HYDRA-Net versus USB ports

gonzobrains

Can anyone tell me the original purpose of the HYDRA-Net port? Was it simply to connect two HYDRAs together? Can it be used to connect a HYDRA to a PC? Perhaps using an adapter cable? Or would using the mini USB connection be better suited for this task? I am interested in using my PC to connect the HYDRA to the internet. I don't really want to buy any other hardware at this time. It seems like an ethernet port would have been much more useful. Maybe I can just manipulate the Hydra through a virtual COM port on the PC? I have seen various software packages that act as "servers", i.e., routing telnet data from an ethernet port to a device via a NULL modem cable. Could I do this with the virtual COM port?

Also, where do you buy cross-over phone cables, or do I have to make one myself?

Can anyone tell me the difference between the mini USB port and the four pin USB2SER port on the Hydra? Thanks.

Jeff

FredBlais

Most of your questions can be answered by reading the book that came with your hydra. For connecting to the internet, I suggest you buy the ethernet module for the hydra that connects in the cartridge port, there is an API for it so it's really easy to use. I use it to do some http request to my server and GET some php file, so I can toggle the debug led by clicking a button on a webpage, you can do pretty cool stuff. If you don't want to buy anything, you could write a C program and interface it with RS-232. Just add a MAX232 or similar to your experimenter card [noparse]:)[/noparse]

gonzobrains

Thanks. I am reading that book at the moment. I already read chapter four, which is why I am asking for greater clarification. The kit didn't contain a cable for connecting to the four-pin USB2SER connector. All I have is the USB cable for connecting to the PC in order to send programs using the Propeller tool. And, having already shelled out $200 for this kit, as much as I would like to use that ethernet module I don't wanna spend another 60 bucks or whatever for add-ons at this time. What are the options I have right out of the box?

Chris Savage

Your duplicate post has been removed.

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Chris Savage
Parallax Engineering

mpark

After you send a program down the USB cable, you are free to use the USB as a serial connection to your PC. On the PC side you'll need a program that talks to a COM port. On the HYDRA side you could use the FullDuplexSerial object (for example) to send and receive over pins 30/31.

Edit: As for the original purpose of the HYDRA-NET ports, they're for HYDRA-to-HYDRA communications. I wrote a two-player BattleZone clone (search this forum) that uses them.