AppleScript & Apple File Share

Scripting Forums AppleScript | Mac OS X
#1

Hello,

I have Mac OS X Server (Panther). Under “Server Admin” → AFP → Connections I’m given a list of computers that are connected via file sharing. The computers connected via AFP have Mac OS 8 or 9. What I would like to do is execute an AppleScript that I’ve planted on each machine via TCP. My problem is no matter what I do I can’t seem to access these computers via hostname, I’m forced to use the IP address to make it work at all, and the IP address on each machine changes frequently. I only want to do this on about 20 computers in the network (in my room)… When the IP address changes the one I have previously listed could be on a computer in another building (because of automatic DCHP), which I don’t want to touch. I can not assign manual IP addresses to these computers because of IP address conflicting, nor will the network admin reserve IP addresses for me.

What I would like to do is, using an AppleScript on “the server”, make a list of computers connected to “the server” that I can then “repeat” (loop) through and send commands to launch an AppleScript. I need to check their computer name (or hostname. shows up under address of “Server Admin” connection list) for “Lab” to make sure that these computers are indeed in one specific physical location.

Another issue I might run into is OS 8. The ability to launch an AppleScript remotely on these machines rely on the TCP functionality of AppleShare. From what I’ve gathered this feature isn’t on OS 8, but there is an Add-on you can get to make it work (or so I’ve heard). If there is an Add-on, does anyone know what it is?

Thanks in advance,

-Luke

#2

Luke,

Sorry, I don’t know about an add-on for OS 8, I haven’t used it in years.

That being said, can you give us an idea of the type of script you’re trying to write? What functions will it perform on each computer?

The remote scripting I believe depends on AppleTalk. If you are using TCP/IP and don’t have AppleTalk running, that’s probably the problem. Not sure where it is in Panther Server, but on my Tiger machine the option to turn on AppleTalk is in the Network preference pane, then select the Ethernet card and you’ll see a tab for Appletalk.

Hope this helps, maybe someone else will know of the OS 8 stuff!