MacTCP

MacTCP was the standard TCP/IP implementation for the classic Mac OS through version 7.5.1. Open Transport should be used instead when possible for stability and compatibility reasons.

MacTCP, along with either a direct network connection or SLIP or PPP software, enables a Macintosh to function as a machine on the Internet that can send and receive email, download or transmit software, or even function as a server for FTP, Gopher, or World Wide Web documents.

MacTCP comes bundled with System 7.5 software. A version of MacTCP is also included on the disk that accompanies Internet Starter Kit. Although MacTCP enables communication between Mac and Internet, the way a user configures MacTCP differs depending on the protocol used to connect the user’s Mac to the Internet — SLIP, PPP, or direct network connection.

Overview

With MacTCP software, devel­opers now have a way to create Apple Macintosh applications for network environments that use TCP/IP protocols - a widely used standard for networking heterogenous systems. Licensed to third-party developers, Mac­TCP includes TCP, UDP, and IP protocols and conforms to Inter­net RFCs and MIL-STDs, thus ensuring interoperability with systems on the TCP/IP Internet. MacTCP runs over both Ethernet and LocalTalk-compatible ca­bling systems and is co-resident with AppleTalk protocols. It can be installed on a Macintosh II, Macintosh SE, Macintosh Plus, or Macintosh 512K Enhanced computer.

MacTCP consists of object code libraries and associated files for both C and assembly language development. Libraries include TCP and UDP interfaces along with a name-to-address resolver. A programmer's reference guide and an administrator's guide are provided.

MacTCP implements the following protocols:

• IP (RFCs 791, 894; MIL-STD 1777)
• UDP (RFC 768)
• TCP (RFC 793, MIL-STD 1778)
• ARP (RFC 826)
• RARP (RFC 903)
• ICMP (RFC 792)
• BootP (RFCs 951, 1048)
• RIP (IDEA004)
• DNR (RFCs 1034, 1035)
• Internet Subnetting (RFC 950)
• Internet Assigned Numbers (RFC 1010)

Throughput is 3.0 megabits per second memory-to-memory (on a Macintosh II over Ethernet).

Documentation

• MacTCP Programmer’s Guide

Downloads

• ftp://ftp.atlas.altexxa.net/software/mac/net/mactcp.sit_.hqx - MacTCP 2.0.6
• ftp://ftp.atlas.altexxa.net/software/mac/net/mactcp21patch.sit - MacTCP 2.1 patch

Serial Line Internet Protocol

File Transfer Protocol