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Connections

So, you have an Appletalk game you'd like to play over your modem? Or how about trying that game with modem support over the internet? You've found the right page! This page explains the protocols and where to download the software.

How to use this page:
Network games have built-in support for certain protocols. Sometimes these games can be extended to play over other protocols or mediums (such as playing Appletalk games over the modem, modem games over the Internet, etc). Simply look under the protocol heading your game supports and see what other options are available. As always, your mileage may vary depending on the game. Don't be disappointed if a game designed for a fast Appletalk network hardly works (if at all) when you try to play it over your modem or across the internet (i.e. Marathon 2)!

Last Modified: 3/23/98

Page Contents:



   Appletalk

Appletalk is the Macintosh's built-in networking protocol, built into the Mac since day one. It is the most basic of protocols for the Mac, and is used from everything from System 7 File Sharing, to printing, to basic Mac network software such as group calendars or LAN-based email. Appletalk can run over a variety of cabling from simple phone cable (referred to as PhoneNet or LocalTalk) to Ethernet cabling. In a pinch, you can even use a simple Mac serial cable (such as one used to connect a Stylewriter printer) to connect two Mac's (see the Networking 101 page for details)!

Almost every LAN netgame supports Appletalk. Make sure you are using the latest version to help avoid problems. If you are using "classic" Appletalk (that is, pre-Open Transport), make sure you are running version 58.1.5. You can easily check this by opening the Network control panel and reading the version numbers at the bottom of the window. If you use or your Mac requires Open Transport, use version 1.1.2 or later (Version 1.2 is included with MacOS 8). Period. 1.1.2 is faster and more stable than any previous versions.

Download Open Transport 1.1.2 (5645k) - Version 1.2 is included with MacOS 8.

Download Network Software Installer 1.5.1 (963k) - For users using pre-System 7.5 software only, includes Appletalk 58.1.5

Appletalk over modems

For games that don't have modem support, you might try Apple Remote Access (current version is 3.0). Apple Remote Access (ARA) works by establishing an physical network link by redirecting Appletalk packets that would normally go to the ethernet or printer port, to the modem. This amazing bit of software will actually let you perform any task you would normally on a network, even printing! However, because of it's high overhead, ARA may not perform well with certain games (Marathon, for example) because to the volume of information that is sent back and forth between computers. In which case, check out NetLink Remote. It improves net gameplay by reducing AppleTalk overhead, and just transmitting the necessary info.

NetLink Remote 1.2 is an inexpensive and powerful shareware alternative to Apple Remote Access. ARA software may be too expensive for most individuals and too slow for demanding games like Marathon. NetLink Remote's high speed modem protocol has been optimized for realtime games and offers speed comparible to Localtalk, and in many cases is faster than the built-in modem support provided by some games. Combined with TCPSerial, NetLink Remote can be used to play Appletalk games over the internet. NetLink's homepage has optimization tips and help with configuring with TCPSerial.

Download Netlink Remote 1.2

Appletalk over the Internet

There are several ways for getting Appletalk to work over the internet. IP Remote, IPTnnl, and Async ATalk are three options that all come from the University of Melbourne. Netlink Remote combined TCPSerial does the same thing in a slightly different way. All of them do their magic by encapsulating Appletalk packets inside TCP packets and redirecting them over the internet. Because of some fundamental differences between Appletalk and TCP, some games work better than others. TCP was designed for unreliability; so TCP can handle delayed packets and even recieving packets out of order (i.e. recieving the second packet before the first one) without skipping a beat. Appletalk (like most protocols), on the other hand, was designed for a LAN where these are not issues. So, the lesson here is to experiment, but understand that your mileage may vary. Some games work perfectly, others not at all. The AppleTalk games over the Internet page has links to the software, and explains step by step how to set them up, as well as a frequently asked questions section.

UPDATE 1/15/97: The long awaited IPRemote 2.0b4 is once again publically available! 2.0b4 offers compatibility with Open Transport. Please note that IPRemote is UNSUPPORTED software! Do not bother David Hornsby, the programmer, with any questions about the software! If you have problems, post a question to newsgroups, or refer to the AppleTalk games over the Internet page.

Download IPRemote 2.0b4 (76k). The 2.0b4 Read Me.

SEE ALSO:
Configuring AoI - A how-to and FAQ for setting up and configuring Appletalk (using the tools outlined above) so that you can play games over the Internet.

   IPX

IPX is the protocol developed and used by Novell for their network operating system. For years, it was the "defacto" standard for PC networking (until, once again, Microsoft decided it wanted to conquer networking and released "Windows for Workgroups 3.1", and it's been downhill for Novell ever since). Today, it's still fairly popular (although increasingly less so) and is included with Windows 95, so it is fairly easy to get crossplatform gaming working on local networks. MacIPX is the Mac implementation and was originally developed so that Mac's can coexist on a Novell network and share network services with PC's. MacIPX support is added into Mac games simply so that we can enjoy crossplatform gaming (such as with Descent & Doom).

IPX is found in many crossplatform games, and enables Macs and PCs to play against each other. MacIPX 1.3.1 is the current shipping version, and is absolutely necessary as earlier versions were incompatible with Open Transport. MacIPX will allow several Macs and PC's on the same physical network to play crossplatform games. Novell's Mac client support page may offer some help. However, my Networking 101 will likely provide all the MacIPX configuration help you'll need!

Download MacIPX 1.3.1 client (125k) - Includes everything needed for most users and situations (MacIPX control panel and driver extensions).

Download MacIPX Update 4 (377k) - A set of patches that fixes problems with MacOS 8, Open Transport, and compatibility problems with PCI Ethernet cards. For gaming, the only extension you should need to replace is 'MacIPX Ethernet'. The version number is unchanged, but look for a copyright of 1997 (previous version said 1996).

Download the Novell MacIPX 5.11 package (2891k) - This is Novell's package that includes all the services needed for a full Novell network (such as printing, server clients, etc). This is NOT needed by most users.

Attention Performa 6360/6400/5400 owners!
Apple's 6360-64xx-54xx Update 1.0 (328k) fixes problems with MacIPX networking on Performa 6360, 64xx, and 54xx based computers. It also fixes SCSI, printing, and other ethernet problems. If you have one of these Macintoshes (only these models are effected), you'll want this update (not needed for System 7.6 or higher).

IPX over the Internet

Kali 1.0b8 -- the notable alternative to IPX. Kali enables you to connect over the internet to one of dozens of Kali servers around the world to play Kali-compatible network games (see Games @ Glance for a quick list of compatible games). Kali began as a total hack for playing Doom II over the internet and slowly evolved to becoming the largest gaming system in the world! Now, thanks to Adam Miller (programmer for Mac Kali), we Mac users are no longer left in the cold! Kali completely replaces MacIPX. As a matter of fact, you shouldn't have both Kali and MacIPX installed at the same time as they conflict and will crash your machine.

See the Game Performance Tuning page for squeezing maximum performance from Kali, pay particular attention to the modem section.

Download KaliMac 1.0b8f

SEE ALSO:
Configuring IPX - My page for configuring IPX with instructions for both Mac & PC.
MacWeek Macintouch Column - An article the discusses MacIPX problems with various machines.
www.kali.net - The official home of Kali, and the Kali Mac page.
And the History of Kali has an interesting account of how it all began.
The Unofficial Kali for the Mac Homepage - A Kali page focused on the Mac version.

   Modem/Serial

Modems are a basic form of communication between computers, and have been around almost as long as the first computers. Before the days of the internet (as we know it today), T1 lines, and direct connections, many mainframe computers communicated back and forth using modems. Modems have gotten a lot faster, and are still a main form of connection for millions of personal computers. Through a wide variety of protocols, modems provide everything from terminal emulation and simple file transfer to surfing the web and network gaming!

Games with modem support will have two kinds of connections: they will either have their own built-in modem support, or they will use Apple's Communications Toolbox (CTB) tools (sometimes programs support both). The concept behind the Communications Toolbox was to give programmers and applications a standard API and interface. My Configuring CTB Tools page will help you configure various available CTB tools (there are tools for playing over local Appletalk networks, the internet, etc.).

Be sure to stop by the Game Performance Tuning page to learn how to get the most from modem performance.

In version control, there's obviously not anything we can with programs that use their own built-in support, but it is important that you use the latest versions of CTB tools for maximum performance and compatibility.

Apple Modem Tool is the tool for basic modem dial-up. Version 1.5.3 is the last freely downloadable version from Apple's FTP site, although 1.5.6 is available in System Software 7.6 (you will have to do a custom install to get it. I bug in the install script prevents it from detecting and upgrading the tool). I've seen compatibility problems caused by using earlier versions of these tools, so double-check your version. Version 1.5.5 and later takes better advantage of Serial DMA 2.0.2 (built into System 7.5.3 and later). The Configuring CTB Tools page will help you configure this tool.

If your PowerMac is not running System 7.5.3 or later, you'll also want to get the Serial DMA 2.0.2 extension, which, besides fixing many long standing bugs, adds PowerMac native code to the serial driver. This extension is not needed with any system version 7.5.3 or later (it's built into the System file itself).

Outland TCP Tool or MacTCP Tool 1.2: Both are Communications Toolbox (CTB) extensions designed to enable programs that use the CTB to talk over the Internet. Both enable games (that talk to the CTB) to the play over the internet. Apple's MacTCP Tool provides a more robust, fully-functional TCP tool, but can only be acquired through a software package such as MacX. However, the free Outland TCP Tool, while missing most of functionality of a general-purpose TCP tool (i.e. it couldn't be used for telnet or FTP), is ideal for its intended purpose-- GAMING! Originally developed for the Outland Games network, it was eventually released as freeware. Many users report success using this tool for such games as Command & Conquer and others. The Configuring CTB Tools page will help you configure this tool.

Download Outland TCP Tool (70k)

TCPSerial 1.0.1: This of this as picking up where the Outland CTB tool left off. TCPSerial is a free extension that offers new internet possibilities for games with modem support. It allows programs that know how to communicate via a modem, but not via the Internet, to use the Internet. This is new software, developed by the University of Michigan, was developed primarily with Apple Remote Access in mind. However, this naturally will work with any other software that uses the modem. Joe Kloss, author of Netlink Remote, reports that using both his software and TCPSerial is possible, basically enabling Appletalk games to be played over the internet.

Download TCPSerial 1.0.1 (19k)

SEE ALSO:
Most protocols can be routed over modems:
Configuring CTB Tools - My page that extends games that support the Communications Toolbox over various mediums (local networks, internet, etc.)
Netlink Remote for playing Appletalk games over the modem.
Kali for playing IPX games.
TCP/IP section for TCP/IP dial-up software.

   TCP/IP

TCP/IP is the "native" protocol of the internet. Games supporting this protocol directly typically allow for gaming over the 'net (such as Warcraft II). This also enables crossplatform gaming in certain cases (such as Reality Bytes' Havoc or Bungie's Myth).

TCP/IP: Programs supporting TCP/IP requires that you have TCP/IP (or the older MacTCP) properly configured (chances are if you're reading this page you do ;-). If you are using "classic" MacTCP (that is, pre-Open Transport), make sure you are using version 2.0.6. Versions prior to this have many bugs, and 2.0.6 fixes a retransmission delay problem that effected many modem users. If you are a PowerMac user, you are better off using Open Transport. Many games today that support TCP directly requires Open Transport, and it's also substantially faster on PowerMacs bacause it is fully PowerMac native (MacTCP is not).

Apple no longer offers any versions later than 1.1.2 as freely downloadable- you must now purchase MacOS upgrades to get the bundled Open Transport software. If you are running MacOS prior to 7.6, you can download Open Transport 1.1.2 from the Appletalk section.

Dial-up Internet users: Should I use SLIP or PPP?

(On rare occations, I still run across people using SLIP on their old computers.) SLIP (Serial Line Internet Protocol) is an older, less efficient protocol (thereby slower) compared to PPP (Point to Point Protocol). Later, CSLIP (Compressed Serial Line Internet Protocol) was introduced, but it was too late because PPP was already well established (PPP already supported packet compression).

Long story short; use PPP, it's better, more efficient, and more widely accepted. It's the standard.

Which dial-up PPP software should I use?

There is a surprising variety of PPP software for the Mac (a lot if this is due because the original (now incompatible) MacPPP freely distributed it's source code). I recommend only two: if you are using a PowerMac, you should probably be using Apple's OT/PPP. It is the only PPP dial-up software that is PowerMac native! I'm such an advocate of OT/PPP, I've even created a Configuring OT/PPP web page to help you set it up.

If OT/PPP is not right for you, then I recommend FreePPP. FreePPP is a direct decendant of the original MacPPP, but has evolved far beyond its roots. It's now faster and more efficient (only exception being OT/PPP), packs more features, and is easier to set up than just about any other dialup software I've seen.

All this is discussed further on the Configuring OT/PPP web page.

Download Apple's OT/PPP 1.0 (2990k) - For most PowerMac users.

Download FreePPP 2.6.2 (788k) - For everyone else.

SEE ALSO:
Configuring OT/PPP - further discussion and "how to" for installing OT/PPP.
FreePPP homepage - Official homepage of FreePPP, includes FAQs, info, and more.
Configuring TCP - My page for setting up your own TCP network, without a connection to the Internet.
IP Remote or NetLink Remote for playing Appletalk games over the internet.
Kali for playing MacIPX games over the internet.
TCPSerial for playing modem/serial based games over the internet.

   Other Useful Software

Rather than duplicate the efforts of other excellent resources, I want to point you to The Mac Orchard. The Mac Orchard tracks the latest Internet applications available for the Macintosh.

The The Mac Orchard Chat page has a comprehensive list of Mac chat programs for the Internets. IRCle and Snak are two popular IRC programs. For newbies, IRC stands for Internet Relay Chat, and is used for chatting (via typing) with people from all over the world. Every sort of topic is discussed, and is categorized by "channels" (For example, #MARATHON or #MACWARCRAFT are popular ones). These are naturally useful for finding people to play against, or if you are a dial-in user that doesn't have a static IP (i.e. your TCP/IP address gets dynamically assigned to you each time you connect), it is a good meeting ground for exchanging necessary info and such.

Mac TCP Watcher 2.0 and Whatroute 1.3 both can be indispensible utilities in helping determine problems with network lag and drop-outs over TCP/IP (useful for both internet and Kali). Both are implementations, among other things, of the UNIX traceroute command, which traces the route your packets take to its destination, and how long it took for each hop (Both require Open Transport for this function, as it is not possible with MacTCP). If you have a poor route to an opponent or server, there is not necessarily much you can do about it, but it will at least explain why the network is lagging. If anything, it's just interesting; trace a route to Apple or your favorite web site! Both offer other handy internet utilities, such as PING and NSlookup. MacPing 3.0.3 is another ping utility that functions not just over the internet (via TCP), but also on Appletalk networks! This can be handy when you've established a Appletalk link via Netlink Remote or ARA and determining if there is a connection (i.e. the game doesn't seem to want to start).

Look on the The Mac Orchard Net Utilities for other useful network utilities.



Final Thought:

Networking games is tricky business, and updates are more often than not addressing networking issues (for example, the Doom II 1.03 Update addresses some incompatibilities with Open Transport). So, make sure you always have the latest version of your software. Under every game entry, I make a note on the current version (if there isn't it simply means there are no known updates) and will link the updater in the description (if I missed one, send me email). You also need to make sure that your playing partners also have the current versions, as bad software on either end will effect both computers.

Also, the latest system software will often help eliminate problems, as each system revision can address issues that effect program performance, such as bugs on the system level. Or maybe Apple just added more PowerMac native code, which is alright too! ;-)



As always, let me know of any additional info or new utility that should be added to this page.




© Copyright 1997 Rick VanDerveer

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