Last revision March 14, 2008
This page primarily applies to people using Apple Macintosh computers, or managing networked printers. Windows PCs and Linux systems are not affected, unless you specifically installed third-party AppleTalk software, or have configured your system to print via pangea.
AppleTalk is a networking protocol invented by Apple Computer in the 1980s to provide simple printer and file sharing on local area networks. Because it was never really adopted by other computer manufacturers, and does not scale well to large networks, Apple began providing alternative networking support in the 1990s using the Internet standard TCP/IP protocols. Although all Macs and most printers still ship with AppleTalk support, it is no longer enabled by default and not recommended for general use.
We have always supported AppleTalk on the Earth Sciences network, primarily to access printers, but also to access an AppleShare file server installed on pangea, which is also being discontinued. In order to support a large number of devices on AppleTalk in an organized way, we have used an AppleTalk router to create "zones", mostly named geographically, for example, ES-Mitchell-B or ES-Green-West.
On April 7, support for AppleTalk on the Earth Sciences network will end. Our AppleTalk router will be permanently disabled. This will collapse all zones into a single, unnamed one, which will disrupt any existing uses. At the same time, the AppleShare server and most printer queues on pangea will be disabled, as they are configured to use AppleTalk. Neither our CRC desktop consultants nor the School's network support staff will provide any help with further use of AppleTalk, except to transition you to the more modern TCP/IP protocols.
Here is what you should do to prepare for the end of AppleTalk support. Or put in a request to have our CRC consultants help you via the web form at
Macintosh computer users - check printing: On your Macintosh computer, check if you are using AppleTalk to connect to any printers and convert to TCP/IP. Our CRC desktop consultants have identified the users of most AppleTalk printers and already converted them to TCP/IP. If you use one of these printers with AppleTalk still enabled, then you need to check your printing setup and possibly convert, following the instructions on that page.
Macintosh computer users - disable AppleTalk: Mac OS X systems come with AppleTalk disabled by default. Some people enable AppleTalk so they can print or share files via AppleTalk. Both printing (above) and file sharing (below) are handled better in Mac OS X via TCP/IP, so AppleTalk should be completely disabled. Open System Preferences from the Apple menu, and then click on the Network pane. In the Show drop-down menu at the top, select the Built-in Ethernet item. Click on the AppleTalk tab. If you see an "X" in the checkbox named Make AppleTalk Active, uncheck it! Then click the Apply Now button. Your preferences should look like this screenshot when you are done.
Printer managers: If you manage one of these printers with AppleTalk still enabled, you should disable AppleTalk support (sometimes called "EtherTalk") after the users have converted their Macintosh computers to print via TCP/IP. Modern printers generally have a web interface that allows you to disable AppleTalk in the network settings. You can request configuration help via HelpSU.
Pangea printing: If you print files from a program that runs directly on pangea, you can request that the pangea system manager create a new print queue using TCP/IP protocols to access the printer.
Macintosh file sharing: Disabling AppleTalk does not affect file sharing functionality for Mac OS X. It will connect to other Macintosh computers using TCP/IP protocols by default. Simply type in the remote computer network name in the Server Address field of the Connect to Server item of the Finder's Go menu, as shown in this screenshot.