IF1 Networking for Games
I'm wondering if there is some interest in coming up with some kind of if1 networking protocol for games. This would have to be a custom protocol as the if1 protocol as is is just too slow to be useful for games.
The if1 network is just a 2-wire medium that can function a lot like ethernet. The electronics has some kind of self-clocking sampler that manages to sample incoming bits in the middle of their periods. An if1 bit is 40T long so I assume the sampling electronics tries to sample 20T into a pulse. The existing if1 protocol transmits a byte in 505T consisting of 40T start period, 40T per bit for eight bits, and a 145T stop period.
What I would like this protocol to do:
* allow several independent games to be running on a single network. If this slows the games, so be it, but I'd like the ability to do this to be there.
* allow games to be advertised and joined.
* any one game is managed by a master that is responsible for collecting game data each game loop and for dropping / adding lost clients.
This just off the top of my head.
So is there interest in this or is there someone who's already done some work on this?
The if1 network is just a 2-wire medium that can function a lot like ethernet. The electronics has some kind of self-clocking sampler that manages to sample incoming bits in the middle of their periods. An if1 bit is 40T long so I assume the sampling electronics tries to sample 20T into a pulse. The existing if1 protocol transmits a byte in 505T consisting of 40T start period, 40T per bit for eight bits, and a 145T stop period.
What I would like this protocol to do:
* allow several independent games to be running on a single network. If this slows the games, so be it, but I'd like the ability to do this to be there.
* allow games to be advertised and joined.
* any one game is managed by a master that is responsible for collecting game data each game loop and for dropping / adding lost clients.
This just off the top of my head.
So is there interest in this or is there someone who's already done some work on this?
Post edited by Alcoholics Anonymous on
Comments
Simon Goodwin produced a much faster network driver for the QL which could possibly be ported over to the Spectrum.
www.rwapsoftware.co.uk
www.sellmyretro.com
Maybe the guy who built the IF2 could have some info on how to build the IF1?
http://www.speccy.org/trastero/cosas/droy/droy_e.htm
The Speccy-LAN idea and the concept of joining Spectrums over a small network or over the net really fascinates me.
Is there a link to info on this available?
Besides the IF1 I've also seen a network implemented using the tape leads. If this will work on a slow network, it would be easily adaptable to any other kind of network that is/becomes available.
Write games in C using Z88DK and SP1
PM sent with details - I will need to email the actual documentation, unless you have Quill on the QL to read it directly !!
www.rwapsoftware.co.uk
www.sellmyretro.com