First Version 17. Dec. 1996
Open Transport (OT) ia an improved version of MacTCP which is designed to replace the latter in the
medium term.
Open Transport can be used in the place of MacTCP with System 7.1.x i.e. from System 7.5.3 on,
as well as with Powermacs and 68K Macs.
Both OT and MacTCP enable one to connect with the Computer Centre via modem. Here OT has the advantage
in enabling one more easily to choose between different configurations should one want to for example
use another Provider aside fron the Computer Centre's modem access provision.
If one chooses to use OT then it is advisable to install OT PPP as well.
It is possible to
operate OT with MacPPP or with FreePPP however, problems arise with modem/ISDN access.
Those interested in (technical) details and information concerning the functioning of OT with
the older PPP versions see the OT Product Manager Gary Hornbuckle's e-mail:
http://www2.interaccess.com/jay/help/garry.html.
For an overview see the OT FAQ:
http://devworld.apple.com/dev/opentransport/overview.html.
OT Installation is straight forward. There are 5 diskettes (4 diskettes Open Transport and
1 diskette OT PPP). One calls-up the installation programme from the first diskette. If
Mac TCP has been previously configured OT takes charge of it. Following this, OT installs
OT PPP. It installs drivers for available modems.
The following Control Field appears:
Connect via: Modem Port
Setup
Modem: One chooses the appropriate modem.
Sound: On
Dialing: Pulse
Ignore dial tone: When one is connected via a PABX (private automatic branch exchange) the box must contain a cross.
See Additional Settings below for further information regarding PABX.
Following the installation 2 Control Fields appear in the Apple Menu: TCP/IP and PPP.
The Setup should be as shown above:
Options: It is not necessary to make an entry.
The TCP/IP Control Field is now complete and can be stored to memory.
The Setup should be as shown above:
Name: User ID, preceeded by P
Password: This is the Unix password i.e. not the campus password!
To change this password one must login on a Unix computer either in the Computer Centre
or via modem using a Terminal Programme.
The command is passwd
Additional Set-ups:
Number: 41532 (telephone number)
When one is connected via a PABX (private automatic branch exchange) the number must
be peceded by a 0 i.e. 0,41532
In this case the modem should not wait for a dial tone
In the Control Field Modem above, the box Ignore dial tone should contain a cross.
Next, click on Options and the following window appears:
The first "card" is Redialing:
The Redial set-up can be installed according to ones preferences, assuming they conform to Deutsche Telekom's permitted parameters.
The second "card" is Connection:
The Connect set-up should be as follows:
Connect automatically... The box should contain a cross whether one wishes to work Online
or Offline.
Verbose logging This is only helpful in identifying errors and the box should not normally contain a cross. If crossed then a log file is created.
Flash icon... It is advisable not to enter a cross because when crossed a flashing icon shows in the Menu strip which can be very irritating.
Disconnect if idle The box should contain a cross when one wishes to be sure of a disconnection after the time here entered i.e. should one leave the computer.
The third "card" is Protocol:
The set-up, for all modems, should be as above:
A Connect Script is not necessary.
However, should problems arise when making a connection a Connect Script could possibly
remedy this.
Further information is available from the OT PPP Manual, in Adobe PDF format under:
http://devworld.apple.com/dev/opentransport/docs/OT_PPP_User_Manual.pdf.
Open Transport and OT PPP are now configured.
A connection can be made by clicking on Connect in the Control Field PPP above.
Alternatively one can make a connection by starting a TCP/IP application such as Netscape.
In this case Connect automatically...should be crossed, as above in PPP - Connection