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Firewire Networking Guide
Easy 400Mbps Networks
Firewire networking takes
advantage of a spec called "IP over 1394". This spec
Standardizes how to transfer IP packets across a firewire (IEEE
1394) interface - translated: firewire networking! By simply
running an inexpensive firewire cable between two computers
with modern operating systems and firewire ports, you get a 400Mbps
network connection! (IETF
RFC 2734).
The Catch
Firewire networking support is very limited in
all but the latest operating systems. It is fully supported
under Windows XP Home and Pro. Windows ME also has 'some'
firewire networking support but don't count on it being
reliable. Also remember, native firewire networking is only
for IP, not NetBEUI IPX or any other protocol.
Unibrain: These guys make an
'enhanced' firewire
networking program that brings firewire networking to
Windows 98 and Me reliably. It also brings reliable
firewire networking to Mac OS9 and OSX. The unique thing about
Unibrain's software is that it does more than IP - it does almost
all protocols.
Distance
Maximum distance between nodes is also a
problem for firewire. It was never designed for the long haul
so the maximum distance of a cable is about 15 feet. Repeaters
can be placed between 15 ft cables for a maximum distance of 237
feet.
Increasing Distance
A new way of increasing the distance between
your firewire network enabled computers is to replace the copper wire
in a firewire cable with something else - fiber. Firewire to
Fiber tranceivers are starting to appear on the market that would
allow a firewire signal to travel VERY far - like 40km! Right
now they are in the $500 range but should come down. An
ethernet to fiber tranceiver is only about $120 right now.
Apple's special
Firewire Targeted Disk Mode
Apple does not support
firewire networking but it does have a nifty feature for transferring
files between computers quickly. First connect two Mac's with
a firewire cable. Then boot up one of the computer while
holding down the 'T' key till the firewire icon appears. This
computer is now a slave 400Mbps 'firewire hard drive' to the other
fully booted computer. COOL eh?
References at HomeNetHelp:
References on the web:
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