Zones

A zone is a logical grouping of nodes (a network entity with an address) that simplifies browsing the network for resources, such as servers and printers. In LocalTalk networks, each physical network can be associated with only one zone. However, for EtherTalk, TokenTalk, or FDDI, you have more flexibility in assigning zones. Each EtherTalk, TokenTalk, or FDDI network can have one or more zones associated with it, and each zone can include servers and printers on one or more physical networks. Servers and printers can group logically into zones so that users can easily locate and gain access to them, no matter where and on which physical networks they are located.

Each Macintosh computer has access to servers and printers in any zone on the network, even though the client itself resides in only one zone. Zones make access to network resources easier for users. When users use the Chooser to view the network, they see only the resources in a single zone at a time, which prevents them from having to navigate through large numbers of resources on large networks to find the resources they need. The clients, servers, and printers that are used by a single group can be included in a single zone; that is, users can view which resources are used most frequently and still have access to resources in other zones when necessary.

A zone list includes all of the zones that are associated with that network. One of these zones is the network's default zone, to which the Macintosh clients are assigned by default. Users can configure the client to be in a different zone, however.

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