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Cayman Systems

From Alfawiki
Cayman Systems, Inc
IndustryNetworking hardware

The GatorBox serves as a LocalTalk-to-Ethernet bridge router tailored for Macintosh environments, facilitating AppleTalk protocol communication between devices on LocalTalk and Ethernet networks. Created by Cayman Systems, Inc, its GatorSystem software extends support to TCP/IP and DECnet tunneling for LocalTalk clients, thereby enabling access to protocols exclusive to Ethernet. Utilizing GatorPrint software, the GatorBox permits Ethernet-based machines to transmit print tasks to LocalTalk printers through the 'lpr' command. Additionally, with GatorShare, LocalTalk users gain entry to Ethernet-hosted NFS servers.

Specifications

  • The initial GatorBox (model 10100) is a desktop device powered by a 10 MHz Motorola 68000 processor, equipped with 1 MB of RAM, 128 KB EPROM for boot code storage, and 2 KB NVRAM for configuration data. It features LocalTalk and serial Mini-DIN-8 ports alongside BNC and AUI connectors, and relies on an external 16 VAC power adapter. This model requires software to be downloaded at startup.
  • The GatorBox CS (model 10101) is also a desktop unit but includes an internal power supply compatible with 120/240 V, 1.0 A, 50–60 Hz input.
  • The GatorMIM CS functions as a media interface module designed for integration with Cabletron Multi-Media Access Centers (MMAC).
  • The GatorBox CS/Rack (model 10104) offers a rack-mountable form factor based on the GatorBox CS design and contains an internal power source.
  • The GatorStar GXM combines the GatorMIM CS module with a 24-port LocalTalk repeater.
  • The GatorStar GXR merges the GatorBox CS/Rack unit with a 24-port LocalTalk repeater; it omits the BNC connector and utilizes a female DE-9 serial interface.

All "CS" variants come standard with 2 MB of memory and can boot directly from software images stored in EPROM using the GatorInstaller utility.

Software

The software suite for the GatorBox consists of three disks, differing slightly between the original and CS models:

  • Configuration – includes GatorKeeper, the MacTCP folder, and either GatorInstaller (for CS models) or GatorBox TFTP along with UDP-TFTP (for the original version).
  • Application – contains device-resident programs such as GatorSystem, GatorPrint, and GatorShare. Applications designed for CS models bear a "CS" suffix; notably, GatorPrint integrates functionalities of GatorSystem, while GatorShare combines features from both GatorSystem and GatorPrint.
  • Network Applications – offers utilities like NCSA Telnet and UnStuffit.

Software Requirements

  • The GatorKeeper version 2.0 demands Macintosh System versions ranging from 6.0.2 up to 7.5.1 and requires Finder version 6.1 or newer
  • Compatibility depends on MacTCP, not Open Transport

See also

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