Internet on RC2014?

[Robb Bates]

Other than the ESP WiFi module, which is just a TelNet serial port, what is out there that lets the RC2014 get onto the internet?

I've seen a BBS that is run on one (TelNet into rc2014.ddns.net), but I don't think you can access it FROM an RC2014...unless you can.

I know there are modem programs for CP/M...but not "internet" modem...unless there is.

Robb

[Wayne Warthen]

This should be possible, but you will need to cobble together the parts and pieces.

First, there is some ESP code out there that makes the ESP look like a Hayes modem.  Instead of ATDT<phone number>, you use ATDT<ip address>.  I think the project I am remembering is Zimodem on GitHub.

Then you would need to get a "terminal" program running on the RC2014.  The terminal program would use one serial port for it's UI and a different serial port for the connection to the ESP WiFi.  The terminal program would think it is talking to an OG Hayes modem.  RomWBW includes ZMP which should do it, but I will warn you that this is in an experimental state.

Thanks, Wayne

[Robb Bates]

I think my post about SLIP protocol on the ESP might open up some more possibilities for internet natively.  But smarter brains than mine will have to tackle that.

But I'll definitely check out that Zimodem for sure.

Thanks,
Robb

[Justin Skists]

I've been working on the FujiNet module and software for the RC2014. It's still at the prototype stage, at the moment.

When real life gets back under control, I'll need to get back to it

Justin

[Alan Cox]

The obvious long standing one is the Wiznet CP/M stack. That includes internet and also CP/NET client so you can have remote drives on PC. 

https://github.com/durgadas311/cpnet-z80/blob/master/md/MT011.md

and related TCP/IP tools

Fuzix also supports the Wiznet based stuff and presents it as a standard socket API.

There are a bunch of esp8266 based modem emulators for the job too some of which can even emulated sounds and lights and go into an old modem case.

SLIP also works but you need a serial link that doesn't drop bytes often for it to be useable. It's possible to run a full stack on CP/M with Z80. KA9Q did it long ago and stuff like uIP fits fine. 

Biggest problem is most modern stuff requires other things like encryption and javascript. I can irc on my rc2014 just fine. Need to write an NNTP client

Alan

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[Steve Gibson]

I flashed the Zimodem firmware to the ESP8266 board on my RC2014 and have used it to connect to various sites that support telnet, including the Wintermute BBS you mentioned. My post a while back on Mastodon has a few more details and a couple photos.

https://mastohack.com/@steve/110772620143285562

Steve Gibson

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[Steve Clarke]

I use Zimodem too but on an external ESP8266 board. I use it in combination with qterm for the odd bit of BBSing, telnet for messing about with some old unix boxes,  also the IRC client gets regular use. It's a very bare bones client but works perfectly. Sidenote, I was unable to get it working on the the official Z80kits wifi board. As it turned out I needed to boost the TX signal with a transistor based driver after the voltage step down. This only affected Zimodem and the standard firmware worked perfectly... very bizarre.

[Robb Bates]

Oooh, could either of you Steves share the binary so I could flash it?

Robb

[Steve Clarke]

Sorry Robb. 

I just checked my dev machine and I only have the source tree. Arduino is a long way out of my comfort zone but I'm assuming I should be able to use esptool.py to get a dump from the currently running ESP8266....

Although, now that I think about it...  as much as that sounds like it should work, I think you'd be better off building it yourself. The instructions on the github page are straight-forward enough for even an idiot like me to follow ;)

I mean, who am I? "Just flash this binary blob onto a wireless device on your network. Trust me bro." *shudders*

Steve.

[Robb Bates]

Oh noes, I have to put another technical skill feather in my cap?

Challenge accepted!

[Fraser]

FYI: I had some real challenges putting ESP-Link on to the ESP8266 modules I purchased.
Lessons Learned:

1. ESP8266 - NOT ESP32 
2. ESP8266 with 8 Mbit Flash latest 2.x or 3.x may work, I have 4 Mbit so couldn't test
3. ESP8266 with 4 Mbit Flash requires v 1.0 (it's in releases)
4. Depending on the flash software used it may require multiple flashes one for each of the different binary blobs (I'm on Windows 10)
   
5. Uses the ESP SDK, so generally easier to use pre-built binaries.
6. Doesn't use CTS/RTS (Several closed issues, regarding this request)

I also tried the ZiModem project, I didn't install it but my notes so far.

1. Builds in the Arduino IDE which is easier to install/manage and install to modules from.
2. Does require an earlier (than the default) ESP SDK Arduino Library, see ReadMe
3. Extensive use of AT command set, which is nice when emulating a modem.
4. Most examples are below 9600 baud, it's intended for older/slower retro systems. I'm not sure how much testing has been done at 115,200. 
5. Does allow the use of CTS/RTS

I haven't tested, but ZiModem seems focused on reaching out from the Retro system VS. ESP-Link which allows for Incoming connections. I'm personally more interested in accessing my RC2014 from my PC or a tablet so I didn't go too far down the ZiModem path.

Good Luck!! Please report back your results!

Fraser