Classic mac fun (and some questions) (continued...again...)

[Curtis H. Wilbar Jr.]

Ethan Dicks wrote:
> On 7/9/09, Brian Lanning <brianlanning at gmail.com> wrote:
>   
>>  I also picked up a rare and elusive kung-fu black terminator for the
>>  IIfx.  So I should be able to attach the 600e to that machine and get
>>  it going.
>>     
>
> I tried to look that up and found it easy to see that the IIfx needed
> something odd (I couldn't find specifics), so well done there.  It
> would be interesting to get the details to see where Apple went off
> the rails from the SCSI spec.
>
>   
>>  Then I would only need to find an AUI to RJ-45 doodad
>>  which is skinny enough to fit into the recessed ports on the IIfx.  I
>>  have an AUI thingy now, but it's too fat to reach the db-15 connector
>>  on the network card.
>>     
>
> http://lowendmac.com/ii/macintosh-iifx.html
>
> Are you sure that's an AUI connection?  I would expect a Mac of that
> vintage to have a DA-15 for video but not Ethernet.  Does it have 4-40
> screwposts or stud-heads to receive a slide-lock clip?  I've never
> worked with a IIfx, but I would expect it to need a NuBus Ethernet
> card.
>   
As I recall the IIFX did not have a net connection on the motherboard...
it was always via expansion card.  The cards usually had AUI and 10base2
(coax), AUI and 10baseT, and possibly all 3.  Definitely did not have AAUI
that I recall.

-- Curt

> If it really is an AUI, what was also common in the day was an AUI
> cable to the transceiver.  I've seen plenty of heavy-duty ones from
> back in the 10Base2 days and lots of light-grade 1m to 2m-long thinner
> cables with molded black plastic ends that look suitable for
> office/desktop use.
>
> <http://www.blackbox.com/Store/Detail.aspx/Ethernet-Transceiver-Cable-Office-Environment-10-ft-3-0-m/LCN210-0010>
>
> And some info...
>
> <http://www.ethermanage.com/ethernet/10quickref/ch3qr_7.html>
>
> -ethan
>
>