Question about Hydra Systems AmigaNet 500

[xboxOwn]

I have some questions to ask about Hydra System AmigaNet 500: http://amiga.resource.cx/photos/amiganet500,2. Is this a normal Ethernet standard card like you see in normal nowadays PC? Can I just hook it directly to my modem and I immediately get access to the internet?

These are the specs mentioned below:

Hydra Systems, UK                 Date
1990Amiga
A500
Interface
side expansion port
Autoconfig ID
2121 / 1
            

Ethernet interface

• connects to the side expansion port - the case contains a standard Zorro II AmigaNet card
  
• National Semiconductor DP8390 Ethernet controller
• 16 kB SRAM buffer using DMA to and from the DP8390
• DB15 AUI port (10Base5)
• two BNC connectors (10Base2) - no need for T connectors, Hydras can be simply daisychained
• SANA II compatible driver (hydra.device)
• supported by Linux, NetBSD and OpenBSD

 
I am not so sure I understand the speed of it. Can I download 1 MB/sec file? How about 512 KB/sec file? Can I do that? There is works on a new internal accelerator for the Amiga 500 that suppose to give the Amiga 500 a major boost in CPU speed which outshines all the normal accelerators for the A500 (which when I look at them is truly horrible). Would I get a good internet performance or would I drop to 1 byte/sec even with this card? I understand zorro 2 is a horrible expansion port because it can only do 3.5 Mb/sec. However, this is great speed for internet for the A500 and I will be really happy if I get half or even 1 Mb/sec speed.

Thanks guys for taking your time and responding to my questions.

[xboxOwn]

You're joking, right?  Just looking at the picture I can tell that card doesn't have an RJ45 jack.  So right off the bat I can tell you it won't "just plug in".  Networking on the Amiga is tricky, and moreso if you try to do it with old hardware like that.  You'd be better off to research something like the Plipbox.  Heck, even a Zorro adapter hanging off the side and connected to a modern card like the X-Surf 100 would be a better option for ya.  :lol:

I want to do that!! I want to connect the x-surf 100!! Where can I find such adapter? I don't care if it is * naked * without a case. I can always have fun and customize a case for it, if I want too. But that Zorro adapter you mentioned hanging, dangling on the side with x-surf 100 is the real solution I want. Are you saying if I do that, I will go get good speed and can do 512 Kb/sec download and stuff? I am happy with that number.

Again, where can I find the adapter?

[xboxOwn]

I get a couple meg a second on my A2000, so yes, certainly, that speed is possible.  I run MiamiDX (Genesis, Roadshow, or any other TCP/IP stack will do), and plug right into the modern network at my office.  Obviously you're going to want some kind of internal solution that provides accelerator, extra memory, and a hard drive, of course.  Using a network with an unaccelerated, hard-drive-less Amiga isn't going to be very fun.    You might start by researching all those components, and plan carefully what you want to do.  Are you just wanting to download files off Aminet, or be able to browse the web, for example?

The adapter itself, most people make those themselves, I think.  Try posting on Amibay to see if anyone has one for sale?  They come up for sale pretty regularly over there.  Also google search "amiga 500 zorro adapter".  

Thank you so much Oldsmobile this is my dream becoming reality. Yes, I do have intention to use my Amiga 500 for browsing the internet, aminet, gmail, downloads, IRC client (chat), etc. Yes, my intention to have the best internal accelerator in there to achieve my goal. With Vampire 500 release I will get my dream to come true. My Amiga 500 can finally compete against the A2000/A3000 series. With the fast CPU speed and RTG support and internet support my A500 can use AmiKit that is used in WinUAE for example and become a very useful computer. I would be able to use it as if I own an A4000T WITHOUT AGA which I am ok with.

I am so happy! With my Amiga 500 having also 2 MB CHIP RAM I don't think I will be asking for anymore. If this becomes true...I have sealed until I am dead and intend to mean it....the only Amiga classic configuration I will own and use. Amiga 500!! I love the fact I have external power supply, I love it's sexy case...remind me so much of the c64c or C128. I love the model as it was LITERALLY the FIRST Amiga computer I was ever introduced in MY ENTIRE life when I was in highschool and grade 10. Mmmmmm. Sweet!

[xboxOwn]

So what you want is an A4000T without the AGA, Zorro 3 bus, with 24-bit address lines, a couple of Zorro 2 slots that lack a bus controller for a NIC and a RTG card, using a Vampire 500 FPGA that competes with an A3000?

Is that correct?

Thank you all guys for the reply, Oldmobile have already answered my question * Looks back at danbeaver * No. What I want is an Amiga 500 (without towering) to do all my needs.

    Quote:
                                                                      Originally Posted by xboxOwn                                    
                 I have some questions to ask about Hydra System AmigaNet 500: http://amiga.resource.cx/photos/amiganet500,2.  Is this a normal Ethernet standard card like you see in normal nowadays  PC? Can I just hook it directly to my modem and I immediately get  access to the internet?
                                 
It doesn't have a modern RJ-45 connector, so you need either very  old hub which has BNC connector or the easier way an AUI to RJ45  transceiver adapter. Here is a picture what kind of transceiver I have in my A2000 with Hydra's Amiganet 1.1 ZorroII card.

Of course you also need TCP/IP stack software installed, and more modern  and easier options may be out of the question unless you have expanded  your A500 with newer kickstart and maybe even CPU. But some old  AmiTCP/IP versions probably should work with a less expanded system, but  may be hard to set up.

Can I say your A2000 looks delicious? Like one giant cheese cake waiting to be eating? I can't imagine how even more delicious the components would look inside.

[xboxOwn]

I'm sorry if I misquoted exactly what you posted.

No problem

[xboxOwn]

Hehe, well, you can't see that much, but here are inside and  front photos too This baby was going to be demolished, but I happened to rescue it just in time at the recycle center, got it for free with me.

Aaaaaaaaashhhhhhhh what a beautyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[xboxOwn]

Yea, no kidding.  If I see an Amiga in peril, I can't resist a rescue attempt.

@xBoxOwn  There are folks who will advise against it (a little less bang than AGA), but, I think it's cool to trick out an A500.  I don't think he logs in anymore, but check out the pics left here by MrA500.  He stretched the A500's horizon, too.

I do what pleases me not what people tell me I should be happy with. Personally, if RTG is released then my A500 is equal match graphics to that of A4000 RTG and RTG is better billion times over AGA. How many handful of AGA games out there that makes me weep if I did not have it? Not much! OK so MSX emulator does not work..but I can't remember the last time I used an MSX emulator on my PC windows and that is superior over the Amiga's classic version.

DOSBoxAGA? OK..so DOSBoxAGA will NOT work on my A500..but last I checked there is DOSBox RTG which is way superior and better than DOSboxAGA. So I can enjoy all the PC DOS games on my A500 the same if a person owns an A4000 would.


It small spaced compared to the BIG boxed Amiga and I am going to go ahead and enjoy my A500. Bold the word my for a reason. If SAGA on vampire does become reality...what then is exactly really is the difference between A500 and the rest of the Amiga system? Internal IDE? I am sure a card can be installed below vampire to give me internal IDE? PCMCIA? I aint weeping for it. I can live without PCMCIA.

As days go by...the difference between Amiga's model are truly and slowly getting squished. Eventually soon or later the difference is miniscule and become just a matter of taste to which model the person like to uses.

So the question comes, if it eventually does become a reality where it is a matter of taste...who is it then have the right to enforce a taste on someone else's? My Amiga 500 gives me enjoyment...isn't at the end the point of it...enjoyment when it comes to using the Amiga?

[xboxOwn]

When you get that system put together, I really want to see that five ounce sparrow carry that one pound coconut!

Not sure I know what you mean

[xboxOwn]

It could grip it by the husk...

Not sure I know what this means either