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TheOldNet / theoldnet-wifi-firmware-binaries

Firmware, drivers and software for using The Old Net RS232 Serial to WIFI adapter in Modem and Ethernet Mode
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readme

Current Firmware for V4 and V6 modems

If you need to manually reflash your device, download this zip file. It contains scripts, firmware and instructions for version 4 and 6 of the WIFI modem (version 5 never saw the light of day if you're wondering about the gap). Do not use the files in this repo to flash, they are outdated but people tend to end up here so that's why I'm updating the readme.

Firmware Flash Tool

Older Stuff

I created this binaries repo because the end to end solution for modem and ethernet over serial comes from many different sources.

This package is designed to make it easy on the end user to grab one zip file and be able to do it all.

I have created accomapnying documentation and videos to help the user along.

The sources in this package from:

microweb mtcp ethersl(get package name) wifi-modem git-repo esp_slip_router git repo

Get the ZIP File: https://theoldnet.com/downloads/serial-wifi-adapter-binaries.zip

Get your RS232 Serial to WIFI Adapter Here: https://theoldnet.com/store

HOW TO FLASH

WHICH FIRMWARE

Hayes Modem PPP

This is the defaul firmware that ships with The Old Net Serial to WIFI Adapter. It emulates a Hayes modem which is capable of connecting to BBS's hosted on the internet. It is also capable of acting as an ISP so that you can use Windows or Macintosh Dial Up Networking to get a full fledge internet connection on your vintage computer.

SLIP

The SLIP firmware acts as an ethernet adapter over serial. It behaves like a network card, not a modem. Both firmwares are capable giving your vintage computer a TCP/IP network connection. However because this firmware behaves like an ethernet adapter, it will not work with software that expects to be talking to a modem (terminal programs, dialup networking).

There are different reasons to use SLIP over PPP which was depend on your situation. I would recommend starting with the Hayes PPP firmware and then using SLIP where PPP is not available for your situation.

HOW TO CONFIGURE MODEM FIRMWARE

Soon, sorry.

HOW TO CONFIGURE ETHERNET FIRMWARE

Soon, sorry.

Once connected to telnet press ALT + E and then ALT + N

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN SWITCHING FIRMWARE

Documentation from the SLIP and Modem repositories are below. This is a snapshot and may be out of date.

esp_slip_router

A SLIP to WiFi router

This is an implementation of a SLIP (Serial Line IP - RFC1055) router on the ESP8266. It can be used as simple (and slow) network interface to get WiFi connectivity. The ESP can act as STA or as AP. It transparently forwards any IP traffic through it. As it uses NAT no routing entries are required on the other side.

Usage as STA

In this mode the ESP connects to the internet via an AP with ssid, password and offers at UART0 a SLIP interface with IP address 192.168.240.1. This default can be changed in the file user_config.h.

To connect a Linux-based host, start the firmware on the ESP, connect it via serial to USB, and use the following commands on the host:

sudo slattach -L -p slip -s 115200 /dev/ttyUSB0&
sudo ifconfig sl0 192.168.240.2 pointopoint 192.168.240.1 up mtu 1500

now 

telnet 192.168.240.1 7777

gives you terminal access to the esp as router. On the ESP you then enter:

CMD>set ssid <your_ssid> 
CMD>set password <your_pw> 
CMD>set use_ap 0
CMD>save
CMD>reset

To get full internet access you will need aditionally a route:

sudo route add default gw 192.168.240.1

and a DNS server - add an appropriate entry (e.g. public DNS server) in /etc/resolv.conf, eg. by (as root):

echo "nameserver 9.9.9.9" > /etc/resolv.conf

A script may help to automize this process.

The status LED (default: GPIO2) indicates:

The default config of the router can be overwritten and persistenly saved to flash by using a console interface. This console is available via tcp port 7777 (e.g. from the host attached to the serial line - see above).

The console understands the following command:

If you want to enter non-ASCII or special characters you can use HTTP-style hex encoding (e.g. "My%20AccessPoint") or, only on the CLI, as shortcut C-style quotes with backslash (e.g. "My\ AccessPoint"). Both methods will result in a string "My AccessPoint".

Usage as AP

You can also turn the sides and make the ESP to work as AP - useful e.g. if you want to connect other devices to a RasPi that has no WiFi interface:

With a Linux-based host start the firmware on the esp, connect it via serial to USB, and use the following commands on the host:

sudo slattach -L -p slip -s 115200 /dev/ttyUSB0&
sudo ifconfig sl0 192.168.240.2 pointopoint 192.168.240.1 up mtu 1500
sudo route add -net 192.168.4.0/24 gw 192.168.240.1

again 

telnet 192.168.240.1 7777

gives you terminal access to the ESP as router. On the ESP you then enter:

CMD>set ap_ssid <your_ssid> 
CMD>set ap_password <your_pw> 
CMD>set use_ap 1
CMD>save
CMD>reset

Now STAs of this AP get IP adresses in the 192.168.4.0/24 network and can reach the Linux machine as "192.168.240.2". The AP interface is NATed, i.e. you cannot set up connections from the Linux machine to the STAs, but from STAs to Linux works. Useful e.g. if you want to reach an MQTT server on the Linux.

The console understands the following command for the AP mode:

Known Issues

The Old Net - RS232 Serial WIFI Modem

Copyright (C) 2020 Richard Bettridge under GPLv3 license.

based on https://github.com/RolandJuno/esp8266_modem Copyright (C) 2016 Paul Rickards rickards@gmail.com under GPLv3 license.

based on https://github.com/jsalin/esp8266_modem Copyright (C) 2015 Jussi Salin salinjus@gmail.com under GPLv3 license.

Where to Buy

I make these modems on a custom PCB for a reasonable price. I try to keep the shipping low and the modem always in stock. You can get one at TheOldNet Store

User Manual

Read the docs that ship with the modem here https://github.com/ssshake/vintage-computer-wifi-modem/blob/master/docs/Wifi%20Modem%20Welcome%20Guide.pdf

Connect To Your Sytem With a Custom Cable

I created this document showing the pin mappings for various systems which do not have a DE/DB9 port. Thanks to members of the community for verifying these pinouts!

You can reference this to make your own custom cables https://github.com/ssshake/vintage-computer-wifi-modem/blob/master/docs/pin-mapping.md

To Flash Firmware

To flash the firmware you need three things:

1) This firmware file: https://github.com/ssshake/vintage-computer-wifi-modem/raw/master/firmware/theoldnet_serial_wifi_modem/theoldnet_serial_wifi_modem.ino.nodemcu.bin

2) This program: https://github.com/esphome/esphome-flasher/releases/tag/v1.3.0

3) If on windows, this driver: https://www.silabs.com/documents/public/software/CP210x_Universal_Windows_Driver.zip

Overview

TheOldNet.com is a set of services which aim to revitalize vintage computers by way of providing network access.

The Serial WIFI Modem Emulator is a RS232 DB9 connection which provides a bridge to the internet over WIFI. This device does not show up like a wifi network card on the old device. Rather it shows up as a Hayes compatible dial up modem. Instead of dialing phone numbers to connect to remote computers, it connects to remote computers via telnet.

This means that you do not need any special software. Any old terminal program works. Instead of dialing a phone number, you "dial" an IP. It's that simple and easy.

Tutorial Video

AT command examples

Note that the key and port are optional parameters. Port defaults to 23. All parameters are case sensitive, the command itself not. You must always connect to an access point before dialing, otherwise you get an error. When you connect to WIFI you get either OK or ERROR after a while, depending on if it succeeded. If you get ERROR the connection might still occur by itself some time later, in case you had a slow AP or slow DHCP server in the network. When dialing, you get either CONNECT when successfully connected or ERROR if the connection couldn't be made. Reasons can be that the remote service is down or the host name is mistyped.

Default Baud rate is defined in the code as 300. 2400 is safe for C64 and 19200 for any PC and Amiga. 115200 for PC's with "new" 16550 UART. You must always have that default rate on the terminal when powering on. After giving a command for a higher rate nothing is replied, just switch to the new baud rate in your terminal as well. Then you can give next command in the new baud rate. Note that the first command after switching baud rate might fail because the serial port hardware is not fully synchronized yet, so it might be good idea to simply give "AT" command and wait for "ERROR" or "OK" before giving an actual command.

You can always default the baud rate back to 300 baud by pressing and holding the button (GPIO 0 to ground) for 5 seconds until the LED (GPIO 5) flashes fast.

Example communication

OK
at$ssid=MyWiFiNetwork

OK
at$pass=MyPassword

OK
atc1

CONNECTING TO SSID MyWiFiNetwork......
CONNECTED TO MyWiFiNetwork
IP ADDRESS: 192.168.2.3

OK
atdtbat.org:23
DIALING bat.org:23

CONNECT 2400

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