Looking for backup options and network for old A4000T

[VmanJeff]

I have an 1997 A4000T Toaster/Flyer/TBC IV setup. She used to be connected to my LAN with and Ariadne card (which I have) but can’t get working. AmiTCP is installed but no matter the config I try there is no activity on the board LED’s. The board also seemed to get hotter than necessary as I tried to configure. It does show up in information and sysinfo but no activity. I’m trying to connect to a switch which is connected to an ORBI router. The ORBI never sees the card. Maybe I’ll chase some info I get here but maybe just look for a newer/better option. But is seems all the cards I’ve found are no longer available so I’ll need to watch the used sections. I also have a Hydra card with the serial to RJ45 dongle for the back. But that card is a really tight fit in the tower and will block the Flyer card air spacing up more than I’d like so I haven’t tried it.
Also! I’m looking for a way to modernize just a bit and get a solid state drive or thumb drive into the chain so I can backup all my existing data and programs on the computer. Like take each partition and copy the contents to a drawer on any more reliable storage. I would also like to add USB so I’ll have the ability to plug a thumb drive in when necessary. I’ve come across the Zulu cards which attach to the SCSI buss and I’m liking that possibility for storage. It seems those cards have a USB C port also although the documentation doesn’t really say much about that??  Any info/suggestions would be appreciated!!

[Boing-ball]

Get yourself over to Amibay. Plenty of new and exciting tech now available for ZIII machines to buy.
There are now all in one alternatives such as the ZORLAN-IDE-Clockport card with 10/100MB Network, IDE port using LIDE and a A1200 Fast Clockport for USB connectivity such as the Trident USB.

If you want something simpler, then an Individual Computers solution such as the X-Surf-100 with Z2 or Z3 modes at 10/100Mb LAN with a port for the RapidRoad USB module.

As for the Zulu SCSI. Good SD SCSI HDD replacement. The USB on those is for Firmware Updates and PC/MAC connectivity.

[VmanJeff]

Thank you. I’ve seen several of these out there but still wading through the understanding process.