Re: [Ql-Users] QBOX BBS for TCP/IP released!
Hi Peter, On Tue, 10 Mar 2020 at 09:03, pgraf--- via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > > Anyway, it's working now... got about 30Kbit throughput between the Q68 > and > > a BBQL with GC, which is about the expected rate given the fact that > QLnet > > is half-duplex. SERnet between Q68 and PC is about twice as fast at > 115200 > > baud, but as I said it's easier to do bulk transfers by swapping SDHC > > cards. At least my BBQLs now have easy access to real mass-storage :-). > > Glad it works for you. Only 30 Kbit sounds a bit low, was that with > mass storage or ramdisk? > This was by copying a file (unzip) of 58 bytes from ramdisk on Q68 to ramdisk on BBQL+GC, which took about 29 seconds from Q68 to BBQL. The other way round was a bit faster, 22 seconds so about 5000 cps. But copying from Q68 to BBQL with Trump card took 41 seconds, so processor speed does play a role. On my Issue 5 (JM) QLs I couldn't get the network to work. I apparently made a mistake in converting cps to bps, as the bytes on QLnet seem to be sent with a gap of 5 bits so I should multiply by 13 to get bps, which yields around 65Kbps. The theoretical limit would be 1bit/11.2us = 90Kbps but the network protocol will have a significant overhead caused by the small packet size (256 bytes) which means you lose a lot of throughput since the sender has to wait for an ACK every 256 bytes. Even on SERnet (which is full-duplex) this is an issue and also the reason why protocols like XMODEM has a poor performance on high-speed modem lines. On the other hand, streaming protocols like ZMODEM perform very well if there is proper flow control on your serial link but fail miserably when there isn't... Jan -- *Jan Bredenbeek* | Hilversum, NL | j...@bredenbeek.net ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] QBOX BBS for TCP/IP released!
Hi Jan, > > > Or is there a simple way to convert the sound output socket to a network > > > socket with minimal damage? > > > > It is even possible without *any* damage, but you would lose sound. Some > > tinkering would be involved, drilling a hole is definitely easier. > > > > From what I can see I have to remove the capacitors(?) in the PCB tracks to > the socket, which is quite a challenge given their small size, the crowded > PCB area and my aging eyes :-( I wouldn't recommend to use the sound connector anyway. > So I have mounted the resistors and diode > in the area for the expansion connector and used the ground hole on the > reset connector for ground (I did not dare to use the ground hole on the > expansion connector as it's very close to the +3.3V and a short-circuit is > easily made. Nice idea. Another ground point is the singular pin above the SDRAM IC. > Anyway, it's working now... got about 30Kbit throughput between the Q68 and > a BBQL with GC, which is about the expected rate given the fact that QLnet > is half-duplex. SERnet between Q68 and PC is about twice as fast at 115200 > baud, but as I said it's easier to do bulk transfers by swapping SDHC > cards. At least my BBQLs now have easy access to real mass-storage :-). Glad it works for you. Only 30 Kbit sounds a bit low, was that with mass storage or ramdisk? Peter ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] QBOX BBS for TCP/IP released!
On Wed, 4 Mar 2020 at 18:05, Peter Graf via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > > If you have no problem with network plugs on the front side, then I'd > recommend drilling a hole to the front panel. > For the moment I have removed the on/off switch as I pull out the mains plug of the power supply anyway to save energy. > > Or is there a simple way to convert the sound output socket to a network > > socket with minimal damage? > > It is even possible without *any* damage, but you would lose sound. Some > tinkering would be involved, drilling a hole is definitely easier. > >From what I can see I have to remove the capacitors(?) in the PCB tracks to the socket, which is quite a challenge given their small size, the crowded PCB area and my aging eyes :-(. So I have mounted the resistors and diode in the area for the expansion connector and used the ground hole on the reset connector for ground (I did not dare to use the ground hole on the expansion connector as it's very close to the +3.3V and a short-circuit is easily made. Anyway, it's working now... got about 30Kbit throughput between the Q68 and a BBQL with GC, which is about the expected rate given the fact that QLnet is half-duplex. SERnet between Q68 and PC is about twice as fast at 115200 baud, but as I said it's easier to do bulk transfers by swapping SDHC cards. At least my BBQLs now have easy access to real mass-storage :-). Jan -- *Jan Bredenbeek* | Hilversum, NL | j...@bredenbeek.net ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] QBOX BBS for TCP/IP released!
Jan wrote: >> Oh well, I first thought the FidoNet utils would be useless these days That reminds me of the good old days of the MausNet. That was quite a good time just receiving mails in the morning and in the evening. Cheers...Ralf ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] QBOX BBS for TCP/IP released!
Am 04.03.2020 um 17:26 schrieb Jan Bredenbeek via Ql-Users: > I've just ordered Schottky diodes for the operation 'Q68-net'. > I followed the discussion on the QL forum about fitting network sockets to > the Q68 case. This doesn't look very straightforward. I think removing the > on/off switch and mounting the network socket there will be the best > solution with minimal impact (I only need one network socket). If you have no problem with network plugs on the front side, then I'd recommend drilling a hole to the front panel. > Or is there a simple way to convert the sound output socket to a network > socket with minimal damage? It is even possible without *any* damage, but you would lose sound. Some tinkering would be involved, drilling a hole is definitely easier. Peter ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] QBOX BBS for TCP/IP released!
On Mon, 2 Mar 2020 at 18:56, Peter Graf via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Hi Jan, > > > I personally use a Linux machine or Raspberry Pi with tcpser and a> > USB-to-serial converter to exchange files to my BBQL. > How about using a Q68 as bridge from Linux (SER) to QLNET (BBQL)? > > This way you could use higher baudrates. And network is much faster on > the BBQL than SER. > >From PC or RPi to Q68 it's just a matter of swapping SDHC cards ;-). I've just ordered Schottky diodes for the operation 'Q68-net'. I followed the discussion on the QL forum about fitting network sockets to the Q68 case. This doesn't look very straightforward. I think removing the on/off switch and mounting the network socket there will be the best solution with minimal impact (I only need one network socket). Or is there a simple way to convert the sound output socket to a network socket with minimal damage? For users without a Q68, QBOX's FidoNet technology network utilities might be a better way to exchange files without having to log in to a BBS and manually downloading each file. I'll upload them asap. This way you could transfer files by putting them on hold as attachments and use POLL/MAIL to get them off the BBS. Oh well, I first thought the FidoNet utils would be useless these days but now there still seems to be a use case for them :-). Jan -- *Jan Bredenbeek* | Hilversum, NL | j...@bredenbeek.net ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] QBOX BBS for TCP/IP released!
Hi Jan, > I personally use a Linux machine or Raspberry Pi with tcpser and a> > USB-to-serial converter to exchange files to my BBQL. How about using a Q68 as bridge from Linux (SER) to QLNET (BBQL)? This way you could use higher baudrates. And network is much faster on the BBQL than SER. Peter ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] QBOX BBS for TCP/IP released!
On Mon, 2 Mar 2020 at 13:10, Fabrizio Diversi via Ql-Users < ql-users@lists.q-v-d.com> wrote: > Yep, it is pretty cool. > > I am already using it to update files on different Ql machines. > It's definitely a solution to transfer files from emulated environments to a BBQL if you can't use floppydisks or QL-SD. > What I think is under estimated and not fully understood it is the > possibility to use Qbox not only with emulator that have tcp/ip built > in but also by BBQL, Q6x with Simulant retro WIFI Rs232 adapter. The > adapter is a very small box that connect to SER1 (powered by usual phone > mini usb) > I personally use a Linux machine or Raspberry Pi with tcpser and a USB-to-serial converter to exchange files to my BBQL. It has Hermes fitted so the theoretical speed would be 19200 bps. In practice, your mileage may vary depending on whether flow control (CTS/RTS) is working on your serial link. Please read the QL-client.md file on the GitHub repository for more info on how to use a BBQL. Jan. -- *Jan Bredenbeek* | Hilversum, NL | j...@bredenbeek.net ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] QBOX BBS for TCP/IP released!
Yep, it is pretty cool. I am already using it to update files on different Ql machines. What I think is under estimated and not fully understood it is the possibility to use Qbox not only with emulator that have tcp/ip built in but also by BBQL, Q6x with Simulant retro WIFI Rs232 adapter. The adapter is a very small box that connect to SER1 (powered by usual phone mini usb) Using it, you can easily connect QLs to internet via Wifi, the box assign a dedicated IP address to the QL and establish a connection with other machine in your Lan (QL or not). I have multiple adapter and use them to connect to the 2 QL servers (a raspberry and my pC) using Qbox. The Wifi adapter accept the command ATD"192.168.1.xx:5000" where xx is the address of the server, possibly (i think but not sure) even the IP Net driver of Martin Head could be extended to use it. Fabrizio On 02/03/2020 10:26, Marcel Kilgus via Ql-Users wrote: Jan Bredenbeek via Ql-Users wrote: On this (Quantum) Leap day, I proudly present the re-release of QBOX. And not just the version that's been laying around for years in scattered files, but a complete ready-to-run WIN container that works over TCP/IP on QPC2, SMSQmulator and UQLX! It also contains the complete QL file archive of my BBS from 1987 to 2003, which is about 48MB. Oh my good, this is pretty cool. The only thing that's missing for the complete retro experience is the anxiousness over the accumulate phone bill and the haste to get things done as quickly as possible! :) I often chatted to Jochen through his BBS and we exchanged SMSQ/E sources and stuff this way as sending floppy discs quickly became too annoying ;) Good times. Cheers, Marcel ___ QL-Users Mailing List ___ QL-Users Mailing List
Re: [Ql-Users] QBOX BBS for TCP/IP released!
Jan Bredenbeek via Ql-Users wrote: > On this (Quantum) Leap day, I proudly present the re-release of QBOX. And > not just the version that's been laying around for years in scattered > files, but a complete ready-to-run WIN container that works over TCP/IP on > QPC2, SMSQmulator and UQLX! It also contains the complete QL file archive > of my BBS from 1987 to 2003, which is about 48MB. Oh my good, this is pretty cool. The only thing that's missing for the complete retro experience is the anxiousness over the accumulate phone bill and the haste to get things done as quickly as possible! :) I often chatted to Jochen through his BBS and we exchanged SMSQ/E sources and stuff this way as sending floppy discs quickly became too annoying ;) Good times. Cheers, Marcel ___ QL-Users Mailing List