Bootstrap
logo Networking

General

Last revision of this chapter: December 30, 2024

I am truly not a network expert and don't want to be one. Therefore, the following information is only a very small part of the huge topic of networking and data transfer. But more is not necessary for my personal use.

Actually there are only two basic ways to exchange or transfer files between older PCs. One is the good old sneaker network, in which you carry a floppy disk or CD from one computer to another. On the other hand you connect both computers with a cable, start a corresponding program on both sides and the files are exchanged. Actually quite simple!

Unfortunately, there is no universal solution. But I can say that there is always a solution, as long as the time jumps between the two computers are not too large. Here usually only an in between computer helps. My data turntable is a Pentium with DOS 6.22. With this computer I go by network cable and TCP/IP into the modern times and with a serial cable and Kermit into the past.

Under macOS it is also possible to connect to the DOS or CP/M world via a null modem cable. Therefore I use the program Serial from Decisivetactics in connection with an USB-to-Serial-Adapter (Keyspan USA-19HS).

My Favourite Solutions

top

Cable Network

top

TCP/IP

As base station for my TCP/IP network I have a FTP server running on my Synology (old: Synology DS211j; new DS223j). This NAS has two 500 GB SSDs in RAID 0 mode. It is very fast and runs whisper quiet!

Under macOS I can access the server directly with the Finder. Under DOS 6.22 with FTP from the mTCP package. As network card I use a 3COM Etherlink III 3C509B. This card needs a 16 bit ISA slot, so it can not be used on an IBM PC or XT. I use the 3C509B on four different computers.

As network adapter I use the Xircom CreditCard CE3B-100 with my Laptop and the Xircom PE3-10BT with my IBM PC and XT. Both are working fine!

In my IBM PC I use an 8 bit network card from 3COM (3C503). Unfortunately my card has only a 10-Base-2 BNC connector, so I have to use a corresponding converter (10-Base-2 to 10-Base-T). These network cards are also available with an RJ-45 connector! Furthermore you need for the mTCP package the appropriate packet driver for your network card.

Serial connection

If TCP/IP is not possible, then we have to go one step further back. The keywords are serial connection and RS-232. You should always be successful with this. Slow, but it works fine.

I use for all serial connections from PC to PC (DTE) a so-called LAPLINK, crosslink or null modem cable! It's best to get a cable that has a 9pin and a 25pin plug at both ends.

ULCnet

I would like to mention this network here, because, for example, it was used by Kaypro with the Kaynet. The data transfer can also take place here via the serial interface (RS-232).

ULCnet is the abbreviation for Ultra-Low-Cost Network. If you want to know more about this, please read the article in the BYTE of October, page 50.

Sneaker Network

top

Floppy disk

Real and heavy, 8", 5.25" or 3.5 inch. I can read and write any DOS or CP/M format with my DTK PAM-0055I-EO mainboard.

CD-ROM

In addition to TCP/IP, the data exchange with a CD-ROM is also ingenious. In one go and everything is on the newly installed hard disk. A CD-ROM drive on the IBM PC, no problem. Have a look at: Running a CD-ROM drive via the parallel port.

Downloads

top

Manuals

top
top