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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).  

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*** 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.  

Hardware flow control is absolutely essential for all serial port
connections with speeds of 9600 bps and above. Make certain that you cable
supports it, your modem is configured to use it and you are using the hardware
flowcontrol devices /dev/cuf[ab], /dev/ttydf[ab] and /dev/ttyf[ab],
respectively. 

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]  

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*** 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).  

[Carl Lowenstein adds]

The implication that a Sun SparcStation cable can be used with NeXT
peripherals is generally false.  NeXT themselves, and DEC, and nearly
everyone else who makes SCSI peripherals, puts Telco-50 (centronics)
connectors on their devices.  Sun in their infinite wisdom uses DD50 which are
quite different.  Telco-50 is an approved connector type in the SCSI spec.

Probably the original point was that the 50-pin microSCSI on the NeXT and Sun
and some DecStations was different from the 68-pin microSCSI on the
DecStation 5000.  But this does not address the other end of the cable. 

____________________________________________________________________________

*** 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, 800-828-5522Now     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. 

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*** 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).  

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

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

Displays may require alignment to adjust for the scan rate of 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. 

The Nanao T560i 17" color display has been used with NeXTstation Color
machines, and seems to work well. 

Some larger NEC displays have also worked.

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

From NeXT: part number S4025.

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

	NuData
	Voice: 908-842-5757


____________________________________________________________________________

NeXT-FAQ 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)