CrossPC & Networking
17 messages in this thread
I'm posting this in both AMIGAUSER and AMIGATECH. Hopefully I'll get at
least one hit-
I've been exploring options for networking my Amiga with one or two PCs
(not yet networked themselves). I'm not too keen on going the full NetWare
route, required by Oxxi's package.
It occurred to me that I might be able to use CrossPC and one of the
following: NetWare Lite, LANtastic, or LapLink Pro. I spoke to the folks at
Consultron, and they're not aware of anyone using a setup similar to what
I've described. I figured I'd ask here before going down a possible dead
end.
So, howzaboutit, folks? Anyone out there doing anything like the above?
Thanks for all info-
Bob
How do you get CrossPC (a software emulation) to recognize a PC network card?
You could do this on the BridgeBoard side, if you had one, and then find some
way to link or routinely copy the files you want to access from the PC to the
Amiga. Obviously, running Novell NetWare Lite on CrossPC doesn't make much
sense when you can run it native under AmigaDOS. Anything that wants the
serial port (like LapLink) truly expects to be banging directly on PC-standard
serial port chips, so it doesn't stand much chance of working, either.
John-
All the packages I mentioned support the parallel port, as does CrossPC;
that's why I thought of it.
Bob
They may support the parallel port, but not in the way you expect. There's
several levels of parallel port support available on the PC. All those
programs most assuredly bang directly on the hardware, and wouldn't work on a
software emulator. I'd be very happy to be proved wrong, though.
John-
I may yet be able to provide direct info on *one* of the setups I mentioned, as
connectivity for my notebook to my desktop PC would help me a great deal.
Getting CrossPC as a "gamble" I could probably justify. The fellow at
Consultron (I got the impression he might be the author) seemed to think their
emulation stands a good chance of catching *most* types of parallel port
access…
Bob
You're right, Cross PC / CrossDOS isn't much of a gamble… it's one of the
all-time great deals in the Amiga market. go amigau
Didn't mean my comment as a left-handed compliment- I know CrossPC is a good
product, I just meant that it might not do what *I* need from it. Great deals
on the shelf don't help…
Bet Consultron loves your support, though!
Bob
Sorry, no go, unless you buy a bridgeboard. Software emulation just won;t
cut it. Besides, it won't recognize any PC cards…
-Jonathan
Sigh- Same reply as to other respondents: I'm considering only packages which
support use of the parallel port, at least for this hypothetical solution-
Bob
Hmmm. I highly doubt that network solutions through the parallel port
would work on a software based emulator. The network software and
hardware will probably try to access the hardware directly which will be a
no go with CrossPC.
-Jonathan
Jonathan- If I find out fer shure, I'll post info-
Bob
Just a suggestion – would a SLIP connection work, over serial ports or a
regular TC/IP connection with NICS using AmigaNOS and TCPIP on the MSDOS Pc's?
Tell the truth, John, I was thinking of doing that once I'm on NT; I'm not
aware of TCP/IP support on the PC side- are you? That would be a far better
solution, IMHO.
Bob
Bob,
I have a bunch of TCP/IP stacks at work, but they are all commercial… I
haven't tried it yet … I'm waiting for the next OS2 beta.. -JohnY
Thanks, John. The issue's been a tad moot for me of late, as my Ami has been
down as a result of problems with a new accelerator card. Mayhap I can pick up
the thread this week-
Bob
Bob,
If it's a machine with a Zorro II slot, find a used XT Bridgeboard. I've
seen them going as low as $50. I know a couple people who literally can't
GIVE them away.
Reasonable suggestion, Denny. I'll keep it in mind, anyhoo-
Bob