3Com CoreBuilder 3500, Implementation Manual, Page: 447 / 592

AppleTalk Overview 447
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Checksum error detection — AppleTalk uses checksums to detect
errors in data transmissions. Your system allows you to enable or
disable checksum generation and verification. See “Checksum Error
Detection” later in this chapter for more information.
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AppleTalk Echo Protocol (AEP) — Your system supports AppleTalk
Echo Protocol, which you can use to test the connectivity and
response of an AppleTalk device. See “AppleTalk Echo Protocol (AEP)”
later in this chapter for more information.
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AppleTalk statistics — You can also display AppleTalk statistics for a
number of AppleTalk protocols. These statistics can help you diagnose
and troubleshoot network issues and performance problems. See
“AppleTalk Statistics” later in this chapter for more information.
Benefits The benefits of AppleTalk include:
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AppleTalk is built into all Apple devices, making them automatically
network capable. This makes AppleTalk an extremely easy network
system to install and operate.
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The naming mechanism AppleTalk uses frees users from having to
understand anything about how AppleTalk works.
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AppleTalk supports peer-to-peer networking, so no dedicated servers
or centralized network control is required.
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AppleTalk is plug-and-play, or auto-configuring. This allows users to
plug an AppleTalk device into an AppleTalk network and use it
immediately.
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No configuration of network information or assigning of network
addresses is required when you add a device to an AppleTalk network.
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In theory, AppleTalk networks can support millions of nodes.
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AppleTalk supports zones, which makes it easier for network
administrators to define workgroups consisting of users and services
that can span multiple network segments.