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49 lines
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49 lines
4.4 KiB
Plaintext
---
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title: "NetUSBee: STinG, Real Internet and USB for the Mega ST"
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section: "retro"
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tags: "retro"
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description: "How the NetUSBee adds STinG networking, real internet and a USB port to my Atari Mega ST 4 'High', plus FAT16 USB stick transfer with Windows."
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layout: base.njk
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parent: "/retro/"
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---
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<h1>NetUSBee: STinG, Real Internet and USB for the Mega ST</h1>
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<div class="detail-content">
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<p>My <a href="/retro/atari-mega-st-fleet/">Mega ST 4 "High"</a> workstation uses a NetUSBee, a network card with two USB ports that plugs into the Atari's cartridge (ROM) port. It's what gives the machine real internet access via STinG, and the USB port lets me swap data with a modern Windows PC using a simple FAT16 USB stick.</p>
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<h2>What the NetUSBee adds</h2>
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<ul>
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<li><strong>Ethernet networking</strong>, a RTL8019AS network chip (the same one used by EtherNEC), giving the ST genuine network and internet access.</li>
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<li><strong>Two USB ports</strong>, an ISP1160 USB controller (as used in EtherNAT), supporting USB mice, keyboards and, importantly, USB mass storage.</li>
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<li><strong>Optional IRQ line</strong>, to speed up transfers and free up CPU time for applications.</li>
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<li><strong>Compatibility</strong>, works with ST(e), Mega ST(e), Falcon and TT, connecting via the cartridge/ROM port.</li>
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</ul>
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<h2>Real Internet with STinG</h2>
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<p>For networking I use the STinG TCP/IP stack together with the <code>enec.stx</code> (or <code>enec3.stx</code> for 68030) network card driver. Once configured, the Mega ST gets a real IP address on the network and can reach the internet, connecting the 1980s machine to modern services. The original NetUSBee was developed by Candle'O'Sin, and the current production runs are sold by Lotharek in a sturdy grey metal case that matches the Atari look.</p>
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<p>STinG MAC addresses on my machines: Mega ST 4 "High" <code>00:B7:F8:77:C6:B3</code>, MiST <code>A0:CE:C8:5D:9C:A2</code>.</p>
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<h2>Exchanging Data with Windows via USB</h2>
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<p>The USB port is particularly handy for data exchange. I use a FAT16-formatted USB stick, which the ST can read and write through the USB mass-storage driver. Because FAT16 is also readable on a modern Windows PC, I can transfer files between the Atari and a Windows machine just by moving the stick between them, no special cables or network tricks required.</p>
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<h2>My Setup</h2>
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<p>In my Mega ST 4 "High" machine the NetUSBee sits in the cartridge port, working alongside the <a href="/retro/monsterboard/">MonSTerBoard</a> that handles IDE storage and Alt-RAM. It rounds out the machine as a true workstation: real internet via STinG, USB storage for file exchange, fast IDE boot from a CompactFlash card, and the ET4000 driving a dedicated monitor.</p>
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<h2>Sources</h2>
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<ul>
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<li><a href="https://www.jungsi.de/retro-atari-st-netusbee/" target="_blank">NetUSBee [Atari ST] - Jungsi's Corner (installation guide)</a></li>
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<li><a href="https://lotharek.pl/productdetail.php?id=46" target="_blank">Netusbee - Lotharek (order page, firmware and drivers)</a></li>
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</ul>
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<h2>WiFi SNTP Clock</h2>
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<p>A separate ESP module provides WiFi time synchronisation for the Atari ST. <a href="https://www.chzsoft.de/site/hardware/wifi-sntp-clock-for-the-atari-st-tt-falcon/" target="_blank">czietz's simple WiFi SNTP firmware</a> runs on the ESP and communicates with the Atari over a serial connection. Once connected, Connect95 can be used for serial communication, and WgetST can download files via HTTP, though it is limited to HTTP only.</p>
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<h2>Going online via proxy</h2>
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<p>With STinG configured and the network running, the next step is getting actual services accessible from the Atari. Two approaches work well:</p>
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<ul>
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<li><a href="https://github.com/atauenis/webone" target="_blank">WebOne</a>, a proxy server that translates HTTP requests so that a vintage browser like Cab can browse the web through it. Installation docs are on the <a href="https://github.com/atauenis/webone/wiki/Linux-installation" target="_blank">GitHub wiki</a>.</li>
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<li><a href="https://github.com/tenox7/wrp" target="_blank">Web Rendering Proxy (WRP)</a>, an alternative that renders pages server-side and serves them as images, useful when nothing else works with the old browser. Runs as a Docker container.</li>
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</ul>
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<p>Both run on a Linux machine on the same network, with the Atari pointing its browser proxy settings at that machine's IP. A Linux LXC container on the homelab can serve as a dedicated Atari internet proxy server for this purpose.</p>
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</div>
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