Wifi for NeXT (
https://bluescsi.com/docs/WiFi-DaynaPORT)
[Blue SCSI 2.0 Pico Wifi Chip this has to work on NeXT Hardware GURU challenge]
https://bluescsi.com/docs/WiFi-DaynaPORTLight Bulb went off 🙂
I know I am on to something obvious here by thinking outside or in this case inside the box, the WIFI Feature built into the PICO chip on Blue SCSI 2.0 , yes I have one and I think this might just be testable on NeXT 68K hardware.
First does any one have the WIFI Feature running on an old MAC already?
Well reportedly it works on MAC OS version 6 and 7 , perhaps a no brainer ,
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner as we have DayDream Dark Matter wait for it that configures the NeXT to boot up as a MAC not in emulation but natively.
So in theory , following the instructions creating the wifi.hda file with the software already written for Blue SCSI to enable WIFI on the PICO chip on board the Blue SCSI 2.0 Card .
If DayDream sees it on my NeXT, which I think it will lol we may be in business .
If it pings my wifi network , it is on like donkey kong.
So if we are capable of reaching the network via wifi on the primitive MAC OS side then my guess is on the NeXT side as we do have Executor which lets you run Mac OS apps perhaps possible already,.
However it may just be configurable by porting the Mac Code over to NeXT written in C .
Stay tuned , actually any help appreciated putting a dent in the universe , who wouldn't want an EASY WIFI solution on their NeXT 🙂
We'll be hero's lol come on who's with me.
Quote from: Rob Blessin Black Hole on April 10, 2024, 11:58:47 PMWifi for NeXT (https://bluescsi.com/docs/WiFi-DaynaPORT)
First does any one have the WIFI Feature running on an old MAC already?
Yes, I've successfully used this on multiple Macs and also on Atari TT030 systems to get them connected to my home network.
Quote from: Rob Blessin Black Hole on April 10, 2024, 11:58:47 PMWell reportedly it works on MAC OS version 6 and 7 , perhaps a no brainer ,
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner as we have DayDream Dark Matter wait for it that configures the NeXT to boot up as a MAC not in emulation but natively.
So in theory , following the instructions creating the wifi.hda file with the software already written for Blue SCSI to enable WIFI on the PICO chip on board the Blue SCSI 2.0 Card .
If DayDream sees it on my NeXT, which I think it will lol we may be in business .
If it pings my wifi network , it is on like donkey kong.
So if we are capable of reaching the network via wifi on the primitive MAC OS side then my guess is on the NeXT side as we do have Executor which lets you run Mac OS apps perhaps possible already,.
However it may just be configurable by porting the Mac Code over to NeXT written in C .
Stay tuned , actually any help appreciated putting a dent in the universe , who wouldn't want an EASY WIFI solution on their NeXT 🙂
We'll be hero's lol come on who's with me.
The Wifi Feature of the BlueSCSI v2 emulates a DaynaPort SCSILink SCSI-to-Ethernet adapter, and on Mac and Atari you need special drivers so that the OS is able to recognise this emulated DaynaPort as a network card.
So in order to be able to use this emulated DaynaPort adapter with NeXT systems somebody would have to create driver for NeXTStep/OpenStep for it, so that it can be detected as a network card.
The DaynaPort driver for Mac is unfortunately not OpenSource, so I doubt it will be easy to get this to work on a NeXT.
The source code for MiNT (a UNIX-like OS for Ataris) is available for this driver:
https://github.com/freemint/freemint/tree/master/sys/sockets/xif/daynaportNot sure how easy it would be to port this to NeXTStep/OpenStep.
NetBSD has a driver as well.
https://man.netbsd.org/dse.4 (
https://man.netbsd.org/dse.4)
Here's a user guide for the DaynaPORT Pocket SCSI/Link.
Quote from: don_apple on April 11, 2024, 10:05:23 AMYes, I've successfully used this on multiple Macs and also on Atari TT030 systems to get them connected to my home network.
The Wifi Feature of the BlueSCSI v2 emulates a DaynaPort SCSILink SCSI-to-Ethernet adapter, and on Mac and Atari you need special drivers so that the OS is able to recognise this emulated DaynaPort as a network card.
So in order to be able to use this emulated DaynaPort adapter with NeXT systems somebody would have to create driver for NeXTStep/OpenStep for it, so that it can be detected as a network card.
The DaynaPort driver for Mac is unfortunately not OpenSource, so I doubt it will be easy to get this to work on a NeXT.
The source code for MiNT (a UNIX-like OS for Ataris) is available for this driver: https://github.com/freemint/freemint/tree/master/sys/sockets/xif/daynaport
Not sure how easy it would be to port this to NeXTStep/OpenStep.
Thank you, I know there is a PCMCIA Driver for intel that worked with Adaptec 1542 and NeXTSTEP Openstep and it sounds like this Pico uses a SCSI driver to mounts it as a SCSI disk of sorts and there is a NeXT Driver kit . I'm wondering if a Driver we're written using the NeXT Driver Kit on Intel that worked and it was set up to be fat binary would it translate over to NeXT 68k and if the template is created within previous ... I've just figured out how to use diskjockey to create .hda partitions and what is neat is I just did an Openstep build disk using Previous to the 3gb partition, trying 4 gb NeXT but it is still splitting it into 2 partitions so may need to do a custom build disk with disktab entries to create single 4gb.hda partitions which in effect doubles the size :) . I know single 4Gb partitions work with traditional scsi hard drives but will it work on Previous builds to a 4gb .hda :) If that works and I can drop 6 4gb partitions onto a 32gb Extreme Pro , I have some of the new cards that run at 300Mbs and work , I may be on to something :) I'm confident the programing gurus will be able to conjure up a driver for us .... if previous was able to send out a wifi signal that might get real interesting especially if legacy NeXThard ware can receive it :) Running NX app or screen cast app ? Perhaps a modern webbrowser cast to an old NeXT ha
Just to continue on this thread: there's a driver available here (
https://tinkerdifferent.com/threads/bluescsi-toolbox-next-edition.3536/).
Best, Michael