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- | ====== Raspberry Pi Serial to Ethernet interface ====== | ||
- | === Otherwise known as VModem === | ||
- | //A guide for turning a Raspberry Pi into a Modem Simulator to provide Ethernet access to devices with only a serial RS-232 port.// | ||
~~NOTOC~~ | ~~NOTOC~~ | ||
- | {{ :guides:pics:google_search_with_ns3.png?650 |}} | + | ====== The Raspberry Pi Virtual Modem ====== |
+ | // Dial-Up Internet-Service-Provider-in-a-box ! Turn a Raspberry Pi into a Serial Dial-up Modem to connect to the Internet // | ||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{ youtube>H-rCLei0sc8?medium }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | \\ | ||
---- | ---- | ||
- | In this four-part tutorial we will build a Raspberry Pi that will be able to present itself as a serial modem to a client computer which will enable easy connection to Internet using their pre-existing serial port on any Windows 3.1/95/98/Me and any other operating system with built-in support for [[wp>Point-to-Point Protocol|PPP]]. In other words we'll be using a Raspberry Pi to translate a serial connection into an Ethernet connection. When all is said and done, your Windows 3.1/9x computer will be fooled to think that it's calling an actual [[wp>Internet Service Provider]] and establishing an Internet connection with them. This will in fact just be your Raspberry Pi telling your computer what it wants to hear, and is just providing access to the Internet using your pre-existing Internet connection. | ||
- | The [[.:virtual_modem:script|Virtual Modem script]] will not only allow you to connect your old computer to the Internet, it will allow you to use the serial connection to login to the console of the Raspberry Pi or fake [[wp>Bulletin board system|BBS]] phone calls for example. The script was designed to be modular, and will allow you to assign your own Linux scripts to specific phone numbers, accessed with standard Hayes "ATD12345"-style commands. I will be writing specific tutorials about these functions at a later time. | + | \\ |
+ | Do you remember the early days of Internet and dial-up connectivity? We used to be connected to the Internet using a modem connected to a telephone network, and the only thing computers needed was a serial port for communication, which virtually every computer had. Nowadays every computer sold has some sort of Wi-fi or Ethernet connectivity, but our vintage computers are left to rot offline! I plan to change that. Nowadays, there are many ways you can get a PC online, including getting a 3com 3C503 or 3C509 network adapter, but sometimes an old PC just doesn't have expansion for a network card expansion, or maybe you're not even trying to connect with a PC. Well, whatever piece of technological equipment it may be, as long as it has at least one serial port, a keyboard and a display, you're in luck! Get to experience connecting to the Internet just like during the golden days of the Internet. | ||
- | The end result will be a Raspberry Pi that will simulate a Generic 57600 baud modem. Your client computer will be able to communicate with it over serial, and through the Raspberry, connect to the network and the Internet. The baud rate can be changed to your liking. I've tested the virtual modem at the following symbol rates: 9600, 19200, 38400 and 57600 baud. | + | \\ |
+ | {{ :guides:pics:vmodem-header.png?nolink |}} | ||
- | This guide is useful for anyone who would like to do networking or connect to the Internet without a network card. It could also be useful for anyone who would like to experiment with a Virtual Modem. Since pretty much every IBM compatible computer has a RS-232 serial port, technically you could connect any older PC compatible computer to the Ethernet, as long as there is a way to use PPP. Windows 3.1 will need an extra program called Trumpet Winsock, but Windows 95 and later operating systems have PPP built-in! | + | \\ |
- | <WRAP center round info 70%> | + | In this four-part tutorial we will build a Raspberry Pi that will act as a serial modem to a legacy computer which will enable a straightforward connection to Internet using a pre-existing serial port on any computer with support for [[wp>Point-to-Point Protocol|PPP]], this includes all Windows computers starting from Windows 3.0 and early Macintosh classics. But PPP support is not strictly required, and even simple serial terminals can connect to the Internet using Linux as a login host. In other words we'll use a Raspberry to convert a serial connection to an Ethernet connection. When all is said and done, your legacy computer will think it's calling a real [[wp>Internet Service Provider]] and establishing an Internet link with them! Your Raspberry Pi will just be telling your computer what it wants to hear, and is actually the one providing access to the Internet using your pre-existing Internet connection. |
- | ==== Heed my word! But just in case... ==== | + | |
- | There may be better ways to accomplish the task at hand. I've designed this process according to what has worked for me, and there are probably a plethora of ways this process could be improved. I welcome any improvement ideas and fixes to the guide and scripts provided. Also, naturally I cannot take any responsibility direct or indirect of any damages that may be caused by following these instructions. All materials are provided AS IS, however I've taken every reasonable step to make sure everything should work as intended. | + | |
- | </WRAP> | + | |
- | <WRAP center round important 60%> | + | {{ :guides:pics:win95-dialup2.png?nolink}} |
- | ==== A work in progress! ==== | + | |
- | I am currently in the process of writing this tutorial. At it's current state the tutorial is in **BETA**. This message will be updated as I continue to work on this guide. | + | \\ |
+ | The [[.:virtual_modem:script|Virtual Modem script]] will not only allow you to connect your old computer to the Internet, it will allow you to use the serial connection to login to the console of the Raspberry Pi or fake [[wp>Bulletin board system|BBS]] phone calls for example. The VModem script was designed to be modular, and allows you to assign your own Linux scripts to specific phone numbers, accessed with standard Hayes "ATD12345"-style commands, and the scripts will be able to do whatever you would like them to do. I will be writing more specific tutorials about these functions at a later time, so stay tuned! | ||
+ | |||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | My goal is to have a Raspberry Pi simulate a Standard 56K modem. Your client computer will be able to communicate with it over serial, and through the Raspberry, connect to the Internet. The baud rate can be changed to your liking. I've tested the virtual modem at the following symbol rates: 9600, 19200, 38400 and 57600 baud. | ||
+ | |||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{ :guides:pics:netscape-navigator-4-0-header-2.png?nolink |}} | ||
+ | |||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | This guide is useful for anyone who would like to do PPP networking experimentation or have a computer connect to the Internet without a network card. It could also be useful for anyone who would like to experiment with a Simulated Modem. Since pretty much every IBM compatible computer has a RS-232 serial port, technically you could connect any computer to the Internet, or any other network, as long as there is a way to use dial-up PPP. Windows 3.0, 3.1 and 3.11 will need an extra program called Trumpet Winsock, but Windows 95 and later operating systems have built-in Dial-up networking. I will be adding Microsoft TCP/IP-32 for Windows 3.1 support soon. | ||
+ | |||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | <WRAP center round info 60%> | ||
+ | **Disclaimer** \\ I cannot take any responsibility direct or otherwise for any damages that may be caused by using the material provided on this site. That being said, I've taken reasonable steps to ensure everything works as intended. There are likely better ways to accomplish some tasks, and as such I welcome all improvement suggestions! | ||
</WRAP> | </WRAP> | ||
- | On to the next chapter! | + | \\ |
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== Screenshots ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | | {{:guides:pics:win95-dialup1.png?nolink}} | | ||
+ | |||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | Virtual Modem can be used in conjunction with ProtoWeb, the 90's Internet Service Provider. | ||
+ | Please visit [[http://www.protoweb.org]] for more information. | ||
+ | \\ | ||
+ | | {{:guides:pics:netscape-navigator-4-0-epic.png?420|}} | {{:guides:pics:netscape-navigator-4-0.png?420|}} | | ||
+ | /* | ||
+ | |||
+ | | {{:guides:pics:netscape_cern.gif?420|}} | {{ :guides:pics:netscape_google.gif?420 |}} | | ||
+ | |||
+ | * | ||
+ | |||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | |||
+ | On to the next chapter! | ||
| [[Guides:Virtual Modem|This Page]] | [[Guides:Virtual Modem:Section 2|2 - Shopping list >>]] | | | [[Guides:Virtual Modem|This Page]] | [[Guides:Virtual Modem:Section 2|2 - Shopping list >>]] | | ||
- | ==== Skip ahead to other sections ==== | + | ===== Skip to other sections ===== |
- | * [[Guides:Virtual Modem|Section 1 - Introduction]] << You are on this page | + | * **[[Guides:Virtual Modem|Section 1 - Introduction]] << You are here** |
* [[Guides:Virtual Modem:Section 2|Section 2 - Shopping list]] | * [[Guides:Virtual Modem:Section 2|Section 2 - Shopping list]] | ||
* [[Guides:Virtual Modem:Section 3|Section 3 - Setting up Raspbian]] | * [[Guides:Virtual Modem:Section 3|Section 3 - Setting up Raspbian]] | ||
* [[Guides:Virtual Modem:Section 4|Section 4 - Setting up Virtual Modem]] | * [[Guides:Virtual Modem:Section 4|Section 4 - Setting up Virtual Modem]] | ||
+ | * [[Guides:Virtual Modem:Section 5|Section 5 - Using Virtual Modem]] | ||
+ | |||
* [[Guides:Connecting Windows 3.1 to the Internet]] | * [[Guides:Connecting Windows 3.1 to the Internet]] | ||
- | * [[Guides:Connecting Windows 95/98 to the Internet]] COMING SOON | + | * [[Guides:Connecting Windows 9x to the Internet]] |
- | * [[Guides:Connecting a Digital VT100 compatible terminal to the Internet]] COMING SOON | + | * [[Guides:Connecting Windows 2000 to the Internet]] |
- | ---- | + | /* |
- | ===== Questions? Comments? ===== | + | * [[Guides:Connecting a Macintosh Classic to the Internet]] | COMING SOON |
- | I welcome any corrections, additions, files or any other handy resources you'd like to share. And if you'd like to become a contributor, I would be happy to hear from you! | + | * [[Guides:Connecting a Serial Terminal to the Internet]] | COMING SOON |
- | | [[:Contact Information]] | | + | */ |
- | ---- | + | ===== Related topics ===== |
+ | * [[http://www.protoweb.org/|ProtoWeb, the 90's Internet Service Provider]] | Connect your retro computer to surf a real copy of the 90's Web! | ||
+ | * [[Guides:List of Compatible Websites|Classic website list]] | List of classic websites that work with classic web browsers. | ||
+ | * [[Guides:Virtual Modem:Script|Virtual Modem Source code and Coding Examples]] | ||
- | ===== About this site ===== | ||
- | //Resources on this site are provided as-is. I cannot guarantee that the information is accurate and/or that the software will work as expected in your case. As such, I cannot be held responsible or liable for any damage(s) caused either directly or indirectly by using any of the resources on this site, or by relying on other information I have provided. That said, I've made every effort to make sure the information and resources provided on this site are as accurate as possible. // | + | ---- |
+ | |||
+ | ===== Get In Touch With Us! ===== | ||
+ | We welcome any corrections, additions, files or any other handy resources you'd like to share. And if you'd like to become a contributor, we'd would be happy to hear from you! Feel free to share your thoughts and report bugs on our Discord Virtual Modem discussion channels. Click on the Discord logo below to start. \\ | ||
+ | [[https://discord.gg/4w6CpZ8|{{:images:social-discord.png?nolink|}}]] | ||
- | {{tag>Guides}} | + | {{tag>Guides Guides:Hardware Guides:Networking}} |