A4000T network options?

[amiga_3k]

Within a few weeks my long lost Amiga 4000T will return to my desk (which needs extention..., but that's not what this is about) where it will sit next to a Mac 9600/300 and an iMac 333. Both Macs are connected to the internet via two routers (both are 4-port jobs, one is  dedictated for the Macs and a laserjet, one is dedicated for the kids' PCs).

The A4000T is rather standard with the only expansions being a PicassoIV with TV-module, an A3640 processor-card (believe that was standard as well) and an extra SCSI drive.

The question of today is: What options do I have to network this Amiga with the Macs and the Internet? I've thought of a few options already:

1) Try and find a Zorro II/III ethernetcard.
2) Get a Buddah Phoenix and find an ethernet solution for the A1200 clockport.
3) Create a Null-modem network with the 9600/300

I guess a PCI-expansion could be possible as well... but being a dutchman I'd rather spend the money on OS4 enabling hardware (hopefully in the near future).

Any suggestions?

[icbrkr]

The Xsurf is a great Zorro based network card and is widely available.  Not only is it a network card, but it will give you a couple of A1200 clockports and an IDE adapter to boot.

[Matt_H]

Zorro ethernet is probably your best option. Good performance, and cards run in the $100 range. PCI Ethernet will be way cheaper, but it'll cost up to twice as much as a Zorro card to get a PCI busboard. (Depending on your future expansion plans, this may be something to look into though.)

There are no clockport Ethernet interfaces, so that's not an option. Several have been designed and there might be some prototypes, but none have (yet) made it to mass production. that I'm aware of. A USB->Ethernet adaptor might be a possibility in the near(er) future once drivers are written.

The Null modem will be super cheap, but the bad speed will probably drive you insane.

[amiga_3k]

I should be banging my head to a solid brick wall ;-). I was under the impression that the XSurf was a ISDN interface.

So... I went to the Individual web-site and guess the XSurf is the way to go. From what I read on the site 100 euro buys a nice piece of kit with potential for further expansion.  Should be going that route I think.

Thanks for putting me into this direction.

btw: I feel loads of hardware manufacturers can learn a lot from 'Individual'... never saw a site before that's stating the impossibilities of a piece of hardware ;-)

Now... if only it were half-way october :-D