GatorBox

The GatorBox is a type of LocalTalk-to-Ethernet bridge and was one of a number of network gateway products produced by Cayman Systems. Other products in the same family include: GatorBox CS, GatorMIM CS, GatorBox CS/Rack, GatorStar GXM, GatorStar GXR.

A GatorBox running GatorSystem software is capable of performing as a TCP/IP gateway (sometimes referred to as a MacIP gateway), an AppleTalk router and as a DECnet router.

When the GatorBox is running GatorPrint software, computers on the ethernet network can send print jobs to printers on the LocalTalk network using the 'lpr' print spool command. The GatorPrint software includes GatorSystem functionality.

When the GatorBox is running GatorShare software, computers on the LocalTalk network can access Network File System (NFS) hosts on the ethernet network. The GatorShare software includes GatorSystem and GatorPrint functionality.

Specifications

• The original GatorBox (model: 10100) is a desktop model that has a 10MHz Motorola 68000 Cpu, 1MB RAM, 128k EPROM for boot program storage, 2k NVRAM for configuration storage, LocalTalk Mini-DIN-8 connector, Serial port Mini-DIN-8 connector, BNC connector, AUI connector, and is powered by an external power supply (16VAC 1A transformer that is connected by a 2.5mm plug). This model requires a software download when it is powered on to be able to operate.
• The GatorBox CS (model: 10101) is a desktop model that uses an internal power supply (120/240V, 1.0A, 50-60Hz).
• The GatorMIM CS is a media interface module that fits in a Cabletron Multi-Media Access Center (MMAC).
• The GatorBox CS/Rack (model: 10104) is a rack-mountable version of the GatorBox CS that uses an internal power supply (120/240V, 1.0A, 50-60Hz).
  
• The GatorStar GXM integrates the GatorMIM CS with a 24 port LocalTalk repeater.
• The GatorStar GXR integrates the GatorBox CS/Rack with a 24 port LocalTalk repeater

All "CS" models have 2MB of memory and can boot from images of the software that have been downloaded into the EPROM using the GatorInstaller application.

Software

There are three disks in the GatorBox software package. Note that the content of the disks for an original GatorBox is different to that of the GatorBox CS models.

• Configuration - contains GatorKeeper, MacTCP folder and either GatorInstaller (for CS models) or GatorBox TFTP and GatorBox UDP-TFTP (for original GatorBox model)
• Application - contains GatorSystem, GatorPrint or GatorShare, which is the software that runs in the GatorBox. The application software for the GatorBox CS product family has a "CS" at the end of the filename.
• Network Applications - NCSA Telnet, UnStuffit

Software Requirements

• The GatorKeeper 2.0 application requires Macintosh System version 6.0.2 (or later) and Finder version 6.1 (or later)

See Also

• Print Spooling : Line Printer Daemon protocol
• TCP/IP Gateway : MacIP

References

• McCoy, Michael (1991). Setting Up Your GatorBox - Hardware Installation Guide. Cayman Systems. pp. pp. 1-1, A-1-2. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
• Rawlings, Nancy (1991). GatorBox User's Guide - Release 2.0 for the GatorBox and GatorBox CS. Cayman Systems. pp. pp. 1-1, 2-2-3. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)

External links

• GatorBox CS configuration information
• Internet Archive copy of a configuration guide produced by the University of Illinois
• Juiced.GS magazine Volume 10, Issue 4 (Dec 2005) contains an article on how to setup a GatorBox for use with an Apple IIgs
• Software for GatorMIM CS and GatorStar GXM
• Software for ???
• Software for the GatorBox CS