Questions about networking PC's & A3k

[melott]

I have a few questions about Networking.....
I have 3 computers I want to network ..
My A3k, my PC and my wifes PC.

I see on Software Hut the 'X-Serf2' card for $135.00
(is that the best price I could find??)
Will I have problems networking to the PC's??
Also the 'Mediator Z3' for my A3k-d  $350.00
Or the 'Prometheus' for $300.00

Now if I went with the Mediator or Prometheus
would I be able to use a cheap PC lan card ??
( what about drivers for cheap lan card??)

I just upgraded the GFX card in my PC, so
I have this Graphic Blaster Riva TNT  16meg
GFX card, can I use it in the Mediator or
Prometheus??

And any other info  that would help me decide.
I already have the HUB and cards for the PC's.

I'm running OS 3.9  and Windows 98
 

[Acill]

Mediator is the best way to go. you will need to get a tower case for it as well. The Mirage is built for it.  Yes you can use cheap Ethernet card then. The best place to get it now is direct from Elbox. You will save a lot of money since they are offering free shipping. You could order the Mediator, The tower, the Ethernet card, even sound and video cards (I would get these off ebay). Yo will then neen MiamiDX or some other ICP/IP stack to get it all talking with the other computers as well as AmigaSAMBA. The site for Elbox is www.elbox.com

[Cyberus]

on the elbox website there's a list of compatible cards IIRC
www.elbox.com

there's also an unofficial mediator support site:
www.amiga-mediator.co.uk

Hope this helps

[HotRod]

Hi!

I've never used the X-Surf 2-card but from what I've heard it's using fine.

I'm using a Mediator for my A4000D in a PowerTower and I'm using a Realtek 100Mbit network card and it's working fine.

The Amiga will transfer/receive slower than the PC's though just so you know. I've got 800-900kb/s with my Amiga and a P-II 350MHz and Genesis TCP/IP-stack. With the same setup and MiamiDx you'll get a slower transfer-rate. And with a 10Mbit-card and Genesis you'll get a transfer of 600-700kb/s. As you can see the difference isn't that big but bigger at least you'll get a bit more with a 100Mbit-card.

[x56h34]

@Melott:

X-surf2 is a great card. Works in 10mbit mode only, however I haven't noticed any major difference between 10mbit and 100mbit in the Amiga world.

Mediator would require getting a Mirage 3000 tower as there is no A3000 desktop solution yet for the original case (nor there will be as nothing is planned for now).

If you are happy with Z3 slots only, getting an X-surf2 or a similar Zorro compatible network card would be the best solution.

Make sure you check Amibench and Ebay for better deals other than going through dealers directly. Save dealers as your last, desparate decision as they are pricey.

[melott]

Hmmm...
Software Hut lists a A3000 desktop version
of the Mediator. Are you saying is doesn't exist???

Also I didn't really plan to Towerize my A3k-d.
I would prefer to stay with the desktop.

What I'm looking at here is cost efectiveness.
If I could add the Mediator and a cheap lan
card and the GFX card I already have then
relatively speaking the upgrade wouldn't be
costing that much.
I could sell my Cybervision64 card in favor of
the GFX Blaster card and a $10.00 lan card.
Then I would be open for other upgrades if
the urge arose.
But I'm balking at the cost of the Mediator.
And the price of the X-Serf compared to a
$10.00 pc card.
If I can justify the cost of the Mediator then I'd
buy it but not to just 'have' it.

[x56h34]

A3000D mediator is compatible with A3000 motherboards that came out of desktop cases is the correct description which everyone failed to make  clear, unofrtunately...especially Elbox.

The A3000D mediator only fits inside Mirage 3000 tower.

A4000Di mediator fits inside A4000D case (C= case) however A3000D equivalent of that product doesn't exist.

You will need a Voodoo 3 PCI card (2000 or 3000) in order to get RTG graphics through mediator, or at least S3 Virge PCI which is about on par performance wise with CV64/3D as they use exactly the same chipset. You can't just use any PCI gfx card with mediator as each one requires a specific driver written for it, and so far there's only drivers for Voodoo 3, 4, and 5 PCI, and S3 Virge PCI.

Your cheapest option is a Z2 ethernet card otherwise (prices taken from Elbox store):

Mirage 3000 Tower - 179.95 EUR
Mediator PCI 3000D - 289.95EUR

That's about 590USD before shipping.

And you would look for Ethernet, Sound, and Voodoo 3 elsewhere for better deals.

[melott]

Hmm...
I guess that would leave out the Mediator.
I don't really see the point in it, given the
limited options.

Any other suggestions on a lan card ??
The only one I know of is the X-Serf.

[mikey2001]

Ive got an Ariadne (v1.2) in my 3000, works pretty good, you might be able to pick up a cheap one second hand. :-)

[Ilwrath]

Any other suggestions on a lan card ??
The only one I know of is the X-Serf.

That is the only Amiga Zorro-style network card still in production.   I've heard good things about it, but I've never owned one, myself.  (I owned an original series X-surf that I was very unhappy with.)

The second hand market has some nice cards available with the Ariadne II and other older cards, though.  Personally, I run an old C= ethernet card with no problems.  It was a cheap find on eBay, and I should have gotten that one in the first place.  ;-)