#Parnet switching
13 messages in this thread
I'm not sure what thread this belongs to, its concerned with Parnet which seems
to be in widespread use and the recent discussion about the merits of whether
to turn on/off the system each night.
It is my understanding that the Parnet cable on the parallel port can not be
shared by printers, etc. via a switch box and that the Parnet cable should not
be removed without turning off the power.
Do any of you Parnet users out there have any knowledge or experience
concerning the the use of switch boxes? Do you have to turn off the power in
order to use the printer.
Al Berman A.C.E.S.
Amiga Computer Enthusiasts Southwest, Ct.
Al,
<< Do any of you Parnet users out there have any knowledge or experience
concerning the the use of switch boxes? Do you have to turn off the power in
order to use the printer. >>
If you start switching between printer/parnet with a A/B switchbox without
turning the power off, sooner or later you will "blow" your CIA chips inside
your amiga. I had a guy who blew his CIA chips that way. Also I blew mine by
pulling out the parallel cable and replacing it with the parnet cable while the
amiga was on. You can use a switchbox but you must ensure that it is the type
that disconnects one port before engaging the other port. They sell them, but
cost more, around $30.00 to $60.00 dollars is the going price I think. Have
you tried ProNet? It is much better then ProNet. Faster, No 2.0 Packet
Errors, and it DOES NOT lock up your parallel port after a transfer. Also
remember when you shut off one side of the ParNet Network and the other machine
locked up? Not with ProNet! It goes all the way down to OS1.3.(parts of it
anyway). You can run the "server" on a 1.3 machine. After you set it up
correctly you just access it like a drive, i.e. cd CD0:.
Hope this helps!
Dwayne On AutoPilot @ 14K 🙂
Bathke Only with an Amiga!
Thanks Dwayne, you answered my question and then some. I'll have to look into
ProNet. I don't really understand how it <DOES NOT lock up your parallel port
after a transfer>. I'll download ProNet and I presume there is a "read me"
document that explains things. Thanks again, I'll keep posted on any progress I
make.
Al Berman A.C.E.S.
Amiga Computer Enthusiasts Southwest, Ct.
Al,
<< I don't really understand how it <DOES NOT lock up your parallel port after
a transfer. >>
Have you ever tried to access the parallel port after using ParNet(After
shutting it down, but not rebooting)? Almost every time I did it would lock up
the parallel port or just lock up the amiga.
Dwayne On AutoPilot @ 14K 🙂
Bathke Only with an Amiga!
Dwayne,
I have had other problems but don't recall the parallel port lock up. I'll
check it out tomorrow.
Did you read Dale's note about Amiga link and the use of the floppy drive for
networking? Have you had any experience along those lines?
Al Berman A.C.E.S.
Amiga Computer Enthusiasts Southwest, Ct.
Al,
I have not used anything but ParNet and ProNet. But it seem like the better
route to go.
Dwayne On AutoPilot @ 14K 🙂
Bathke Only with an Amiga!
I'm sometimes asked "what do you have against parnet?" Well, nothing really.
Except this.
If you want to network, invest in networking hardware. Buy an AmigaLink kit
from AmiTrix Development to use your floppy ports instead (and you can
daisy-chain off the floppy ports so that you can share with your external HD at
the same time and without any silly switchbox). Or look into other hardware
solutions. But to run day in and day out with a monster hack that you depend
on to the point that you have this kind of problem is a real waste of $$$ and
time. The time is spent screwing with it, the $$$ will come in repair costs
when you plug and unplug something one too many times (or cross a wire or
whatever).
Dale L. Larson, dale@iam.com
el Presidente, IAM
http://www.iam.com
Thanks Dale,
The "AmigaLink kit" and "other hardware solutions" sound quite inviting but are
beyond my present level of networking sophistication and I sure would welcome
further info on these options. I haven't caught any discussion of these items
in Amiga magazines, CIS postings etc.
Using floppy ports sounds great. If you or anybody out there can fill in with
particulars (cost, availability,etc.) it certainly would be helpful.
Al Berman A.C.E.S.
Amiga Computer Enthusiasts Southwest, Ct.
> beyond my present level of networking sophistication
Gee, I have a book to fix that. 🙂
AmigaLink has been around for a while (and is discussed in my book), but it has
gotten easier to get ahold of in North America. Here is AmiTrix's press
release:
======================================================================
Amiga-Link PRESS RELEASE August 15, 1995
======================================================================
The Amiga-Link 2.0 / Envoy 2.0 Networking Package
————————————————-
AmiTrix Development announced today that they will now be distributing the
Amiga-Link/Envoy networking package for all Amigas. Arrangements have been
made with Intangible Assets Manufacturing (IAM), and with
ABF Computer GbR, that will see "Envoy 2.0" bundled together with an updated,
fully translated version of "Amiga-Link", to be assembled and distributed by
AmiTrix.
Amiga-Link is a complete solution to your Amiga peer-to-peer networking needs.
With the included software and hardware, you can share your hard drives and
printers, as well as run other network applications. This package is
compatible with all Amiga models, using the floppy port for maximum
compatibility across models, and keeping other ports available for their
intended uses. Low cost "rendering farms" are now possible.
The Amiga-Link package comes with both the standard AmigaLink software and also
the Amiga Envoy software. The Amigalink software's advantage is that it works
with AmigaOS1.3, providing compatibility with older machines, whereas Amiga
Envoy requires 2.04 or higher, but provides superior performance and device
sharing.
Amiga-Link provides a less expensive method of peer to peer networking using
compact modules connected to the external floppy port and linked together with
BNC connectors and coaxial cables. The SANA-II device driver allows all
Amiga's (including those without Zorro-II expansion slots), to be connected in
a network of up to 20 machines, within a distance of 330 feet (100m). DMA data
transfer, at 450,000 bps from network to memory, avoids CPU contention common
to the parallel/serial port networks, and leaves these ports free for normal
use. This is roughly equivalent to ArcNet speed, and although slower than
ethernet, is less than half the cost.
The AmigaLink software has GUI tools for Workbench control of Import & Export
functions, network Statistics & Diagnostics tools for testing and
troubleshooting both hardware & software, while a Printer Spooler program
allows for network printer sharing. It's SANA-II compatibility
allows other software to be run concurrently such as AmiTCP, providing great
flexibility when networking various Amiga's together. A new revised English
manual is included.
Amiga Envoy is the standard Amiga peer-to-peer networking software that was
developed by Commodore's Amiga Networking Group. Its performance,
user-interface and API are consistent with the philosophy of the Amiga
Operating System. Amiga Envoy provides a simple messaging interface for the
easy development of reliable network applications. Included applications
enable connected Amiga computers to share their hard disks, CD-ROMs, and
printers transparently. Third-party applications can also provide extra
functionality such as electronic mail, remote computer access, multi-user
databases and multi-player games.
New features for Envoy 2.0 include support of AmigaOS 2.04 DOS packet types
(including notification and record locking), support for removable media,
enhanced reliability & robust recovery, localization, AmigaGuide documentation,
and more.
MSRP for the basic 2 unit package is $299.00 US, or $379.00 CAN. Expansion
kits, cable options and accesories are also available. Dealer inquiries
welcomed.
For more information or ordering AmiTrix products, contact us at:
AmiTrix Development, 5312 – 47 Street, Beaumont, Alberta, T4X 1H9 Canada
Phone or Fax: 1+ 403-929-8459
(Please leave your mailing address on phone messages when requesting)
(information, or contact us via email at the address shown below)
Email: sales@amitrix.worldgate.com
http://www.ee.ualberta.ca/~ewaniu/amitrix.html
Dale L. Larson, dale@iam.com
el Presidente, IAM
http://www.iam.com
Al,
<Do any of you Parnet users out there have any knowledge or experience
concerning the the use of switch boxes? Do you have to turn off the power in
order to use the printer.>
Switch boxes are interesting things. To be absolutelyy certain that you
don't blow anything, it is advised to turn off the system before switching. I
had an A/B switch box on my serial port for years and live switched it with no
problems, but it seems I was quite lucky. However, you can buy a switch box
that is "break before make". This means it insures that all current is off
before switching to the other setting. These are quite expensive but most
people think they're worth it. Another option is to get an A/B/C/D switchbox,
put one unit on A the other on D and you can be certain that the connection is
positively broken between the two. It's a less expensive option, but should
work.
Asha
@}–`–,-
Asha,
I purchased and installed an ABCD switcher today and couldn't remember
where I heard the suggestion, your reply rings a bell. I believe it was your
posting about a week ago.
So far I haven't had the courage to switch from A to D with the power on
even though logically I would think there is a complete break in the circuit
and the printer and/or the Parnet cable "thinks" it is being switched on/off in
the normal fashion.
In any case, the switcher is a huge improvement over exchanging plugs in
and out of the parallel port and I thank you for your suggestion.
Ami-Link has been suggested, but $300 for the most basic set-up is a pretty
heavy investment for my purposes.
Al Berman A.C.E.S.
Amiga Computer Enthusiasts Southwest, Ct.
Al,
<I purchased and installed an ABCD switcher today and couldn't remember where I
heard the suggestion, your reply rings a bell. I believe it was your posting
about a week ago.>
Could be! 🙂
<So far I haven't had the courage to switch from A to D with the power on even
though logically I would think there is a complete break in the circuit and the
printer and/or the Parnet cable "thinks" it is being switched on/off in the
normal fashion.>
For what it's worth, I did live (with computer on) switching between my
modem and drawing tablet for years with an A/B switch with absolutely no
problems (first on an A1000, later on the A2000). But I understand your
reluctance.
<In any case, the switcher is a huge improvement over exchanging plugs in and
out of the parallel port and I thank you for your suggestion.>
You're very welcome!
Asha
@}–`–,-
I strongly recommend Twin.lha.
It hooks up to your serial ports using a null modem cable. It can go as fast
as 112,000 baud. Your Amiga can still multitask (your clone won't be able to)
At the Dayton Computerfest I was using twin while playing mods and showing a
slideshow using VT.