Apple Open Transport/PPP 1.0 Provides First
PowerPC-native Access for Remote Internet Users
First Deliverable in Next-Generation Remote Acess Brings Apple
Ease-of-Use to PPP
CUPERTINO, California–Nov. 26, 1996–Apple Computer, Inc. today
announced Open Transport/PPP 1.0, an extension to Open Transport that
adds Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) support, an industry standard
providing access to multi-protocol networks. Open Transport is Apple’s
standards-based networking and communications system for Macintosh and
Mac OS-compatible computers. OT/PPP is the first PPP implementation for
the Mac OS to take full advantage of the Open Transport architecture,
and the first PPP implementation to offer the performance and stability
of native code on PowerPC-based Mac OS systems.
Developed entirely at Apple, Open Transport/PPP re-emphasizes Apple’s
committment to the Internet and to providing high-quality network
software for all Internet users. Open Transport/PPP 1.0 provides
clients, connecting to a remote TCP/IP network or the Internet, using a
modem or ISDN terminal adapter, with access to TCP/IP network services.
OT/PPP 1.0 Features:
— Provides Open Transport style Modem and PPP Control Panels;
— Transmits and receives status monitors for modems without visual
indicators;
— Supports Modems and ISDN Terminal Adapters;
— Supports multiple saved settings;
— Includes detailed logging feature to assist in connection
troubleshooting;
— Uses Shared library technology for effective memory management;
— Compatible with virtual memory;
— Supports connection reminders and idle timeout;
— Compatible with Internet access using PPP, as well as SLiRP and TIA
(The Internet Adapter);
— Supports AppleScript;
— Uses ARA CCL scripting language for both Modem and Connection Scripts;
— Compatible with ARA 2.x modem CCL scripts;
— Includes 42 CCL scripts for modems and ISDN Terminal Adapters;
— Offers extensive on-line help via AppleGuide;
— Supports automatic connections when a network application is activated.
AppleTalk Remote Access (ARA) Road Map Apple described its ARA Road Map,
a three-phase plan to open its AppleTalk networking products to embrace
industry standards and Internet protocols, at the PC Expo trade show in
June 1996. In Phase I of the ARA Road Map, Apple delivered version 2.1
of its ARA family of products, which includes support for ISDN. These
products are Open Transport compatible, and can be used on Mac OS
systems using either Classic networking or Open Transport.
The release of Open Transport/PPP 1.0 marks the completion of Phase II
of the ARA Road Map. In Phase II, Apple transitioned to Open
Transport-Enhanced dial-up networking through introduction of Open
Transport/PPP, an extension to Open Transport delivering Point-to-Point
Protocol (PPP) support.
In Phase III, version 3.0 of Apple’s ARA product line, would include
enhancements to allow concurrent support of AppleTalk and TCP/IP over
PPP, and also would also introduce Open Transport-Enhanced support for
the AppleTalk Remote Access Protocol (ARAP). On Power PC based Mac OS
systems, both Open Transport/PPP and the ARA 3.0 family would offer the
benefits and performance of native code.
“Our approach is to continue to embrace industry standards by including
TCP/IP and multi-protocol networking as a standard, built-in feature of
Mac OS, which began with the introduction of System 7.5,” said Richard
Ford, product manager of Apple Open Transport. “We will continue to
provide customers with easy to use ‘plug-and-play’ networking
capabilities, while working towards offering seamless Internet access
directly from the Mac OS.”
Standards Supported
Open Transport/PPP 1.0 has been designed to support
the following standards:
UNIX System V STREAMS
RFC 1661 – PPP
RFC 1662 – PPP in High-level Data Link Control-like framing
RFC 1570 – PPP LCP (Link Control Protocol) extensions
RFC 1334 – PPP Authentication protocols
RFC 1663 – PPP Reliable transmission
RFC 1332 – IPCP (Internet Protcol Control Protocol)
RFC 1144 – Compressing TCP/IP Headers for Low-Speed links
In the future Apple plans to enhance the Mac OS remote access
capabilities to support additional standards including AppleTalk over
PPP (RFC 1378 – The PPP AppleTalk Control Protocol).
System Requirements
Open Transport/PPP requires a system with Mac OS version 7.1, 7.1.1,
7.1.2, 7.5.3 or 7.5.5 that has been updated to Open Transport 1.1.1.
Like the Open Transport core, OT/PPP will work on systems with a 68030,
68040 or PowerPC processor if required software is also present.
Pricing and Availability
The Phase I products, ARA 2.1 Client, Personal
Server, ARA MultiPort Server, and ARA MultiPort Server PCI version, are
currently shipping and available through regular retail channels. The
suggested retail price of ARA Client is U.S. $59, suggested retail
price of ARA Personal Server is U.S. $189, and retail suggested price of
the Multiport Server is U.S. $1099. Additional product information can
be found in the networking and communications area of the Apple website:
http://www.apple.com/
Open Transport/PPP 1.0 is now available to users with access to the
Internet, America Online or CompuServe; at present there is no charge
beyond connect charges. Open Transport/PPP 1.0 can be downloaded from
the Networking-Communications area of Apple’s Software Updates Archives
(see http://www.info.apple.com/swupdates/ for a list of Apple’s Software
Updates sites). Open Transport 1.1.1 can also be found on Apple sites on
America Online (keyword-applecomputer), CompuServe (shortcut-GO APLSUP).
Press Contacts:
Nathalie Welch Russell Brady
Apple Computer, Inc. Apple Computer, Inc.
(408) 974-5430 (408) 974-6877
email:welch.n@apple.com email:brady2@apple.com
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