Description: Apple IIGS System Disk 5.0: Overview
Header: Apple IIGS System Disk 5.0: Overview


 This article last reviewed: 25 September 1989

 Apple IIGS System Disk 5.0 is the new release of system software for the
 Apple IIGS computer. The main features include:

 - Support for AppleShare File Server
 - Speed, speed, and more speed
 - A Control Panel and Control Panel devices (CDEVs)
 - Multiple simultaneous installations with the Installer
 - 5.25-inch Disk Driver is installed
 - Increased ToolBox support


 Packaging
 ---------
 The AppleTalk Network User's Guide and AppleShare Apple II Setup Disk are
 included only in the System Software 5.0 update box.  It will not ship with
 the
 Apple IIGS hardware system.

 The Apple IIGS manual is being rewritten to include the information in the
 AppleTalk Network User's Guide.


 System Requirements
 -------------------
 Apple IIGS System Disk 5.0 requires an Apple IIGS with a least 768K of memory
 when operating on a network.  As a stand-alone system the 5.0 System Disk
 requires only 512K.


 AppleShare and Network Support
 ------------------------------
 One of the main new features of Apple IIGS System Software 5.0 is GS/OS
 support
 for AppleShare File Server volumes. To use the Apple IIGS with an AppleShare
 File Server, you need to use version 2.0 or later of the AppleShare File
 Server
 software.

 There are a number of additions to GS/OS to support AppleShare.  These
 include:
 - Booting GS/OS over the network
 - Creation of a 3.5-inch Server Startup Disk
 - An AppleShare FST (File System Translator) for GS/OS
 - A Control Panel File Server Chooser
 - Ability to auto-logon to a server
 - Server Logoff
@L - Finder support of AppleShare


 Network Booting
 ---------------
 To use the Apple IIGS with an AppleShare File Server, you need to use version
 2.0 or later of the AppleShare File Server software.  If you have an existing
 AppleShare File Server you need to order:

  Apple IIGS System Software version 5.0

 This package includes a new "Apple II Setup Disk". This disk is a Macintosh
 disk that uses the Macintosh Installer to update the AppleShare File Server
 2.0.1 server boot blocks to GS/OS. The boot blocks are sent to the workstation
 when the user requests network booting from the Apple IIGS. The disk is found
 in the back of the AppleTalk Network User's Guide that ships inside the
 stand-alone package.  After the Macintosh has been updated, you can use the
 Apple IIGS Installer (located on the SYSTEM.TOOLS disk) to update the SYSTEM
 folder on the server hard drive.

 All servers on the network should be updated to the new boot blocks at the
 same time.  You should not have boot blocks from Apple IIGS Workstation
 Software and System Disk 5.0 on the same network.  AppleShare File Server will
 start shipping with the new Apple II Setup Disk mid-summer 1989.


 Local Booting
 -------------
 Using a 3.5-inch disk can speed up server boot times. There are two methods of
 gaining access to an AppleShare File Server from a 3.5-inch disk:
 - Local Network Startup
 - AppleShare on 3.5-inch Disk

 The first method performs the same function as network booting, and the second
 boots into the Finder.

 Local Network Startup saves time and network traffic when booting an entire
 class of computers at the same time.  The Installer update to allow faster
 network booting is called "Local Network Startup".

 The Installer update that lets you boot into the Finder is called "AppleShare
 on 3.5 Disk". This type of disk is called a "workstation startup disk".


 ExpressLoad
 -----------
 ExpressLoad is new with Apple IIGS System Software 5.0 and causes GS/OS to
 load the system and applications faster. ExpressLoad enhances the standard
 Apple IIGS System Loader and lets large applications load in a shorter time.

 Developers can turn applications into ExpressLoad format using the APW tool
 called Express or the MPW IIGS tool called ExpressIIGS. A load file must
 contain resources and code segments in a specific order to be compatible with
 ExpressLoad. ExpressLoad checks files first to see if they are in the proper
 format.  If the file is not in ExpressLoad format, the application is launched
 by the normal Apple IIGS system loader.

 To save memory, ExpressLoad is loaded only on systems with more than 512K of
 memory.  Before loading ExpressLoad, the system checks to see if there is
 more than 512K of memory.  It will not ExpressLoad into a 512K system.


 ToolBox
 -------
 A number of the toolbox routines have been modified to increase speed.  They
 include "special case" code that causes QuickDraw and other routines to
 operate
 faster, based on the parameters that were passed to QuickDraw.  Programmers do
 not have to modify their code to support any of these "special case" routines.


 Control Panel and CDEVs
 -----------------------
 The Apple IIGS System Disk 5.0 includes the Graphics Control Panel, which is
 similar to the Macintosh Control Panel and Chooser.  The Graphics Control
 Panel is implemented as an NDA (New Desk Accessory). This type of DA is
 available only to Apple IIGS desktop applications.

 The Graphics Control Panel is an expanded facility for controlling any number
 of system parameters. This functionality lets Apple and third-party developers
 add Control Panel "devices" (CDEVs). The Graphics Control Panel sets the same
 information as the existing Apple IIGS Control Panel (now called the Text
 Control Panel) which is accessed by using the Command-Control-Escape keys.
 Icons for all CDEVs look the same, letting you identify a CDEV quickly and
 easily.

 CDEVs are located inside the SYSTEM folder, just as fonts and desk
 accessories:

  /disk/SYSTEM/CDEV


 Desk Accessories
 ----------------
 Like the current Apple IIGS System Disk, Apple IIGS System Software 5.0
 supports New Desk Accessories (NDAs). The system can now support 128 NDAs,
 thanks to scrolling menus.  Desk Accessories are in the following folder:

  /disk/SYSTEM/DESK.ACCS


 SCSI Manager
 ------------
 The SCSI manager has been modified to provide a four-fold speed increase and
 provide additional SCSI support.  The new driver is faster because it is
 loaded into memory and does not use the firmware on the card.  When the
 driver was written, a number of new features were added:

 - Full SCSI Device Support
 - 7 Physical Devices
 - 32 Volumes per Drive
 - Full SCSI Command Support
 - Access to Non-ProDOS Partitions
 - Support for Magneto-Optic Drives (with a driver)


 Related Articles
 ----------------
 - Apple IIGS System Disk 5.0: ToolBox Changes
 - Apple IIGS System Disk 5.0: Changes to BASIC.SYSTEM
 - Apple IIGS System Disk 5.0: Disk II/Apple 5.25-inch Driver
 - Apple IIGS System Disk 5.0: Advanced Disk Utility and SCSI Manager
 Copyright 1989 Apple Computer, Inc.
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