KU Medical Center is currently upgrading it's network infrastructure (the pieces of the network which enable you to access file servers, printers, the internet as well as other network resources) to allow for redundancy, better performance, as well as the ability to support current and future technologies more securely. Once the new network is in place, Customer Support will schedule time with each department to move customer printers, pc's, Macintosh computers. and any other network attached device  to the new network. After the network migration AppleTalk routing will be discontinued between subnets on campus. The following is a list of common questions and answers related to this event.

What is happening with AppleTalk on campus?

AppleTalk routing between subnets on campus is being turned off when we migrate to the new network. In general, this means that the AppleTalk Zone information a Macintosh user would normally see in the Chooser is going to change significantly. Instead of a campus-wide, comprehensive Zone list, each local subnet will have a single local default Zone. The Chooser will just show the local Zone.

It is important to emphasize that the AppleTalk protocol is not being banned from the network. Rather, it is the case that the routing of AppleTalk between subnets is being removed. AppleTalk will continue to function normally on local subnets. To an average user, the primary difference will be that the campus-wide Zone lists will go away, and the Chooser will only display devices connected to the local subnet.

For the most part, you will be able to see other AppleTalk devices on the same floor as the AppleTalk (Mac) device you are using at a particular time.  Other ways of accessing the devices you currently connect to are discussed later.

To minimize the effects on users that currently require AppleTalk it is VERY important that you fill out this survey form for every Macintosh (AppleTalk) device that you use.

Thank You!

Your Network Development Team.

Why is this being done?

It has become increasingly difficult and costly to support the routing of the AppleTalk protocol on the campus routers. The routers connect the building subnets and direct traffic from one subnet to the other, and to the Internet. IP is the native protocol for moving information through the Internet. AppleTalk, in contrast, is a broadcast protocol and is therefore extremely "chatty", and was designed primarily for small, local area networks.

Hardware and software support for AppleTalk as a routed protocol has dwindled as time goes on. Dropping AppleTalk from the list of routed protocols on campus will improve the performance and reliability of our network. It will also allow Network Development to stay current with the most recent routing software updates. Many other Universities have already taken similar action.

Will the loss of AppleTalk routing affect me?

If you are accessing local AppleTalk devices (local printers, servers, other Macintosh's), the switchover should not be difficult. Devices in the Chooser will no longer show up under the old Zone, and there will no longer be a long list of Zones. The most common case will be that a user will simply reselect their local device in the default zone in the Chooser.

Should I power cycle any devices?

AppleTalk printers and file servers should be "power cycled" ( turned off then turned on ) at some point after the migration. This will ensure that they abandon the old zone info they have been using, and it will let them automatically learn about the default local zone. Most devices will do this automatically.

Some devices may continue to advertise incorrect Zone information after migration cutoff date. So called "phantom Zones" may appear to come and go in the Chooser until all devices have stopped advertising the old information. Please contact Customer Support ext 87995 if you need help isolating this kind of problem.

Can I continue to use AppleTalk on my local subnet?

On the local subnet, AppleTalk will continue to operate as usual for talking to local printers and file shares. Devices which are not on the local subnet will not show up under the Chooser. In order to reach printers or file servers across subnets, methods which utilize the IP protocol will have to be used instead of AppleTalk.

Will Zones appear in my Chooser after routing is off?

In most cases, no Zones will appear in the Chooser. Only the default local zone will exist. This is what you should expect to see after the migration.

How can I share files with a Macintosh not on my local subnet?

Macintosh file sharing over TCP/IP requires the server to be running MacOS 9 or greater, and that the client be running MacOS 7.6 or greater.

How can I print to a printer not on my local subnet?

A webpage showing how to configure remote printers using LPR for OS8, 9 and X is located here. This technique requires that you know the hostname or IP address of the remote printer, and that you are able to configure your machine to use LPR using the Desktop Printer Utility.

Remember: In order to minimize network issues for your Macintosh/AppleTalk devices it is critical for you to fill out the survey for every AppleTalk device you use. Click here to begin the survey