Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!cs.utexas.edu!asuvax!noao!arizona!dave
From: dave@cs.arizona.edu (Dave Schaumann)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.datacomm
Subject: Re: Networking an Amiga 500 to a 3000
Message-ID: <1575@caslon.cs.arizona.edu>
Date: 16 Jun 91 21:18:07 GMT
References: <17888@chaph.usc.edu>
Organization: U of Arizona CS Dept, Tucson
Lines: 32

In article <17888@chaph.usc.edu> seguine@girtab.usc.edu (Christopher Seguine) writes:
> I picked up an A500 cheap and would like to netwrok it to my 3000...
>
> What is the best way to do this?
This really depends on what you want to do.  You can do anything from
sneakernet (manually transferring disks) to ethernet (multiple machines
connected over a dedicated hardware data line).  If you only want to 
connect two machines, the best (certainly the cheapest and simplest) would
be through a null modem.  Then you can use the appropriate software to
interface the computers.

>I heard of a program called DNET? Is this available for FTP anywhere?

DNet is a set of programs by Matt Dillon.  The most recent offficial
release can be found on Fred Fish Disk #294.

>How fast is it? What I would like to do is basically load files from
>my 3000 hard drive through programs running on my 500.... 

Basically, DNet allows multiple virtual connections between two machines
over a single physical machine (either Amiga<->Amiga or Amiga<->Unix box).
That means you can have multiple terminals, file transfers, remote shells,
and other useful things operating over a single modem.  Naturally, to a
large extent it is as fast as your modem connection allows.  I use it over
a 2400 baud connection, and I would say that is (barely) adequate.  I think
it would really shine at rates >= 9600 baud.

I would say that this is probable the best way for you to go, at least
at first.  It's cheap: the software is free (thanks, Matt!), and the
hardware (assuming you use a null modem) can be had quite inexpensively.
It can be a bear setting it up, especially for a Amiga<->Unix box connection,
but IMHO it's worth it.  And you only have to install it once. :-)