Apple improves Mac access
Apple Computer extends its Open Transport networking architecture in an effort to expand Macintosh remote access capabilities.
The inclusion of Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) support in Open Transport completes phase two of Apple's AppleTalk Remote Access (ARA) plan, announced in June of this year. The intention of the plan is to expand the remote access connectivity capabilities of Apple Macintosh desktops, previously rooted in the proprietary AppleTalk protocol.
With Open Transport/PPP 1.0, multiple network protocols are now supported, such as a stream that compresses TCP/IP headers for low-speed links and another that supports the Internet Protocol Control Protocol (IPCP).
In phase three of Apple's plan, the company will support AppleTalk and TCP/IP concurrently over the PPP protocol. Support for TCP/IP--the protocol for the Internet--is essential as Apple continues to evolve its product line to take advantage of the Internet era.
Open Transport/PPP 1.0 requires a system with Mac OS 7.1 or better that has been updated to Open Transport version 1.1.1. The product can be downloaded for free from Apple's Web site.