Amiga Networking Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Part 1/2
Richard Norman
Archive-name: amiga/networking-faq/part1
Posting-Frequency: monthly
Version: 2.1
Document Amiga Networking FAQ
AMIGA NETWORKING FAQ
Author "Richard Norman"
Current version 2.1 (supersedes all previous versions real or imaginary)
Date 12/15/96
The primary purpose of a FAQ is to preserve network bandwidth by answering
Frequently Asked Questions. A FAQ's second purpose is to provide an altruistic
public service to users and vendors.
The Amiga Guide version of this FAQ is available on Aminet in the
/pub/aminet/docs/help directory.
Due to the method I'm using to write the FAQ, marking the margins to indicate new
material is not feasible. Look for new questions towards the end of each list.
Also look for "!!!!", strings of exclamation points represent new material or news
flashes.
Table of Contents:
Copyrightless and Disclaimer
Acknowledgments and Revisions
Generic -- Networking Concepts and Terms
General -- Amiga related questions
Product Specific Questions -- Mostly trouble shooting
Product Availability:
Software Cat -- Software list by category
Hardware Cat -- Hardware list by category
Software -- Descriptions and Specs (listed by program name)
Hardware -- Descriptions and Specs (listed by product name)
Manufacturers -- Contact info
Other FAQs and Web pages
Feedback
Copyrightless and Disclaimer
=======================
Lack of Copyright Notice:
------------------------
With the exception of Trademarks which are the property of their respective
owners, the material contained in this FAQ is PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE, and therefore is
NOT copyrightable.
Richard Norman is merely serving as moderator and maintainer. Anyone has
permission to copy any or all of this FAQ, but you do not have the right to
copyright it.
In the event of my demise :-( or if this FAQ should become dormant for a period
of 4 (four) months, someone else is free to assume the role of moderator and
update the FAQ. I'd prefer someone who was willing to distribute it in as many
formats as possible. Current distribution includes ASCII, and Amiga guide. They
should also distribute it as wide as possible. News.answers or it's predecessor as
a minimum.
Distribution:
------------
The FAQ may be freely distributed. Portions can be included in derived works, but
may not be exclusively copyrighted (i.e. You cannot prevent others from using this
information in their derived works.)
The FAQ is a compilation of a number of people's work, and answers provided by
users and vendors. Therefore it belongs to no one and to every one (i.e. Public
Knowledge).
Disclaimer:
----------
The information contained in this FAQ is supplied "as is" without express or
implied warranty. I make no representations about the suitability or accuracy of
this document for any purpose.
If you have better information, then please share it. Altruistic submissions are
welcome (see Feedback ).
If someone sees errors, let the moderator know, feedback and it will be
corrected as time permits.
All information provided here is meant for informational purposes and is not to be
taken as an endorsement for any particular product. (Note: in most cases only one
company provides any given service anyway). If anyone knows of additional
relevant products, let the moderator know, feedback and they'll be added to the
list as time permits. Any prices listed are subject to change without notice and
are intended for ball park informational purposes and NOT precise budget planning.
Acknowledgments and Revisions
---------------------
Thanks to Richard Gerber (ger...@zwicky.arc.nasa.gov) for being the original
moderator.
Thanks to Jim Dutton, and Dale Larson for helping review the initial versions.
Thanks to everyone who posts answers not flames (even if I don't always live up
to the standard myself ;-)
Contributions by: Lauri Aalto, Karl Auer, Stefan Becker, Alan Berney, Kai Bolay,
Frank Branham, Nick Christie, John Corigliano, Andreas Czerniak, Jim Dutton, Arno
Eigenwillig, Mike Evans, Oliver Fels, Dave Gilinsky, Vernon Graner, Per Espen
Hagen, Matthias Hopf, Juha Koivisto, Rask Lambertsen, Dale Larson, Randall Lasini,
Jukka Marin, Neil McRae, Darren Metcalfe, Michael Meyer, Bill Mills, Alain
Penders, Allan Purtle, Lee Sharp, Michael Smith, Lee Stranahan, Niall Teasdale,
Elad Tsur, Michael Witbrock, and many others.
Special thanks to the vendors who took time to support this effort.
Thanks to Edd Dumbill for Heddley which makes updating a little easier.
And last but not least, Thanks to Stephan Surken for the text2guide utility which
got me started.
--------------------------------------------------------------
DATE
mm/dd/yy remarks
12-15-96 -- Put a bow on version 2.1... Merry Christmas!
11/27/96 -- started 2.1 by rearranging so that the text version
is a little more readable. It now goes from Generic
to general, to specific which is probably the correct
order. Also added Miami, and TermiteTCP, and made
a new listing for software and hardware which groups
items together by category which hopefully makes it
easier to find things. Still more stuff to add.
02/28/96 -- finished 2.0, but still not caught up
02/12/96 -- Started 2.0: goal add more software titles
SAMBA, THOR, Voodoo, Ncomm, new NSDI fax #.
11/12/95 -- Still working on V1.9. Almost there. Ton of new software
but couldn't get it all in. Added ISDN, Xwindows, and
AmiTCP install/operation information among other stuff.
10/15/95 -- Back from surgery...now where was I?...oh yeah V1.9
1/28/95 -- V1.8--patched for Heddley or other format
1/01/95 -- V1.7-- Added html, http info, and did some format clean up
in preparation for an HTML version.
10/14/94 -- V1.6 -- NOT released due to technical difficulties
added stuff about AmiTCP3.0b2 and SLIP install
9/06/94 -- Finished V1.5
6/02/94 -- released V1.4 official news version
4/29/94 -- news.answers Draft release V1.1 -- Richard Norman
4/29/92 -- Original release V 1.0 -- Richard Gerber
--------------------------------------------------------------
Generic (G)
============
Help with basic terminology, not complete answers.
G01 What is a network?
G01a Hardware
G01b Protocols
G01c Applications
G02 What is the Internet and Usenet?
G03 How do I connect?
G03a modem to modem
G03b modem to commercial services
G03c direct to WAN provider
G04 What is a server?
G05 What is an archive?
G06 What is a mirror?
G07 What are Gopher, WWW, and WAIS?
G08 What are Mosaic, html, http, and browser?
G09 What are Veronica and Archie?
G10 What is news?
G11 What is a Set top?
G12 What is X-Windows?
G13 What is TIA and Mlink?
G14 What is JAVA and VRML?
G15 What is SAMBA?
G16 What is IRC?
G01
--------------------
What is a network?
short answer: Interconnected computers.
A network is two or more computers that can interconnect in a peer to peer or
client to server fashion most often over a shared and often virtual connection.
This is in direct contrast to the old terminal to host hard wired connection. A
network can still support terminal to host connections via terminal emulators or
terminal servers, but provides much greater flexibility in switching connections.
A network is accomplished using three basic components. Hardware, protocols
(software), and Applications (useful software ;-) Each of these is actually
comprised of several layers, but we won't worry with the details. There are many
books on the subject as well as technical specs for the standards. But you will
need some knowledge of the lingo in order to configure your networking software
correctly. Consulting with your LAN administrator or WAN service provider is also
highly advisable for checking your network software configuration.
Among the many books on the subject is "Connect your Amiga!" by Dale Larson of
IAM . I mention Dale's book because it explicitly deals with the Amiga whereas
most of the rest are generic.
The concept of layers is very important to networking and computer designs as
well. Each layer "protects" the layer above from the layer below so that one layer
can change with minimum impact on the upper layers. In some cases this protection
is so good that an application may not know that it is running on different
hardware. The OSI network model defines seven layers, but we are going to reduce
it to three broad categories.
G01a Hardware
G01b Protocols
G01c Applications
G01a
------------------------
Hardware
At the heart of a network is a shared cable often called a Backbone. In the simple
case this is a PARnet cable to connect two Amigas via the parallel port. Both
machines share the cable. A more complex example is an ethernet cable which
without special equipment can be 1000ft in length or more with a hundred or so
computers attached all interconnecting at once. This is known as a LAN or Local
Area Network. A cheaper but far more limited LAN Backbone is Localtalk which
Apple unleashed upon the world.
bridges, routers, and gateways Oh my!
To overcome the distance and node limitation of ethernet wiring you need at least
a bridge which basically acts as a repeater. A bridge can also do a limited
amount of filtering so that traffic between the LAN segments is more efficient.
There are also distance limitations with bridges, so a more complex piece of
equipment is needed called a router. A router provides many more tools for
controlling the flow of information between segments, and can even provide some
level of security. Special security configurations of routers are know as
firewalls. For really long distances leased lines or satellite links are used
between the routers thus forming a Wide Area Network or WAN. These links are
usually provided by common carriers or some WAN providers .
This all works great as long as the two machines are the same brand, but since
there is more than one vendor there is more than one "language" called a protocol
for communicating. A gateway must be used to translate between the protocols. As
an alternative to a gateway, some routers are able to handle multiple protocols
at the same time. Gateways are also used most heavily for converting between
electronic mail formats or to go between two different physical media such as
ethernet and Localtalk or ethernet and SLIP. See the Envoy specific question
section for an example of an ethernet to SLIP gateway.
The gateway provides access to other parts of a network that would not otherwise
be directly accessible. A router is dedicated to keeping track of routes through
gateways and other routers to various domains. On large networks your default
gateway will often point to a router.
The distinction between gateways, routers, and bridges is not absolute since many
of the functions of each can be included in a single product. In fact some
companies call their product a brouter because it performs both as a bridge and a
router.
Computers use numbers, but humans use names. Therefore, another device that is
used on large networks is called a _NAMESERVER_. A nameserver maintains a
database of machine names and their corresponding numeric addresses. The
nameserver allows the computer to look up the numeric address when you use a
name. In addition to the nameserver you can maintain a HOSTS file locally which is
used first by your computer when trying to translate a name into a number.
The above terminology is slanted towards the TCP/IP protocol because that is (for
better or worse) what you will most likely encounter.
ethernet cable
------------------------------------
While looking through the What's New page of Mosaic, I stumbled across the
Ethernet Web Page. It references an ethernet FAQ from the comp.dcom.lans.ethernet
news group. So if you don't find your answer in this crude introduction then try
their FAQ.
the URL for the web page is:
http://wwwhost.ots.utexas.edu/ethernet/ethernet-home.html
the gopher URL for the FAQ is:
gopher://mojo.ots.utexas.edu/11/netinfo/ethernet/ethernet-faq
An ethernet cable comes in several flavors. The maximum length of your LAN
segment is determined by which flavor you choose or which flavors you intermix.
There is twisted pair, thin coax and thick coax ethernet cables. Each of these
are rated at 10Mbit per second.
Note that this is the TOTAL capacity (bandwidth) of the cable NOT the speed
between any two nodes. The speed between nodes is determined by how many nodes
are trying to communicate at any given time. Even with only two nodes
communicating you will NOT get the entire bandwidth of the cable. The maximum is
usually only around three Mega bits per second.
The thick coax was the first used. It ran as a backbone through a building with
taps and drop cables for each node (computer).
Thin coax came into favor because of lower cost and ease of installation. Thus
thin coax is often called cheaper net. It has a shorter overall maximum length
than thick. It is routed in a daisy chain style using tee connectors at each
node. There are adapters to go between thick and thin, but your overall length
can be reduced to that of thin. There are devices called hubs which may not reduce
the limit and can provide conversion between one cable type to another.
Twisted pair is the current rage because it can be used for other things as well,
such as voice. You can wire an entire building with twisted pair and decide at the
wiring closet what service will be provided. Ethernet over twisted pair is called
10BaseT and is most often configured as a star with an ethernet concentrator at
the center usually in a wiring closet. The concentrator allows for the longer
length required for a star configuration. Using a concentrator provides the LAN
administrator a lot of other benefits and options such as diagnostic tools and
functions for monitoring the health of the LAN segment.
Several grades of twisted pair wire exist. The best class can also carry FDDI
which is a fairly new high speed token-ring style network architecture. FDDI can
handle speeds of 100Mbit per second. FDDI is usually carried over fiber optic
cable for long distances. There are also Gigabit per second network architectures
for short distance applications such as a cluster of compute servers. As far as I
know there are NO FDDI or faster adapters for the Amiga at this time.
So the same wire can carry either FDDI or Ethernet so how do they differ? Good
question. It is obviously NOT just the wire. Ethernet and FDDI are also
specifications for how the electrical signals will be transmitted and interpreted
over the wire. The Ethernet spec was originally developed by Xerox and DEC, and is
now defined by the IEEE standards committee. IEEE 802.3 is one of the main
ethernet standards in use.
One reason FDDI came into being is that ethernet performance degrades rapidly as
you approach the capacity of the bandwidth. This means you are limited in the
number of nodes that a LAN segment can support. Depending on the activity level
of the nodes you may be able to support as many as 100 nodes on a LAN segment.
Beyond that and you should consider subdividing into multiple LAN segments with
bridges and routers.
!!!!! new info !!!!
A new wrinkle is FAST ethernet which also runs at 100 Mbs but unlike FDDI it can
coexist on the same wire as regular ethernet. They even make hybrid cards that can
do both 10 and 100 Mbs depending on what the host they are talking to can support.
The catch to FAST ethernet is that it has an even shorter distance limitation than
regular ethernet. Also, FAST ethernet only runs over category 5 twisted pair or
thick coax not the thin. Unfortunately there are no FAST ethernet cards for the
Amiga yet.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!
G01b
------------------------
Protocols
A protocol is software that is required to use the physical connection. It is
responsible for establishing the connection and sending and receiving the data in
packets. Modem software is a crude example.
The software is called a protocol because there must be cooperating software on
each end, but they don't have to written by the same vendor. Instead a
"protocol" for the proper exchange of data is defined and released as a standard
(such as TCP-IP ) or licensed as proprietary (such as DECnet ). As long as the
vendor on each end adheres to the protocol a connection can be sustained which
will support an application.
TCP/IP is in the broadest use for several reasons, but mostly because vendors
could get and use the standard for basically free. DECnet was very popular
because of its robustness and the quality of the VAX systems. The low cost,
graphics power, and lure of a standard operating system drew users to UNIX
systems which used TCP/IP because of the cost and availability. This has resulted
in DECnet falling way behind in numbers. Other examples of protocols are
Appletalk, IPX, and SNA. They also suffer from being proprietary.
Due to the constant growing of the size of the wide area networks (WAN), a more
robust protocol is required which will support a large number of addresses which
is the numeric value assigned to each computer on a network. Two approaches are
being worked currently. One is to revamp and extend TCP/IP while maintaining
backwards compatibility. The other is an international standards effort called
OSI Open Systems Interconnect. OSI is moving very slowly which is making it
difficult to gain vendor support. TCP/IP will almost certainly be enhanced
regardless if OSI is successful or not.
In addition to these major protocols there are numerous other proprietary
protocols such as SNA by IBM or IPX by Novell. Some fill special niche
requirements, and some of them don't scale well to the WAN environment. Some are
so proprietary they will not run on but a single vendor's hardware.
The latest wrinkle in the protocol world are SLIP and PPP which allow the
TCP/IP protocol to be used over a modem connection. Typically a remote machine
such as a laptop is hooked by modem to a new generation of terminal servers which
can convert between SLIP or PPP and regular TCP/IP. The terminal server is
connected to both the modem and the LAN. This setup gives the remote user full
(although slower) TCP/IP access to the LAN.
DECnet can also be configured to use a serial connection.
TCP-IP
DECnet
SLIP
PPP
SANA II
UUCP
TCP-IP
------------------------
TCP-IP is a protocol that has been released as a standard which means that
vendors can implement it independently and freely and yet it still works. The
standard is defined and described in RFC documents which are available
electronically. Lots of free source code and the ability to use it royalty free
make TCP/IP attractive to vendors. It has been implemented by a large number of
different vendors and therefore is popular on the Internet. For more information
on the Internet and TCP-IP concepts see ZEN
TCP/IP as the name implies is more than one layer. The IP layer takes care of the
lowest layers of the protocol and is responsible for talking to the device drivers
(data link layers). The TCP is one of two "transport" layer protocols which
handles the packetizing of the data. TCP is a reliable service because it insures
that the packets are put back into the right order and that they are all received.
If you send packets "a", "b", "c", then TCP will make sure they are received as
"abc" and not "bca".
UDP is the other transport protocol and it is unreliable, but has less overhead.
The applications ride on these lower protocol layers. There are a number of
applications defined in the TCP/IP standards, but vendors are only required to
supply the lower layers. See the applications section for a partial list of
TCP/IP applications. For instructions on using the FTP application see the
FTP FAQ
TCP/IP standard also provides for programming hooks which can use ports and
sockets to allow programs to talk to one another over the network. The World Wide
Web (WWW) and Internet Relay Chat (IRC) are two examples of how these hooks can
be exploited. Any programmer can use these hooks for their own programs.
See the software by category section for a list of Amiga implementations of
TCP/IP.
DECnet
--------------------------
DECnet is a proprietary standard belonging to DEC which is also made up layers in
a similar manner to TCP/IP. They break up the job quite a bit differently. For
instance with DECnet there is no need for a separate NFS application. You can see
a remote nodes disk drives by simply including the DECnet node name in the
directory command. DECnet has two ways of handling terminal traffic. For the WAN
you use the SET host function of DECnet, but it is more efficient for local
traffic to use the LAT protocol. The older model DEC terminal servers only
supported LAT or asynchronous DECnet. Newer models also support SLIP and PPP
(check the manuals) since DEC now makes computers that use TCP/IP as well.
TSSnet DECnet is an Amiga implementation of DECnet.
SLIP
-----------------------
SLIP Serial Line Internet Protocol See RFC 1055 for details. CSLIP adds a
compression technique. For details read RFC 1144.
SLIP allows your computer to run TCP/IP over the serial port. This allows your
computer to have a TCP/IP address. TCP/IP applications such as FTP can now use
TCP/IP to deliver packets directly to your address. An analogy would be instead
of having to go to the post office to get your mail, you now have a mailbox to
which the postman can deliver your mail. In more technical terms you are no
longer a terminal; you have become a node.
SLIP is a "data link" protocol. It sits between the serial port and the IP stack.
It pretty much takes the packets from IP, adds a wrapper to them, and sends them
out the serial port. It also takes packets from the serial port, unwraps them, and
passes them up to IP. SLIP has several problems, including the fact that it is
designed entirely for TCP-IP, and is therefore of limited use for other
protocols. Too many people ask for "SLIP" when they really want "TCP/IP" with a
SLIP driver. You have to have both. Just like a terminal program is of little use
without a serial.device driver.
SLIP is not a full protocol. It fits in one of the layers between hardware and the
TCP/IP protocol. It acts more like a device driver. It also acts like a protocol
because it has to be at both ends of the physical link, but it must have the
TCP/IP protocol in order to talk to the applciations.
--------------
application layer: (AMosaic, telnet, ftp, etc.)
--------------
protocol layer: (TCP/IP)
--------------
*** SLIP or PPP ***
--------------
hardware layer: (serial port)
--------------
PPP
-----------------------
PPP Point to Point Protocol
For more info see:
RFC 1332, 1333, 1334, 1376, 1377, 1548, 1549,1552, and 1570.
PPP allows your computer to run TCP/IP over the serial port. This allows your
computer to have a TCP/IP address. TCP/IP applications such as FTP can now use
TCP/IP to deliver packets directly to your address. An analogy would be instead
of having to go to the post office to get your mail, you now have a mailbox to
which the postman can deliver your mail. In more technical terms you are no
longer a terminal; you have become a node.
PPP is the committee-designed protocol which is supposed to be a sort of
"universal" SLIP. It is intended to replace SLIP, while providing for all sorts
of conditions, including the ability of use over non TCP/IP protocols. The two
state machines in PPP are a real pain to implement. UNIX folks love it because a
PPP implementation exists, and they pretty much type "MAKE" and it works.
PPP's good points:
- PPP users checksums (FCS) SLIP does not
- PPP allows more than one protocol at a time, SLIP does not
- PPP automatically negotiates IP addresses, SLIP does not
- PPP can be used on non-transparent lines (e.g. when XON/XOFF is
used by the modems), SLIP cannot
Several Amiga versions of PPP are in the works.
A shareware version called ppp.device by Holger Kruse has been released on
Aminet Downloading "HowToUsePPP.lha" from Aminet probably wouldn't hurt either.
PPP is not a full protocol it fits in one of the layers between hardware and the
TCP/IP protocol. It acts more like a device driver, but it is also a protocol
because it is required at both ends of the physical link. PPP requires TCP/IP or
similar protocol to talk to the applications.
--------------
application layer: (AMosaic, telnet, ftp, etc.)
--------------
protocol layer: (TCP/IP)
--------------
*** SLIP or PPP ***
--------------
hardware layer: (serial port)
--------------
SANA II
---------------------------
SANA was an experimental DATA-link and API paper written by Dale Luck for a
DevCon several years ago. Dale suggested two schemes for creating standard
interfaces for the data-link layer and protocol stack APIs. After Dale left
Commodore, the work passed to several other people-- and the "API" part was
removed. After it had touched several people's hands, SANA-II was put together.
SANA-II is nothing more than a standard for writing device drivers. Having
something which is SANA-II doesn't help you do networking unless you have a real
protocol stack communicating through it. FAR too many people have seen
"SANA-II", and "Amiga networking standard", and assumed too much. It is just a
device driver standard whose purpose is to prevent networking packages from hard
coding to specific hardware. This is similar to the reason for packet drivers in
the PC clone arena. A side benefit to SANA-II is that it allows multiple
protocols to share the same ethernet card.
UUCP
---------------------------
UUCP (Unix to Unix CoPy) is an old protocol used for transferring files between
un*x boxes. Versions of UUCP were written for other operating systems and
platforms including the Amiga.
UUCP is not interactive like a terminal program, but more of a batch process. You
give a list of commands ahead of time and then at the specified time it calls
another machine, executes the commands which usually sends some files and
receives what the other machine has for it, and then hangs up. A store and forward
methodology as opposed to a dynamic constantly available method.
AmigaUUCP
UUCP-FAQ
G01c
--------------------------
Applications
The applications are the part of the network that a user is most likely to see,
but are useless without the hardware and protocols. Applications allow a user to
emulate a terminal, copy files, send electronic mail, browse and search
databases, and use applications remotely.
Some of the applications are included with the protocol software, but NOT all of
them. Some applications are extremely difficult and complex to write and therefore
are commercial products.
For TCP-IP I also included NNTP, and HTTP which are protocols, but they ride on
top of TCP-IP and therefore constitute a form of a client-server application as
opposed to a full protocol.
TCP/IP applications:
"""""""""""""""""""
telnet ----- terminal access
telnetd ---- the telnet server which allows incoming telnet
connections to your machine
FTP -------- file transfer protocol ( copy files)
FTPd ------- the FTP server which allows incoming FTP connections
to your machine
SMTP ------- Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (email) or
Send Mail To People as my friend calls it.
NFS -------- Network File System (remote mount disks)
PARnet provides a similar service on a much
smaller scale.
NFSd ------- the NFS server which allows incoming NFS connections
to your machine
NSLookup -- find address corresponding to a host name or vice-versa.
Also provides access to other info in the DNS database
Finger ----- See who is logged in
or access info in an X500 email database
Xwindows -- Use graphics programs on a remote system. An attempt at a
hardware independent terminal emulator. Cost and speed are
its biggest drawbacks.
NEWS ----- A BBS style messaging system global in scale
also see the NEWS FAQ
NNTP ------- A protocol that supports NEWS
RN --------- One of many NEWS readers
HTTP ---- Mosaic uses this protocol to talk to WWW WWW servers
IRC -------- Internet Rely Chat, grapevine on the Amiga uses this
DECnet applications:
"""""""""""""""""""
Set Host --- Terminal Access host to host
LAT --------- terminal access terminal to host
Copy -------- copy files between DEC hosts
(emulated on non-DEC hosts)
VMSmail --- electronic mail (must have gateway to
reach non-DEC systems
Dir ---------- Can be used to read remote disks
DECWindows ------ Same as Xwindows
task to task --- Hooks which allow user or vendor written
applications to communicate between computers
Ethertalk (Appletalk) applications:
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Appleshare --- Allows remote disk access (file copying)
Chooser ------ Supports network printing and other services including
Appleshare
Electronic mail and terminal emulation for Ethertalk must be bought from a third
party, and may require TCP/IP or DECnet drivers as well. This is changing with
System 7.5 and even more in Copeland. Apple is also introducing AOT (Apple Open
Transport) which is API that allows applications to be independent of the network
protocol used.
smtp
------
SMTP --- Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
Or the Send Mail To People protocol as my friend calls it. SMTP is a defined
standard for email over the TCP/IP protocol and therefore is widely used on the
Internet.
html
------------------
HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language.
HTML is used to build WWW pages which can be accessed locally or served to the
world using a WWW server running http . HTML files are ASCII text files. The html
commands are included with the text and are interpreted by the browser rather than
shown. HTML commands include page formatting and URL links. Universal Resource
Locators (URL) are the links between this page and other pages throughout the WWW.
Any page you view with a browser can be saved locally as an HTML text file. These
files can be edited locally which allows you to cut and paste interesting links
(URL) into your own HTML page of favorite links.
Although studying how other web pages are built can be helpful, it is not the best
way to learn proper HTML.
There are numerous online documents describing HTML, but for the basics take a
look at "A beginner's Guide to HTML." For other sources of info on HTML check out
the WWWFAQ at
http://sunsite.unc.edu/boutell/faq/
CERN wrote the original HTML and HTTP. NCSA wrote Mosaic and added features to
html. Since HTML is an evolving standard, what works on one browser may not work
on another browser which uses an earlier version of HTML. HTML 2.0 is the current
version, and version 3.0 has been abandoned in favor of version 3.2. The reason
was that the market was changing way to fast for the standards process. There is
now a more formal organization. For the latest info go to:
Another problem is that certain server/browser vendors like to throw their weight
around and add neat new features which are not part of the standard. This leads to
confusion and frustration when someone tries to use a standard browser to access
the non-standard page.
!!!!!!!! WARNING !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Would-be web masters beware: You do NOT make a good impression on a _customer_
when you crash their browser and/or machine!! Please put experimental and
non-standard features (crap) on _optional_ pages.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thus web authors who want the customer to be able to access their info will steer
clear of non-standard features on the primary pages, and offer secondary or
alternate pages for advanced features. Burying a link to a text page on a
non-standard page does NOT work when the non-standard page crashes the customer's
browser. So if you want your customer to see your info, you better put the
standard pages FIRST!
http
-------------------
http is the protocol that is used between the client (browser) and the server. The
client submits requests to the server and the server satisfies them if it can.
Most often the request is for a file, but it can also be a request to run a script
and return the result. Thus the client is allowed to browse what the server has to
offer.
Without an http server no one can see what you have to offer. Servers should be
available at all times so a direct fulltime Internet connection is required.
There are three http servers for the Amiga. There is one based on the NCSA httpd
software and it is freeware. It comes with Amosaic or is available separately at:
ftp://ftp.ominpresence.com/pub/amiga/amosaic/
Secondly there is AWS which is also freeware and much faster than the NCSA
version. AWS is written by Mike Meyer and is available at:
Thirdly, there is Aserve which is a commercial version of AWS.
Even if you don't have a full time connection you can build and test your pages on
your Amiga. Pages are written in plain text using HTML . You can test your pages
using the open local option of the client (Amosaic). When they work it is simply a
matter of finding someone with a server who will serve them for you to the WWW.
MIME
---------------
MIME -- Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions
MIME allows for attaching binary files to email messages.
You can find out more about the MIME standard by reading RFC 1521
You can use archie and look for the file /rfc/rfc1521.txt
If your email program does not understand MIME attachments, you can use a separate
program such as MUNPACK for the Amiga.
There are also MIME tools on Aminet such as METAMAIL and MetaTool.
Some of the email packages such as THOR support MIME, and some of the web
browsers such as Ibrose use mime types for specifying helper applications.
G02
---------------------
What is the Internet and Usenet?
Two examples of WAN's which use entirely different techniques, but whose services
are overlapping. There are interconnections and usenet traffic can and does
travel across the internet, but for the most part they are separate networks.
Also the Internet is actually many networks which are interconnected on a world
wide scale.
Usenet utilizes the phone system and temporary links to move information between
systems. It uses a system of store and forward. It stores up outgoing messages.
Then on a periodic basis makes a connection to a specific computer and forwards
the messages, and downloads any incoming messages then breaks the connection. A
popular usenet protocol is UUCP and the most popular application is NEWS which
is also now on the Internet.
The Internet on the other hand is mostly a shared backbone which is always
available between the primary systems. The usenet does not use dynamic routers.
An Internet router is always on and always connected to other routers. An
internet router immediately determines an incoming message's next destination and
immediately sends it on its way. A usenet "router" waits until the next scheduled
connection time before sending the message on its way. The most common protocol
on the Internet is TCP-IP and one of the most popular applications is Mosaic
which relies heavily on FTP and Gopher.
G03
---------------------
How do I connect?
There are three basic ways with more to come hopefully.
A) modem to modem
B) modem to commercial service
C) direct to WAN or ISP provider
Or if the company where you work has a network, you should contact your local
network administrator about the procedures for getting network access at your
company.
Other modes of free access are available through schools, universities, libraries,
and government programs. Ask around your local user groups, etc.
G03a
-------------------------
modem to modem
This is basically the poor man's network, but it works well. Usenet uses this
method. Since there is some overlap between usenet and the internet you can gain
some access to the internet such as mail or news which do not require immediate
response (i.e. messages are usually only sent once a day).
To get on the Usenet you have to either know someone who is already on it and
daisy chain from them. Or you can access a BBS which offers usenet access. User
groups and BBS are also good places to ask for usenet access. Also you can check
the UUCP FAQ UUCP FAQ for information.
If you can get a modem connection to a machine on the internet, then you can use
it as an intermediate host to access most of the internet by using command line
utilities such as ftp or telnet. Because of this restriction to command line mode
this style of connection is often referred to as a _shell account_. Since your
machine is acting as just a terminal to the intermediate host, this type of
connection requires a two step process to download a file to your machine. First
you must FTP it to the intermediate host, and then you will need a file transfer
program (such as xmodem or kermit) to transfer from the intermediate machine to
your machine.
There are several ways around the two step. For Shell accounts you can ask your
provider about TIA or mlink which is on Aminet. Also, two recent protocols have
evolved called SLIP and PPP which make the intermediate system transparent
and provide full TCP/IP connectivity over a modem. In fact the intermediate
system need be nothing more than a terminal server which supports SLIP or PPP.
Both SLIP and PPP allow your computer to have an address so that TCP/IP
applications can talk directly to your node. (i.e. your machine becomes a node,
not a terminal). PPP can support other protocols than TCP/IP.
Some universities and public access programs such as FREEnet offer free dial up
shell accounts. If you can't find one of these or USEnet access, then you will
need to try
option B modem to commercial services, or
option C direct to WAN or ISP provider.
G03b
--------------------------
modem to commercial services
Several commercial services such as Portal, BIX, and Compuserve now provide
internet access to varying degrees as part of their service. and in essence have
become ISP providers , but they offer their own services as well such as stock
quotes or discussion groups.
If you can reach one of these services via a local call, then you can use them to
gain some access to the internet. If you can only reach them via a toll call, then
you will want to find a local internet service provider. Once on the internet you
can access these commercial services without running up your phone bill.
As mentioned before, if you access the internet through a shell account, file
transfer is a two step process. However, more and more commercial services are
providing SLIP and PPP connections which eliminate the two step process by
giving your Amiga it's own internet address. SLIP and PPP also provide full
internet access, but some applications require more speed than an analog modem can
provide.
Since SLIP and PPP accounts cost more than shell accounts, some providers are
allowing their shell account users to use TIA or MLINK which provide access out to
the internet.
G03c
-------------------------
direct to WAN or ISP provider
WAN -- Wide Area Network
ISP -- Internet Service Provider
The WAN providers offer many kinds of connectivity from a normal dial up BBS to
a full blown high speed WAN connection.
Full Blown WAN
ISP the Cheaper WAN
WAN-shopping
WAN and ISP providers
Full Blown WAN
--------------------------------------
WAN -- Wide Area Network
The full blown WAN connection is the FASTEST, most flexible and the most
expensive. This type of connection is most useful for a group such as a business
with a LAN, since this type of connection provides a router at your site.
Generally connection speeds start at 56 Kbit/sec and go up. Contact a WAN provider
for details.
A full blown WAN connection also requires a great deal of expertise to manage. You
must learn security, configuration, and troubleshooting techniques. Some WAN
providers will provide these services for additional fees.
The setup of a WAN connection is WELL beyond the scope of an FAQ, but there are
numerous courses and books available if you wish to do the job yourself. Also the
documentation that comes with the software and hardware is mandatory reading.
Cheaper WAN
--------------------------------------
ISP the Cheaper WAN:
ISP -- Internet Service Provider
WAN -- Wide Area Network
With this kind of connection all you have at your end is your Amiga, a modem, and
a phone line. The ISP has all the network equipment at their site. You merely pay
to use it.
Over this connection they provide SLIP and PPP which require some networking
knowledge on the user's part but not as much as managing a LAN. SLIP and PPP
offer a full set of internet services, but at a lower speed. Generally you are
limited to what speeds the local telco can provide. The fastest is currently
ISDN but that can be expensive and has limited availability. So most ISP's
will also offer standard analog modem connections of 14.4K or higher. For those
on a budget and who aren't afraid of command line mode you can usually get a shell
account from ISP pretty cheap. They may even let you use TIA or a similar utility
at no extra charge. Shop around.
Since these are normal phone lines and used on a part time dial up basis, this is
nothing more than a fancy BBS, and thus the rates are lower. If you want a full
time connection or ISDN speeds most ISPs can accommodate you...for a fee.
The other big difference between an ISP and a WAN provider is that most ISP's do
not own any phone lines. Most ISP's rent them from WAN's and recoup the costs by
selling dial up access. This has lead to a new cottage industry and it pays to
shop around for service.
So how do you find an ISP? It is kind of ironic. If you have internet access, it
is easy to find internet access. But if you don't have internet access, check the
local papers, local BBS systems, user groups, etc. Once online you can usually
keep abreast of what ISP's are available via a service called Yahoo which can be
accessed via Mosaic at http://www.yahoo.com. Once connected look under the
regional section. It goes down to the city level and if your city is listed
chances are real good there will be a list of ISP's for your city.
Got deep pockets and want full time connectivity? go to the
Full blown WAN section.
WAN-shopping
------------------------------------
Shopping for the right level of WAN connectivity can be difficult.
Shell accounts are the cheapest, but may not offer all the access you want. SLIP
and PPP offer full two way communication, but at a slightly higher cost than shell
accounts. Commercial accounts, such as AOL, may incur extra phone charges or put
limits on your internet access, but do usually offer additional services not found
on the internet. Direct connections can be fast, and with a full time direct
connection you can host your own web sites and offer services. The down side to
direct connection is that it is expensive.
You have to run the cost comparisons yourself to see what level of access is right
for you.
Books on the subject:
O'Reilly & Associates, Inc publishes book that offers some good ideas for doing
cost comparisons. It is called "Connecting To The INTERNET" an O'Reilly Buyer's
Guide.
Another book to look for is "Connect your Amiga!" by Dale Larson of IAM .
I'm sure there are other books as well. Time to head to the bookstore ;-)
WAN providers
--------------------------------------
ISP and WAN providers.
ISP -- Internet Service Provider
WAN -- Wide Area Network
WAN providers come in a variety of sizes and levels of service. Most of the really
big WAN providers you probably already know such as MCI, Sprint, AT&T, BBN, etc.
Some of the smaller ones came from government networks which have gone commercial.
At least that is the way it is in the USA. Sorry I don't have any details on the
European, Asian, or DownUnder markets.
ISP's are a fairly new breed of WAN provider. ISP's are dependent on WAN providers
for the "infrastructure" i.e. phone lines. ISPs merely sell a service, and provide
the direct support to the customer. Most ISPs are local Ma and Pa shops, and can
keep their costs low. Others are larger and provide more service. Also online
services such as Portal and Compuserve have become ISPs. Since ISP's can be local,
check your paper or local user group for leads.
To get a fairly current list of WAN providers you can check your local bookstore.
Most books on the Internet contain lists of WAN providers and ISPs.
Of course, if you can gain internet access, you have lots of ways to find
providers. With Mosaic you can go to indexes such as Yahoo or NCSA and search.
Also, most of the major providers have URL's which are easy to guess; www.mci.com
for example.
Also, you can use electronic mail to get a copy of Peter Kaminski's PDIAL list.
Send a message with "Send PDIAL" as the subject line. Send the message to
info-del...@netcom.com Or you can subscribe by using "Subscribe PDIAL" as the
subject line. You will then automatically get any updates to the list.
PDIAL is also available from the news.answers FAQ archive .
ISDN
-----------
ISDN -- Integrated Services Digital Network
ISDN -- Ithaca Swing Dance Network (you never know what you'll learn on the web
;-)
Since I don't have ISDN, please forgive any mistakes, and please do check out the
other sources mentioned below.
ISDN offers all digital transfer at much higer data rates than analog lines and
modems. ISDN can also multiplex the line between several devices (you can talk to
someone while you surf the net).
ISDN lines can also handle POTS (plain old telephone service) phones. ISDN is more
expensive than the analog POTS lines. Also, different areas of the USA have
different ISDN rates and installation charges, if ISDN is even available at all.
If you want to use ISDN to connect to an Internet provider, the provider will also
charge a premium because they have to have ISDN connectivity also. Dialup ISDN is
cheaper than dedicated service, of course.
For connecting your computer to ISDN there are several options to consider: ISDN
card, a Terminal Adapter, and a router.
A router is useful for allowing you to connect multiple ethernet nodes to a single
ISDN line. The router has an ISDN port for connecting to the line and an ethernet
port for connecting your LAN segment. A router not only makes the connection it
also can handle multiple protocols, perform routing decisions, perform security
checks, and other features. There is now a wide range of models to choose from
depending on how many and which of these routing features you really need. As you
might of guessed, there is also a wide range of prices, too. Since ethernet cards
are expensive for the Amiga, and if you have only one or two computers, you might
consider the other options.
A terminal adapter (TA) allows serial lines to be connected as well as POTS
phones. For the Amiga you will need a serial port card, such as the MFC IV, that
can handle the higher ISDN speeds. TA's are cheaper than routers, because they do
not provide as many functions such as ethernet support, but for the Amiga you have
the added expense of a high speed serial card.
An ISDN modem card is another option and is really just a form of TA. It is not as
flexible as a TA or a router because it is made to work with a specific computer
(both hardware and software). For the Amiga there is the ISDN Master One problem
for US residents is that the european cards use S interfaces and the US uses U
interfaces. This means US residents will also need a NT-1.
For more authoritative information on ISDN start with ACC's ISDN primer at
http://www.acc.com/internet/technology/about/isdn.html
which is a short document which explains most of the basic terminology. Then read
the comp.dcom.isdn ISDN FAQ document which is available at the FAQ Archive
!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Another good ISDN FAQ I just found:
http://www.HiWAAY.net/hiwaay/support/isdn.html
!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Both documents have pointers to lots of ISDN info. Or you can start like I did
with a web search on ISDN at www.yahoo.com or similar site.
G04
--------------------
What is a server?
A server is a computer which acts like a library for files, and programs. It can
also be set up to allow users to change the information as well. Several programs
and protocols exist for creating a server: Appleshare, NFS, Xwindows, FTP, news,
gopher, WWW, DCE, SQL, and user written applications.
Appleshare and NFS make remote disks seem like local disks. Thus allowing a group
of users to share disk space and information if so desired.
Xwindows is a device independent network terminal package which supports a
graphical user interface. It can be thought of as an display server. The
application can be run on one machine and the display served to any Xwindow
device on the network. If Excel had a X window version it could be run on a Mac
or PC and the display could be on any Xwindow device anywhere on the network. It
could even be displayed on an Amiga using X11R4 .
FTP server software allows you offer a portion or all of your disk drive for
remote access. Unlike Appleshare or X windows you cannot run applications
remotely. FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol and file transfer is all that it
does. It does provide a binary mode of transfer so that you can copy applications
to your local hard drive or ram and then run them.
News, gopher, and WWW are special servers for information which require a client
software package to access. They can be thought of as network databases. These
are explained in other sections. G07
Database servers are usually custom written to fit a need such as inventory. SQL
is standard query language and DCE is distributed computing environment. SQL and
DCE can be used in vendor or user written applications to create or access
multiple database servers. This allows the programmer to distribute the load
across several machines. Also it allows for more seamless integration of data from
several non-similar computer systems in a transparent manner to the user. For
example, very few executives want to FTP to three or four machines to pull
together the information for review. They tend to like to click on a weekly report
button and have the program do all the work. Since SQL and DCE are standards, the
weekly report program is somewhat shielded from hardware specifics or changes.
G05
---------------------
What is an archive?
A computer site which advertises and stores a large amount of public domain and
share ware software and documentation.
G06
---------------------
What is a mirror?
Some archives are heavily used and therefore must be supported by multiple sites
which are often located very far apart. Each site should ideally have identical
information available therefore they are mirrors of each other. When one site gets
a new file it must be mirrored to the other sites usually using FTP.
G07
---------------------
What are Gopher, WAIS, and WWW?
Three kinds of network information servers. Each more powerful than the next, but
with some interconnectivity. Each server requires a client application to allow
the user to access the information. For Example, a Mosaic client can access all
three servers. The main purpose of these client/servers is to help a user
navigate the Internet to find information and files.
Gopher:
Gopher is a menu utility which simply uses FTP for retrieving files from archive
sites. Gopher also uses a search utility called Veronica for aiding users in
finding files in the gopher archive sites. Veronica can do keyword searches
whereas Archie can only search for file names.
WAIS:
WAIS is Wide Area Information Server which provides information lookup services
to libraries and databases on the Internet. A simple WAIS client allows the user
to select databases to search from a list. The user then provides keywords to
search for, and the WAIS client allows the user to view any matches found. This
is cumbersome once the list of databases grows into the thousands. Screenfull
after screenfull of database names scroll by.
As of March 16, 1994 future versions of WAIS server & client library will be
known as ZDist NOT freeWAIS. freeWAIS is based on the older version of the
search and retrieval protocol Z39.50-1988. The newest version of that protocol
Z39.50-1992 is NOT backwards compatible.
Since both versions will be around for awhile, a name change for the server/client
software libraries had to be established. Both freeWAIS and ZDist are maintained
by CNIDR. Kevin Gamiel is the contact.
It should be noted that the Z39.50 protocol is a standard which is NOT published
or maintained by CNIDR, but is publicly available. Z39.50-1992 is the protocol of
choice for many other network based information search and retrieval applications
besides WAIS.
Much more info is available thru Mosaic by searching on CNIDR, WAIS, or Z39.
WWW:
WWW stands for world wide web which is name used to describe the global system of
hypertext and multimedia services. WWW consists of clients called browsers and
servers called web servers. Web servers use http and html to make the WWW
hypertext and multimedia services available to mosaic and AMosaic clients over
the Internet. WAIS support is being added to Mosaic. Mosaic offers WAIS an
effective interface and WAIS offers Mosaic an effective search engine. Other
commercial search engines are also available.
All three of these servers use the TCP/IP protocol, and all have both public
domain and commercial versions of the clients.
G08
---------------------
What are Mosaic, html, http, and browser?
Mosaic is a hypertext based multimedia interface for browsing the Internet, thus
it is referred to as a browser. Mosaic is the name of the browser created by NCSA
for Xwindows, Macs, and Windows. In the last year several other browsers have
been created for the various platforms. Some are free and others are commercial.
Amosaic is developed by public domain effort for the Amiga. Although it may not
have all the toots and whistles of the other browsers, it is free! Also, it was
started after the others and thus has to play catchup. Development of all of the
browsers has been slowed down because they are all dependent on html and http
which are in a state of change.
The browsers are primarily used to access the thousands of World Wide Web (WWW)
servers, but can also be used to access WAIS, Gopher, and others. They enable
the user to click on hypertext links which will automatically use the network
services such as FTP to retrieve the information pointed to by the link
regardless if it is text, sound, or graphics. They utilize shareware and public
domain viewers and players of the users choice to play the sounds or to display
the pictures or animations. Thus the browser is a point and click front end to a
wide array of other software.
Navigating the Web can be a challenge due the enormous size, but there are
several tools that make it easier. The simplest tool is the usage of a common
naming convention for the main WWW servers. Most large organizations have their
primary server named www. For example, NASA's primary server is called
www.nasa.gov. Microsoft's server is called www.microsoft.com. Can you guess what
NewTek's server is called ?
Once you know the name of the server, it is very easy to create the URL which the
browser needs to make the connection. URL stands for Universal Resource Locator
which is just a scheme for specifying the type of link to make, to which host,
and optionally which file. To open NASA's front door (primary home page) just use
the Open URL menu option and type: http://www.nasa.gov This says make an http
connection to www.nasa.gov. Since no file was specified it will get the default
home page for that server.
Other navigation tools include search utilities, the what's new page, and indexes
by category or subject. Most of this is explained on line. Just go explore.
G09
--------------------
What are Veronica and Archie?
Archie is the older of the two search tools. A user submits a query to Archie or
Veronica and they search their database for the location of files or programs.
Veronica is associated with the Gopher servers.
Both require TCP/IP at some point. Although both can be queried by electronic
mail.
There is an Archie client available for AmiTCP via anonymous FTP from
ftp.demon.co.uk in the /pub/amiga/amitcp directory.
G10
-----------------------
What is news?
NEWS is a global BBS run by everyone and no one. I will describe it briefly here,
but see the NEWS FAQ for details.
NEWS is made up of broad topics called news groups, to which people can post or
respond to posts. Anyone can create a new post, but new news groups are added
based on an email voting system. A few groups are moderated, but most are not.
NEWS is available via usenet, the internet, and some commercial services. Almost
NOBODY carries ALL the news groups. User access is through a news reader
application that accesses a news server. There are many variations of news
readers. Several for the Amiga can be found on Aminet and Fred Fish .
GRn by Michael Smith is one Amiga News reader.
Arn by Roland Bless (r...@spirits.ka.sub.org) is another.
THOR and Offline-Orbit are offline news and message readers.
NEWS began life on a college campus and then became the USENET news as it spread
to other college campuses and beyond via UUCP . Today it is also carried across
the Internet using the NNTP application over TCP/IP. The links between servers
are set up manually by news server administrators and the links are called news
feeds. A lot of the feeds come and go, since they are done on an informal basis.
GRn in combination with INetUtils allows you to access news over either NNTP or
UUCP.
G11
------------------------
What is a Set top?
A twinkle in some entrepreneur's eye. It will most likely occupy the __TOP__ of
your television __SET__. Some call it Interactive TV. Some call it info-pliances.
It could possibly bring the internet to your home via cable TV or phone lines,
but more than likely it will only bring limited expensive services.
AT&T says, "YOU WILL." I say, "I AIN'T YET." ;-)
A newspaper article listed the following companies as competition for IBM in the
set top market: General Instrument, Scientific Atlanta, 3DO, and Nintendo. NO
mention of HP, Sony, SEGA, or <insert Amiga owner of the week here>. Hmmmmmmm.
AS most of you know ESCOM's Amiga Technologies is hawking the Amiga as THE
platform for making set top boxes. So we shall see. VIScorp is also very
interested in the Amiga as a set top box.
The race will be to develop a box and service that will sell (i.e. it has to be
cheap and yet do a lot.)
The starting gun has sounded in the States with the telecommunications bill which
opens up the phone and cable markets.
Several operating systems are being developed for set top boxes. Since the box has
to be cheap, Win NT is obviously not in the running. JAVA is Sun's bid which is
gaining a foothold in the Web market. Apple is rumored to have an OS tailored
specificly for set top's. So keep the top of your set open ;-)
xwindows
------------
X-windows allows you have a graphical user interface similar to workbench where
you can run programs (clients) both locally and remotely.
A breif description of how X-windows works:
X-windows involves two cooperating programs. One program acts as a server, and the
other as a client. The client programs need not be on your machine, but the server
program must be on your local machine. For remote clients to talk to your server
you must be running a networking protocol either TCP-IP or DecNet. Of course if
your clients are local, no network is required.
The first step to starting X-windows is run the x-server program which isn't very
exciting by itself. The server just opens a plain root window and starts listening
for clients to give it commands. One of the first clients you will want to run is
a window-manager. As the name implies it helps you manage the windows that your
clients will open. Similar to running workbench, but it is much more limited.
Once the server and a window manager are running you can begin running other
clients which can be local or on a remote machine. You can even cut and paste data
between clients.
The benefit of x-windows is that the client programmer does not have to write a
special user interface for each type of machine on the market. Any machine with an
x-server should be able to accept the display from the x-client regardless of what
kind of machine the client is running on. This also means that the client does not
have to written to run on your machine. For example, you can use a word processor
written for a cray from your amiga as long as the word processor supports
x-windows and you have a cray to run the client on ;-)
The downside of x-windows is that it requires a lot of bandwidth to operate. You
can get it to work over a 14.4 baud modem, but it is slow. Even over ethernet
graphic intensive clients can be sluggish. Also, more than one flavor of x-windows
emerged so that the main benefit is somewhat negated. Motif is one of the main
flavors of x-windows, but others exist.
Also check out the X11 FAQ for help with X specific questions.
TIA
-------------------
What is TIA and Mlink, and are they useful to an Amiga User?
TIA ==> The Internet Adapter (TM)
by Cyberspace Development, Inc. (CSD).
It is a commercial software product that enables shell account users to have
partial SLIP access to the Internet without paying the extra monthly surcharge of
having a full SLIP account, and without having to have an Internet address. Since
TIA runs on the service providers host, Amiga users can take advantage of it too.
Although the service provider misses out on some revenue, they also miss out on a
lot of management headaches from SLIP. Check with your service provider to see if
TIA or Mlink is endorsed.
The drawback to TIA is that you don't have your own internet address, and
therefore no one can telnet or FTP to your machine. This does not stop you from
running Mosaic or FTP *OUT*. Just the incoming is unavailable. In other words you
can act only as a client not a server.
Another drawback is that you still have to have SLIP on the Amiga side. TIA
basically sets up a software gateway that speaks SLIP to your Amiga over the
serial port of the host, and TCP/IP over the host's ethernet card. TIA doesn't
allow the AmiTCP packets to pass directly to the Internet therefore your machine
has no address as far as the Internet is concerned. The Internet only sees the
service host. TIA makes the service host make TCP/IP requests on your behalf and
then passes you back the results. This does not work for some TCP/IP utilities
such as ping. Think of it as layers or stacks the data must filter through with
TIA as a middleman or translator.
|====< AMIGA >====| |====< Service Host >======|
| AMosaic | | TIA <====GW====> TCP/IP |
| AmiTCP | |your Shell Account || |
| SLIP | | | || |
| serial port | | serial ethernet|
|====|---|========| |===|---|===========|++++|=|
| | ||
modem<--serial line-->modem ||
ethernet LAN
||
Internet & WWW
There are well written docs available on line from CSD that explain TIA much
better. You can FTP them from marketplace.com. You can also use gopher and
Mosaic to the same site.
Mlink is available on Aminet and performs a similar function as TIA. It allows
you to use a cheaper shell account to access the Internet, but just like TIA it is
a one way glass: you can see out, but no one can see in.
G15_SAMBA
---------------
What is SAMBA and is it available?
SAMBA is a suite of programs which work together to allow clients to access Unix
filespace and printers via the SMB (Session Message Block) protocol.
In practice, this means that you can redirect disks and printers to Unix disks and
printers from LAN Manager clients, Windows for Workgroups 3.11 clients, Windows NT
clients and OS/2 clients. There is also a Unix client program supplied as part of
the suie which allows Unis users to use an ftp-like interface to access filespace
and printers on any other SMB servers.
Summary of SAMBA suite components:
smbd the SMB server. This handles actual connections from clients
nmbd the Netbios name server, which helps clients locate servers
smbclient the Unix-hosted client program
smbrun a little "glue' program to help the server run external programs
testprns a program to test server acess to printers
testparms a program to test the SAMBA config file for corectness
smb.conf The SAMBA config file
smbprint a sample script to allow a Unix host to use smbclient to print
to an SMB server
Although this is the UNIX suite summary, the source code is available and SAMBA
has been ported to the Amiga. SAMBA is of particular use to Lightwave users to
move files between the Amiga and a PC.
JAVA_VRML
-------------
What is JAVA and VRML, and are they available for the Amiga?
JAVA is being spearheaded by SUN Microsystems,and you can check their web site for
details.
JAVA is a new language for the WWW that has more power than HTML . Don't expect
it to replace HTML any time soon though. JAVA is intended to augment HTML by
allowing web page authors to provide programs which run on the client's machine.
These programs can be anything from an animation to a full blown user interface
into a remote database or application. In fact there is more than one form of
JAVA: JAVA as applets, JAVA as applications, and JAVAScript.
JAVA applets run in the context of a web browser. Currently there are no Amiga web
browsers that support JAVA applets, but that could change soon.
JAVA applications require an interpreter called a virtual machine (VM).
JAVAScript is more of a Basic langauage which is only supported by Netscape and
Microsoft's Internet Explorer. It was developed by Netscape and SUN.
Since JAVA is a programming language, you can find tools on the new GEEK GADGETS
cd rom from Cronus .
JAVA is being ported to the Amiga. Niall Teasdale has a web page on the project
which is being called P'Jami.
There are also several other ports of JAVA underway. One is called Kaffe and it
supplies a VM to run JAVA applications. Another is the JAVA JIT compiler.
VRML is Virtual Reality Markup Langauge which is being spearheaded by SGI. This
language also augments HTML and allows web authors to add 3d graphics, or to build
3d graphics worlds (virtual reality) which can be navigated over the web or
locally.
Remember Calagari? The Amiga 3d graphics package which became Truespace when they
ported to the PC. Well they are heavily involved with SGI in developing VRML
tools. Even if there is no Amiga port of VRML viewers, you can still get your
Amiga 3d graphics objects into VRML format. Lightwave has a VRML saver. Also
there are DXF to VRML converters on other platforms.
You can always use one of the web search engines to find tons of Java and VRML
stuff.
IRC
------------
IRC == Internet Relay Chat
Sort of like a conference call but instead of speaking you type. They can be
somewhat structured with a moderator and guest which accept questions sort of like
a call in show on TV.
There are some IRC clients such as Grapevine for the Amiga on Aminet.
You might also want to check out CLChat.
proxy
-----------
!!!!!!!! new section !!!!!!
Proxy
Proxies are intended as a security measure for firewalls, but as Randall Lasini
describes on his web page it can also be used to connect multiple machines to the
internet over a single dial up line without having to get a unique internet
address for each machine. I'll describe the basic idea here and you can get more
info from his web page at
http://www.eck.net.au/~suicyde/AmiLAN.html
Although it is not a perfect solution, it is quite interesting. Your Internet
Service Provider (ISP) does not have to provide an internet address for each of
your machines, but it would still be a good idea to get your ISP's blessing in
case there are any unforseen problems or if your ISP considers it as a different
form of service.
The solution requires httprox14 and HiJack which are both on Aminet and assumes
you will be using an Amiga to dial into your ISP. Randall's solution was done
using all Amigas with Arcnet cards, but it should be doable with any physical
media that has a SANA II device driver. The solution was also performed using
AmiTCP 4.2.
HiJack and httprox14 are installed on the Amiga which is connecting to the ISP.
This Amiga must also being running a TCP-IP stack which supports the Gateway
function. AmiTCP supports the gateway function, but it must be enabled by editing
the amitcp:db/amitcp.config file. This Amiga has now become a special kind of
gateway called a firewall.
Point each of your "hidden" machines to use the gateway. This is done on an
application by application basis, and is not supported by all applications.
Ibrowse has a preferences tool for setting a proxy gateway, but others use
environment variables such as "setenv nntpserver gw-net.amiga.net" or "setenv
http_proxy gw-net.amiga.net:8080" where gw-net.amiga.net is the name of your Amiga
which is acting as a gateway.
The HJprox will route your applications packets to the internet and remember where
the returning packets go to. Currently httpprox14 will not handle "refresh" or
random links like the one at Yahoo, but if you have an upstream proxy available
you might be able to use the random links.
As I said it isn't a perfect solution, but it looks quite interesting. Let me
know ( and Randall!) what setups you get to work, and I'll add them to the FAQ.
General (C)
------------------------
Hardware:
Connectivity
GHC01 I only have two machines, an Amiga and _________(MAC/PC/etc).
How can I exchange data without a net?
GHC02 How do I connect a thin or thick card to a 10baseT net?
GHC03 How do I connect my Amiga 2,3, or 4000 to ethernet?
GHC04 How do I connect my Amiga 500, 1000 or 1200 to ethernet?
GHC05 How about arcnet instead of ethernet?
GHC06 How do I connect to ISDN?
Software:
GSC01 What terminal emulations are available over ethernet?
GSC02 Can I use multiple protocol stacks on my Amiga at the
same time?
GSC03 How can I uudecode messages from binary newsgroups?
GSC04 Adding to the PATH from a shell doesn't seem to work, why?
GSC05 Are there any Amiga to Amiga networking packages?
GSC06 What Email options are available?
GSC07 Can I do multimedia over a network?
GSC08 Can I do parallel programming over a network?
GHC01
----------------
I only have two machines, an Amiga and __________.
How can I exchange data without a net?
Four solutions come to mind. From least to most expensive:
1) Floppies
2) a) NULL Modem cable (serial/modem port)
b) Parallel cable (may require special wiring. consult software)
3) External SCSI or IDE
4) Ethernet (Ok, OK, so this one is a net.)
1) Floppies
If the data will fit on a 720k or 1.4M floppy then you have it made. See
appropriate section below for details on your computer setup.
2) a) NULL Modem cable
If the two machines are in the same room a null modem cable is useful for moving
larger amounts of data. You will need software in addition to the cable. You can
write your own or use something like TwinExpress which is on Aminet . In
addition to moving files TwinExpress will also allow you to print remotely. For
example, If you have a postscript printer hooked to the PC's LPT2 port, then
copy hd0:psfiles/mydoc.ps ~LPT2
will send the postscript file over the nullmodem cable to the PC printer.
b) Parallel cable
If the computers are close together (6 to 12 feet), then a special parallel cable
can be used to connect them.
PARnet is available for PC's and can be made to work with the Amiga version of
PARnet . Sorry, I don't have any details. If someone wants to send some, I'll add
them to the FAQ.
Link It! is a commercial solution that will work with either serial or parallel,
and comes with a parallel cable.
PLIP , is also a possibility but I don't have any details.
Also there is a program on Aminet called PC2Amiga.
3) External SCSI or IDE
The next cheapest solution is to get a SCSI external drive with removable media
such as a Syquest or Bernoulli. See below for details and an example of
sneakernet.
4) Ethernet
Of course there is nothing wrong with setting up an ethernet LAN between just two
machines other than cost.
NFS solutions:
Amiga -- NFSd by Interworks
Amiga -- ch_NFS (comes with AmiTCP)
MAC -- MacNFS by Thursby Software http://www.thursby.com
PC -- PcNFS by Sun
PC clone to/from Amiga
--------------------------------
Floppies and removable media can be formatted in MSDOS format. The Amiga can then
read and write to them using CrossDos which is included in AmigaDOS 2.x and
higher. CrossDos can also format a MSDOS disk, but it takes a while. To preserve
long file names you can use LhaNT under Windows NT.
For PC you can get Conversions Plus by DataViz which allows the PC to read MAC
disks. It also provides file conversions such as Pict to tiff. Combine this with
MaxDos on the Amiga and you can exchange data between a PC and Amiga using a Mac
formatted disk! Now that's Mondo.
Mac to/from Amiga
--------------------------
There are now commercial products which allow the Amiga to read Mac formatted
floppies and disks (both removable and hard). MaxDos and CrossMac.
Under System 7:
The Mac will automatically recognize a MSDOS disk. Another trick learned from the
Amiga. It is called PC Exchange and has a control panel for dealing with SCSI
disks.
Under system 6:
The Mac can also read and write MSDOS format floppies using the Apple File
Exchange utility which comes with the Mac operating system. AFE is not
automatically installed so you may have to get off the master diskettes if you
cannot find it on your Mac. AFE can also format a disk as MSDOS. AFE MUST BE
RUNNING BEFORE you insert the MSDOS disk or it won't recognize it!!
Lee Stranahan's Mondo-Sneakernet system:
---------------------------------------
From video and back to video by way of a Mac and PC.
Load digitized footage from Exabyte tape into Mac using Missing Link;
Process in AfterEffects;
Store sequence of PICTS on Mac EZ (removable MSDOS format) drive;
Move cart to EZ IDE in PC;
Load PiCTS into Perception...
Of course, there are mucho other ways to skin a file.
GHC02
-----------
How do I connect a thin or thick net card to a 10baset net?
You need a 10baset transceiver called a TPAU (Twisted Pair Access Unit). The TPAU
should have an RJ-45, and an AUI connection.
Set the jumper on the card for thick net. Use the thick network connector called
an AUI and connect it to the TPAU's AUI connector and then connect the TPAU's RJ45
connector to your network. This setup requires two cables: one AUI, and one
RJ-45.
For connecting the Thin net connection to twisted pair thin net instead of a co-ax
thin net, you will need a ballun.
GHC03
------------------
What do I need to hook up my Amiga 2,3, or 4000 to ethernet?
If the following sounds like geek 8-)
then try the Generic (G) section.
Also you can try the book store for a variety of books on the subject including
"Connect your Amiga!" by Dale Larson of IAM . They can go into a lot more detail
than an FAQ.
You basically have two choices: a direct connection which requires a ethernet card
or a much slower remote connection via the serial port. An ethernet card is also
referred to as an ethernet adapter, an ethernet controller, or as a network
interface card. One reason it is called a network interface card is that there are
other types of networks out there besides ethernet ( ARCNET for example).
Ethernet is just extremely popular.
There are several cards to choose from and they support different ethernet cable
types. See the generic section for a description of cable types. See the product
specs section to see which cards support which cables.
In addition to the card you will need a protocol to communicate to other hosts or
nodes. See a description of protocols in the generic section. The protocols all
require configuration such as an address which you should get from your network
administrator or service provider.
Last but not least you will need some network applications to use over your
network link. Telnet and FTP usually come with the TCP/IP protocol, but there are
many others available.
In summary, you will need: 1) NIC 2) Protocol 3) Application.
Ethernet cards:
The A2065 was by Commodore Business Machines.
The A4066 is by Ameristar supersedes the A2065 card.
The LAN Rover was by ASDG and is also called the EB920.
The Hydra is by Hydra Systems
The Ariadne is by Village Tronic
Also cheap PC ethernet cards can be used with GG2 bus+ card from
Software Results Enterprises .
The Ariadne is a hybrid card which includes both ethernet and parallel ports on
the same card.
All of these cards are full size and most are SANA II compatible.
Protocol:
All these cards can be used with protocol software such as
TCP-IP:
AmiTCP by NSDi
I-NET 225 by Interworks
AmigaNOS
AS225 was by CBM
Other:
TSSnet DECnet software by Thunder Ridge, Inc. ,
Novell Netware client by Oxxi
Amiga to Amiga:
ENLAN-DFS
Envoy
DNET (also does Amiga to Unix)
SAMBA (also does Amiga to Unix or PC)
Resource Management Force
has a zorro II card called QuickNet which uses
thin ethernet, and special Amiga to Amiga software.
Serial port:
The serial port offers a much slower, but much cheaper way to build a network. By
using a high speed modem connection to an Internet Service Provider you can use
your Amiga serial port to become a full fledge node on the Internet. The internet
requires the TCP-IP protocol and you will need either SLIP or PPP to drive
the serial port. SLIP comes with AmiTCP and PPP.device is available on Aminet.
If you plan on tying several machines to the internet over a single SLIP or PPP
line, you will HAVE to coordinate it with your service provider, otherwise only
one machine will be seen. Unless of course you are clever like Randall Lasini and
figure out a way around it.
Other types of networks can also be supported via the serial port such as DECnet .
Again the tradeoff being giving up speed for distance and cost.
No place to dial into? You can usually find a book on the Internet at a bookstore
that lists the major providers, but your local user groups and BBS users can
provide good insight into which are the best or cheapest.
GHC04
----------------
Can I hook up an Amiga 500,1000, 1200 to ethernet?
Yes, Almost all Amiga models can be hooked to the ethernet. Using the serial port
is the cheapest, but the fastest is a direct connect using an ethernet adapter
card.
For the 1200 Interworks has an ethernet card called ICard that will support
the major protocols. They also have some Amiga peer to peer software products for
the ICard.
For the 500 and 1000:
The A2065 has reportedly been used successfully with third-party expansion
boxes, such as Bodega Bay. It has also been reported that the A2065 card can be
used with the Slingshot expansion device used with an Amiga 500 and a SupraDrive
500XP's pass-through.
The A2065 has been superseded by the Ameristar A4066 . Don't know if it
works with the A500 or A1000 expansion buses.
The serial port approach for TCP/IP is supported by:
several flavors of AmigaNOS
AmiTCP
I-Net 225
Miami
TermiteTCP
all of which require SLIP or PPP to use the serial port. DECnet and DNET
can be also be used with the serial port.
GHC05
------------------
Arcnet runs at about 2.5 Mbits/sec which is a lot faster than parnet or Appletalk,
but not as fast as ethernet. Arcnet hardware is cheaper than ethernet, however, so
for a small shop they may be a better deal.
Once upon a time, CBM released the A2060 for the Amiga 2000, and the A560 for the
A500. You can probably still find these used, and apparently there is a SANA II
driver for them called ch2060.device by Carsten Heyl. Look on Aminet.
CSA was working on some, but are on hold pending the outcome of the CBM
liquidation. Contact CSA if you are interested.
GHC06_ISDN
----------
Can I hook an Amiga to ISDN?
Yes, ISDN Master is one solution for hooking an Amiga to ISDN .
Since I haven't done this myself, I'm interested in hearing from those who have
as to what solutions are available and what specifically is required.
GSC01
-----------------
What terminal emulations are available over ethernet?
The AS225 package allows rlogin using the Amiga console (a termcap is supplied)
only. A separate rloginVT program is supplied for VT100 emulation. Under X
Windows, xterm provides terminal emulation that typically works with all software
available on the host.
AS225r2 provides telnet and nterm (telnet with VT100).
TSSnet DECnet provides VT100 terminal emulation using the DECnet CTERM
facility or use your favorite VT compatible Amiga terminal program including
VLT.
VLT works with TSSnet DECnet, Enlan, and with tn3270.device for AS225r2 . VLT
provides Tektronix and DEC terminal emulation.
telser opens the door to user your favorite modem software's terminal emulator
with telnet.
GSC02
------------------
Can I use multiple protocol stacks on my Amiga at the same time?
If all desired protocol stacks support the SANA II standard, several
protocols can be run simultaneously on the same A2065 card. Some commercially
available versions of the network protocol stacks support the SANA II
specification now. But if they don't, you can have multiple hardware interfaces to
run different protocols on the same machine simultaneously (i.e. one A2065 used
for TCP/IP and one used for Netware).
GSC03
--------------
How can I uudecode messages from binary newsgroups?
MASSDECODE is an ARexx script by Gregg Giles which will scan all newsgroups for
uuencoded binaries, joins the parts of a single binary, and decodes the binary.
Ideal for those who want to have binary newsgroups decoded automatically and have
the resulting binaries put online for their users to download and/or access.
It is available from Aminet as comm/news/MassDecode1.1.lha
Or you can use MunPack if the file is MIME encoded.
GSC04
----------------
Adding to the PATH doesn't seem to work from the Shell, why?
Each shell has it's own copy of the workbench PATH structure. This allows each
shell to be customized, but does lead to confusion because adding to the PATH in
one shell does not affect the other shells. To change the PATH for the workbench
and thus all new Shells you must use the NEWPATH option of the LOADWB command. For
example, to add work:newdir to the PATH system wide you'd type:
>PATH work:newdir add
>LOADWB NEWPATH
Now work:newdir will be added to the search path system wide.
GSC05
----------------
Are there any peer-peer network packages for the Amiga?
Yes, several.
ENLAN-DFS from Interworks provides peer to peer networking and Distributed
File System over SANA II compatible hardware.
Envoy from IAM provides peer to peer networking for Amigas that is tied very
close to the operating system. It too is SANA II compatible.
Resource Management Force has a zorro II card called QuickNet which uses thin
ethernet, and special Amiga to Amiga software.
ALAN-FS is a peer-to-peer network package that allows full transparent
file-sharing, device sharing over ethernet. It requires WB2.0 and the Commodore
AS225 package. It is available from GfxBase, Inc , or
Canadian Prototype Replicas . NOTE: Current Product status unknown. FEEDBACK
appreciated.
Dnet --- Dnet has client/server software for both Amiga-Amiga and Amiga-UNIX
networking over a serial line. Among other things Dnet supports shells, file
transfer, IRC, and something like NFS. Dnet is available on Aminet .
PARnet/PARbench --- PARbench is a workbench installable version of PARnet which
allows two Amigas to be networked using a parallel port and cable. It is basically
file sharing similar to NFS, but Amiga only. PARbench greatly simplifies
installing and using PARnet.
GSC06
----------------
What electronic mail options are available?
The DECnet package from Thunder Ridge, Inc. supports VMSmail. AmigaELM
supports UUCP mail.
Both packages require a mail utility on a remote host.
You should also pick up a copy of InetUtils from Aminet. InetUtils allows AmigaELM
and other mail utilities to use SMTP instead of relying on a remote host.
Graham Walter has uploaded a SMTP daemon for AmiTCP to Aminet
Also available for both AmigaNOS flavors is a mail agent called BM, B-Dale's
Messy-Dos Mailer. It doesn't have as nice an interface as Elm, but is easy to
use and can build RFC822 formatted files.
GMail is available as part of INET225 .
VooDoo is available on Aminet. It provides a graphical user interface (GUI) but
requires WB3.0 or higher.
To handle MIME attachments you might also want to pick up a copy of MUNPACK
or MetaMail.
GSC07
----------------
Is network based multimedia available?
InfoChannel is a SCALA, Inc. product that can run over LAN's or modems. It
allows remote Amiga multimedia stations to be controlled from a central Amiga
host. Data can also be stored centrally and supplied upon demand. InfoChannel
also comes with tools and graphics for creating a multimedia service such as a
kiosk.
Also Amosaic can be used as a multimedia hypertext user interface for both
local and remote data.
Also JAVA can be used as multimedia development tool. JAVA is being developed by
Sun Microsystems, but an Amiga port is in the works by someone other than Sun.
GSC08
---------------------
Is network parallel programming available?
TorqueWare (TM) is by AugmenTek and allows parallel programming between
several Amigas. Also an Amiga running AugmenTek's TorqueWare can act as a client
to a SGI or Mac running TorqueWare by Torque Systems.
Product Specific
================
CBM TCPIP (B)
Envoy (E)
AMosaic (AM)
AmiTCP (AT)
CBM TCPIP (B)
---------------------------------------
Questions about Commodore's TCPIP software
B01 I can't login to my Amiga over the network. Why?
B02 When I FTP to some hosts, I get part of an introductory
message and then either the network hangs up or
the connection gets closed. Why?
B03 Is Domain Name Resolution available with the AS225 software?
B04 Can I use NFS to mount a partition on my Amiga from a remote
machine?
B05 I can't use FTP, rsh or rcp into my Amiga. Why?
B06 FTP into my Amiga works, but rsh and rcp into my Amiga don't.
B07 I can communicate with machines on my network/floor/building,
but I can't communicate with other machines even though they
are in my inet:db/hosts file.
B01
--------------------
I can't login to my Amiga over the network. Why?
The AS225 software does not support interactive remote logins to the Amiga. It
does have servers for rsh (remote shell), rcp (remote copy) and does support
remote FTP logins. rsh allows you to execute commands on the Amiga, but does not
allow an interactive shell.
I-NET 225 has numerous servers including telnetd.
For AmiTCP there are two utilities on Aminet called tnserv.lha and
FtpDaemon.lha that provide remote telnet and FTP to an Amiga.
B02
-------------------
When I FTP to some hosts, I get part of an introductory message and then either
the network hangs up or the connection gets closed. Why?
There apparently is a bug in the AS225 software that causes trouble when ftp'ing
to a system that has a long login message. You can suppress this login message on
some systems by typing a hyphen ('-') as the first character in your password.
B03
-------------------
Is Domain Name Resolution available with the AS225 software?
For AS225r1: No. You must have an entry in the host table for each machine you
wish to reference by name (as opposed to IP address). Also the gateways file is
not currently used.
For As225r2: Yes. All variants support DNS, and gateway. These functions are
turned off and on via the config files and the ConfigINet utility.
B04
--------------------
Can I use NFS to mount a partition on my Amiga from a remote machine?
For AS225r1: No. Currently, the AS225 software only supports NFS as a client. An
NFS server is not included.
For AS225r2: Yes. NFSd the NFS server is included. The 'd' stands for daemon which
is a term used by the un*x community for a program which runs continuously and
watches for certain events, and then loads the appropriate program to handle a
given event.
Not all variants of AS225r2 contain the NFSd.
B05
------------------
I can't use FTP, rsh or rcp into my Amiga. Why?
Make sure that you are running inet:s/start-inet with the servers keyword (i.e.,
"execute inet:s/start-inet servers").
B06
--------------------
FTP into my Amiga works, but rsh and rcp into my Amiga don't.
Make sure that you have an entry in inet:db/passwd for the user who is rshing
into the Amiga (you can use the -l option to change the user trying to do the
remote access.) Make sure that you have an entry in inet:db/hosts.equiv for the
machine being rsh'd from.
B07
-------------------
I can communicate with machines on my network/floor/building, but I can't
communicate with other machines even though they are in my inet:db/hosts file.
Make sure that you have routes set up to other networks. Many networks have one
primary gateway which you should make your default route for reaching all other
networks. See the commented-out "route add default" line in inet:s/start-inet.
Envoy (E)
---------------------------------------
Questions about Envoy
E1 How do I configure a machine which has both an Amiga Link
and an ethernet connection so that machines on either network
can see each other?
E1
-----------------
How do I configure a machine which has both an Amiga Link and an ethernet
connection so that machines on either network can see each other?
Given machines A, B, and C with node B having both Amiga Link and Ethernet card
(Quicknet) as shown below, and all running Envoy.
A <=== Alink ===> B <=== Ethernet ===> C
In order for node A to access node C or vice versa use the following configuration
scheme: (IP addresses for example only!)
node A node B node C
IP-Address: 244.1.a.a 244.1.b1.b1 244.1.c.c
244.2.b2.b2
Subnet Mask: 255.255.0.0 255.255.0.0 255.255.0.0
255.255.0.0
Use Realm: yes yes yes
Realm-Serv: NO yes yes
Realm-Name: NET NET NET
Serv-Addr: 244.1.b1.b1 244.1.b1.b1 244.2.b2.b2
Def GateWay: 244.1.b1.b1 ------ 244.2.b2.b2
Loc Realms: ------ NET 244.1.0.0 -------
Loc Realms: NET 244.2.0.0
Rem Realms: ------ ------ ------
where b1.b1, and a.a are the AmigaLink hardware addresses. i.e. the last two bytes
of the IP address MUST match the hardware address on the AmigaLink interfaces.
On the ethernet interfaces, however, b2.b2 and c.c can be anything since Envoy
supports ARP on ethernet.
NOTE: the IP addresses are for example ONLY! Unless you manage all the nodes
concerned you must coordinate the IP addresses with your network administrator or
provider.
This example basically creates two TCP/IP domains: 244.1 and 244.2 Each domain can
have multiple nodes. Node B serves as the gateway between the two domains. If you
were to set up additional gateways to other domains, you would use the route
command on each node that you wished to enable communications to the new domain.
The route command merely tells TCP/IP which gateway or router to use for data
that is to be sent to a particular domain thus providing a more direct path, and
avoiding sending unnecessary traffic to other parts of the network.
The gateway provides access to other parts of a network that would not otherwise
be directly accessible. A router is dedicated to keeping track of routes to
various domains. On large networks your default gateway will often point to a
router thus negating the need to maintain route commands on each node.
For further discussion of domains and beginner info on the Internet you should
refer to ZEN
AMosaic(AM)
---------------------------------------
NOTE: for more info on Mosaic check out Amosaic-FAQ
Questions about AMosaic
AM1 What do I need to run AMosaic?
AM2 Is there a way to print from AMosaic using arexx?
AM3 Having problems with "service looping" with http?
AM4 How do I connect to a news server with AMosaic?
AM5 How do I access docs in AMosaic NoNet mode?
AM6 How do I make AMosaic appear on a custom screen?
AM7 How do I change AMosaic's preferences?
AM8 How do I route past a FireWall? (proxies)
AM1
-------------------
What do I need to run AMosaic?
* A link to the Internet
* Any Amiga running AmigaDos 3.0 or higher.
Aminet is the place to go for all the rest of this stuff!
* Amosaic V1.2 or higher (latest is available on max.physics.sunysb.edu)
* MUI 2.0 or higher
* TCP/IP: AmiTCP, INet 225, DNET, TIA, MLINK, MIAMI, TermiteTCP, etc. (see
below)
* For modem connections: SLIP (included with AmiTCP) or PPP
* INetUtils (optional adds SMTP, etc.)
* FTPd (optional allows inbound FTP)
* The following utilities are used by default by Amosaic, but you can
use others: amisox, edplay, zgif, ams
They are available via Amosaic once you get it up and going.
Summary of TCP-IP software solutions:
Two new entries are TermiteTCP and Miami . Both stacks are designed with "ease
of use" in mind, and are primarily targeted at the home user who is dialing up an
ISP by modem to connect to the internet.
INet-225 is a new product from Interworks which will provide full TCP/IP
connectivity plus includes several other useful applications.
=======< end first part >======
Richard Norman
Archive-name: amiga/networking-faq/part2
Posting-Frequency: monthly
Version: 2.1
Document Amiga Networking FAQ
=======< start second part >=====
AmiTCP is a shareware product and a demo version is available on Aminet. AmiTCP
can be a bear to install, but now there are install scripts on Aminet, and I've
added a section to try to help demystify the process. AmiTCP will provide full
TCP/IP connectivity.
DNET may be more useful if you are connecting to a UNIX host, but I have no
direct experience with DNET.
IF all you can get is a shell account on the UNIX host, then TIA or MLINK
will be of interest.
Of course there are other options as well such as AmigaNOS.
AM2
--------------------
Is there a way to print from AMosaic using arexx?
Thanks to a Quick and Dirty Hack by Mike Meyer there is!
Although I tried to type it in correctly, I cannot guarantee that it will work
since I have no way to test it.
/ *
* A QAD hack to print from Mosaic via the Rexx interface
*/
arg style
if ~show('Libraries', 'rexxarplib.library') then
if ~addlib('rexxarplib.library', 0, -30) then do
say "No rexxarplib, so no posting!"
exit
end
options results
select
when style = "TEXT" then 'get text'
when style = "FORMATTED" then 'get formatted'
when style = "POSTSCRIPT" then do
call request 0, 0, "Postscript doesn't work yet!"
exit
end
otherwise call request 0, 0, "Invalid argument" style
end
if ~open(printer, "prt:", "Write") then do
call request 0, 0, "Can't open printer!"
exit
end
call writech printer, result
exit
AM3
-------------------
Having problems with "service looping" with http?
There is a version of the AmiTCP 3.0 Beta 2 inetd which is better behaved. It is
available via anonymous FTP at remarque.berkeley.edu as /pub/mwm/inetd_for_httpd
AM4
--------------------
How do I connect to a news server with AMosaic?
You specify the NNTPSERVER environment variable. This can be done at user-startup
or from a shell. Use the setenv command:
SETENV NNTPSERVER a.news.server.youre.allowed.on
AM5
-------------------
How do I access docs in AMosaic NoNet mode?
The Amosaic NoNet version can run in stand alone mode ( i.e. NO NETwork). This is
for testing purposes before you get your network connection. In v1.2 or earlier
you are greeted with an error message instead of a document in this NoNet mode.
To see the local html files you must use the Open Local menu item and then choose
volumes. You must go all the way to the list of volumes because this allows you
to build the file pointer from scratch. Choose the volume where Amosaic is stored
and then work your way down to the docs/html directory. There should be a file
called index.html. Choose it and it should open. Once you open the index.html file
it has hypertext links to many of the other local html documents. It also has
remote links which obviously won't work in NoNet mode.
To make index.html your default or "home page" you can edit the
envarc:mosaic/prefs and set the HomeDocument variable. For example:
HomeDocument file://localhost/SYS:Comms/Mosaic/HTML/index.html
The change will be active the next time you boot or To make it active copy the
envarc:mosaic/prefs to env:mosaic/prefs.
AM6
-------------------
How do I make AMosaic appear on a custom screen?
You can make AMosaic appear on a custom screen by using the MUI Prefs, BUT don't
do it while Amosaic is running!!!
If AMosaic is running when you change the MUI prefs to a custom screen, it will
crash your machine! ( At least V1.2 of Amosaic did this, other versions may be
fixed)
Simple fix: Run MUI prefs and change the screen, and THEN run AMosaic.
AM7
--------------------
How do I change AMosaic's preferences?
In order to change AMosaic's preferences such as which page is the default home
page you can edit one of the files in the envarc:mosaic directory, or you can get
AMprefs which is available on the AMosaic home page.
For more help get the Amosaic-FAQ
AM8
------------
AM8 How to route past FireWalls? (proxies)
Version 1.3 of AMosaic and higher supports proxies so that you can talk through a
firewall router. To do so you must set some environment variables on the Amiga.
Here is a list that Stefan posted:
open a shell window and type:
Setenv HTTP_PROXY http://proxy.domain.foo.bar/
Setenv ftp_PROXY http://proxy.domain.foo.bar/
Setenv gopher_PROXY http://proxy.domain.foo.bar/
Setenv wais_PROXY http://proxy.domain.foo.bar/
where proxy.domain.foo.bar should be replaced by the domain name of your WWW proxy
gateway.
See the AMosaic FAQ for more help hints and up to date info. It is located at
http://www.phone.net/atcpfaq/amosaic.html
AmiTCP(AT)
--------------------------
The first two questions were triggered by 3.0b2 which should no longer be used.
Version 4.0 demo of AmiTCP has been officially released to Aminet . Although it
is a "demo", it is fully functional. There will be a commercial version of AmiTCP
available with new features.
NOTE: Do not install v4.0 over a non-working version of 3.0b2. Delete all the
3.0b2 files off the system (i.e. wipe the slate clean).
Questions about AmiTCP
AT01 Telnet in 3.0b2 locks up my shell when I exit. Is this a bug?
AT02 Startnet in 3.0b2 says there is "no such interface" why?
AT03 My provider assigns SLIP addresses dynamically. Now What?
AT04 Where are the docs? How do I install and use AmitcP?
AT01
--------------------
Telnet in 3.0b2 locks up my shell when I exit. Is this a bug?
Yes, and is quite typical of BETA software. Remember beta software is still under
construction and has not been extensively tested. Bug reports and patches can be
found on kampi.hut.fi
Amitcp 3.0b2 telnet when used with AmigaDOS 3.0 or 3.1 uncovered a bug in the
console software.
Solution is to either
A) use the telnet from 2.3 of AmiTCP or
B) use a console handler like KingCON which is available on Aminet
C) get a "fixed" version of telnet from kampi.hut.fi
AT02
--------------------
Startnet in 3.0b2 says there is "no such interface" why?
Because you failed to read the NOTE to BETA testers. This is BETA software; so you
ARE a Beta tester. BETA software is still under construction and therefore so are
the manuals and the install script.
There are some postscript manuals available for AmiTCP 2.x The 3.0 stuff hasn't
been added to the postscript manuals yet, so the postscript docs aren't in the 3.0
archive, but they are available online at kampi.hut.fi and other places.
To fix the "no such interface" problem you must edit two files:
amitcp:db/interfaces and amitcp:bin/startnet.
In amitcp:bin/startnet you must change the ifconfig commands so that instead of
file name/interface number
devs:network/a2065.device/0
you have
alias0
where alias is defined by you in the interfaces file.
Some predefined aliases are already in the interfaces file. In fact the
a2065.device is defined as ether. Therefore you could have changed the above to
ether0 in startnet and not had to change the interface file.
Also, you must change the lo/0 to lo0 in the startnet file because the slash
between the name and the unit number has been dropped and will generate an error
if you include it.
AT03
--------------------
My provider assigns SLIP addresses dynamically. Now What?
Now you have an excuse to learn arexx or shell scripts. ;-)
Actually some have already been written and posted. Here is one way to do it.
(NOTE: I HAVE NO WAY TO TEST THIS PROGRAM SO USE IT AT YOUR OWN RISK ) In fact,
it will NOT work as is. You MUST modify it for your system.
/*REXX*/
/* go slip! a program to create slip scripts with dynamic address */
/* usage rx goslip.rexx <dynamic ip address> */
option results
trace off
If = '0a'x
address REQUESTSTRING 'rtitle="GoSlip" text="Please enter your IP
address." '
direccion = result
/* changed from 19200 */
outdriver = 'baudbandit.device 0 57600 ' || direccion ' CD 7WIRE'
say outdriver
foo = open('outfile','ENV:sana2/rhslip0.config','Write')
foo = writeln('outfile',outdriver)
call close 'outfile'
address REQUESTSTRING 'rtitle="GoSlip" text="Please enter your
host name.(slip#, w/ out amiga.com)" '
trob = result
gene = 'HOST 128.200.142.228 ' || trob || lf || 'DOMAIN amiga.com' || lf
||'NAMESERVER 128.200.192.202' || lf ||
'NAMESERVER128.200.1.201'
foo = open('outfile','amitcp:db/netdb-myhost','Write')
foo = writeln('outfile',gene)
call close 'outfile'
address command
'run >NIL: AmiTCP:AmiTCP'
WaitForPort AMITCP
'AmiTCP:bin/ifconfig lo0 localhost'
'AmiTCP:bin/ifconfig slip0' direccion '128.200.1.201'
'AmiTCP:bin/route add' direccion 'localhost'
'AmiTCP:bin/route add default 128.200.1.201'
'Assign TCP: Exists > NIL:'
/* 'if warn' */
'Mount TCP: from AmiTCP:devs/inet-mountlist'
/* 'endif' */
'run >NIL: amitcp:bin/inetd'
/*----------end of script ---------------*/
AT04
-------------------------
Where are the AmiTCP Docs? How do I install and use AmiTCP?
The quality and lack of docs is a weakness in the demo version, but hey it is
free. There are docs included with the registered version.
The most important doc is "Howtoinstall". It is in the Amitcp: drawer. PRINT IT,
and MEMORIZE IT ;-} Seriously though, do read it and gather the necessary info.
If your network provider is using SLIP, then you have all software you need to get
AmiTCP up and running. If your provider uses PPP, then you will need to get a copy
of PPP.device which is shareware and is available on Aminet.
Also there are some docs in the amitcp:doc and amitcp:help drawers. There isn't
any real organization to them, but look at them anyway. Some of the terms are
described in the generic section of this FAQ, and it is good background if you
know little or nothing about networks.
To get started you do NOT need a dialing script. Just use a standard modem program
such as jrcomm, Termite, term, handshake, etc. A dialing script is a form of
automation. It assumes you've got things working and merely want to automate the
process. So wait until you get AmiTCP to work before attempting to set up a
dialing script.
Even if you have dynamic addresses from your provider (i.e. the address for your
machine changes each time you log in) you still do NOT have to have an automated
dialing script for testing AmiTCP. Save that for later.
So here is how installation goes in a nutshell:
* print and read the amitcp:HowToInstall document
* gather the info about your connection
* install AmiTCP using the installer script
Now that AmiTCP is installed here is how to test and use it:
----------<!! IMPORTANT STEP Follows !!>-------------------
*Setup your terminal program to use the same baud rate as AmiTCP. If the baud rate
is different AmiTCP will NOT work! This is an easy step to overlook so watch
out.
Hint: You can change the baud rate AmiTCP uses by editing the
amitcp:bin/startnet script.
-----------------------------------------------------------
*start your terminal program such as term, ncomm, or Termite or you can use a
dialing script. Some of the dialing scripts require programming others have user
interfaces. Go with what is easiest for you. I say for testing purposes that a
term program is the easiest.
*Setup your terminal program's modem predial string to be ATZAT&D0/r (this will
reset the modem and force it to ignore DTR) If your terminal program does not use
a predial string, then simply enter the command AT&D0 so that the modem will
ignore DTR.
*Use your terminal program to make the connection to your provider
*Manually log in and take note of the prompts and messages. When you write the
automated dialing script it will use these prompts as cues.
*Some providers will automatically start SLIP others require you to issue a
command. You'll have to follow their instructions here.
*if you have a dynamic address the host should provide it to you at this point.
Since we are doing things manually, you will need to write the address down for
use in a later step.
*Once SLIP mode is entered, QUIT the term program. (this is where ignore DTR is
critical. You don't want the modem to hang up because we are going to turn the
serial port over to AmiTCP next).
*In a shell window type "startnet" for static addresses or "startnet
your.dynamic.address" if you have a dynamic address (hint: use the one you wrote
down in the previous step)
*if everything goes right you should get a banner which makes you click on OK
after a period of a few seconds. Then you should be returned to the shell prompt.
Do NOT close the shell. Shrink it and move it out of the way. AmiTCP is now
running. Having fun yet?
Not very exciting Huh? Well AmiTCP doesn't do anything for you directly. You must
run an application which uses AmiTCP in order to accomplish anything. The great
thing about AmiTCP and your multitasking Amiga is that you can run a bunch of
these applications at the same time over one modem connection all talking to
_different_ hosts if you wish. Now it is beginning to get interesting, huh?
So what are these applications? and how can you tell if AmiTCP is working?
Patience, we are almost there. Remember those amitcp:doc files I asked you to look
at? These describe some of the applications. Among them is a tool called PING
which allows you to test your connection. Try it against your dial up host. Should
work pretty fast, and instantly verifies your connection and setup. Now try it
against a remote host such as www.microsoft.com. If it works, this verifies your
name server lookup is functioning as well as proves you are on the internet. If it
doesn't, don't panic. Check for typos in your config files. Things like a
transposed number in the default gateway address would cause the network to be
invisible. Also, check that baud rate!
If ping works you can move on to more fun things like ncftp for file transfers or
telnet for terminal access to your shell account (gotta check that mail).
If all this is working for you, It is time to dive into automating that dial up
process. Then it is on to Amosaic (provided you have WB3.x and MUI), news readers,
mail, etc., etc.
See, now that wasn't so bad was it. ;-}
Software-bycat
------------
Software by Category (some items include both hardware and software) (some items
are discontinued but listed for those buying used stuff)
-----------
Protocols:
Appletalk
AMAX
EMPlant
DoubleTalk
Decnet
DECnet
TCP-IP
AmigaNOS
AmiTCP
AS225
INet 225
Miami
TermiteTCP
Novell
Oxxi
Other
AmigaUUCP
DNET
ENLAN DFS
ENVOY
Link-It
Parnet/Parbench
SAMBA
-------------
Disk Utils:
CrossMac
MaxDOS
------------
TCP-IP Utils:
MLINK
TELser
TorqueWare
netser.device
SANA II device drivers:
PPP.device
PLIP
SanaUtil
SanaMon
X-windows:
Amiwin
X11
Email:
AEmail
ADmail
AmigaELM
INetUtils
MunPack MIME decoder
THOR
Voodoo
Gopher:
BBGopher (aminet)
Goppher (aminet)
Web browsers:
Amosaic
IBrowse
AWeb II
Voyager
Web editors:
HTML-Heaven
Heddley
News:
GRn
Offline-Orbit
THOR
TIN
IRC:
Grapevine
--------
Terminal emulation:
Handshake
Ncomm
Termite
Term
Terminus (JRComm 102)
VLT
----<end of list>----
hardware-bycat
----------
Hardware Listed by Category:
Ethernet cards:
A2065
A4066
Ariadne
Hydra
ICard
LAN Rover
ISDN:
ISDN-MASTER
Other:
Amigalink
GG2-Bus+ Card
Quicknet
Software-Specs
================
Specifications for Amiga Networking Software
This is not an exhaustive list. There are several good web pages that list even
more programs. Also, you should check out Aminet and Fred Fish for the latest
software. The news group comp.sys.amiga.announce is quite handy as well.
AmigaELM -- email
AmigaNOSFlavors -- protocols
AmiTCP -- TCP/IP protocol
AmigaUUCP -- UUCP protocol
AmiWin -- X-windows
Amosaic -- Web browser
AS225 -- TCP/IP protocol
CrossMac -- Mac formated disk support
DECnet -- Decnet protocol
DNET -- protocol and file sharing
ENLAN-DFS -- protocol and resource sharing
Envoy -- protocol and resource sharing
GPDial -- dialing script for Amitcp
GRn -- NEWS reader
HTML-Heaven -- Web processor
INet 225 -- TCP/IP Protocol
INetUtils -- support for news and mail
Link It -- Amiga-PC file sharing
MaxDOS -- Mac formated disk support
Miami -- TCPIP for modem users
Mlink -- TCPIP for Shell users
MunPack -- MIME and uuen/decode
NCOMM -- terminal emulation
netser.device -- remote serial port access
Offline-Orbit -- NEWS/BBS reader
Parnet -- protocol and file sharing
Plip -- Parallel port device driver for TCP/IP
PPP.device -- device driver for PPP-TCP/IP
SAMBA -- protocol and file sharing (UNIX/PC/AMIGA)
telser -- allows modem terminals to be used with telnet
Termite -- terminal emulation
TermiteTCP -- TCPIP for modem users
THOR -- NEWS/BBS reader
TIN -- NEWS reader
TorqueWare (TM) -- Distributed Processing
VLT -- terminal emulation
Voodoo -- email with GUI and MIME
X11R4 -- X-windows
AmigaELM
---------------------------
AmigaELM by Andreas M. Kirchwitz.
AmigaELM is available on AmiNET in the /comm/mail directory.
AmigaELM is a shareware electronic mail utility for UUCP or TCP/IP that allows
you to read and post mail through a remote unix mail box. It can also be setup to
run without UUCP or IP on the Amiga.
AmigaELM 8 (8.20) was just announced in c.s.a.announce Announcements are
archived on Aminet so I won't repeat the text here.
It works with MetaMail which is also on Aminet. MetaMail handles a lot of
different MIME message types.
You should also pick up a copy of INetUtils from Aminet . It has a SMTP
client which is suppose to work with AmigaELM.
AmigaNOSFlavors
------------------------------------
AmigaNOS and AmigaNOSGW are Amiga ports of the PD TCP/IP package for MS-DOS
called "ka9q". Note that there are MANY versions of "ka9q" which tends to make
them somewhat unstable, since they have so many variations.
AmigaNOS is a program that will allow one to participate in the Internet (or any
TCP/ IP network for that matter) via one of two dial-up TCP/IP protocols: SLIP or
PPP. It also works with HAM radio equipment.
Both programs are a single, integrated "package" of the required TCP/IP protocols
(e.g.; TCP, IP, UDP, etc.) and some TCP/IP applications/commands (e.g.; Finger,
Telnet, Ping, SMTP). Though the required file structure may seem daunting at
first, it is actually simpler to set up than is AmiTCP.
Both AmigaNOS and AmigaNOSGW are very close in capability and can be considered
equal, in general, for TCP/IP. The main differences between the two versions is
that Graham Walter's version, AmigaNOSGW, comes with an external Gopher client
program and has an ARexx port.
AmigaNOS is by John Heaton available by FTP from 130.88.200.4
AmigaNOSGW is by Graham Walter available by FTP from newgate.demon.co.uk
AmiTCP
---------------------
AmiTCP by NSDi
Versions 2 to 3.0b2 of AmiTCP are GNU-ware versions of TCP-IP for the Amiga. It
will work with SLIP or ethernet cards. For more details see the AmiTCP FAQ
Version 4.0 is now commercial. A demo version is available on Aminet . The
commercial version is available from the original authors the Network Solutions
Development Inc. ( NSDi ). For ordering information send an email message to
in...@nsdi.fi which contains the text "SEND AMITCP ORDER" in the body of the
message.
They also have a Web page
AmiTCP can be a bear to install, so read the Amitcp Install question, and
Especially the AmiTCP FAQ written by Mike Meyer and Neil McRae. Also you can
find some install utilities on Aminet such as iiNST.
AmigaUUCP
--------------------------
AmigaUUCP is a port of Unix to Unix CoPy UUCP to the Amiga. It allows an Amiga
to participate in the USEnet network. It has it's own UUCP FAQ
There are actually several versions of UUCP for the Amiga. I've lumped it all here
to make it easier on me. As I sort it out I may divide it into more informative
nodes.
Parts of UUPC (a version of UUCP by John Gilmore) were ported to the Amiga by
William P. Loftus in 1986. After developing a system that worked for him, it was
taken over by Matthew Dillon, who (along with a cast of dozens) developed it into
a full-fledged UUCP package. Matt maintained AmigaUUCP (often called DUUCP) from
1988 until 1992.
In 1992, Matt had the press of other obligations; and after the release of
AmigaUUCP v1.16, turned the buglists over to Michael B. Smith. Michael is in the
process of releasing AmigaUUCP v1.17. v1.17beta has been available freely for
some months (currently at update #4).
After Matt quit working on UUCP, Kai 'wusel' Siering also started on a version of
UUCP based on AmigaUUCP v1.15. It has most of the v1.16 enhancements as well as
other features.
AmiWin
-------
AmiWin
A shareware Xwindows server for Amiga by Holger Kruse.
AmiWin is available on Aminet .
Although I haven't used it myself, several kind folks on the net have provided
some input.
AmiWin works with both local and remote xclients.
Most notable among the remote clients supported is NetScape. Since X-windows is
slow, a 14.4k line is pretty much unusable for running a remote graphics intensive
client such as NetScape.
Most notable among the local clients supported is Chimera which is another web
browser. Chimera supports forms and inlined-images, but probably doesn't support
all of the Netscape-isms.
Chimera can be started from inside AmiWin by adding Chimera to the menu by
modifying the X11:lib/x11/twm/system.twmrc file. Add something like:
menu "LocalClients"
{
"Chimera" f.exec "Chimera.script"
"XV" f.exec "XV.script"
"XClock" f.exec "run >NIL: XClock"
}
Where Chimera.script is a small script that sets up proper task priority, and
stack size for Chimera before running it.
For running local clients such as Chimera you should use the ppipc transport and
open -display "local:0"
Amosaic
--------------------
Amosaic is a freeware version for the Amiga of NCSA's Mosaic. A hypertext based
multimedia interface for accessing the Internet.
AMosaic allows you to browse and retrieve files using a point and click interface.
With a single mouse click you can retrieve and view a text file, a picture, or an
MPEG movie. Or you can download the most recent version of your favorite program
from one of the archive sites. Use one of the many search utilities, and ride the
wave of pointers to sites all around the globe! They don't call it the World Wide
Web (WWW) for nothing ;-)
Amosaic is available via FTP from max.physics.sunysb.edu or via Mosaic from the
Amiga home page by Witbrock. Amosaic is also available on Aminet in the
/comm/net directory.
It requires MUI, AmiTCP or AS225r2 TCP-IP software, and some sort of
internet connection to access remote information. Also due to datatypes it
currently requires AmigaDos 3.0
See the product specific section AMosaic(AM) for more hints!
AS225
---------------------
AS225 by Commodore Business Machines
CBM only released version one which is known as AS225r1. It is listed here for
historical purposes.
AS225r2 is and will be released by third party developers.
AS225r1 Compatibility: NFS - TCP/IP software for the Amiga is compatible with all
models of the Amiga. Allows connection to Internet, DDN and other networks
supporting TCP/IP and UDP/IP protocols. Works with the A2065 and Ameristar
Ethernet Adapters.
AS225r1 Network Functions: rlogin (client only), rloginVT (client only VT100
terminal emulation), rsh (client and server, but no interactive shells), NFS
client, telnet (client only), ftp (client and server), finger (client only),
ping, arp, netstat, rcp (client and server), route, showmount
AS225r2
AS225r2
-----------------------
AS225r2 release 2 of AS225 TCP/IP protocol
It is under active development again by third parties. Stay tuned for more details
as they become available.
CPR has released a version of AS225r2.
InterWorks has released INet 225 which is different than the CPR version, and
includes commercial versions of GRn, INETUtils, and GMail among other things.
Aweb
_____
AWEB-II by Yvon Rozijn and is available from AmiTrix
An Amiga Web Browser for surfing the World Wide Web.
Has support for HTML version 2.0 and 3.2 including tables.
Unlike most of the other web browsers, AWEB II does NOT require MUI.
CrossMac
------------
CrossMac by Consultron
CrossDOS which comes with AmigaDos has been improved and a new version is
available.
CrossMac is a new product which does for Mac formatted disks what CrossDOS does
for MSDOS disks.
CrossFS is both products for one price.
DECnet
-------------------
TSSnet DECnet by Thunder Ridge, Inc.
Now your Amiga can become a Phase IV end node in a DECnet network! Communicates
over the Amiga serial port as well as Ethernet. Fully SANA II compliant so other
protocols which support SANA II such as TCP/IP can run concurrently on the same
ethernet card. Both Ethernet and serial connections provide multiple concurrent
Virtual Terminal sessions on any other nodes on the network, using the DECnet
CTERM facility. VT100 terminal emulation is provided, or use your favorite VT
compatible Amiga terminal program such as VLT .
Supports X windows, allowing you to run VAX DECWindows applications, as well as X
clients running on other Amigas or any node supporting X over DECnet.
NCP, Network Control Program lets you intuitively control all aspects of your
node's connection including line speed, buffers, statistics, and security.
NetMail allows full mail access to DECnet networks.
NFT, Network File Copy enables you to copy, list, print, rename, delete, type and
submit command files across the network.
Task to Task Communications provides an AmigaDOS device for communicating with
tasks on other DECnet nodes. Full documentation is included for this easy-to-use
programmer's interface to TSSnet.
FAL, File Access Listener allows other DECnet nodes to access your Amiga
directly. Full username/password protection is available.
DNET
-----------
DNET is a networking protocol which allows Amigas to talk to Amigas or a unix box
over a serial line. There is a version for each case, and they are available on
Aminet.
I have never used it, but folks tell me it works. If one end is connected to the
Internet, then DNET allows you to access the Internet via the remote machines
TCP/IP protocol. This is somewhat similar to TIA , but different. Like TIA or
SLIP SLIP it supports multiple tasks concurrently over the serial line.
ENLAN-DFS
-----------------------------
ENLAN-DFS by Interworks
Amiga peer to peer networking software
and DFS ( Distributed File System )
Description:
The Distributed File System (DFS) allows complete sharing of devices, directories,
and peripherals (including printers). With this setup centralized backup is a
possibility. Network resources appear on the client as local devices. ENLAN-DFS
supports the Workbench interface, icons and all and is SANA II compatible.
Security features:
Provides password and read only support for public resources.
Provides node level username and password if desired.
Requirements:
AmigaDOS 2.04 or higher. Approximately 456KB of disk space.
compatible with A600, 1200, 2000, 3000, or 4000
compatible with the following ethernet cards:
ICard , Lan Rover , A2065 , A4066 A4066 , or Hydra
Requires 1.5 MB of ram minimum, more for serving multiple systems
MSRP for 5 node license $349
Envoy
-------------------
Amiga Envoy 2.0 Available from IAM Intangible Assets Manufacturing
Tightly integrated peer-to-peer networking software for the Amiga from the
workbench of IAM software engineers Heinz Wrobel and Dale L. Larson.
Ver 2.0 features:
Support of AmigaOS 2.04 DOS packet types (including notification and record
locking), support for removable media, enhanced reliability and robust recovery,
localization, AmigaGuide documentation, and more.
History:
Amiga Envoy is the Amiga peer-to-peer networking software developed by
Commodore's Amiga Networking Group. Included applications enable connected Amiga
computers to share hard disks, CD-ROMs, and printers transparently. Amiga Envoy
also provides a simple messaging interface (API) for the easy development of
reliable network applications.
To make Amiga Envoy available to end-users immediately, Intangible Assets
Manufacturing has licensed Amiga Envoy from Commodore. IAM has produced a manual
written by Dale Larson, one of Amiga Envoy's original designers. The manual eases
you through the set up and use of a simple network. Additional documentation will
be available (at an additional charge). It will explain how to internetwork with
Amiga Envoy, how to develop software for it and howto use its security features.
Availability:
The list price of Amiga Envoy 2 user license is US$59.95.
Requirements:
Envoy 2.0 Requires Workbench 2.04, Kickstart 2.04, 512k RAM, SANA-II compatible
networking hardware.
Workbench 3.1, 1MB or more of RAM and HD recommended.
Compatibility:
Any SANA-II networking hardware may be used with Envoy, including Ameristar A4066,
AmigaLink, ASDG LanRover, Commodore A2065 or A2060 and SLIP (serial port).
Additional NON-IP, SANA-II compatible networking protocol stacks may be run at
the same time as Amiga Envoy over the same networking hardware. AS225r2 is the
version of Commodore's TCP/IP package which is compatible with Envoy (through
SANA-II compatibility and close cooperation regarding IP packets).
DEVELOPERS:
Applications developers can also contact IAM for information concerning consulting
and documentation services or licensing Envoy for use in your applications.
GPDial
------------
GPDial by Adam Wasiak (gho...@spuddy.mew.co.uk)
Script based dialer with a GUI with a phone book utility.
Comes with example scripts and documentation.
Requires:
WB v2.04 or higher. Works with AmiTCP, but may work with others too.
Available:
On Aminet in the comm/tcp directory.
GRn
----------------
GRn Gadtools Read news
GRn is a news reader program which was originally designed to work with
AmigaUUCP V1.08. Now it will work with AmigaUUCP V1.08-1.17, wUUCP, various ports
of C News (including wCNews), AmigaNOS via AREXX scripts, NFS mounted news spools
and NNTP in at least four flavors (DNet, serial port, AmiTCP, and AS225r2). GRn
integrates with INetUtils . Both GRn and INetUtils are available on Aminet
handshake
-------
Handshake
A shareware terminal emulator which did a good job of VT emulation. Probably can
still be found on Aminet.
heddley
-------
Heddley by Edd Dumbill
Shareware AmigaGuide editor which can output as HTML as well.
Html-heaven
-------------
HTML-Heaven by Paul Kolenbrander
Email: pa...@serena.iaehv.nl
postal: Turfveldenstraat 37
NL-5632 XH EINDHOVEN
The NETHERLANDS
HTML-Heaven is a suite of four programs for creating and maintaining Web pages.
Add your favorite supported editor and web browser and you can tango. Adding HTML
tags is a point click operation and the auto view option allows you to use your
web browser to view the changes as they are made.
V1.3 added support for more editors such as Write, Final Writer, and BEd.
Requires:
WB 2.04 or higher. 1M ram, a supported editor and web browser.
Available:
Crippled version is On Aminet in text/hyper directory or on
http://www.iaehv.nl/users/paul/index.html
INET225
--------------
I-NET 225 by Interworks
Contact Interworks for the latest info.
The TCP/IP protocol is what the global Internet is based upon. Using I-Net 225,
any Amiga running O/S 2.04 or above can connect to the Internet.
I-Net 225 is compatible with all properly written programs which workded with
Commodore's AS225r1 and AS225r2. I-Net 225 conforms to the SANA-II standard, and
includes a variety of device handlers, several with changes/features/patches not
otherwise available.
I-Net 225 includes a full complement of Internet clients, including but not
limited to: finger, ftp, host, lpr, nfs, nntp, ping, rcp, rlogin, rpcinfo, rsh,
smtp, telnet, traceroute, whois.
I-Net 225 includes a full complement of Internet servers, including but not
limited to: fingerd, ftpd, inetd, lpd, portmapd, rshd, smtpd, syslogd, telnetd,
timed.
NFSd is included in the 5-node license, but not the single node. NFSd is also
available for separate purchase.
I-Net 225 includes enhanced versions of well known Amiga software: GRn (Gadtools
Read News), INetUtils , and GMail.
There are a variety of other supporting utilities and included in I-Net 225, as
well as a variety of freely available software designed to work with Comodore's
AS225r2 which will run with I-Net 225 as well.
Also of significant note is the inclusion of tn3270.device which allows TCP/IP
connections from terminal programs, including tn3270 emulation. This can also be
used for UUCP over TCP/IP.
Technical support is available by fax, and email. 5-node licenses also include
telephone tech support.
Special Requirements:
WB2.04 or higher
2Meg of ram
network connection
Price:
MSRP $ 80 NFSd (server NFS)
MSRP $349 for 5-node license of I-Net 225 includes NFSd, and phone tech support
MSRP $150 for 1-node license of I-Net 225 NO NFSd.
All licenses include tech support by email and fax.
INetUtils
-----------------------
INetUtils
INetUtils is copyrighted, but freely distributable up to version 1.4 The author
will make future versions commercial which will include a major update to GRn and
will include the long awaited GMail.
The author *strongly* recommends that you read the man pages. Do NOT blindly
install V1.4 over an existing installation. You will regret it if you do so
according to the author.
Author:
------
Michael B. Smith
POB 6791
Charlottesville, VA 22906
USA
Description:
-----------
INetUtils is a series of programs designed to allow an Amiga running AS-225 beta
2.0 software (i.e., socket.library capable) or AmiTCP 2.2 (or above) to interact
and operate as fully functioning members of an IP network, including the global
InterNet.
The utility programs consist of:
SMTPd : an SMTP daemon
SMTPpost : an SMTP posting program
SMTPExpand : an SMTP aliases expanding program
NNTPpost : an NNTP posting program
NNTPXfer : an NNTP article transfer program
newgroup : a maintenance program for use with NNTP
GetActive : an NNTP active file transfer program
AmiPOP : a POP message handler
Sabot : A newmail activity program
The following man pages are included:
SMTPd.man
SMTPpost.man
SMTPExpand.man
NNTPpost.man
NNTPxfer.man
GetActive.man
and describe the operation of each program.
To install INetUtils, see the document named INSTALL included in this archive. Do
NOT blindly install V1.4 over an existing installation!
For basic help in getting SMTPd running, the following heavily commented script
is also included:
StartSMTPd
AmiPOP and Sabot were developed by Scott Ellis (sel...@ucssun1.sdsu.edu) and all
communication regarding them should be directed to him. Separate documentation
regarding them is included in the AmiPOP and Sabot archives.
To properly utilize the NNTP capability requires an NNTP aware newsreader and a
mailreader. The 'G' package is presented to meet this need.
GRn is Gadtools Read News, which can properly read and post with articles via
NNTP directly or read with the local directory setup by NNTPXfer, and post
directly using NNTPpost. Documentation is available in AmigaGuide format
(GRn.guide). GRn is currently at version 2.1. A commercial version (3.0) is also
available.
GRn2.1a is now available. The "a" version supports AmiTCP 4.0+.
GMail, Gadtools Mail, is available as a commercial product.
According to Mike, AmigaElm and the DMail from AmigaUUCP are quite satisfactory
for reading mail.
Requirements:
------------
AmigaDos 2.0 or higher
INetUtils comes in two flavors: one for AS225r2 and one for
AmiTCP AmiTCP AmiTCP version 2.2 or above. You must have one or the other of
these protocols, and you must get the correct corresponding archive.
Availability:
------------
INetUtils V1.4 is available on AMINET
Dir Name: /pub/aminet/comm/net
File Name:
IU-14-as225.lha
IU-14-amitcp.lha
Version 1.4 of INetUtils is freeware. Donations are welcome. A commercial
version, with enhanced feature content, is also available.
Distributability:
----------------
INetUtils is Copyright 1992 - 1994, by Michael B. Smith. All Rights Reserved.
INetUtils 1.4 is freely distributable as long as no modifications are made to the
archives or their contents.
linkit
-----------------
Link It! by Legendary Design Technologies, Inc.
Connects your Amiga to your PC, your Amiga to Amiga, or PC to PC.
Features:
Serial or Parallel transfer - 6 foot parallel cable included
Perform file conversions as you copy! Examine selecting IFF files
on the Amiga and having them arrive in PCX format on the PC!
Easy, one-terminal operation
Extensive ARexx interface allows you to pre-program repetitive
copies or unusual circumstances
Amiga support for the ioExtender and Multiface cards.
Supports long filenames under Windows 95.
Works with Windows 3.1/3.11, Windows 95, & Windows NT
Conversion and display programs are completely external and therefore
completely upgradeable as new formats become available
System requirements:
Amiga: 512k, Kickstart 1.3, 2.x, 3.x
PC: Windows, 2MB RAM
Retail Price: $59.95 U.S.
MaxDOS
-----
MaxDOS by Media4 Productions
MaxDOS allows an Amiga to read and write to Mac formatted disks. Floppies,
removable media, and hard drives are all supported.
When going between Mac and Amiga you are no longer enslaved to the MSDOS 8.3 file
names.
miami
--------
Miami by Holger Kruse (author of ppp.device)
A TCP-IP stack designed specifically for modem use with minimum setup to quickly
connect you to the internet through your internet service provider. Uses MUI to
allow a graphical setup and user interface.
Mlink
---------
Mlink
Shell account users can also access the internet using Mlink which is available on
Aminet .
It is like TIA in that it is a one way glass. You can see out, but no one can see
in. This is because your machine's IP address is not being used by Mlink. Instead
Mlink uses your provider's host's IP address, and then relays the results to your
Amiga.
You can ftp, telnet, or Mosaic out, but no one can ftp, telnet, or Mosaic to your
Amiga because you do not have an address.
Although your service provider misses out on the extra revenue of selling you a
SLIP or PPP account, they don't have to provide you with an IP address. You will
need to check with your provider to see if they allow you to use MLink or TIA
under your shell account.
MunPack
---------
MunPack
!!!!!! News Flash !!!!!!1
New Section. Enjoy.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A utility for uuencoding binary files into the MIME standard for attachment to
email messages.
It also decodes MIME messages as well as ordinary uuencoded files.
An Amiga version is available from Carnegie Mellon Univ CMU.
ftp.andrew.cmu.edu in the pub/mpack directory.
NCOMM
------------
NCOMM by Torkel Lodberg
email: tor...@scala.adsp.sub.org
postal: Pilotveien 10
N-0384 Oslo 3
Norway
Terminal emulation software. Shareware US$40
Available on Aminet in comm/term.
Any Amiga, WB1.3+, 1M Ram.
netser.device
----------------------------
netser.device a shareware package for AmiTCP
You can find it on Aminet CD # 6.
netser is a virtual device driver for accessing remote serial ports as if they
were local. Currently, it only supports TCP/IP with the AmiTCP package. netser
emulates low-level serial device commands over the network. As a result, your
telecommunication (or "comm") program does not know, nor does it care, where your
serial port is really located.
Suppose you are running a two machine network at home through a parallel
port or Ethernet card. Wouldn't it be nice if one machine could access the other
machine's serial port? You can conveniently call out to a BBS on any of the
machines. You may even run a two line BBS without buying a multi-serial card! And
if you want to run a big BBS, but you don't have enough expansion slots to
populate with serial cards. What you can do is get another (slower) machine and
connect the two together with Ethernet. netser will allow the BBS machine to use
the other machine's ports.
With netser and internet, you may run your favorite comm program on your
friend's serial port, which may be half way across the world. This will save you
long distance charges.
Now that Amiga LAN's exist, it would be convenient to dedicate one machine on
the LAN to hold modems that may be accessible to any other machine on the LAN.
(This is commonly known as a modem pool.) It is a common thing on Unix LAN's.
Because most modems nowadays come with FAX capabilities , you can now fax from
anywhere!
The fact is, whatever you do with the serial ports on your local machine, you can
now do it with remote serial ports.
For 2 devices $25, 4 devices $35, and unlimited $50
author is Sam Yee sa...@sfu.ca
Works with any amiga. Only requires 50k of Ram. Requires WB 2.04+, and AmiTCP 3.0+
Offline-Orbit
---------------------------
Offline Orbit by Janne T. Siren ( si...@mikrobitti.fi)
shareware as of ver 0.80
Available on Aminet in comm/mail/oo080.lha
An offline message reader supporting Blue Wave, QWK, WWF, OMEN, and SOUP message
formats.
Requires:
* WB 2.04+
* 2 Mb Ram recommended
Parnet
--------
ParNET and ParBENCH
ParNET allows you to use your parallel port to network two Amigas or with
Parnet-Pc an Amiga and a Pc. The plain ParNET software is difficult to install
and configure unless you have lots of Amiga experience.
ParBENCH written by Vernon Graner is an enhancement to ParNET which allows
installation and removal of ParNET by double clicking the mouse. ParBENCH makes
ParNET substantially easier to get functioning.
The latest version of ParBENCH can be found on the author's web site at:
I could use some input from those who have the PC-Amiga parnet working, since I
have not set this up and people are asking for more details on what is required
and tricks to get it to work.
Both require a special cable which you can make yourself or buy already made.
ParNET works in a similar manner to NFS from the user's perspective. It allows you
to see the remote machine's disk drives as if they were local.
Envoy and Enlan-DFS take this a step further and include remote printing among
other things.
Plip
----------
Plip.device
Plip.device is a SANA-II compliant (internal) parallel port network interface
driver.
Requirements:
A working internal parallel port.
A cable made as described in the plip docs
A SANA-II compliant networking package such as Envoy, AmiTCP, INet-225, etc.
Availability:
Aminet in the aminet/comm/net directory. The source code is also there.
Authors:
Original -- Oliver Wagner and Michael Balzer
Bug Fix mods -- R. Jeremy James
Further Dev -- Martin J. Laubach
PPP-device
-----------
PPP.device by Holger Kruse
12006 Coed Drive
Orlando, Fl 32826
USA
email:
kr...@cs.ucf.edu
ind0...@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu
ppp.device is a shareware package $15 US. The unregisterd version is on Aminet.
The registered version provides much better speed.
PPP has a built-in dialer with scripting facility. Supports PAP and CHAP
authentication which is required by some ISP's.
PPP requires Amiga WB 2.04 or higher and works with AmiTCP V2.3 or higher, AS225,
Envoy, Enlan-DFS(DecNet). There is no installation script but detailed
instructions are given for several versions of AmiTCP, and for Enlan-DFS. Brief
instructions are provided for AS225 and Envoy.
SAMBA
------------
SAMBA
Available on Aminet as comm/tcp/amitcp_samba.lha
Short: File serve amiga dir's to pc using samba ported to amiga version 2
Author: edw...@stl082.magnetek.com Uploader: edw...@stl082.magnetek.com Type:
comm/tcp Replaces: comm/tcp/amiga-samba.lha
This is a port of unix samba to the amiga. It will allow file sharing to a PC
from the amiga. This is in its early stages. Needs AmiTCP 4.0+
On the Amiga remember to make assigns for etc: and TMP: to point to RAM:
ON the UNIX side you also need SAMBA, and on a PC you need SOSS. To find SOSS use
archie to look for SOSSntr4.zip
telser
----------------
Sam Yee announces:
Telser version 1.0 (Jan 1, 1995)
telser.device is a modem simulator over a telnet connection. It interprets and
simulates basic modem commands so that you can use your telecommunications (comm)
programs over a telnet connection. In other words your comm program thinks it is
talking to a modem. Terminal emulation, file transfers, etc. are all handled by
your comm program. Connecting to a host is as simple as typing "ATDT abc.edu,23"
or even simpler if you add "abc.edu,23" to your comm program's phonebook.
telser supports the most common Telnet negotiation commands and options. For
example, you may elect to notify the remote host on changes to your terminal
emulation type, and window size. An intuitive "gadtools" graphical user
interface is supplied to control your telnet connections. You also have the
option to automatically connect to a host after starting up your comm program.
Instant logins at the click of a button!
telser can run in host mode, which means it would accept incoming calls. This
feature allows you to set up a "multi-line" bbs over the internet!
Telser is capable of unlimited device units, which means you can have unlimited
incoming and outgoing connections. Telser supports both TCP/IP packages on the
Amiga namely AmiTCP (tested with V3.0b2 and V4.0) and AS225r2.
term
-----
TERM by Olaf Barthel
Brabeckstrasse 35
D-30559
Hannover
Terminal emulation program which can be found on Aminet in the comm section. It
has recently been updated and even works on 060 based Amigas.
Termite
----------------------
Termite by Oregon Research
a modem Telecommunications package
MSRP: $49.95
Features:
* Supports the XPR libs
* supports 300 to 115,200 BPS
* supports multiple line BBSs
* AREXX support
* Call logging
* AmigaGuide Online help
* Style guide compliant
* Font and screen sensitive displays
* multi-tasking chat window to prepare text before sending it
* phone book, text macros, and configurable button bar
* RIP driver available upon request
Requires:
* WB 2.0+
* 1Mb ram+
TermiteTCP
-------
TermiteTCP by Oregon Research
A TCP-IP stack designed to QUICKLY get you connected by modem to the internet
through your internet service provider.
THOR
-------------
THOR by Petter Nilsen and Eivind Nordseth, et al.
email: th...@hstud6.cs.uit.no
WWW: http://www.cs.uit.no/~kjelli/thor.html
snail: Ultima Thule Software
Attn: Petter Nilsen
Strandveien 59B
N-9007 TROMSOE
NORWAY
THOR is shareware. It is available on the web site and Aminet in the comm
section.
THOR is an advanced multi-format offline mail and news reader, suporting the QWK,
Fido, UUCP, SOUP, Bluewave, Omen, ABBS, MBBS and Hippo(BBBS) message formats. THOR
can even handle multiple systems for those who use an ISP and some BBS's. Thor
supports TCP-connections with NNTP, SMTP and POP3 with extensive MIME support.
THOR also supports AREXX, and is Amiga Style guide compliant.
THOR requires WB2.04 or higher, 1Mb of RAM, and a hard drive.
TIN
----------------
TIN by Mark Tomlinson (ma...@garden.equinox.gen.nz)
A newsreader which as of version 1.2 PL 3 supports NNTP. Version 1.3 is probably
out by now.
More later.
TorqueWare (TM)
----------------------------------
TorqueWare (TM) by AugmenTek is a means of developing and running parallel
programs over a network of Amigas. It provides six simple C functions to handle
the job of distributing data and execution across the network. A graphical user
interface allows for compiling and linking locally or remotely, setting up the
runtime environment, and running the program -- but this can also be done
manually. A hypertext user's guide and tutorial are provided. Instructions for
using the Amiga as client to a computational server running on a Silicon Graphics
or Mac using TorqueWare form Torque Systems, Inc., are also provided.
TorqueWare is an implementation of the Linda parallel programming model. Data are
placed in a global data space that is accessible to all processes, whether they
run locally or across the network. One can wait for data to appear, read it, or
remove it from that global data space. C functions can be run as separate tasks
on either one computer or multiple computers, and these remote functions access
that global data space. The global data space is content-addressable.
TorqueWare hides communication details, such as the nature of the underlying
communication mechanism, from you. It supports different computers by handling
byte ordering. TorqueWare attempts to keep all of the computers busy if there
is enough work.
As a programming utility, TorqueWare provides an operating system independent way
of multiprocessing. Applications include network rendering (RayShade 3.0 already
allows for Linda), news or database filtering, image processing, and audio
processing.
An example of code using TorqueWare versus socket programming can be found on
aminet under biz/demo/netprog_txt.lzh
TorqueWare requirements: SAS C 6.x, AmigaDos 2.04 or higher, and network hardware
for multiprocessing.
MSRP for base development system $100
MSRP for general TCP/iP networking $150 per cpu.
Educational and quantity discounts available.
VLT
--------------
Valiant Little Terminal by Willy Langeveld
A terminal emulator providing both Tektronix and DEC emulation. This little jewel
has been around for quite awhile. It is available on Fred Fish and Aminet.
Voodoo
------------
Voodoo
A multithreaded GUI E-Mail reader
by Osma Ahvenlampi Osma.Ah...@hut.fi
The GUI uses the ClassAct GUI toolkit. Voodoo provides MIME support from within
the application by using datatypes. Therefore Voodoo requires WB3.0 or higher. You
can have several messgaes open for both read or write at the same time.
Requirements:
WB3.0 or higher, 2Meg of ram, and a hard disk.
Compatiblity:
Works with UUCP, AmiTCP, Inet225, and others.
Availability:
Aminet in /pub/aminet/comm/mail
Price:
Shareware, 150FIM, 35 USD, or 50 DEM
Distributability:
The demo version is freely distributable through non-commercial channels. More
information in documentation.
X11R4
--------------------
X11 Release 4 server and library by GfxBase, Inc.
GfxBase provides both a server so that you can run x clients on your Amiga, and a
development library so that you can write x clients for your Amiga or other x
windows system.
X11R4.3 Color Server
X11R4-Dev Libs
X11-product Availability
X11R4.3 Color Server
-----------------------------------------
The X11 R4.3 server supports:
- Up to (NTSC)1440x482 (568PAL) resolution.
- Overscan, genlock, interlace, superhires, productivity, a2024 all supported.
- Superscreens up to 2560x2560 scrollable under 2.0
- Up to 32 colors (lowres).
- AGA support: 256colors/16M
Local Clients:
olwm(OpenLook) twm(Tab Window Manager) bitmap, xfd, xfontsel,
xcalc, xmag, xsetroot, xsol, plus many more.
xpr (X printer program) supports all standard X devices plus supports
Amiga printers via the Amiga printer device mechanism.
Fonts: X11R5 fonts are included in this release.
X11-Compatibility
Optional color gfx cards
X11-Requirements
X11-Compatibility
-----------------------------------
Software support
----------------------
network support:
Commodore AS225 (tcp/ip) Thunder Ridge TSSnet ( DECnet ).
OS support:
Requires WB1.3 or later. Works better with 2.0. And best with 3.0
Coexists with Native Amiga Operating System, and works under Intuition in its own
pull down screen.
Hardware Support
-------------------------
input support:
international keyboards supported, Recommended 3 button mouse.
Compatibility with all models of the Amiga,
A1000,A2000,A500,A2500,A3000,A3000T,A1200,A4000,A4000T.
Optional color gfx cards
---------------------------------------------------
Optional X11R5 for color graphics cards support
- GDA1 from GfxBase
- PicassoII
- 1600GX from Ameristar
X11-Requirements
-------------------------
Requires minimum 1M of Ram for Server, more for local clients.
Requires 7M Harddisk, 15megs for standard installation.
X11R4-Dev Libs
----------------------------------------------------
-------------X11 Release 4 Development libraries---------------------
Specially modified to work under AmigaDOS with SAS/C 6.51
Libraries:
Xlib,Xaw,Xext,Xt,Xmu,oldX,Xau, BSD sockets
Includes:
X11 Release 4 standard include files
Some sample source and lmkfiles for learning X11 on the Amiga.
X11 programs on unix machines can be ported right to the Amiga. Develop X
applications on the Amiga and know they can be ported to Unix platforms.
X11-product Availability
------------------------------
products available from Amiga Dealers or GfxBase, Inc.
--------- List Prices ---------------
software:
X11R4: $395/$90
X11tk: $250/$45
XView: $250
X11 Local development system: $475/$100
(does not include support for as225/TSSnet)
mwm motif window manager: $99
Complete X11R4/with motif development system: $795.00
Hardware:
Boing 3button optical mouse, bought with X11, $75.00
GDA-1 hires graphics card 1024x768 256/16M colors $595.00
Hardware-Specs
=================
Specifications for Amiga Networking Hardware
A2065
A4066
AmigaLink
Ariadne
GG2-Bus+ card
Hydra
ICard
ISDN-Master
LAN Rover
QuickNet
A2065
-------------------
A2065 by Commodore Business Machines
The A2065 is no longer in production, but is listed here for historical purposes
in case you find one used. It is unknown what Amiga Technologies plans to do with
the A2065 and A225 software.
Function: Full ANSI 802.3 type Ethernet protocols over either Type A (Thick
Ethernet) or Type B (Thin Ethernet/Cheapernet) connections.
The 32K onboard RAM Buffer provides shared RAM between Am7990 processor and the
Amiga.
Card Type: Amiga bus (100 pin), Autoconfig Interface Specs: 15 pin female "D"
connector for Type A (Thick Ethernet) networking with 100 nodes per segment
Female BNC coax connector for Type B (Thin Ethernet/Cheapernet) networking with
30 nodes per segment.
Speed: 10Mbps CSMA/CD interface DMA data reading and writing to shared RAM
Card Size: Full size Amiga board
A4066
-----------------
the A4066 by Ameristar replaces the A2065 ethernet card by Commodore. The
A4066 supports 10BaseT Thin, and Thick ethernet. It is SANA II compatible and
supports the AS225r2 software as well as DECnet at the same time.
AmigaLink
-------------------------
AmigaLink is a floppy port based networking solution which is SANA II compatible.
It will work with any Amiga with a free floppy port including CD32 with the
expansion module, and a floppy with a pass thru port.
Transfer rate: 450,000 bits per sec (~ 45KB/sec)
Max cable length: 100 meters (~330 feet)
cable type: RG-58U 50 ohm co-axial
Cable connector: BNC and floppy port connector
Max # of computers: 20
Included Protocol: Network Operating System
optional Protocol: Envoy, or any SANA II compatible protocol
Supports remote printing using the Commodore CMD program.
Requirements: kickstart 1.2+, Workbench 1.3+, 512k ram
Recommended: Workbench 2.0+, 1MB+ ram, hard drive
SRP:
AmigaLink Starter Kit $259.95
20 software licenses and hardware for 2 nodes
AmigaLink Single node $124.95
hardware only, no cable.
Ariadne
-----------------------------
Ariadne by Village Tronic
A SANA II compatible zorro bus ethernet card with two parallel ports.
* Supports 10base-2 (thin ethernet, coax) and 10base-T (Twisted pair)
* Socket for boot rom
* hook up to two additional Amigas to the paallel ports with
Liana (Envoy with a cable)
* A 32kbyte cache to support cpu
* Includes Envoy and SANA II driver for ethernet and parallel ports
GG2-Bus+ card
=============
The GG2 Bus+ by Software Results Enterprises lets you add IBM-compatible
hardware to your Amiga. The most common additions are extra parallel and serial
ports, and _network_ cards.
The GG2 Bus+ is NOT a 486 bridgecard, and does NOT run windows, it merely allows
you to access less expensive PC cards.
GG2-HW Compatibility
GG2-PC drivers
GG2-SW Compatibility
GG2-Requirements
GG2-Availability
GG2-HW Compatibility
--------------------------------------------------------------
The GG2 Bus+ supports almost all non-DMA AT-compatible (8 MHz bus capable) PC
plug-in boards. This includes such popular items as internal modems, multi-I/O
boards, IDE hard drive controllers, non-DMA ethernet boards, VGA boards, A/D
boards, etc. Access to the PC cards is at full Amiga Zorro II bus speed unless
wait state support is turned on.
GG2-PC drivers
------------------------------------------
PC drivers included with GG2 Bus+ are:
ibmser.device
A replacement serial device for internal modems and multi-I/O
cards. Includes automatic use of the 16550 FIFO buffer when
available. Support for up to 4 serial ports at once,
equivalent of COM1-4.
ibmprint.device
A new parallel output-only driver for printing through IBM LPT
compatible parallel ports on multi-I/O cards. Support for up
to 3 printers at once, equivalent of LPT1-3.
ibmIDE.device
A driver program to allow the use of IDE, RLL or MFM hard drives.
NE1000.device and NE2000.device
These are SANA-II ethernet drivers for Novell NE1000 and
NE2000 boards and compatibles.
NE1000 is 8 bit card, 8K memory
NE2000 is 16 bit card
GG2-SW Compatibility
------------------------------------------------------- GG2 Bus+
Since the Ethernet drivers are SANA II compliant, you can use your
GG2/Ethernet combination with all of the popular network packages, such as
Envoy (from IAM), AS225r2 (from Commodore) and AmiTCP (available via ftp
from Aminet sites).
Commodore's AS225r1 is *not* a SANA-II networking package, and will not work with
an Ethernet card on a GG2 Bus+.
!!! Oxxi's Novell Netware Client software is *not* a SANA II networking package
and will not work with an Ethernet card on a GG2 Bus+. !!!
CrossPC and PCTask software PC emulators are aware of the GG2 Bus+ and will let
you use IBM-compatible hardware from inside the emulation. Among other IBM
peripherals that have been successfully operated are, ROM programmers and
PC-television cards.
GG2-Requirements
----------------------------------------------
The GG2 Bus+ occupies one Zorro II slot aligned with an PC-AT slot in an Amiga
2000, A2500, A3000, or A4000. It has essentially the same form factor as a
Commodore bridgeboard. You will need at least one additional open PC-AT slot for
your plug-in PC card. The GG2 Bus+ requires 1 Megabyte of available AUTOCONFIG
memory space to correctly map all of the PC memory locations. All address and
data lines to the PC bus are buffered to avoid loading-down Amiga bus lines.
Most of the software requires 2.04 or higher. The actual device drivers
themselves (ibmser.device, ibmIDE.device...) will probably work under Amiga Dos
1.3, but the support programs (like SwitchControl and SerPrefs) don't.
GG2-Availability
-----------------------------------------
GG2 Bus+ is $119.95 USD
All sales are being handled by Software Results Enterprises , so there are no
distributors in any countries.
Hydra
------------------
Hydra by Hydra Systems
Ethernet cards for the Amiga 2/3/4000.
Did have a model for the A500.
A SANA II driver comes with the new boards or is available from the vendor. The
driver is called hydra.device, and V1.33 even works with the old v1.0 boards.
Has thin wire connector (BNC) and a thick wire connector (15 pin D).
ICard
-------------------
ICard by Interworks
A 16 bit ethernet card for the A1200's PCMCIA slot.
Provides 10BaseT and 10Base2 ethernet connectors.
Provides SANA II driver for compatibility with any SANA II compatible network
protocol including Interworks I-Net 225 and ENLAN-DFS
MSRP $299
ISDN-Master
--------------------------
ISDN Master II by ith Kommunikationstechnik GmbH in Germany
Software portion of the product supports both English and German languages.
The ISDN Master II is an update to the ISDN Master as reviewed by Alan Berney
which can be found in the comp.sys.amiga.review archives on Aminet.
According to the company spokesman it should work with NI-1 in the US, but I'd
like to hear from some users if you have it working.
Hardware:
--------
ISDN-MASTER II is an Autoconfig Zorro-II card for all Amigas powered by at least a
68020 processor. It has two western sockets for ISDN line in/out, one socket for
combined headsets (micro/earphone), and one separate microphone and aux input.
Enhanced version is shipped together with a small add-on card that allows full
telephone features.
Features:
--------
* Autoconfig
* Transfer up to 7500 cps
* parallel telephone and data calls
* Hayes-AT set
* fossil.device is compatible with serial.device
* 64 byte FIFo ram buffer
* 2 * B-channel and 1 * D-Channel (S0-connection)
* S0 considerable
* ISDN and Euro-ISDN support
* D port monitor
* passiv card
* Audio-Inline with digitize audio
Requirements:
------------
* kickstart 2.x or higher
* 1 Mb Ram minimum, prefer 2 Mb
* 68020 or higher
Software (standard version):
--------------------------
The software splits up in three major parts all of which support both the German
and English language:
1) The device (called bscisdn.device)
* it supports up to 10 units compatible with standard serial.device
* works with E-DSS1, 1TR-6, Numeris, and NI-1.
* it should work with any existing communications-software
2) The telephone-program
* supports many standard phone features such as redial, rejecting
certain numbers, different ring signals per number
* phonebooks with freely definable groups and unlimited size
* answering machine with configurable messages per number
* log file of incoming and outgoing calls with numbers, date, and time
* parallel telephone and data calls
* three user conference
3) The add-on programs
* prefs program for configuring the device.
* monitor program for monitoring ISDN activity (debugging tool).
* Status monitor with connection info similar to a modem panel.
Software (enhanced version):
---------------------------
A complete rewrite of all above software with the basic concept of bringing a
software-interface called CAPI 2.0 to the Amiga. The features of the software are
basically the same as the standard version, but with the CAPI 2.0 interface
developers are now able to communicate directly to the device using CAPI instead
of serial.device. CAPI allows applications to manage more than one transmission
channel even from several boards inside one Amiga. The new software also supports
up to eight boards per computer. This has enabled ISDN Master II to be used to
manage large voice-mail systems via Amiga. One of the largest uses 70 (!) boards
in an Amiga network environment.
Note: the Enhanced version is currently shipping with the card. If you need the
old standard version it is available on the ftp site.
Support:
-------
Support is performed via internet. Questions will be answered by
sup...@ithnet.com Updates may be obtained via ftp from ftp.ithnet.com or
www.ithnet.com. There is also a mailing-list for obtaining complete
software-updates - ask sup...@ithnet.com for free subscription.
Price:
-----
Available directly from ITH.
USD 449, - with telephone feature card
USD 349, - without
USD 100, - upgrade for telephone feature card
USD 15, - international shipping
LAN Rover
------------------------
LAN Rover by ASDG LAN Rover is now called EB920.
ASDG is now owned by AVID, but you might find the cards used.
A thin wire ethernet card for Amiga 2000,3000, and 4000. It is a full length Zorro
II card and comes with SANA II drivers and supports adjustable interrupt
settings and network address roms.
Being SANA II compatible means it will support all the major network protocols
available for the Amiga.
QuickNet
-----------------------
QuickNet (TM) Fast peer-to-peer networking system for the Amiga
by Resource Management Force
Authors: Neil Dugan, Daniel Koch, and Norman Pakes
A hardware and software solution for networking Amigas to Amigas.
Zorro II card which supports thin ethernet (802.3). Other versions such as zorro
III may be available by now.
Software allows remote mounting of Amiga hardware and file systems including
filesystems which are being imported by another system. This allows bridging
between Envoy and Quicknet for example.
Supports Arexx and record locking.
Requires WB 1.3, but WB2.04 or higher recommended.
Call for pricing and configuration availability.
Manufacturers
----------
Some Vendors are listed for historical reasons.
Ameristar
AmiTrix
ASDG
AugmenTek
Canadian Prototype Replicas
Commodore Business Machines
Consultron
CSA
GfxBase, Inc.
Hydra Systems
IAM
Interworks
ith Kommunikationstechnik GmbH
Legendary Design Technologies, Inc.
Media4 Productions
NSDI
Oregon Research
Oxxi
Progressive Peripherals
Resource Management Force
SCALA, Inc.
Software Results Enterprises
Spectronics
Thunder Ridge, Inc.
Village Tronic
Ameristar
----------------------
Ameristar products are distributed by
Creative Equipment International (CEI)
5555 W. Flagler St
Miami, Florida 33134 USA
Phone (305) 266-2800
You could also buy the board mail order.
AmiTrix
----------
AmiTrix Development
5312-47 Street
Beaumont, Alberta, T4X 1H9
Canada
Phone or Fax: 1+ 403-929-8459
email: sa...@amitrix.com
sup...@amitrix.com
web: http://www.networkx.com/amitrix/index.html
ASDG
-----------------
Last known address for ASDG:
ASDG, Inc.
925 Stewart St.
Madison, WI 53713
Phone (608) 273-6585
Fax (608) 271-1988
They changed names to Elastic Reality and then were bought by AVID.
AugmenTek
------------------------
AugmenTek
3606 S. 180th St. C-22
SeaTac, WA 98188-4339
USA
Phone: (206) 246-6077
email: augm...@acm.org
Canadian Prototype Replicas
------------------------------------------------
Canadian Prototype Replicas
PO Box 8,
Breslau, Ontario
Canada
N0B 1M0
Allan M. Purtle says registered customers can obtain
technical support via email to sna...@mgl.ca
Allan also says that the TCP/IP Base kit is also available from:
HT Electronics
422 South Hillview Drive
Milpitas, California 95035
(408)934-7700
Commodore Business Machines
------------------------------------------------
For Historical Purposes:
Commodore Business Machines
1200 Wilson Dr.
West Chester, PA 19380
(215) 431-9100, (215) 436-4200
Consultron
Consultron
8959 Ridge Rd
Plymouth, MI 48170-3213
Tech supp phone: (313)459-7271
CSA
---------------
CSA
Computer System Associates, Inc.
Stephen Riker, Director of Sales and Marketing
CSA
7564 Trade Street
San Diego, CA 92121
PH: (619)566-3911
FAX:(619)566-0581
GfxBase, Inc.
------------------------------------------------
Contact Dale Luck at
GfxBase, Inc.
PO Box 360814
Milpitas, Ca. 95036-0814
Phone: (408) 262-1469
FAX: (408) 262-8276
Hydra Systems
-----------------------------
Hydra Systems
Wyndrushe House
Red Land, Kenilworth
Warwickshire
England CV8 1PB
Tel/Fax: +44 203 473333
IAM
--------------
IAM
Direct postal mail to:
Intangible Assets Manufacturing
828 Ormond Avenue
Drexel Hill, PA 19026-2604
USA
voice: (610) 853-4406
fax: (610) 853-3733
Direct electronic inquiries to:
in...@iam.com -- a robot with less info than the IAM web pages
sa...@iam.com -- to get info or to place an order
corec...@iam.com -- for any errors you find in
"Connect Your Amiga!"
envoy...@iam.com -- get envoy support here (include serial number
from your IAM disk in your request for support
envoy...@iam.com -- report bugs here
regist...@iam.com -- use email instead of mailing a card
fran...@iam.com -- for all French language email for IAM
ital...@iam.com -- for all Italian language email to IAM
da...@iam.com -- Dale L. Larson
j...@iam.com -- Janet McIlvaine
mi...@iam.com -- Michael Colligon
dos...@iam.com -- Claudio Dosio
Interworks
-----------------------
Interworks
43191 Camino Casillas
Suite B2469
Temecula, CA 92592-3714
phone: (909) 699-8120
FAX: (909) 699-8279
EMAIL:
ord...@iworks.com --- place product orders
in...@iworks.com --- general Interworks information
tnet...@iworks.com --- T-Net render farm software info
enlan...@iworks.com --- ENLAN-DFS Network info
inet22...@iworks.com --- Inet 225 TCP/IP info
icard...@iworks.com --- Icard PCMCIA ehternet info
hydra...@iworks.com --- Hydra Systems ethernet info
For tech support simply change the .info above to .support for example
tnet.s...@iworks.com
abr...@iworks.com --- Allen Brooks - President
ITH
--------------------
ith Kommunikationstechnik GmbH
Reiterstrasse 24
D-94447 Plattling / Germany
phone +49 9931 9188-0
fax +49 9931 9188-44
email sup...@ithnet.com
web http://www.ithnet.com
design-tech
---------------
Legendary Design Technologies, Inc.
makers of Link It! and other Amiga products
515 Park Road North #9
Brantford, ON N3R 7K8
Or
POB 1147
Lewiston, NY 14092-8147
USA
Phone: (519) 753-6120
Fax: (519) 753-5052
Internet: leg...@io.org
Home Page: http://www.io.org/~legend
Media4
---------
Media4 Productions
2800 University Avenue
Suite H1B-101
West Des Moines, IA 50266
Phone: (515)225-7409
Brian Landwehr, President
blan...@bix.com
NSDI
------------
makers of AmiTCP
Network Solutions Development Inc. (NSDi).
email amitcp...@nsdi.fi
NSDI
POB 32
FIN-02151 ESPOO
Finland
Europe
fax number: 358-207-34-6734
for more info see their web site: http://www.nsdi.fi
Oregon Research
---------------------------------
Oregon Research
16200 S.W. Pacific Hwy., Suite 162
Tigard, Or 97224
ph: (503) 620-4919
fax: (503) 624-2940
Internet: or...@teleport.com
Genie: ORA
CompuServer: 71333,2655
Oxxi
------------------------------------------------
Oxxi
Last known address:
P.O. Box 90309,
Long Beach, CA 90809
Phone: (310) 427-1227
However the Novell client can be gotten from Interworks still.
Progressive Peripherals
------------------------------------------
Last Known address for
Progressive Peripherals & Software
464 Kalamath Street, Denver, CO 80204
(303) 825-4144, (303) 893-6938 (FAX)
Apparently out of business. Anyone with information on the disposition of their
product line please provide FEEDBACK
Resource Management Force
------------------------------------------------
Resource Management Force Pty Ltd
70-74 may street
St Peters NSW 2044
Australia
Tel: +61 2 550 4244
fax: +61 2 550 4284
email: cbmaus!rmf!dan...@rmf.adsp.sub.org
SCALA, Inc.
------------------------------
SCALA, Inc.
12110 Sunset Hills, Dr. Ste 100
Reston, VA 22090
phone: (703) 709-8043
WWW: http://www.scala.com
Software Results Enterprises
-------------------------------------------------
Software Results Enterprises
2447 N. 4th St., Ste. B
Columbus, OH 43202-2706
phone: 614/262-9146 (voice)
fax: 614/267-2683
sa...@kumiss.infinet.com
sup...@kumiss.infinet.com
Please use e-mail whenever possible. It leaves more time to develop products.
Also be sure to ask for the GGII Bus+ FAQ which goes into more specifics than is
practical in this FAQ.
Spectronics
-----------
Spectronics Int'l USA
34 E. Main Street #23
Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: (217) 352-0061
Fax: (217) 352-0063
BBS: (217) 352-7627
Eddy Coopmans, President
Thunder Ridge, Inc.
------------------------------------------------
Thunder Ridge, Inc.
N9353 Benson Road
Brooklyn, WI 53521
phone: (608) 455-1039
fax: (608) 455-1317
email: 73071...@compuserve.com
Village Tronic
------------------------------
Village Tronic
Wellweg 95
D-31157 Sarstedt
Germany
Tel: +49/(0)5066/7013-0 Switchboard
Tel: +49/(0)5066/7013-10 technical hotline
Tel: +49/(0)5066/7013-11 orders
Tel: +49/(0)5066/7013-40 Mailbox
Tel: +49/(0)5066/7013-49 Telefax
Related FAQs
=================
RELATED INFORMATION (FAQ's, web pages, etc.)
Other FAQ's:
FTP FAQ
FAQ archive
BDG to Internet
Amiga CD32 FAQ
AmigaNOS-FAQ
AmiTCP FAQ
Amosaic-FAQ
RFC
NEWS FAQ
UUCP FAQ
Wiedmann's Amiga FAQ
X11 FAQ
ZEN
DAK's Amiga FAQ
misc
Amiga specific books:
Connect your Amiga
Other important sources of information:
Aminet
Fred Fish
c.s.a.announce
AmigaZone
Web pages:
A good how to hook an Amiga500 to the internet:
http://www.ms.mff.cuni.cz/acad/webik/~pmit2218/amiga/
A good list of networking software and how to install it:
http://www.cris.com/~Kainaw/tcp/
Page of links to the Aminet sites:
http://www.cucug.org/amifiles.html
Amiga to WinNT networking
http://www.mt-inc.com/faq.htm
Tom Hood's page:
http://www.ainet.com/eye/welcome.html
Links to text versions of Amiga FAQ's:
http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu/hypertext/faq/usenet/amiga/top.html
FTP FAQ
---------------------
All about FTP is a FAQ on the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) application for the
TCP-IP protocol. The FAQ is posted to comp.sys.amiga.misc,
comp.sys.amiga.introduction, and the comp.sys.amiga.datacomm news groups. Thus it
should be available on the FAQ archive site.
It should be read by anyone wishing to download files from Aminet or anyone
wishing to know more about FTP.
It is posted by umue...@wuarchive.wustl.edu
FAQ archive
-----------
You can find numerous FAQ's posted to the news.answers news group. They are
also cross posted to *.answers for the specific news group to which the FAQ is
related. For example this FAQ is cross posted to the comp.answers news group.
This makes it easier to find related FAQ's.
There are several FAQ's slanted towards new users, so instead of flaming someone
try sending them the appropriate FAQ.
The FAQ's are updated periodically, and the older versions are archived at
several sites. Both the current and the archived FAQ's are also available via
Mosaic, and anonymous FTP in addition to being available through the news.
RTFM.MIT.EDU [18.20.0.224] is one of the primary archive sites for news.answers
FAQ's and it supports anonymous FTP and email. To use email send a message with
"send usenet/news.answers/pdial" as the message to mail-...@rtfm.mit.edu. For
more information send "help" as the message.
If the RTFM is too busy, you can try archie or veronica to search for other ftp or
gopher sites which have the FAQ files.
More and more FAQ's are also available as web pages, so you might also try a web
search engine such as www.yahoo.com.
BDG to Internet
----------------------------
Big Dummies' Guide (DBG) to Internet is available in Amiga Guide format on
Aminet . It explains more about the history of the Internet, and some of the same
topics covered in this FAQ.
AmigaNOS-FAQ
-----------------------------
AmigaNOS is a serial port only version of TCP/IP. The AmigaNOS FAQ is posted to
comp.sys.amiga.datacomm news.answers and comp.answers news groups.
and should be on the FAQ archive as...
/pub/usenet/news.answers/amiga/AmigaNOS-faq
AmiTCP FAQ
-------------------------
The AmiTCP FAQ is now maintained by Mike Meyer and is available in html format so
you can access it with Amosaic at
http://www.phone.net/ATCPFAQ/amitcp.html
Note: case matters.
AmiTCP FAQ has been released by Neil McRae. Look in the comp.sys.amiga.datacom
news group for biweekly updates. It is also an officially accepted FAQ by the
news.answers moderators. Therefore it can be found in news.answers, comp.answers,
and in the FAQ archive
Amosaic-FAQ
--------------------------
Clive Thomas has an Amosaic FAQ available from:
ftp.demon.co.uk
pub/amiga/info/Amosaic.FAQ.lha
Mike Meyer also has an Amosaic FAQ available from:
http://www.phone.net/ATCPFAQ/amosaic.html
cd31-faq
----------
Amiga CD32 FAQ has a ton of information including networking options for the CD32
and CDTV.
It is available:
mail -- ser...@rtfm.mit.edu
send usenet/news.answers/amiga/CD32-FAQ/part1
ftp -- rtfm.mit.edu -- /pub/usenet/news.answers/amiga/CD32-FAQ/part1
RFC
--------------
RFC Request For Comment
These are good documents if someone wants to understand the technical side of the
protocol. They can be found online at a number of sites by archie, but they are
officially available from just a few.
RFCs can be obtained via FTP from
NIS.NSF.NET, NISC.JVNC.NET,
VENERA.ISI.EDU, WUARCHIVE.WUSTL.EDU,
SRC.DOC.IC.AC.UK, FTP.CONCERT.NET,
DS.INTERNIC.NET, NIC.DDN.MIL.
Details on obtaining RFCs via FTP or EMAIL may be obtained by sending an EMAIL
message to "rfc-...@ISI.EDU" with the message body "help: ways_to_get_rfcs". For
example:
To: rfc-...@ISI.EDU
Subject: getting rfcs
help: ways_to_get_rfcs
Requests for special distribution should be addressed to either the author of the
RFC in question, or to N...@NIC.DDN.MIL. Unless specifically noted otherwise on
the RFC itself, all RFCs are for unlimited distribution.
NEWS FAQ
-------------------------
The NEWS FAQ can be found at the FAQ archive or on the news.answers or
comp.answers news group. It explains some of the history and different
incarnations of news servers and readers.
There are also specific FAQs for the INN news server and others.
Also there are specific news groups for those who wish to be administrators of a
news server.
UUCP FAQ
------------------------
The UUCP FAQ is posted to the comp.sys.amiga,uucp, and alt.sys.amiga.uucp news
group.
It is available at the FAQ archive site.
X11 FAQ
--------------------
X windows is such a big topic there is a FAQ dedicated to it regardless of vendor.
It is posted in multiple parts in comp.windows.x and news.answers news groups
which means it is available from FAQ archive
You can send submissions to faq%cr...@uunet.uu.net
BTW, uunet.uu.net is one of those cross over points between the USENET and the
Internet.
Wiedmann's Amiga FAQ
---------------------------------------
Jochen Wiedmann's Amiga FAQ
Can be found at Aminet sites in the
/pub/aminet/tex/docs directory
with the file name AmigaFAQxxxxxx.lha
where xxxxxx is the date.
send submissions to
wied...@mailserv.zdv.uni-tuebingen.de
or Am Eisteich 9
72555 Metzingen (Germany)
Tel. 07123 / 14881
Mr. Wiedmann's FAQ can now be found on line using Mosaic. It is now part of Mr.
Witbrock's Amiga Home Page. It was converted to HTML from Amiga Guide by Mr.
Witbrock's AG2HTML.PL perl script. The script is on line also.
ZEN
-------------
Zen and the Art of the Internet: A Beginner's Guide
A booklet explaining the basic concepts of ideas behind using the Internet. It
explicitly avoids machine or OS specific commands or bias.
The booklet is widely available, probably even from your service provider. It is
also available via FTP from ftp.uu.net [137.39.1.9] in the pub/zen directory or
you can use Archie or Veronica to locate a copy.
DAK's Amiga FAQ
--------------------------------
This document is a summary of information about Science/School/UNIX software for
the Amiga.
Originally compiled-by: rfa...@nyx.cs.du.edu (Richard Akerman)
Now maintained-by: d...@emx.cc.utexas.edu (Donald A Kassebaum)
This FAQ is cross-posted around the middle of each month to
comp.sys.amiga.applications, comp.unix.amiga, comp.answers and news.answers
also available on AmiNet sites:
/pub/aminet/text/doc/AmigaSciSchUnix.lha
The news.answers automatic archiving software will store a copy of this posting,
available by anonymous FTP on
rtfm.mit.edu [18.20.0.224]
/pub/usenet/news.answers/amiga/science-faq
Connect your Amiga
-----------------------------------
"Connect your Amiga!"
!!!!!!!!!!
Second printing is now available!
!!!!!!!!!!
A book by Dale Larson of IAM
ISBN 1-885876-02-5
Deals with Amiga networking issues in much greater detail than is possible in this
FAQ. It explains how to use the software and hardware to connect to the internet,
LAN's, BBS's, and commercial services.
Aminet
-------------------
Aminet is another archive site with many mirror sites. In addition to FAQ's you
can find all kinds of Amiga programs and files at an Aminet site. They usually
have a directory called /pub/aminet.
See the "All about FTP" FTP FAQ for details on using anonymous FTP to access
the archive.
Here is a list of Aminet sites as of December, 1996.
Location Name IP Address Path Files
USA (MO) ftp.wustl.edu 128.252.135.4 pub/aminet/ ALL
USA (AZ) ftp.ninemoons.com 165.247.33.6 pub/aminet/ ALL
USA (WI) ftp.netnet.net 198.70.64.3 pub/aminet/ 25000
Australia ftp.livewire.com.au 203.16.26.3 pub/aminet/ ALL
Switzerland ftp.eunet.ch 146.228.10.11 pub/aminet/ 20000
Scandinavia ftp.luth.se 130.240.16.39 pub/aminet/ 25000
Germany ftp.germany.aminet.org 131.234.22.30 pub/aminet/ ALL
Germany ftp.uni-erlangen.de 131.188.3.2 pub/aminet/ 20000
Germany ftp.uni-stuttgart.de 129.69.18.15 cd aminet 4000
Germany ftp.cs.tu-berlin.de 130.149.17.12 pub/aminet/ 16000
Germany ftp.tu-chemnitz.de 134.109.132.28 pub/aminet/ 12000
Germany ftp.uni-siegen.de 141.99.164.1 pub/aminet/ 9000
Germany ftp.uni-trier.de 136.199.8.81 pub/aminet/ 5000
Germany ftp.fh-augsburg.de 141.82.16.242 pub/aminet/ 5000
Germany ftp.uni-bremen.de 134.102.228.2 pub/aminet/ 3000
Germany ftp.uni-kl.de 131.246.94.94 pub/aminet/ 2000
Germany ftp.uni-regensburg.de 132.199.1.203 pub/aminet/ 3000
Germany ftp.tu-clausthal.de 139.174.253.13 pub/aminet/ 1000
Germany ftp.aachen.aminet.org 137.226.225.3 pub/aminet/ 2300
Germany ftp.rz.uni-wuerzburg.de 132.187.1.2 pub/amiga/aminet/ 4000
Italy ftp.italy.aminet.org 192.132.34.17 pub/aminet/ ALL
Austria vienna.aminet.or.at 193.171.54.210 pub/aminet ALL
France aminet.grolier.fr 194.158.97.86 pub/aminet/ ALL
France sunsite.cnam.fr 163.173.129.5 pub/aminet/ 6000
Denmark sunsite.auc.dk 130.225.51.30 pub/aminet/ 2000
UK ftp.uk.aminet.org 155.198.1.40 pub/aminet/ ALL
UK micros.hensa.ac.uk 194.80.32.51 pub/aminet/ 8500
Ireland atlantis.ucc.ie 143.239.1.200 pub/aminet/ 2000
Greece ftp.acropolis.gr 193.92.228.7 pub/aminet 20000
Portugal ftp.portugal.aminet.org 193.136.173.10 pub/aminet/ 15000
Spain ftp.gui.uva.es 157.88.36.190 pub/aminet/ 1500
Hungary ftp.iit.uni-miskolc.hu 193.6.4.31 pub/aminet/ 3000
Czech Rep amiga.chemi.muni.cz 147.251.84.2 pub/aminet/ 2000
Poland ftp.man.szczecin.pl 194.92.39.69 pub/aminet/ 2000
Croatia thphys.irb.hr 161.53.129.16 pub/aminet/ 500
Please use a mirror site close to you!
A current list of mirror sites can be obtained from the Aminet readme file. The
readme file also provides a lot of other very useful information, and is well
worth reading. It is located in the top level of any Aminet site.
In addition to Aminet there are other amiga related FTP sites. You can use Archie
or Veronica to locate sites that have a specific file you are looking for and
perhaps avoid overcrowding the mirror sites.
The Aminet Archive now has a Mosaic home page where the most recent uploads can by
found and retrieved. You can access it directly or from the Amiga Web Directory
by CUCUG at http://www.cucug.org/amifiles.html
If you don't have internet access, you can still get the Aminet collection on CD
Rom. They are available mail order and from Cronus
Fred Fish
------------------
Fred Fish, Cronus, and Amiga Library Services.
First there was Fred Fish and his floppy based archive of public domain and
shareware software for the Amiga.
Fred then began to make the archive available on CD Rom as well and started a
company called Amiga Library Services which has since changed names to Cronus. I
think this collection goes up to Fresh Fish vol 10 and Gold Fish vol 3.
The Fred Fish collection has been and is a valuable asset to the Amiga community.
Mucho Thanks to Fred and all the contributors.
With the advent of the internet and world wide web, Aminet has taken over the
role of "library" for public domain and shareware software. Cronus distributes the
Aminet CD collection.
Fred is heavily involved in a new venture which in my opinion is long overdue. As
evidenced by the size of Aminet, the Amiga community is very active in writing
their own programs and utils. Cronus is now offering a new CD subscrition called
GEEK GADGETS which is a ready to run collection of Amiga programming tools.
The Fred Fish, Aminet, Geek Gadgets, and other CD Roms are available from
!!!!!!!! Note the New Name and Address !!!!!!!!!
Cronus
1840 East Warner Road #105-265
Tempe, AZ 85284
U.S.A.
Phone: (602)491-0442 or (800) 804-0833
FAX: (602) 491-0048
Email: ord...@ninemoons.com or in...@amigalib.com
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
announce
--------
comp.sys.amiga.announce --- c.s.a.announce
is a moderated news group for announcing new or updated Amiga products.
There is now a web page for the group thanks to the moderator Dan Zerkle. Check
out:
http://selab.cs.ucdavis.edu/~zerkle/announce
amigazone
-----------
AmigaZone survived the shutdown of Portal, and is now available on Calweb. Harv
Laser is still the Sysop.
Although this is a fee based service, I think it is worth mentioning since it is
Amiga specific. Also they are offering a two week free trial. To learn more about
Amigazone and the free trial visit the web page at: http://www.amigazone.com
misc
-------------
miscellaneous stuff:
A domain name and host name can be had for free. Send email to
in...@rs.internic.net
No longer Free. Domain names are like vanity plates now. You gotta pay a yearly
fee at least if you want a .com domain.
Feedback
-------------------
HELP!
As you probably noticed the FAQ is rather thin in spots. This is usually due to
one of two things: my ignorance because I can't use all the products, or because I
haven't had time to write or keep up. In either case I would greatly appreaciate
some help.
Send corrections, updates and suggestions to:
Richard Norman
ED36
MSFC, AL 35812 USA
All submissions will be considered altruistic donations to the network community's
pool of public knowledge.
Send flames to yourself for not getting off your behind and writing a better FAQ
yourself. Besides I'm still learning too! ;-)