Getting an internet connection on SE/30 w/ 7.5.3 (MacPPP, MacTCP config help!)

[TrueNorthStrong]

I am at my wits end here, trying to get an internet connection setup and running on my SE/30. 

I've browsed all over the web for a long while now trying every which way to get an internet connection running, but each page seems to omit information that I guess they figured was common knowledge. However, those bits of info seem to be causing me headaches. 

I know I'm close, so I'm hoping that someone is able to help me out. 

I have the SE/30 running, with MacTCP talking to MacPPP, which then dials out over the modem port to a null modem cable plugged into a USB RS232 adapter. This adapter is plugged into my Raspberry Pi. (Do I need the null modem when working with PPPD?)

I have PPPD installed on my rPi, and I've followed the "deceptively simple" instructions for setting up a pseudo-PPP connection. 

Here's where the problems begin:

First of all, I need to set the DNS information on the SE/30. I can use Google's 8.8.8.8 nameserver, but what on earth do I put for the domain? Google.com? I couldn't seem to find this info out because I'm not quite sure what to search for that. 

When I try and choose an IP address for the SE/30 through MacTCP, it complains that it cannot be set. I suppose this would have to do with the subnet mask, but again I'm new to these concepts and all information online assumes I've taken full university courses on network configuration. I'll be doing that later, but for now I need a "configuring IP addresses for dummies" level of instructions. 

If I run PPPD according to the "deceptively simple fake PPP setup" post, it asks for authentication on the peer. If I give it noauth, I can hit enter and it sems as though nothing happens. What should I expect from successfully running PPPD in this manner? 

Oh so much more I just can't wrap my head around. Do I need a phone number for MacPPP? Terminal window? How exactly does interSLIP conflict with MacPPP, and how do I make sure I've removed interSLIP if it will cause problems? 

tl;dr can someone walk me through setting up this absolute mess of software and hardware to the point where I can get an internet connection on my SE/30? 

I apologize for the really broad-stroke question but I really don't know where to go to find the right answer. It feels like if I follow one page it answers some questions but leaves many more unanswered. 

 

[just.in.time]

I know at least one user on this forum has that setup running.  I tried locating the post talking about it, but am unable to at the moment :-/  If I do see it, I will link it back here.

 

[joethezombie]

I haven't tried this myself, but I was looking over this thread where tact outlines how to do it:

https://68kmla.org/forums/index.php?/topic/28525-how-do-i-connect-a-macintosh-se30-to-the-internet/

 

[TrueNorthStrong]

Thanks for the responses! Actually, I noticed that dreampi project, and it seems that will do nicely. I was really hoping to have a setup involving a real modem too, so I can have the pleasure of actually dialing out a connection. 

Too bad I found out my USR modem is broken. Ack. Not easy to find those locally. 

As a side question (feel free to lock the thread too, mods) does anyone know if I'll need to use inline power if I'm using a generic USB modem and a USR modem on the other side? I feel like the inline power was necessary because of the limitations of the Dreamcast's built in modem. How does a fully featured external modem compare? Or, is it the USB modem that I need to be worried about? 

 

[just.in.time]

That's the guy!

 

[TrueNorthStrong]

So, update: it doesn't work, for now. 

I snagged a V.92 USR modem, got all the cables and little bits, soldered, hooked everything up, and... nothing. 

Does anyone have experience with using the dial up modem on a Macintosh? I used one back in the day, but this was on a windows PC, and it was pre-configured. I never messed with the thing, so I don't fully understand how they communicate with the connected computer. 

Also, if I dial out to the modem using MacPPP on the SE/30, will I audibly hear the dial tones if that's successful? All the settings in MacPPP and on the router itself suggests that I should be able to hear the tones, but the router looks dead in all situations. A couple lights, but no flickering or any semblance of activity. I even got a DB25 RS232 tester (with LEDs on each pin to show activity), and have that inline with the modem. No avail. 

AHHH. I'm very frustrated at this point because I was hoping to have this set up as a demo of "internet in the past" at my office (tech firm). All the different methods online make this seem like a trivial setup, but I've been stumped every time. Surely there's something simple I've missed? Modem drivers? 

If I could pay someone to help me out with this, honestly I would. 

 

[just.in.time]

When I used dialup on my PowerBook and later a beige Power Macintosh G3 I had to have an actual modem (PowerBook 5300cs used a PCMCIA card with dongle, and PM G3 used a modem that connected to the modem port).  From here, on the Mac side I would then use either AOL or Mac PPP (whatever it was called that 7.6.1 through 8.6 or so used), select the proper modem script for my brand of modem, input the relevant details (number, account, etc) in, and connect.

Getting to the point of that whole walk-thru, it sounds like you have the phone line wires hooked directly into the modem port on the SE/30, but do you have an actual external modem (not including the v.92 usr unit being use with the Raspberry Pi)?

My understanding of how this setup works is:

(Mac) <-serial-> (modem) <-phone line-> (modem) <-USB-> (R Pi)

And the Raspberry Pi modem essentially picks up the incoming call from the Mac's (or DreamCast in the case of most documentation) "phone call," then does the necessary routing to share the Pi's internet connection over USB to the modem, back to the Mac.

That's not to say that is the ONLY way for this to work, but that is how I understand your setup and the expected setup.

If you go with DreamPi:

Set the Mac to dial out to 111-1111 with username 'dream' password 'dreamcast' (these 3 will definitely have to be used to dial in)

primary dns 46.101.91.123 secondary dns 8.8.8.8 (these two may be adjustable, but a good starting point since that is what they used)

I will be using this setup when I get my Portable up and running as it has the optional built in modem

 

[ArmorAlley]

Hi TrueNorthStrong,

This is not the direct answer to the question that you asked: Why don't you save up for a PDS ethernet card? They cost between $50-100, increase the value of SE/30 (if that is of any interest to you) and allows you to connect to LANs and the Internet (again, for it is worth) with considerable more ease than via modem.

True, you will need a mac-cracker (long Torx screwdriver - Torx-15, I think) in order to open your case to install said ethernet card, but the end-result is a much more agreeable network experience for your SE/30.

Then again, I am biased and I really don't miss modems. I was so happy when we finally ADSL.

Sorry for having not answered your question,

aa

 

[TrueNorthStrong]

Thanks just.in.time. Yes, that is how it is hooked up. Just a generic USB modem from fleabay hooked up to the rPi. I've made up a telephone line voltage inducer just to be sure. I have noticed that the DreamPi software isn't initializing properly but I'm tight on time and will have to debug that when I have more time. 

The main problem is that I can't actually tell if the computer is properly dialing out to the USR modem. Volume on the modem is all the way up, but nothing can be heard. I've seen this exact modem in use online and it should be making dialing and connection noises. Even if my wiring is messed up, the modem should at least make beeps when dialing. I'd like to get a proper dialing script onto the Mac, but my floppy drive is really touch and go. Do I need a specific script on that mac to act as a driver for the modem, or should any work to a certain degree? At this point I'm aiming to at least hear something out of it before I start getting into debugging connectivity issues. 

As far as I have worked on this it is the only way it seems to work. I tried using SLiRP and PPPD to emulate a modem directly with an rPi hooked up over serial, but to no avail. Plus, having a real modem dialing out and making those classic sounds seems much more authentic. 

Side note- if I used the rPi, and went for full RS422 support, could I leverage the GeoPorts 1mbps max speed to have "high speed" internet on the SE/30? I looked into it a little bit, but I'm not knowledgeable enough regarding RS protocols and driving this stuff with an external clock. Perhaps a project for the future.

Thanks for the tip ArmorAlley, but if I'm not mistaken aren't SE/30 ethernet cards specific to that model? My good friend who is an absolute Macintosh wizard mentioned that the SE/30 needs it's own proprietary ethernet card and they run in the hundreds. Regardless I've been trawling eBay with no luck. I agree with it being a much more elegant solution, but in terms of cost a $15 modem beats a $300 ethernet card any day.

Also, I've already got my extra long t15. I've pulled the screws out of my SE and SE/30 and won't put them back in until I absolutely must. 

Maybe I'll get lucky while I'm in Japan in finding some good vintage hardware. Yahoo Auctions sometimes has nice cheap SE/30 ethernet cards for sale. Hopefully they'll have them at a junk shop. 

Any suggestions on good Japanese hardware to pick up while I'm there? 

 

[ArmorAlley]

Well, whenever I'm in Japan, I always check out the local Sofmap (Theme tune below [1]) and any secondhand shops I happen to stumble across.

[1] If any of you are feeling masochistic:

@TrueNorthStrong: You are correct that are proprietary and they can run into hundreds. I got mine for USD50 some years ago after careful watching of eBay. It might be that they have become rarer since that, and, as a consequence, much more expensive.

 

[TrueNorthStrong]

Excellent. I've got two weeks in Tokyo, I'll be prowling the alleyways with my extremely limited Japanese vocabulary. 

How about Hard Off? I've heard their larger branches carry buckets of loose components. 

I'll have to just keep looking for an ethernet card, but again I'd rather just have a functional modem. Oh well, I'll troubleshoot when I'm back. 

 

[ArmorAlley]

Hard Off? I love Japan.

 

[TrueNorthStrong]

Right? 

To their defense it's a spin off the of the popular used book store called "Book Off". I would assume by "Hard" they meant "Hardware".  

 

[ArmorAlley]

You are correct. I remember "Book Off". If Tsutaya is still around, you can CDs and DVDs for good prices.

When I was there, there was a popular boyband called "Kinki Kids" ( Kinki being a region in Japan, you understand...).