Wifi: Difference between revisions

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The F256K needs extra hardware to talk to Wifi.
The F256K needs extra hardware to talk to Wifi.


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


1. Install a Feather wifi board onto the F256K motherboard. (Now available as an order option - then Stefany will install it)
1. Via [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_Line_Internet_Protocol|SLIP]. This is supported by the F256K kernel.


2. Connect to an external device via the DB9 serial port.
2. Via Hayes commands (AT commands). This is currently not supported by the F256K kernel.


3. 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)
Here are some options to get your F256K system connected,


Then, you need to access wifi from the device.
1. Install a Feather wifi board onto the F256K motherboard. (Now available as an order option - then Stefany will install it)


=== Configuring a Feather wifi-module (on motherboard) ===
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.)


xxx Needs detail
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.


=== Finding and configuring an external wifi modem (via DB9 serial) ===
Then, you need to verify connectivity.


==== TheOldNet device ====
=== Device configuration ===


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].
==== Configuring a Feather wifi-module (on motherboard) ====


Manual for that device: http://theoldnet.com/TheOldNet%20Wifi%20Modem%20Manual.pdf
xxx Needs detail


This device is a wifi adapter that requires separate micro-USB for power.
==== Null modem cable to a linux box offering slip ====
 
This is what you need,
* 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.)
 
On linux,
* 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
* Show details: ATI
You should now be able to connect to the unit from wifi on your home network.
 
It is now ready to be connected to your F256K.
 
=== Null modem cable to a linux box offering slip ===


Have not done this yet. Gadget advises,
Have not done this yet. Gadget advises,
Line 63: Line 34:


xxx needs detail
xxx needs detail
==== Finding and configuring an external modem (via DB9 serial) ====
===== TheOldNet device =====
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 ===
=== Verify connectivity ===


xxx needs detail
xxx needs detail

Revision as of 08:14, 21 December 2023

Overview

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 [1]. 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

Configuring a Feather wifi-module (on motherboard)

xxx Needs detail

Null modem cable to a linux box offering slip

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."

xxx needs detail

Finding and configuring an external modem (via DB9 serial)

TheOldNet device

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

xxx needs detail

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