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NeXT-FAQ.peripherals:  Questions about peripherals for the NeXT


*** Subject: P1. What type of microphones will work with the NeXT?

Some NeXT owners use the RadioShack (Realistic) Tie Clip
Microphone ($19.95) cat 33-1052.  NeXT Computer, Inc.
uses the "Sony Electret Condenser Microphone ECM-K7"
in-house (available for ~$60).  Some use Sony Tie-Clip
microphone, #ECM-144, which costs around $40.  Others
have successfully used a WalMart brand microphone
(available for ~$6). 


*** Subject: P2. How do I connect a modem to the NeXT?

Previously, we suggested that people use Mac modem
cables; however, it has come to our attention that there
is no one standard Mac modem cable.  Since correct modem
operation on a NeXT depends upon a correctly wired modem
cable, buying a Mac cable is not a good idea.  Some Mac
cables do not allow dial-in and no Mac cable allows the use
of hardware flow control.  For these reasons, we are
recommending that only cables that meet NeXT
specifications be used. [however, if you have a Mac modem
cable lying around and don't care about dial-in or
hardware flow control, then by all means....]

These cables are available commercially from
NextConnection, and from Computer Cables and Devices,
or can be custom built.  Note that no off- the-shelf Mac
cable will allow hardware flow control.  It is however
possible to make a such a cable from an Imagewriter II
cable by replacing one of the mini-8 ends with a DB-25
connector. 

Most people use tip or kermit to control the modem.  SLIP
and/or UUCP may also be used (but are more complicated to
set up and require the remote machine to also have SLIP
and/or UUCP (respectively)).

The 2.0 Network and System Administration Manual, which
is available in hard-copy (shipped with each machine)
contains an extensive description of how to use modems
with the NeXT machine.  Additionally NeXT in their
TechSupportNotes series called SerialPortDoc.wn and
UUCP for 1.0/1.0a systems .  This document is available
from most FTP sites that carry NextAnswers.  Also, try to
obtain the comp.sys.next note by Mark Adler entitled
"How to connect a modem" (reposted 5 Jan 91) [Adler's note
does contain info on the changes required to connect a
modem to the 68040 NeXTs] 


*** Subject: P3. Are there any alternative sources for the SCSI-II to SCSI-I  
cable required to attach external SCSI devices to the 040 NeXTs?

Yes.  This cable is the same as the one used by Sun
SparcStations and DecStation 5000's (but not
DecStation 3100's which use 68-pin micro rather than the
50pin micro connector used on NeXT 040, Suns and
DecStation 5000). 


*** Subject: P4. What fax modems will work with the NeXT?

The following fax modems are currently available for the
NeXT Computer: 

	Manufacturer, Model Supplier, Phone		Avail.  Type
	----------------------------------------------------------------
	DoveFax for NeXT, Dove Computer, ???		Now     Class 1
	HSD FaxMaster, HSD Microcomputer, 800-828-5522	Now     Class 2*
	mix fax, i link GmbH, +49 30 215 70 29		Now     Class 2**
	

(*)Note that the Class 2 is not yet approved; it is still
out for ballot, after having failed in an October 1990
round.  The Abaton InterFax 24/96 NX driver supports
Class 2 as it was in that draft;  there are expected to be
very few changes prior to approval.

(**)Note that mix fax works with both the October 1990 and
October 1991 draft versions of Class 2, especially with
the NeXT supplied Class 2 modem driver. Upgrading to an
approved version of  Class 2 would be a matter of just a
software update (holds true for any forthcoming (class
3?) standard, for that matter). 

In order to use a fax modem with the NeXT Computer, a NeXT
compatible fax driver must be available to operate the
modem.  Modem control procedures may be proprietary or
conform to one of the following EIA/TIA standards: 

Class 1: CCITT T.30 session management and CCITT T.4
image data handling are controlled by the driver.

Class 2*: CCITT T.30 session management and image data
transport are handled by the modem.  CCITT T.4 image data
preparation and interpretation are controlled by the
driver. 

Release 2.0 of the NeXT system software includes a Class 2
modem driver which will work with any fax modem which
meets the EIA/TIA Asynchronous Facsimile Control
standard.  Other fax modems must supply a NeXT compatible
driver. 

The following are notes by Alan Marcum of NeXT Tech Support 
concerning the Class 2 modem driver:

	Note that there's a small bug in 2.0 (fixed in 2.1): a
	symbolic link is missing for the file
	Class2_Fax_Modem_Driver in /usr/lib/NextPrinter.
	The simple fix: create the link; it should reference
	Interfax_Fax_Modem_Driver, also in the
	/usr/lib/NextPrinter directory. 

	An alternative workaround for Class 2, especially
	useful for  novices: just use InterFax as the modem type in
	PrintManager, rather than Class 2*.

	After installing a fax modem using PrintManager one must
	repeat setting things in the Fax Options panel in order
	for them to be stored correctly. In particular, these
	include the Rings to Answer and Number of Times to Retry. 
	This affects all fax modems being installed.

	If one uses illegal characters in the Modems Number field
	in the Fax Options when configuring an InterFax modem
	then the modem will not answer the phone.  Legal
	characters are digits, spaces, and plus signs (+).  This
	does not affect the Dove modem. 


*** Subject: P5. How may I attach more than two serial ports to the NeXT?

Unitnet has a device, the SLAT-1, that will connect to the scsi bus.

	Uninet Perhipherals, Inc.
	Voice: 714-546-1100
	sales@cpd.com

[Jacob Gore adds:]
Also, one can use an IP terminal server.  In a non-Internet
environment, inexpensive terminal servers, which
don't control access to the network securely, can be
used.  If your network is an Internet subnet, you must use a
terminal server that controls either: (1) who can log
into the terminal server, or (2) which machines the
terminal server will access.  These tend to be more
expensive (around $250/port, but in 8-port
increments), but it may be quite economical means of
sharing ports among many NeXTs (or other computers) on
the network. 

[Eric P. Scott adds:]
Particularly if one has a NeXT network, an Ethernet
terminal server may be the way to go.  One that supports
Linemode Telnet (such as the Xylogics Annex III) will
offer the best performance.


*** Subject: P6. What is the best and/or cheapest way to connect a NeXT to a  
thick Ethernet? 

There are many possible solutions.  For example, here are
three:

1) The University of Waterloo [Audio Research Group]
uses an old door-stop PC XT clone with two Western Digital
cards (WD8003E Ethercard Plus, $250 CDN each; you should
be able to get them for under $200 (US$)) running Vance
Morrison's PCRoute (available from accuvax.nwu.edu).
You will also need a thickwire transceiver and a drop
cable (about $300). In addition, you will need Internet
addresses for the NeXT and both PC Ethernet cards (and a
subnet address).  The documentation for PCRoute
contains quite a bit of information on the performance of
this setup. This solution requires two subnets.  There is
another program called PCbridge that allows the
machines on the thin and thick wires to be part of the same
subnet.  This product also does packet filtering, so that
packets destined to machines on the same side of the net do
not cross over. 

2) Cabletron sells a MR-2000C Singleport Repeater for
$695 that does exactly what you need minus drop cable and
transceiver.  Their number  is (408) 441-9900.

3) The march 1992 INMAC networking and connectivity
products catalog lists thicknet to thinnet convertors.
Product number Z903071 price $445. Claims full ieee
802.3 comaptibility and diagnostic LED's. 


*** Subject: P7. How can I connect my NeXT to the telephone line and use it  
like an answering Machine? 

A company that is selling both hardware and software to allow
you to do this:

	SES Computing
	13206 Jenner Lane
	Austin, Texas 78729
	Voice: (512) 219-9468 (Demo system number)
    
i.link, a european company, has a combined data/fax
modem and telephone answering machine. It uses the DSP
port and is implemented mainly in software on the DSP with
a little bit of hardware to interface to the phone line. 

	i.link GmbH
	Nollendorfstrasse 11-12
	D-1000 Berlin 30
	Germany
	Tel: +49 30 215 70 29
	Fax: +49 30 781 70 56
	Email: info@ilink.de

Hayes has announced a telephone interface which takes
advantage of the yet to be released PhoneKit in 3.0.  This
interface will work for ISDN and POTS (plain old
telephone systems). 


*** Subject: P8. What color monitors can I use with the Color NeXT machines?

Sony GDM-1601 were demonstrated with the NeXT color
products. NeXT is not shipping these monitors.  Sony no
longer makes them, however there is a replacement
GDM-1606 which has a long lead time on delivery [2-3 week
delivery on a sample point of one monitor:-)]  It does
require alignment to adjust for the different scan
rate... 

The important specs for the color monitor are:

	Horz Scan Rate:		61 KHz
	Vertical Scan Rate:	68 Hz
	Resolution:		1280x1024 (NeXT uses 1120x832)
	NON-INTERLACED


*** Subject: P9. Where can I get 13W3 to BNC adapters to connect third party  
color monitors? 

From NeXT!

NuData in New Jersey carries 13W3 female to 4 BNC male connectors.
The price is about $100.

	NuData
	Voice: 908-842-5757



---
Editor:
Nathan Janette nathan@laplace.csb.yale.edu


--
Nathan Janette		"I'm a NeXTstep man,
Dept MB&B, Yale Univ	 I'm a NeXTcube guy"
New Haven, CT
nathan@laplace.biology.yale.edu (NeXT)