NetNews Offline 2/NetNews Offline Volume 2.iso/news/comp/sys/amiga/hardware-part1/6704

Text File | 1996-08-05 | 17.6 KB | 475 lines

Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.hardware
Path: cix.compulink.co.uk!usenet
From: [e-mail] ("Alan Redhouse")
Subject: Re: Goldengate bridge card?
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Organization: Eyetech Group Ltd
References: <[e-mail]>
Date: Sat, 9 Mar 1996 18:31:18 GMT
X-News-Software: Ameol

Buy it from us in Europe or SRE in the US (email [e-mail]
or phone [phone])

FAQ's follow

Hope this helps


Cheers
Alan M Redhouse


Eyetech Group Ltd
The Old Bank, 12 West Green , Stokesley, N Yorks, TS9 5BB


Phone:          [phone]
FAX:            [phone]
Email:          [e-mail]


Prices are:
      GG2+                                    UKP110.60
      Ne2000 ethernet                         UKP29.79
      2xIDE, 1x parallel, 2x 16550 serial     UKP25.53       28.8/14.4
   data/fax modem          UKP119.15
      14.4/14.4       data/fax modem          UKP80.85
      Carriage/insurance                      UKP8/UKP15.05 Europe
            ALL PLUS VAT @17.5% in the EC

You can order by credit card, Cheque/Eurocheque or international
money order/postal order (all in UKP). There is a 3% surcharge on credit
card sales

To order: Fax/post an order together with cheque/credit card details
for same day despatch of the GG2+ to the address below

Cheers

Alan M Redhouse
Eyetech Group Ltd
The Old Bank
12 West Green
Stokesley
N Yorks
TS9 5BB  UK


Tel     [phone]
fax     [phone]
[e-mail]



Eyetech  FAQ's on the GG2 board

The GG2 board goes into a Zorro 2 slot and a 16 pin PC ISA slot
present on all big box Amigas >A1500

The PC cards go in other PC slots. It is possible to get PC slot
'risers' ie expansions (intended for PC's) - we are looking into this.

The GG2 board is a bridgeboard which allows cheap PC ISA cards to be
used by any big box Amiga as if they were Amiga specific cards. Drivers
are supplied to use serial ports, NE2000 ethernet cards, hard
drives (IDE/RLL/MFM),and parallel ports. The board is supplied with all
these drivers as standard.

What about SVGA card drivers?
An SVGA driver is reputedly being written by a third party, but I can't
say when it will be available.

Comprehensive (Amigaguide format) data is shipped on diskette with the
board together with free access to a technical BBS for GG2 run by the
hardware & software developers. If anyone feels like writing a new driver
we would be interested in licencing it for distribution with the board. A
non-DMA HD floppy disk driver would be very useful.

The board supports all the PC interrupts and I/O addresses and the
part of the memory map used by VGA/graphics cards. It does not support
DMA due to bus limitations on the Amiga side.

The GG2 drivers allow any Amiga application program which has
selectable named drivers to use the equivalent PC card port. A program is
also supplied to force redirection in the case of the parallel port.
Examples of programs which are supported are
Ami TCP/Envoy (ethernet)
Ncomm (serial ports)


Manufacturers Frequently Asked Questions on the GG2+ Board
Version 1.3   1-Aug-94   Copyright (C) 1994, Ethan Dicks

1.      General Questions
What can I do with the GG2 Bus+

The GG2 Bus+ lets you add IBM-compatible hardware to your Amiga.
The most common additions are extra parallel and serial ports, and
network cards.


What kinds of cards work?

The GG2 Bus+ supports almost all non-DMA AT-compatible (8 MHz
bus capable) PC plug-in boards.  This includes such popular items as
internal modems, multi-I/O boards, IDE hard drive controllers, non-DMA
ethernet boards, VGA boards, A/D boards, etc.  Access to the PC cards is
at full Amiga Zorro II bus speed unless wait state support is turned on.


What drivers come with it?

ibmser.device  - A replacement serial device for internal modems
and multi-I/O cards.  Includes automatic use of the 16550 FIFO buffer
when available.  Support for up to 4 serial ports at once, equivalent
of COM1-4.ibmprint.device - A new parallel output-only driver for
printing through IBM LPT-compatible parallel ports on multi-I/O cards.
Support for up to 3 printers at once, equivalent of LPT1-3.
ibmIDE.device -  A driver program to allow the use of IDE, RLL or
MFM hard drives.
NE1000.device; NE2000.device - These are SANA-II ethernet drivers
for Novell NE1000 and NE2000 boards and compatibles.


Will the Ethernet drivers work with my networking software?

Since the Ethernet drivers are SANA-II compliant, you can use your
 GG2/Ethernet combination with all of the popular network packages,
such as Envoy (from IAM), AS225r2 (from Commodore, but for developers
only) and AmiTCP (available via ftp from Aminet sites).
Commodore's AS225r1 is *not* a SANA-II networking package, and will
not work with an Ethernet card on a GG2 Bus+.

Oxxi's Novell Netware Client for AmigaDOS is *not* a SANA-II
networking package and only works with the Commodore A2065 and Ameristar
clone.  It cannot be used with the GG2 Bus+.


Is there a driver for my <brand X> network card?

As of 11-Jun-94, the answer to this question is "yes", as long as
you have an NE2000, NE1000 or 100% clone.  Drivers for SMC (Western
Digital) and  3Com cards are currently being tested.  Expect the driver
for the SMC  cards to be ready first.

What about drivers for VGA/SVGA cards?

While the hardware can "see" VGA cards, there are presently no
drivers that are aware of them.  One possible solution to this is the
EGS (Enhanced Graphic System), by VIONA Development.  Updates will be
posted as and when they become available.


How compatible is the ISA-bus emulation?

The following IBM AT bus signals are supported:

I/O address space from hex $0000 to $7FFF (first 32K)
Memory address space from hex $90000 to $FFFFF  (440K)
16 bit data bus
All AT bus interrupts (IRQ 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 15)
Wait states (IOCHRDY signal) for both I/O and memory access
14.31818 MHz clock (OSC signal) from on-board crystal oscillator
7.2 MHz processor clock (CLK signal)
BALE signal


Can I use it with software-based MS-DOS emulators?

Yes.  CrossPC and PCTask are aware of the GG2 Bus+ and will let you
use IBM-compatible hardware from inside the emulation.  Among other
IBM peripherals that have been successfully operated are, EPROM
programmers and PC-television cards.


Will it work in my Amiga?

The GG2 Bus+ occupies one Zorro II slot aligned with an PC-AT slot in
an Amiga 2000, 2500, 3000, or 4000.  It has essentially the same form
factor as a Commodore bridgeboard.  You will need at least one additional
open PC-ATslot for your plug-in PC card.  The GG2 Bus+ requires 1
Megabyte of  availableAUTOCONFIG memory space to correctly map all of the
PC memory  locations.  This means that you will have a problem if you
attempt to put a GG2 Bus+ in the same Amiga as an 8Mb 16-bit memory card,
such as the A2058.  For those people whohave already filled up all 8Mb of
their AUTOCONFIG memory space, we are investigating releasing a variation
of the GG2 Bus+ that does not support VGA cards, but only requires 64Kb
of AUTOCONFIG space (this card would not require disabling Data Cacheing
on 68020/68030/68040 Amigas.  See "What is this 'cache problem' I
heard about?").  All address and data lines to the PC bus are buffered to
avoid loading-down Amiga bus lines.


How many IBM cards can I put in my Amiga?

The A2000 has 2 PC-AT (16-bit) and 2 PC-XT (8-bit) slots, and can
take three IBM cards.  It is possible to upgrade the PC-XT slots to
PC-AT slots, but this is a skilled soldering job best undertaken by a
qualified technician. The A3000 has 2 PC-AT slots, and can take one IBM
card.  The A4000 has 3 PC-AT slots, for a total of two IBM cards.
Tower configurations, of course, can have more.


Can I use a GG2 Bus+ and a Commodore bridgecard at the same time?

No.  Both products use the IBM slots in the Amiga, and were
never designed to work together.

What's this GG2 "cache problem" ?

The 'cache problem' is related to the way in which Commodore built the
 A2000 and how it talks to the Zorro bus.  If a processor is
cacheing data, you don't want that data to change when the processor is
not looking ... or  Bad Things happen.  So... the data cache should not
be enabled on I/O cards; something might change and the CPU will never
know, because it thinks that the data in the cache is still the same as
the data, out there on the bus.  To avoid this, Commodore designed the
Amiga so that Zorro II I/O space (the 64K blocks that AUTOCONFIG I/O
cards end up in) is not cached.  Zorro II *memory* space(where A2058
cards are, as well as bridgecards and the GG2) *is* cached, because it's
normally a Good Thing to cache memory (your machine runs faster).

Bridgecards and the GG2 occupy Zorro II memory space because the
amount of Amiga memory space they need is over 64K.  Now... If you have
a processor with cache (not a 68000) in your A2000 and you want to use an
A2088 bridgecard (or any other brand, or even a GG2),
Commodore's official fix to prevent cache problems, is to run Enforcer.
Enforcer programs the MMU (Memory Management Unit) to turn OFF data
cacheing, in all Zorro II space). One person who mentioned the "cache
problem" in his A2000 has a 68EC030 on his accelerator card; 'EC030 does
NOT have an MMU, so Enforcer can't work with it.  He has to turn off data
cache ALTOGETHER to use either a bridgecard or a GG2.  This, of course,
slows down his system.

The A3000 has the same basic bus structure as the A2000 (but it's
Zorro III rather than Zorro II), but all A3000's have an MMU with the
68030, so Enforcer works.

Commodore changed the design of the cache controller on the A4000, so,
by default, the A4000 does not try to cache anything in Zorro II space.
 Since you do not put 16-bit memory in the A3000 or A4000, this does
not slow the machine down.

So... the "problem" is not a problem with the GG2, per se, and cannot
be fixed by changing the GG2 without removing features.  It is a
problem with the design of the A2000 and A3000 and is correctable
through software if you have the proper processor in your machine.
The GoldenGate I card did not support VGA cards, so it only requested a
64Kb AUTOCONFIG block.  We are considering producing a GG2 Bus+ model
with the same features (and limitations) of the older GoldenGate I card.


Will it work with Workbench 1.3?

Most of the software requires 2.04 or higher.  The actual device
drivers themselves (ibmser.device, ibmIDE.device etc) will probably work
under 1.3, but the support programs (like SwitchControl and SerPrefs)
don't.

Who wrote the software?

David Salamon, Dan Babcock, Dan Zenchelsky, Carsten Heyl and Ethan Dicks.


Who manufactures the GG2+ board?

Software Results Enterprises
2447 N. 4th St., Ste. B
Columbus, OH 43202-2706


Where can I purchase it?

The exclusive European distributor of the GG2+ board is:

Eyetech Group Ltd
The Old Bank
12 West Green
Stokesley
North Yorks
TS9 5BB,  UK

Phone:  [phone]
Fax:    [phone]
Email:  [e-mail]


How much for the GG2+ and options?

GG2 alone (but including drivers):      ú109.95 - at current
exchange rates (ú1=$1.60)

This includes import duty, but not UK VAT@ 17.5% or
carriage/insurance which is an additional (pre VAT) ú15 within the EC

other options are

GG2 + Ne2000 ethernet ú139.95 (BNC) GG2 + Ne2000 ethernet ú149.95 (10
base T + twisted pair)
GG2 + 2xIDE+2xserial +2xparallel ú124.95
GG2 + 4800/9600 data/fax modem ú139.95
GG2 +  Ne2000 ethernet + 2xIDE+2xserial +2xparallel + 4800/9600
data/fax modem ú169.95

Modem upgrade to 14.4/14.4  add ú50
Modem upgrade to 14.4/28.8 add ú90
Serial port upgrade to 16550 UART  add ú10

All + carriage + VAT

UK carriage is ú8 + VAT

European carriage is ú15.05 + VAT

example:
Price for GG2+combo ethernet+carriage to Italy =
(149.95+ú15.05)*1.175= UKP187.94


Can I pay by cheque?

Eyetech accepts cheques drawn on UK clearing banks, Eurocheques
and International money orders (all denominated in pounds stirling).
Please include full details of your order and the delivery address with
your payment


Can I use my VISA/Mastercard/Delta?

Yes. However in accordance with Credit card company recommendations
to help prevent fraud we require a written/faxed confirmation of your
order, credit card details and the delivery address before shipping.


How much are software updates?

Significant software updates are priced at ú10 plus ú2.50 UK
carriage. Minor updates and bug fixes are priced at ú5.00 plus ú2.50 UK
carriage.


2.      Application related Questions
Can Envoy be used for networking two Amigas together using the GG2+ and
 ethernet cards?

The following paragraph is quoted from the Amiga Envoy product package:

"Amiga Envoy is the standard Amiga peer-to-peer networking
software developed by Commodore's Amiga Networking Group.  Its
performance, user-interface and API are consistent with the philosophy of
the Amiga Operating System.  Amiga Envoy provides a simple messaging
interface for the easy development of reliable network applications.
Included applications enable connected Amiga computers to share hard
disks, CD-ROMs, and printers transparently.  Third-party applications
can provide functionality such as electronic mail, remote computer
access, multi-user databases and multi-player games...."

"Intangible Assets Manufacturing has licensed the Amiga Envoy
software and is making it available to you.  Their Amiga Envoy Manual
leads you step-by-step through the installation and use of a simple
network.  One simple network can link more than 250 Amigas...."

Following this information are three comments on the Amiga Envoy by
Dave Haynie, former Senior Hardware Engineer, Commodore-Amiga, Inc.,
Bill Leach, Energy Consultant, and John Chang, Scala, Inc.  All are
favourable responses which cite its use with Ethernet and an
InfoChannel applications.

The requirements include a Workbench V2.04 or better, Kickstart
V2.04, 512K RAM, SANA-II compatible networking hardware.

Recommended configuration: Workbench 2.1 or later, Kickstart 2.1
or later, 1MB RAM, and hard disk.

The limitation is Amiga Envoy applications only work between
Amiga computers.


What configuration of hardware/software would you recommend, to connect
2 Amigas with GG2 bridgecards?

What you will need to connect two Amigas via Ethernet and Envoy
(hardware and software), is...
2 No. GG2 Bus+ bus adaptor cards
2 No. NE2000 Ethernet cards (like the type sold by DataComm Warehouse)
2 No. Tee connectors (should come with the NE2000 Ethernet cards)
2 No. 50 Ohm Ethernet terminators (will not come with Ethernet cards)
1 No. RG58 cable of the correct length
1 No. 2-user copy of Envoy.


Would you recommend AmiTCP for networking Amigas to non-Amiga
hardware universally?
There are only two Internetworking protocol stacks which we are aware
of that respect SANA-II device drivers...  AmiTCP and AS225r2.  AS225r2
is a former Commodore product (just like Envoy) and is sold by a
company called Canadian Prototype Replicas.
There are other networking packages, but the vast majority of them do
not use a universal device driver interface, but write directly to
the hardware. Nobody supports writing directly to an NE2000 on a GG2
Bus+ under AmigaDOS.  That's why we have the gg_NE2000.device.  You
tell AS225r2 or AmiTCP or Envoy to use that device driver to communicate
to the outside world and  bam , you're talking away.  The software
package doesn't know that it's an IBM card. In fact the software package
doesn't know any details about the card at all.  The device driver takes
care of all of that; that's why device drivers are good things.  They
make programming I/O more uniform.


What about (S)VGA support ?

Hardware support is provided by the GG2+ board  for SVGA adapters,
but not (at this time) software support.  With David Salamon's GoldenGate
I, it was not possible to use VGA cards because only ISA I/O space
was mapped to Amiga Zorro space.  The newer cards (some of David's and
all of ours) map ISA memory space as well as ISA I/O space, allowing
someone to program an ISA VGA driver.  One is currently being written
independently of us.  It is not ready to ship at this time.

We are working out some initialization details with the developer who
is working on SVGA drivers, but it appears as if the two likely
candidates are the Cirrus chipset and the Tseng Labs ET4000 chipset.


Is there a driver for high density (IBM 1.44) floppy disk drives?

Tentative plans, but nothing firm.  It may be possible, but only if
a non-DMA driver can be written.  The GG2 Bus+ does NOT support ISA DMA
in any fashion, nor will it.


What about game port support?
There is "support" now, in the sense that anyone can write that
support into their own programs.  There is no commodity that reads the
game port and inputs the data into the Intuition input stream, however.
Most games read the joystick ports directly, so a "driver" wouldn't
provide any support for those games; the games need to be written to
recognize that you might have a GG2 Bus+ and that you might have a game
port.


Does the board support IDE CDROMs?

Yes, but without any specs on the command set, work is not
proceeding right now. We do have a double-speed IDE CD-ROM, but no
developer docs.


SCSI cards, sound cards?

No.  As far as we know, all SCSI & sound cards need DMA to operate,
thus, will not work with a GG2 Bus+


Is there a 'developers toolkit' or similar for any
individuals/companies to develop new drivers for the board?

There is no developer's toolkit.  All technical docs come with the
board, as pages in the AmigaGuide documentation.  The information is all
there, if someone cares to use it.



Version 1.3   1-Aug-94   Copyright (C) 1994, Ethan Dicks