MiamiDx networking simplified

== Introduction ==

This article aims to assist beginners to get their classic Amiga connected to a network. It explains the setup of '''Miami Deluxe''' (abbreviated as '''MiamiDx'''), which is an [[AmiTCP]] compatible TCP/IP networking stack for classic [[AmigaOS]]. It assumes that the Amiga will be connected to an already established networking environment where the various required parameters are known, and/or the hosts are automatically configured via a DHCP server. It also assumes that the hardware is functioning properly, and it's physically attached to the network already. Additionally, it assumes the driver for our networking hardware already obtained, and it is copied into folder ''DEVS:Networks''. All steps described in the article until the [[Amiga]] goes ''Online'' must be followed through exactly. Failing to do so might result in a non-working setup.

''Apart from classic [[Amiga]] hardware, this description can be used for the [[WinUAE]] emulator, to connect to the network using '''uaenet.device''' and/or using the [[Commodore A2065]] network card emulation, if the '''bsdsocket.library''' emulation is disabled. It also applies to [[Pegasos]] I/II computers running [[MorphOS]] version 1.4.x and older, but please note the hardware specific settings for various configurations are not discussed.''

== Installation ==

The installer of MiamiDx is available via Aminet. [[MUI]] is required to use the [[GUI]] described in this article.

* [http://aminet.net/package/comm/tcp/MiamiDx10cmain MiamiDx main archive]
* [http://aminet.net/package/comm/tcp/MiamiDx10c-MUI MiamiDx MUI GUI archive]

Extract both archives into the same directory, then execute the Installer script.

If everything went fine, the following window should appear after clicking on the '''MiamiDx''' icon:

[[Kép:Miami-01-mainwindow.PNG|frame|none|MiamiDx main window]]

== Configuring the hardware ==

As a first step, the networking hardware and its device driver must be configured. Click on the ''Hardware'' tab, then click the ''New'' button. In the pop-up window, select ''Ethernet''.
[[Kép:Miami-02-newhardware.PNG|frame|none|Add hardware wizard]]

At this point, a name or identifier must be specified for the networking hardware. This identifier will be used throughout the rest of the configuration process. It's recommended to specify a name which refers to the networking hardware type or model. The name must be entered into the ''Name'' field. If the hardware has a ''MiamiDx'' specific (MNI) driver, it's recommended to use it. In this case, the ''Type'' field must be set to ''MNI driver'', then the driver's file name must be specified. After clicking the ''Find boards...'' button, the networking hardware can be selected in the pop-up window.
[[Kép:Miami-03-mnidriver-01.PNG|frame|none|MNI driver settings]]

The hardware and driver functionality can be verified by clicking the ''MNI Parameters... button''. In the pop-up window, click ''Query device''. The MAC address of the hardware should appear.
[[Kép:Miami-04-mnidriver-02.PNG|frame|none|Verifying the MNI driver settings]]

If the networking hardware has a SANA-II driver, ''SANA-II driver'' must be selected in the same window, and the driver's file name must be specified in the entry field. The functionality of the driver and hardware can be verified by clicking the ''SANA-II Parameters..'' button. In the pop-up window, click ''Query device''. The MAC address of the hardware should appear.
[[Kép:Miami-05-sanaiidriver.PNG|frame|none|SANA-II driver settings and verification]]

If everything went as described, click ''OK''. The newly configured networking hardware should appear in the list. It's possible to add multiple different hardware. A null-modem cable for serial computer-to-computer network it, or in case of an [[Amiga 1200]] or [[Amiga 600]] both the wired and the wireless networking card can be added here. It's possible to edit or delete hardware entries using the buttons below.
[[Kép:Miami-06-hwdone.PNG|frame|none|Finalizing the hardware settings]]

== Configuring the network interface ==

After specifying the hardware, a logical network interface must be created and configured. For this, click the ''New'' button on the ''Interfaces'' tab. Select ''Ethernet'' and ''Internet'' in the pop-up window, then click ''OK''.
[[Kép:Miami-07-newinterface.PNG|frame|none|Adding a new interface]]

One of the previously specified hardware must be selected for this interface. In case of more than one hardware, switching between them is possible, but for the creation of the interface one must be chosen regardless. After choosing the hardware, click ''OK''.
[[Kép:Miami-08-newinterface-hw.PNG|frame|none|Selection of hardware for the interface]]

Now the interface settings must be defined. This is the most cruical part of the setup process. If the network has a DHCP server, so the devices connected to the network are autoconfigured (most likely these days), all fields should be set from ''static'' to ''DHCP''. Alternatively, it's possible to specify a static IP, a subnet mask, and a gateway IP. It's important that for the default interface, ''GUI Default'' must be enabled. If DHCP is used, after finishing the settings in this window, click ''TCP/IP Settings...'' for DNS (domain name server) auto-configuration. ''(Note: for static DNS settings, please see chapter [[#Advanced settings|Advanced settings]]).''
[[Kép:Miami-09-interfacedef.PNG|frame|none|Network interface definition]]

In the pop-up window, set option ''Get dynamic DNS servers'' from ''ignore'' to ''add''. Ignoring and not changing this setting is the most likely reason when name resolution is not working. No further settings are needed here. To close this window, click ''OK''.
[[Kép:Miami-10-interface-tcpip.PNG|frame|none|Network interface definition, continued]]

Clicking ''OK'' again will close the ''Interface definition'' window. In the list, the newly crated interface will appear, which is ready to connect by clicking ''Online''.
[[Kép:Miami-11-interface-done.PNG|frame|none|Finalizing the interface definition]]

If everything went well to this point, and the network hardware and the physical connection works, '''MiamiDx''' loads the network card driver, sends a configuration request to the DHCP server, if it receives a configuration applies it, then puts our interface ''Online''. The functionality of the network can be easily verified from the shell, using the command ''miamiping''. If the interface is successfully configured, the target host will send a valid response, and the Amiga is finally connected to the network! ''(Hint: the execution of the ''miamiping'' command can be stopped by pressing CTRL-C.)''
[[Kép:Miami-12-interface-online.PNG|frame|none|Verifying the network connectivity]]

== Saving the configuration ==

The configuration specified in the earlier steps should be saved. '''MiamiDx''' can load and save different configurations easily, but in case of simple setups, it's the easiest to save everything as default. In this case '''MiamiDx''' will start the next time with the configuration just defined. In the ''Settings'' menu, click ''Save as default'' to store the current configuration as default.
[[Kép:Miami-13-savesettings.PNG|frame|none|Saving the configuration]]

== Advanced settings ==

This section details some advanced settings, which makes the everyday use of '''MiamiDx''' more convenient. Remember to save the configuration again after changing these settings.

In case of a well setup system, '''MiamiDx''''s configuration GUI won't be needed on each start. To disable the GUI on start, on the ''GUI'' tab, enable option ''No GUI on startup''. If ''Show icon'' is also disabled, '''MiamiDx''' won't appear as an icon on the Workbench, but its GUI can be opened using a hotkey, also specified here in the ''Hotkey'' field, or through [[Exchange]].
[[Kép:Miami-14-guisettings.PNG|frame|none|User interface settings]]

If '''MiamiDx''' should put our default interface ''Online'' automatically on start, on the ''Events'' tab, enable option ''auto-online''. If the GUI is not fully disabled in the previous step, it's possible to enable automatic hiding after the interface went ''Online'', by setting the drop-down menu to ''Hide GUI'' in the ''Start'' group. 
[[Kép:Miami-15-eventssettings.PNG|frame|none|Operations on start and on shutdown]]

Static DNS settings can be added on the ''Database'' tab. Set the central gadget to ''DNS servers'', then ''Add'' your choice of DNS server. The newly added DNS server can be bound to only one interface, or a system-wide setting. If the DHCP auto-configuration process added temporary DNS servers, these will be marked by "X" in the ''Temp.'' column. ''(Hint: for users with deep networking and Unix knowledge, a lot of very advanced settings and fine-tuning possibilities are available in the various fields of the Database tab)''
[[Kép:Miami-16-dnssettings.PNG|frame|none|Static DNS server settings]]

The following is not really a configuration setting, just a trick: it's possible to hide or fully disable the configuration GUI manually, in the ''Project'' menu using the ''Iconify'' or the ''Kill GUI'' options respectively. '''MiamiDx''' will continue to operate in the background, its configuration GUI will be available through its icon, or using the hotkey specified in the ''GUI'' tab, or via [[Exchange]].
[[Kép:Miami-19-killgui.PNG|frame|none|Hiding the user interface manually]]

== End result ==

Now the [[Amiga]] should be connected to the internet, using '''MiamiDx'''. There are many networking applications available, for example it can connect to IRC using AmIRC allowing a nice chat with other Amiga users, or browse the web via IBrowse.
[[Kép:Miami-17-amirc.PNG|frame|none|MiamiDx and AmIRC]]
[[Kép:Miami-18-ibrowse.PNG|frame|none|MiamiDx and IBrowse]]


== License ==

This article and the associated images are published by Károly Balogh under [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ CC BY 4.0].

This is the English translation of the [[MiamiDx_hálózati_beállítások_egyszerűen|original Hungarian]] I published in 2012. Feel free to copy it to other places or translate it to your language.