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Info needs to be migrated in from here - https://wiki.c256foenix.com/index.php?title=F256_WiFi_Setup
=== Overview ===
=== Overview ===


The F256 is not able to do wifi out of the box, but needs extra hardware.
The F256K needs extra hardware to talk to Wifi.


There are currently two paths to this,
Be aware that in the retro scene, there are broadly two types of connectivity,
1. Have a wifi chip module into the motherboard of the f256 foenix. (You can now configure this as an option when you order your foenix, and Stefany will install it)
2. Connect the DB9 serial port to a modem


Then, you need to access wifi from the device.
1. Via [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_Line_Internet_Protocol SLIP]. This is supported by the F256K kernel.


=== Configuring a wifi-module (on motherboard) ===
2. Via Hayes commands (AT commands). This is currently not supported by the F256K kernel.
 
Here are some options to get your F256K system connected,
 
1. Install a Feather wifi board onto the F256K motherboard. (Now available as an order option - then Stefany will install it)
 
2. Use a Null Modem Cable to connect the DB9 port to a linux box, and configure SLIP on the linux box. (technicality: this is not wifi, but you will have network.)
 
3. Connect to an external device via the DB9 serial port. If the device ships with a Hayes firmware, you would need to replace it with a slip firmware.
 
Then, you need to verify connectivity.
 
=== Device configuration ===
 
==== Configuring a Feather wifi-module (on motherboard) ====


xxx Needs detail
xxx Needs detail


=== Finding and configuring a modem ===
==== Null modem cable to a linux box offering slip ====


==== TheOldNet device ====
Have not done this yet. Gadget advises,


These instructions are for [https://www.tindie.com/products/theoldnet/rs232-serial-wifi-modem-for-vintage-computers-v4/#specs|RS232 Serial Wifi Modem for Vintage Computers V4].
* "if you have a networked linux box just sitting next to your F256, and a spare serial port on it, you can use slattach to create a SLIP interface, set up a route to it, set the "route packets" option in /proc (I forget where), and tell arp to advertise that you are a router for the SLIP IP(s)."
* To follow the guide at https://nslu2-linux.yahoogroups.narkive.com/CQpBi1gD/slip-over-usbserial
* "Also, if you're just sanity checking things and don't need the F256 to be able to reach the outside world (just software on your linux box), you don't need to do the ARP and /proc/net/ip_forward steps."


Manual for that device: http://theoldnet.com/TheOldNet%20Wifi%20Modem%20Manual.pdf
You may need a serial gender-changer when you order the cable. You need both ends of the cable to be female, and some null modem cables ship as male/female.


This device is a wifi adapter that requires separate micro-USB for power.
xxx add detail


You will also need the following,
==== External hardware modem (via DB9 serial) ====
* The unit itself
* A way to supply power to it over micro-USB. e.g. Kindle charger, USB-to-microusb cable connected to a computer.
* A way to connect your computer to the DB9 serial port on this device. e.g. PCIe serial adapter, USB-to-DB9 adapter cable.


We will need to configure it for your wifi network against your computer before we connect it to your foenix. (At some future time we will have a serial terminal in the F256k so we can do this from that device.)
===== TheOldNet device =====


On linux,
This ships with a Hayes firmware. In the Discussion page here, I have posted some setup instructions. These may be useful later. But at the time of writing those instructions are not useful for us, because F256K does not support Hayes.
* Install GNU screen (e.g. sudo apt install screen). Below, you will need to run it as root so it can access raw hardware.
* Identify the serial port, either through syslog or else trial-and-error. If you have USB-to-DB9 it may be /dev/ttyUSB0. With a card, it will be /dev/ttySX.
* sudo screen /dev/ttyS4 300
* If you get gibberish, kill screen (ctrl+a, k), reset the device (button), wait one second, restart screen.
* If you want instructions, type "AT?"
* Set your network SSID: AT$SSID=WIFISSID
* Set your network password: AT$PASS=WIFIPASSWORD
* Connect: ATC1
* If you need to see the configuration in the unit, AT&V
* Save: AT&W
* Set serial baud rate: AT$SB=115200
* Kill screen (ctrl+a, k)
* sudo screen /dev/ttyS4 115200
* Save: AT&W


It is now ready to be connected to your F256K.
There will be a way to install a SLIP firmware on these, but I have not yet tried that.


=== Verify connectivity ===
=== Verify connectivity ===


xxx Needs detail
xxx needs detail

Latest revision as of 08:57, 21 December 2023

Info needs to be migrated in from here - https://wiki.c256foenix.com/index.php?title=F256_WiFi_Setup

Overview[edit | edit source]

The F256K needs extra hardware to talk to Wifi.

Be aware that in the retro scene, there are broadly two types of connectivity,

1. Via SLIP. This is supported by the F256K kernel.

2. Via Hayes commands (AT commands). This is currently not supported by the F256K kernel.

Here are some options to get your F256K system connected,

1. Install a Feather wifi board onto the F256K motherboard. (Now available as an order option - then Stefany will install it)

2. Use a Null Modem Cable to connect the DB9 port to a linux box, and configure SLIP on the linux box. (technicality: this is not wifi, but you will have network.)

3. Connect to an external device via the DB9 serial port. If the device ships with a Hayes firmware, you would need to replace it with a slip firmware.

Then, you need to verify connectivity.

Device configuration[edit | edit source]

Configuring a Feather wifi-module (on motherboard)[edit | edit source]

xxx Needs detail

Null modem cable to a linux box offering slip[edit | edit source]

Have not done this yet. Gadget advises,

  • "if you have a networked linux box just sitting next to your F256, and a spare serial port on it, you can use slattach to create a SLIP interface, set up a route to it, set the "route packets" option in /proc (I forget where), and tell arp to advertise that you are a router for the SLIP IP(s)."
  • To follow the guide at https://nslu2-linux.yahoogroups.narkive.com/CQpBi1gD/slip-over-usbserial
  • "Also, if you're just sanity checking things and don't need the F256 to be able to reach the outside world (just software on your linux box), you don't need to do the ARP and /proc/net/ip_forward steps."

You may need a serial gender-changer when you order the cable. You need both ends of the cable to be female, and some null modem cables ship as male/female.

xxx add detail

External hardware modem (via DB9 serial)[edit | edit source]

TheOldNet device[edit | edit source]

This ships with a Hayes firmware. In the Discussion page here, I have posted some setup instructions. These may be useful later. But at the time of writing those instructions are not useful for us, because F256K does not support Hayes.

There will be a way to install a SLIP firmware on these, but I have not yet tried that.

Verify connectivity[edit | edit source]

xxx needs detail

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