Ordered a broadband adaptor; what's next?

[ant512]

I've ordered a broadband adaptor. What else do I need in order to start using it for development? How do I get it set up? (Preferably info for OSX, but Linux would do too.)

[BlueCrab]

You'll want to download dcload-ip from the Git repository ("git clone git://git.code.sf.net/p/cadcdev/dcload-ip").

You'll also need to build a copy of libelf (grab the latest version from http://www.mr511.de/software/) and build it in the normal manner. Once you've built libelf, then you can build dcload-ip.

dcload-ip contains two different parts -- a sending tool that you run on your computer (OS X works fine for this, as will Linux), and a receiving tool that runs on the Dreamcast. When you build dcload-ip, it should build both parts. You'll need to burn a disc with the 1st_read.bin that is built in the dcload-ip/target-src/1st_read directory (remember to scramble it before you try to burn the binary into a disc).

[nymus]

Congrats. I'm curious about what the going rate of a broadband adapter is these days.

[ant512]

I got an almost complete-in-box BBA for $150 plus $11 postage from eBay. Prices ranged from $130 (no box, horribly yellowed) to $300 (like new, shipped from Japan some time in the next few months).

On the one hand I'm horrified at the thought of spending $160 on an ancient 100Base-T network card. On the other hand, if the Dreamcast is going to be my new target platform then why not do it right?

Now I just have the problem of trying to get a boot CD running with no CD burner. Perhaps the SD adaptor will boot it, so I can load it via Dreamshell?

[bogglez]

If you can buy a BBA for $161 you should also be able to buy an external burner for $10 haha

[nymus]

I'd say it's worth the money, especially for a primary development target. The price at $100-$150 seems to have remained "fair" considering how rare it is and the fact that I bought mine for about $90 in 2002.

After building your dcload, you'll need to use the "arp" command to register the BBA's MAC address with your system. Assuming the dcload sources still default to setting 0.0.0.0 for the Dreamcast IP address, you'll be able to assign whichever IP address you want from the host side.

run the following before you start connecting with your Dreamcast:
arp -s [local ip address] [mac address]

I've added "dreamcast 192.168.0.99" to /etc/hosts on my system and created a simple shell script in $HOME/bin that does "dc-tool -t dreamcast -x $1" so that I can run programs using "dcload [executable]"

Besides the quick testing, a BBA with dcload also enables you to have iso images on the host without needing to burn discs or create romdisk images. Enjoy!

[ant512]

Finally got around to testing it out. It works! The 1st_read file produced by building dc-load works fine on the SD card adaptor, so there's no need to burn anything to CD. I didn't realize I'd get console output too. Neat!

[bogglez]

Would you mind writing down the steps for a wiki tutorial? I haven't done this process before. I'd do the wiki formatting for you