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68net - a modern SCSI to Ethernet board

ronan

Well-known member
Thanks for the hint ! Really happy that you made me learn something today :)  

But I'm still wondering why they don't specify a max mean current for each package in their datasheet though.

 

ronan

Well-known member
Thanks :)

Making different PCBs for each Mac would not make a lot of sense. But I'm working on 3D files to fit the board internally (at least for the SE/30 as it's the only compact Mac I have (yet :p) ). I'm also working on a little adapter 50 pin -> DB25 to connect to the internal SCSI bus :)  That will do the trick !

 

JCBone

Member
A small board with pins to solder into the board and a ribbon cable connector plug would be nice, yes.

I just posted another Idea in the other SCSI to ethernet thread:

Wouldn't it be great if one would put a raspi 3A or something in there too, running an AppleTalk Server for the SE? And a lighthttpd so you can configure it with netscape from the SE/30 side? Then, one could route the connection over the Wifi of the Raspi, which could also provide a smb share over Wifi…

The problem would lie in the RJ45 connection. Maybe a loopback cable that would only be connected in wifi Mode… 

 

ronan

Well-known member
Nothing prevents you to plug 68net to a raspi via ethernet. You can then have an AppleShare server on the raspi, and the raspi could bridge ethernet to wifi/internet. This is quite easy.

I'm not sure to understand what the problem would be ?

 

JCBone

Member
*g* No, no problem. Just had that Idea. Just how to hide it all in the SE/30… maybe take the board out of a really small switch and put it in there, too. The is a lot of space where the HD used to be. :)

 

ronan

Well-known member
Oh I see you would want to hide the raspberry pi inside the SE/30 case ?

I think I would just leave it outside the SE/30.

 

JCBone

Member
Well yeah, it's an all in one! With neat cabling, this should be a nice addition. Maybe the pi would need an external antenna or wifi dongle outside the case because all the interference of the crt?

Picture this: I'm doing the protocols at my local firefighter station, when there are official gatherings etc. How cool would it be to turn up with an SE/30, do the protocol and print it immediately on the wireless printer :-D . This thing is from 1990! Uh, where's my copy of Framemaker! Hmmm, is there a way to share a cups driver as a AppleTalk LaserWriter?

And since all is reversible there's no harm done.

Any idea when you have a somewhat final version? ;-)  - no hurry, right now my machine is in pieces and awaits recapping.

 

ronan

Well-known member
Any idea when you have a somewhat final version? ;-)  - no hurry, right now my machine is in pieces and awaits recapping.


I just received today my digikey order, and I should receive my jlcpcb in the evening. So in the nest 10 days I should be able to let you know what is the status of the project and if I need a new revision of the board before getting to to the final version.

I'l let you know soon !

 

JCBone

Member
Thinking about it, an external enclosure has it's merits. Maybe one could put the 68net, the scsi2SD (with easier access to the SD card) and a raspberry pi zero into it and velcro it to the back of the SE/30… One would need a reeeeally short SCSI Cable though, and somehow 5V form inside the case. 

 

micheledipaola

Well-known member
Thinking about it, an external enclosure has it's merits. Maybe one could put the 68net, the scsi2SD (with easier access to the SD card) and a raspberry pi zero into it and velcro it to the back of the SE/30… One would need a reeeeally short SCSI Cable though, and somehow 5V form inside the case. 


The cable from the scsi Zip drive works for my external scsi2sd (v.5.5) to connect it to my Quadra 700, providing the necessary 5V.

It it worth saying that the external enclosure of scsi2sd 5.5 works perfectly on "pizza box" Macs, but the shape of the rear case of Quadra 700 makes it impossible to plug it in without taking it out of the case, or indeed using a cable like the Zip one - so an external enclosure should consider this shape factor too.

If the point is accessing the sd, I am waiting for an extension cable for SD cards to arrive, because I want to see if I can manage to leave the SD card hanging outside the back of my SE (I was thinking to use the Kingston lock hole for this...) and plug it to an internal scsi2sd via the extension cable. Hopefully it will come soon and I will be able to try and see if it works.

 

ronan

Well-known member
Lookin' lovely! Can't wait to see everything set up. [:)]

<config tangent>

I'm still trying to think of a good reason why a multi-function printed chassis  in standard 3.5" form factor to replace the FDD wouldn't be an optimal solution, given FloppyEmu used on the backside if swapping out SD card(s) through the opening isn't good enough? A miniature USB could be plugged in as well when needed?

View attachment 38951

Do it right and it could look like an empty auto-inject drive when not in use. It'd act in the manner of a 19th Century shore defense gun carriage, raising into battery on a pivot actuated by paperclip and falling back on second clip-poke. Reversed function, loaded/reloaded in raised position and in general use when lowered. Once the basic chassis/carriage action implementation is perfected, customized platforms would be easily designed and printed for any number of possible configurations.

</config tangent>


Sorry I'm not sure to understand what you mean ?

 

JCBone

Member
Lookin' lovely! Can't wait to see everything set up. [:)]

<config tangent>

I'm still trying to think of a good reason why a multi-function printed chassis  in standard 3.5" form factor to replace the FDD wouldn't be an optimal solution, given FloppyEmu used on the backside if swapping out SD card(s) through the opening isn't good enough? A miniature USB could be plugged in as well when needed?

View attachment 38951

Do it right and it could look like an empty auto-inject drive when not in use. It'd act in the manner of a 19th Century shore defense gun carriage, raising into battery on a pivot actuated by paperclip and falling back on second clip-poke. Reversed function, loaded/reloaded in raised position and in general use when lowered. Once the basic chassis/carriage action implementation is perfected, customized platforms would be easily designed and printed for any number of possible configurations.

</config tangent>


…and I thought my ideas were a little whacky. :-D

 

ironborn65

Well-known member
Great project, I'm looking forward to try and test it:

I have:

macii, classic, classic ii, iici, iisi, powerbook g3, macbook 190 (it has the tiny squared connector) , powermac 5400, powermac 6100, G4 sawtooth with scsi PCI card

so excited... 

Best 

 
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