by Nic Munro, Eton College, Windsor, Berks, SL4 6DP, England.
What is Pump and Snatch?
Pump and Snatch is an application which broadcasts the complete contents of a File, Directory or Disk across a LocalTalk network. As all the computers receive the update at the same time it can drastically reduce copying times. For instance, it is quite reasonable to expect to completely replace the contents of 20 Mbyte hard disks on 30 computers in half an hour using this system. It is mainly useful for schools and universities who have many identical computers which need the same software on each hard disk.
NB: This software has not been tested on an EtherTalk network and although it should work it may not result in much speed increase over LocalTalk.
Copyright
The best way of updating hard disks is to start all the machines from a floppy disk, so you are welcome to make as many copies of this application as you need. Give it to your friends or even enemies (without the manual). However, you may not sell any part of it and it remains copyright (⌐ 1989) of Nic Munro.
How to get Started
I strongly recommend users to read at least some of the manual before using this application but for those hard line manual haters there follows a brief explanation of how to use Pump and Snatch to replace the contents of several Mac's hard disks with one which you prepared earlier. This simple example assumes all the computers have the same model of hard disk.
1) Make two copies of the original Pump and Snatch disk for use as the Pump and Snatch masters. If you only have the application you will need to create a floppy with a minimal System on it and copy the application on to it. Using the Snatch master run the application and from the Settings Menu, Disable Pump and Turn Snatch Auto-Start On. Quit and set this to be the Start Up application instead of Finder. Make as many copies of this disk as you have computers to be updated. You are now ready to start the copy.
2) Make sure the hard disk you are going to copy from is properly set up in every way and then start up this computer from the Pump floppy and run it
3) Insert a Snatch floppy in to each computer which is being copied to and turn them on. * Waiting for Session Infomation * should eventually show up in the Snatch window on all these computers.
4) Now TURN OFF all bridges and similar devices to isolate the network.
5) On the Pump, Open a Source Volume (or File/Directory) and Open a Destination Drive. If you know the SCSI number of these drives and they are all the same, specify it (safer), otherwise use the undefined one. Choose Pump... from the Command Menu. Press the Start button and the copy will proceed. When the copy has finished (check each Snatch computer) the Pump will continue to correct any errors for ever, so click Stop. You can Shut Down or Restart all the Snatch computers using the Command Menu on the Pump.
6) Remember to turn the bridges back on.
The Manual
The manual is an appalling attempt to convey to you what this application can do and deal with some of the problems which may arise when broadcasting large amounts of data across a network. Sorry, I got bored! If anybody needs further information or would like to know about a very cheap design for a LocalTalk Repeater for use up to 5kms (which is my latest project) then please contact me at the above address.
This application is the result of a lot of hard work. If it has saved you some time, then drop me a line or even buy me a drink.
