapter for
proper communication. The LocalTalk network segment may
include any combination of printers and computer systems on
LocalTalk. The last device in the LocalTalk network chain must
include a terminating resistor.

Ethernet Installation Process

AsantéTalk includes a 10Mbps Ethernet connection--making instal­lation to new or existing networks simple. AsantéTalk was designed
with Apple computers in mind, where simple network operation and
printing is required with LocalTalk printers.

Attaching the AsantéTalk to your Ethernet network

To create an Ethernet network with your computer system, Asanté
includes two Ethernet cables.

The first cable is YELLOW in color and is designed as an industry­standard “crossover” cable. This cable is used for communicating
from the computer directly to the AsantéTalk.

The second Ethernet cable is SILVER in color and is wired as an
industry-standard 10BaseT Ethernet cable. This cable is used when
connecting the AsantéTalk to an Ethernet switch or Ethernet hub.
Installation may require a longer Ethernet cable. Please follow IEEE
Ethernet cabling requirements for wiring and installation.

Attaching the AsantéTalk directly to your computer

The yellow crossover cable is used to establish the physical net­work connection when the configuration consists of the AsantéTalk
and the computer. To connect this cable, simply insert one end of
the cable into the RJ45 female cable connector. The other end of
the yellow cable will attach to the RJ45 port on the AsantéTalk. In­sert the cable end into the appropriate connector.

•

During boot up, the computer will attempt to auto-negotiate
with any attached Ethernet device. To eliminate auto­negotiation problems, make sure the AsantéTalk is pow­ered up before booting the computer

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Attaching the AsantéTalk to Your Existing Ethernet Network

The AsantéTalk may be added to an existing network using the
SILVER cable. This cable is wired as a straight-through cable and is
used to establish a network connection to a port on an Ethernet
switch or Ethernet hub.

To connect this cable, simply connect the RJ45 connector to any
available port on the Ethernet switch or Ethernet hub. Insert one
end of the cable into the RJ45 female cable connector.

Note: Do not install this cable or any other straight-thru 10BaseT
cable to a hub or switch uplink port.

The other end of the silver cable will attach to the RJ45 port on the
AsantéTalk. Insert the cable end into the connector.

If a longer Ethernet cable is required, follow predefined IEEE
Ethernet wiring requirements for wiring 10BaseT RJ45 cables.

Ethernet Installation Guidelines

1. A maximum distance of 100 meters (330 feet) for an individual
Ethernet cable drop must be maintained.

2. Ethernet 10BaseT requires adherence to IEEE 802.3 Wiring
Guidelines.

3. The AsantéTalk may be connected to an Ethernet switch or
Ethernet hub.

4. AsantéTalk does not support auto-negotiation. Ethernet
switches or hubs must be able to turn off or disable this feature
for proper operation.

1.3 Configure Your Computer for Ethernet Communi-

cation

Follow the steps below to establish an Ethernet connection to your
Macintosh:

1. Set your AppleTalk control panel to show “Connect via:
Ethernet.”

2. Set your TCP/IP control panel to:

•

Modem

puter’s modem

, if you connect to the Internet using the com-

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AsantéTalk Ethernet to LocalTalk Converter

•

Ethernet, if you connect to the Internet using your Local
Area Network

Note: See the documentation that came with your computer if you
need more information.

1.4 AsantéTalk Power-Up

AsantéTalk takes approximately 15 seconds to come up on a net­work. It automatically detects the presence of LocalTalk devices
and registers them as nodes on the Ethernet network.

After the AsantéTalk is active on the Ethernet network, any Local­Talk nodes that are connected to the LocalTalk segment of the net­work will appear within the Apple Macintosh Chooser. Those nodes
will be able to utilize server resources on either Ethernet or Local­Talk (if operating systems are close) and AppleTalk capable printers
on the LocalTalk side of the network.

1.5 AsantéTalk LEDs

The four (4) LEDs on the AsantéTalk indicate activity on the
Ethernet and LocalTalk networks. The LEDs are shown on the table
below:

LED Name Purpose

PWR Power

TX Transmit

RX Receive

LI Link Integrity

User’s Manual

Table 1--Four LEDs

9

1.6 Supported Printers

AsantéTalk will support AppleTalk printers, provided that the individ­ual printers are configured with a LocalTalk communications port.
For AppleTalk compatibility information, consult your printer manu­facturer.

Each LocalTalk printer must be connected to the AsantéTalk with
an approved LocalTalk adapter. The LocalTalk network must be
properly terminated with two (2) terminating resistors.

1.7 Supported Apple Computer Systems

•

AsantéTalk will support Apple Computer Macintosh systems
designed with a built-in LocalTalk communications port

•

Each LocalTalk Macintosh must be connected to the
AsantéTalk with an approved LocalTalk adapter and the
LocalTalk network must be properly terminated

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AsantéTalk Ethernet to LocalTalk Converter

Chapter 2 Specifications

The following is a list of the AsantéTalk converter’s specifications:

Devices Supported

Apple Macintosh computers with built-in Ethernet ports (for
example, iMac, eMac, G3, and G4) running AppleTalk (and
all LocalTalk compatible printers), with Mac OS 7.6, 8.x,

9.1, 9.2.1, OS X, OS X.1, and OS X.2

Maximum Cable Distance

RJ45 Port:

100 meters (328 feet) on unshielded twisted-pair (UTP)
cable

LEDs

Power, Transmit, Receive, and Link Integrity

Dimensions

4.5" x 2.6" x 1" (114.3 x 66.0 x 25.4 mm)

Power Supply

115 VAC at 30 watts
60Hz (220 V available)

Standards Compliance

IEEE 802.3 Ethernet specifications for Unshielded Twisted
Pair (10BaseT) media, AppleTalk Phase 2 protocol

Support

Limited Lifetime Warranty, free technical support

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