Why do printer need AppelTalk to communicate with Apple comp

x_Danny_x

I thought AppleTalk protocal was like that of Samba of Unix. Samba helps a Unix machine communicate with another machine that has a different Operating System, such as a Windows Operating System

So I expected that AppleTalk helps a computer of Machintosh communicate with a computer of a different Operating system!

So why does a printer need the AppleTalk protocol? It doesnt even have an operating system. I thought TCP/IP is what it used to communicate with the Apple Machintosh computer and vice versa.

Samething with a Novel Netware Server, the answer to the question said that Apple computer needed the IPX/SPX protocol or the Netware Server needed the Appletalk protocol to establish communication.

I thought both computers used TCP/IP to communicate cause there was no mention of a different Operating System on the Novell

Webmaster

So I expected that AppleTalk helps a computer of Machintosh communicate with a computer of a different Operating system!

Not necessarily. It seems like you are missing the point of 'protocols', in this case communication protocols. In order for two systems to be able to communicate, they must speak the same language. Regardless of what operating systems they use.

For example, AppleTalk 'was' the primary protocol on a Mac, hence it was used to communicate with other Macs. But if you wanted to communicate with a non-Mac device (i.e. a printer or other network device) then that other device must speak the same language. Since the Mac speaks AppleTalk, the printer must as well. Or, which is common today, the Mac and the printer would both use the 'language' (protocol) TCP/IP.

Samething with a Novel Netware Server, the answer to the question said that Apple computer needed the IPX/SPX protocol or the Netware Server needed the Appletalk protocol to establish communication.

That is correct, or better said: that 'was' correct, because nowadays Novell and Mac operating systems both use TCP/IP by default.

I thought both computers used TCP/IP to communicate cause there was no mention of a different Operating System on the Novell

Novell Netware is a different Operating System... but you are still correct, in a modern setup both would use TCP/IP. It all depends on the version of the Mac and the Novell OS.

I suggest reading the following TechNotes for more information:
www.techexams.net/technotes/networkplus/appletalk.shtml
www.techexams.net/technotes/networkplus/netwareipx.shtml

I hope this helps!

Johan