Very Computer

Hi fellow helpers;

I like to get some use out of my 8088 XT, my hope is to network it to a
Linux machine.  I paid $1500 for it back in the old....old days.
Via by Slip, PLIP, or PPP, ethernet is out the question. I do not want
to pump more money into the XT anymore.

Is this possible  ?
(XT's do not have a windows enviroment)

if yes,   1  what sofware do i need for the XT with 640K RAM ?

          2  how difficult is it ?

          3  Would you point me in the right direction.

I have read part of the Linux network guide, found no help on this subjuct.

if not, please state it is not possible. Then i may rest in peace and use
the XT for some other purpose.

Some guy has posted that it was possible, and have sent mail to them.  So
far, no reponse.   I believe them, for VT220 dummy terminals are
able to connect via serial to unix or VAX machines.

thanks for any help.

Quote:>I like to get some use out of my 8088 XT, my hope is to network it to a
>Linux machine.  I paid $1500 for it back in the old....old days.
>Via by Slip, PLIP, or PPP, ethernet is out the question. I do not want
>to pump more money into the XT anymore.

>Is this possible  ?
>(XT's do not have a windows enviroment)

You need KA9Q NOS (Network Operating System).  This is a little tiny
multitasking OS that can run on 8088 PCs (it runs on top of MS-DOS,
like Windows does).  It pretty much won't do *anything* except
networking stuff.  It will let you start up multiple telnet and FTP
sessions, and will do a few other things as well.  It can even be set
up to do routing, I think.  It can be made to fit on one floppy disk.

You will also probably need a packet driver for whichever connection
method you want to use.  There are packet drivers for SLIP, PLIP and
PPP, so you can pick whichever one you think you'll like the most.

Naturally, there is some learning involved, but if you're already
pretty familiar with TCP/IP networking in Linux on one hand, and
MS-DOS PCs and the idiosyncracies of configuring them on the other
hand, you shouldn't have much trouble.
--

Quote:>Hi fellow helpers;
>I like to get some use out of my 8088 XT, my hope is to network it to a
>Linux machine.  I paid $1500 for it back in the old....old days.
>Via by Slip, PLIP, or PPP, ethernet is out the question. I do not want
>to pump more money into the XT anymore.

A little more difficuilt:
Use a SLIP-packet-driver and NCSA-telnet for the XT, and create a SLIP
connection (with dip, for example). NCSA telnet allows more than one
telnet session at the same time, so you have something like virtual
consoles. Is very nice, I have this running at home (but with ethernet,
I got two old 8-bit cards for 0 $)

  Gerd

--

Aus dem Verkehrsfunk: "Die Fahrzeit von der Warschauer Stra"se zur
Oberbaumbr"ucke betr"agt eine dreiviertel Stunde."
PS: Das ist maximal ein halber Kilometer...

: >Hi fellow helpers;

: >I like to get some use out of my 8088 XT, my hope is to network it to a
: >Linux machine.  I paid $1500 for it back in the old....old days.
: >Via by Slip, PLIP, or PPP, ethernet is out the question. I do not want
: >to pump more money into the XT anymore.

: The simple way: Take a nullmodem cable, add (or uncomment) a getty entry in
: the /etc/inittab file for the serial device, enter "telinit q" and run
: a terminal program of your choice on the XT. You should get a login prompt...

: A little more difficuilt:
: Use a SLIP-packet-driver and NCSA-telnet for the XT, and create a SLIP
: connection (with dip, for example). NCSA telnet allows more than one
: telnet session at the same time, so you have something like virtual
: consoles. Is very nice, I have this running at home (but with ethernet,
: I got two old 8-bit cards for 0 $)

:   Gerd

Or, just install iscreen (prep.ai.mit.edu), which will give you "virtual
consoles" from any serial terminal.

Quote:

>Hi fellow helpers;

>I like to get some use out of my 8088 XT, my hope is to network it to a
>Linux machine.  I paid $1500 for it back in the old....old days.
>Via by Slip, PLIP, or PPP, ethernet is out the question. I do not want
>to pump more money into the XT anymore.

>Is this possible  ?
>(XT's do not have a windows enviroment)

>if yes,   1  what sofware do i need for the XT with 640K RAM ?

>      2  how difficult is it ?

>      3  Would you point me in the right direction.

>I have read part of the Linux network guide, found no help on this subjuct.

>if not, please state it is not possible. Then i may rest in peace and use
>the XT for some other purpose.

>Some guy has posted that it was possible, and have sent mail to them.  So
>far, no reponse.   I believe them, for VT220 dummy terminals are
>able to connect via serial to unix or VAX machines.

>thanks for any help.

Steve

  Don Layman              Telecomm Specialist     Boise District  B.L.M.