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Using Linux To Get Your Dreamcast Online

Posted by Hemos on from the pretty-cool-idea dept.

katananja writes: "This article shows how you can connect your DC to Linux and make use of your high-speed Internet access: 'I finally found the combination of what works and what is needed to properly set up Linux to act as a dial-up ppp server and allow my DREAMCAST console to access it. What led me to actually work on this project was my desire to utilize my current method of Internet access (CableModem) because I just didn't feel like tying up my phone line every time I wanted to use my DC on the Internet.' "

16 of 50 comments (clear)

  1. Dumb Terminal by interiot · · Score: 3
    More than just allowing you to use your cable modem, this will let you use its web browser as a dumb terminal to the rest of your internal network. I don't know if anyone would actually buy extra dreamcasts to use as dumb terminals (Dreamcast: $150 + modem, IOpener w/keyboard: $100), but it's a handy way to have a non-geeky network presence in your living room if you already have a DC. Possible dumb terminal uses: (are there any such port-to-PJava projects going on?)
    --
  2. Re:Proxy... by g_mcbay · · Score: 2

    I'd say pretty damn good! Especially since most of the online Dreamcast games seem to put a lot of faith in the client (the incredibly fast response times on NFL2K, for example, even when used of a slowish modem line, lead me to believe the client is treated as being trusted). I double highly that all those players running around the field are being updated in real time from the server.

  3. A little hacking? by ansible · · Score: 3

    I'd think it wouldn't take too much effort to get faster Internet access on the DC than this method.

    I've never seen the inside of a DC, but it would be likely to have a separate modem chip. The specs for just about any commercial chip are out there on the Internet. If you can find the modem, it wouldn't be too hard to disconnect it, and get at the RS-232 directly.

    You'd need a level converter; the onboard RS-232 is prolly TTL level where low = 0V and high = +3V, so you'd convert it to low = -5V and high = +5V. Wire up a DB-9 serial connector, get a null modem cable, and you're done with the hardware.

    On the host side, you'd need to whip up a chat script that looked (from the DC's point of view) as modem, which then starts up your PPP connection. The serial port probably runs at 115.2kbps.

    Might make a nice little hardware project for some hardware hackers out there.

  4. Re:That's the thing by Qube · · Score: 2
    You know, that's what endears me to Linux; the way it's users are _driven_ to make new uses out of it.

    Yup, so much so that the win2k version of the guide was done first. But hey, this is slashdot, that doesn't matter does it? :-)

  5. hmm...not just linux by demaria · · Score: 2

    Doesn't sound like you need just Linux. Sounds like any OS that can be a PPP server (which is probably most of them) can do it.

  6. Re:Uhhh ther is nothing new about this by CmdData · · Score: 2

    http://win2000tips.home.att.net/w2kdreamcast.htm It's been known to the masses for a very long time.

  7. No sega.net in Denmark, ever. by Bender+Unit+22 · · Score: 2

    This will by the way also be the only way for people in Denmark to connect to sega.net since there will be no local dial-up point in Denmark.(Guess who feels cheated). Local people can read the press release here(In Danish, sorry).
    The only explanation given is that British Telecom had "problems".
    So if you want to connect your DC, the solution above is the only way to go.
    So they lied in the store when they promised that the internet part would come, now I don't want that infernal machine anyway. f... sega.
    --------

  8. Re:That's the thing by d.valued · · Score: 2

    Linux is flexible as hell, like other free OS's. It's also popular and available at major chain stores.. a semi-frightening thought. (I actually saw SuSE 7.0 Personal and Professional at Best Buy. No upgrade though.. I'm going to wait a while so I can get a 2.4 kernel, a slightly more stable KDE 2, and X Free 4.0.x. ) Now, what I want to see is someone successfully hack a PlayStation2 (since the other PS/2 runs it just fine) to run Linux. Maybe.. a distributed.net or Mersenne prime client? The CPU's really crank!

    --
    I used to be someone else. Now I'm someone better.
    Real life is underrated.
  9. Nice And Neat But... by EXTomar · · Score: 2

    ...where are the games that really require net access? I think the need for setups like this will increase when the first games like Fantasy Star Online come out. Until then this will merly be a "trick".

  10. Sega Dreamcast Broadband Adapter review by Milkyman · · Score: 2

    there is a review of the japanese version of sega's broadband adapter at http://www.gamers.com/news/372050

  11. PPP in general by Rower227 · · Score: 2

    Good article, gives some idea of how to set up a PPP server in general, not just for a dreamcast (although I must admit i think the idea's cool). Katie

    --
    "The future belongs to those who can look at a challenge and see an opportunity."
  12. How exactly is this high-speed.... by wholesomegrits · · Score: 4

    Since 99% of slashdotters don't even bother to read the article before posting comments, it ought to be said that this isn't exactly 'high speed'. That's a bit deceptive. It's nifty and stuff, but not like you're getting broadband to the sega.

    You're still limited by the modem in the dreamcast, regardless of how fast an internet connection you have.

    A modem is not high speed.

    --
    No sig is worth reading.
    1. Re:How exactly is this high-speed.... by GoRK · · Score: 3

      Not only can pretty much any OS do this (It's actually a damn lot easier to pull off in Win98.. takes about 10 clicks, or in Windows 2000 - takes about 20), but technically, you can get slower access via this method because you are unable to attain connections above 33.6Kbps! The ethernet adaptor for the Dreamcast is expected to be released in small quantity by late December and officially 'out' on January 2, 2001. Quake3 already supports it, as are many new net-connected games due out even before its release. The MSRP is $59.99. ~GoRK

  13. Proxy... by ShoeHead · · Score: 3

    Whats the likelihood of proxy cheats developing?

  14. Re:Damn... by BRTB · · Score: 2

    Nah, if it's an isa pnp model just keep the power on, run pnpdump/isapnp and maybe a setserial. Yeah there's probably like a 1-in-3 chance of frying something this way but it worked for me the last time =]

    </humor>

    And while you're at it, plug an extra hard drive into the IDE port on your soundcard. Linux doesn't care...
    BRTB

  15. there's another good site .. by 2MuchC0ffeeMan · · Score: 3

    here: http://win2000tips.home.att.net/w2kdreamcast.htm it has the win2k version of this

    --
    Runnin' On Empty .... I'm Still Alive