ARCnet to ETHERnet broker

[Trev]

If you already have a TCP/IP stack running on your ARCnet node(s), then you could build a router to move IP data between disparate ARCnet and Ethernet networks. ARCnet-X bridges usually have to understand something about the application or transport layer to convert between ARCnet and "X," given the different frame formats and sizes. An IP router would take care of that at the transport layer.

[Trev]

8/16-bit ISA and PCMCIA cards should be easy to find. An ISA ARCnet card will cost as much as if not more than a new X-Surf Ethernet card, however, and a PCI ARCnet card from Contemporary Controls will run around 300 USD. Ouch. You'd think they were selling Amiga kit. ;-)

Can your ARCnet interfaces be replaced?

[Trev]

I don't know that.
I was planning on putting A500 on my network.
And arcnet seemed like a proper retro challenge.

Pricy it is... Maybe i  have to find other options.

EDIT:
From time to time there are isa arcnet cards and active star hubs on ebay. some of them are not bad priced.

The main problem with getting an A500 online is the IP stack. If you're happy with just using telnet to access bulletin boards, then a serial to telnet adapter will get the job done.

EDIT: Daytona400 had a bit of luck with IP and various adapters, but he hasn't logged into the site since September.

[Trev]

Cheapest way to connect ARCNET to Ethernet:
- old 486 or Pentium PC (or even 386)
- ARCNET ISA NIC
- Ethernet ISA or PCI NIC
- old network OS: Linux, NT4, Win2k, Netware 3, NetBSD, ...
- set up routing for both network cards

The only piece not easy to come by is the ARCNET board - I had a bunch flying around but threw them out some ten years ago...

To connect an A500 online, one of the best ways is probably adding a Z II NIC by means of a slingshot adapter. But then again, the best upgrade for a 500 is a 1200, providing a way for cheap PCMCIA NICs...

I had pushed NetWare to the back of my mind. Time to brush off those MLA licenses and put the old horse to work! Certainly a better solution than Linux on older hardware. Really. Assuming it can route between frame types. I don't remember! :-P

EDIT: IP forwarding in NT4 is super, super simple, but I wouldn't recommend running it in today's world.

[Trev]

I hadn't been reading your signature. You won't have any problems running an IP stack on an A500 with those specifications if Kickstart is up to date.