Ethernet connection problems

Question

Ethernet connection problems

I am trying to set up ethernet connections between my Beige G3, my son's G3 iBoook, and a NEC SilentWriter 95 printer (using a Farallon EtherMac adapter). Both Macs are using Jaguar version 10.2.8. Up until recently, I had a crossover cable between the Beige G3 and the printer adapter, and was able to print just fine. I am now trying to connect all three nodes using an ethernet switch. Neither Mac can find the printer at all, and things are hit-and-miss trying to get the Macs to see each other on the network. The Beige G3 can usually see the iBook in the Connect to Server dialog, but when I try to connect, I get a -36 error code (sometimes a -5000 error code). The cables test out fine, and the link lights for both ports are lit on the switch. I have tried several iterations of rebooting, power-cycling, and manual address setting--all for naught.

Any advice on what to check, or how to diagnose the root cause?

Thanks,
Pete

Beige G3 266 MT, Mac OS X (10.2.x), iBook G3 (Snow); Dynex DX-ESW5 switch

Posted on Jan 25, 2006 11:56 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 26, 2006 3:38 AM in response to Peter Nelson1

huh , do you have both Mac's set up to use dhcp server and to automaticly get a ip if not i would try that in the network contorl pannel

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Answer 2

Jan 26, 2006 8:05 AM in response to Peter Nelson1

-36 is an I/O error
-5000 is AFP Access denied

Do you have personal File Sharing turned on in each Mac: System Preferences > Sharing > checkbox for personal file sharing?

Do you have AppleTalk assigned to the Ethernet connection and turned on in System Preferences > Network > Built-in Ethernet > AppleTalk pane?

Do you have a valid Ethernet address other than 169.254.xxx.yyy (that is the self-assigned range of Ethernet Addresses, and indicates you are talking only to yourself).

Now that you have a switch, are you using all straight cables?

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Answer 3

Jan 26, 2006 8:49 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

i bet they are crossover cables that he is useing.

im not that good with networking know how in OS X yet or OS 9.2.2 but know more in classic than OS X

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Answer 4

Jan 26, 2006 9:41 AM in response to Frank McHugh

Frank & Grant,
Yes, I am using straight cables, not crossovers. I have even used a straight cable tester on the cables, and they test OK.

Personal file sharing has been turned on for both Macs, although I have noticed that it seems to shut itself off occasionally for no apparent reason. I frequently recheck this, and turn it back on when I find it off.

AppleTalk has been activated for the built-in ethernet port on both Macs. The IP addresses are showing the 169.254 prefix, but do have unique suffixes (the "using DHCP" option is selected). Should I try manually setting these in some other range? And how do I get the printer visible? I would think the EtherMac adapter would have to dynamically acquire an IP address, as I don't know of any way to set it manually.

Thanks,
Pete

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Answer 5

Jan 26, 2006 10:47 AM in response to Peter Nelson1

The 169.254.xxx.yyy addresses should work as long as the subnet mask it assigned is 255.255.0.0. The subnet mask has a 1-bit for every binary bit that should be looked at to decide whether two IP addresses are on the same subnet. To communicate, the Macs must appear to be on the same subnet. If it does not do this automatically, you will need to set manual IP addresses.

The EtherMac adapter is an AppleTalk device. It does not have an IP address. It uses the Ethernet cable to talk AppleTalk protocol, just as the other devices use the Ethernet cable to talk IP protocol. They do not disrupt each other, but cannot be directly translated back and forth. Your Macs are also talking AppleTalk protocol onto the Ethernet cable when they go to print.

If you can get file sharing working and stable, then you should try power off the EtherMac adapter and the Printer, power up the printer and wait a minute after the lights stop flashing, and then power up the Ethermac. Although this device is a little better than the AsanteTalk at re-acquiring devices that drop out, it occasionally has the same problem and must be powered up last.

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Answer 6

Jan 26, 2006 10:11 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

I tried what you suggested, and still can't get anything to work. The G3 can see the iBook, but cannot connect (gets a -36 error again). The iBook cannot see the G3, period; it never shows up in the Connect to Server dialog.

I verified that both Macs are getting (unique) 169.254.xxx.yyy IP addresses, and that both have 255.255.0.0 for a subnet mask. I have even powered off both Macs and the switch; after rebooting, it still doesn't work. I have gone back and double-checked that file sharing is still turned on; I have tried entering the actual IP addresses--nothing is working.

What diagnostics can I run to make sure the ethernet ports are functioning properly on each Mac? This is getting downright frustrating, to say the least.

Thanks,
Pete

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Answer 7

Jan 26, 2006 11:40 PM in response to Peter Nelson1

i would just buy a router you will have more luck with a router than a hub or switch

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Answer 8

Jan 27, 2006 7:49 AM in response to Peter Nelson1

I suggest you enter unique manual IP addresses for both Macs in the range 192.168.0.xxx and use a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. There may be other things that go along with the "self-assigned" Ethernet addresses that keep them from operating fully. Assigning addresses manually may solve that problem.

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Answer 9

Allan Jones

Level 9

79,718 points

Jan 27, 2006 7:15 PM in response to Peter Nelson1

Grant,

I have this gnawing little recollection that the two computers darned-near had to be powered up simultaneously for the simple cable connection to work. Am I hallucinating? I spent good parts of three days this week at the clinic and have been taking painkillers to ease the ouch. Shouldn't drive or compute, probably.

A

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Answer 10

Jan 27, 2006 7:25 PM in response to Allan Jones

Allan-

You are not hallucinating. But that very interesting thread you are remembering featured two 6500-class machines, which are notorious for not enabling their Ethernet cards unless they are connected to a "live" Ethernet source, such as a router or switch. The poster was trying to get by with a crossover cable, and it was very difficult.

Different Macs here, and already using a switch.

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Answer 11

Jan 27, 2006 10:07 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Grant,
I tried manually setting addresses and subnet masks as you suggested, and it still doesn't work. Entering the IP address manually in the Connect to Server dialog ends up giving a -36 error after waiting most of the timeout interval. Neither machine will appear automatically in the other's dialog at all. The ping test in Network Utility gets no packets returned.

I think Frank may be right; it's probably time to try a router. That way, I can make sure each Mac can address the router via the web browser. I'll go buy one tomorrow, and see how that goes.

Thanks,
Pete

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Answer 12

Allan Jones

Level 9

79,718 points

Jan 29, 2006 9:02 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks, Grant. I guess I'm not as crazy as I think!

A

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Answer 13

Jan 29, 2006 9:26 AM in response to Allan Jones

I'm not sure I would go that far!

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Answer 14

Allan Jones

Level 9

79,718 points

Jan 29, 2006 10:49 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Grant,

"I'm not sure I would go that far!

Hee-hee. My motto comes from an old country.western song, "You've got to be Crazy to Keep from Going Insane"

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Answer 15

Jan 31, 2006 1:38 PM in response to Peter Nelson1

I bought a router, and was able to access the setup page from each Mac. At first, the Beige G3 seemed to take a terribly long time to load router setup pages, but a later ping test only showed occasional long response times.

Anyway, after getting both Macs connected to the router, file sharing worked a whole lot better--althogh there were occasional hangs while accessing over the network.

I still can't get either Mac to see the printer. The lights on the EtherMac box indicate that it's getting pinged, but the link/activity light on the front of the router doesn't light up. Is that normal? How do I determine whether the EtherMac is sending/receiving properly on the network? Power cycling the EtherMac and printer has not helped.

Thanks,
Pete

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