Hi,

Since my original message I've managed to do pretty much everything I
wanted to and would like to share the info.

> Some messages in the archive seem to indicate that it might be possible to
> compile a kernel with a (some kind of) pmag in the text mode (wscons?) on
> certain systems.

*** I had a reply from Toru Nishimura with a pointer to a 3000/700 1.5
snapshot WSCONS kernel which can *only* use the PMAGB-B framebuffer. If
you have any other TC frambuffer - you are out of luck (for the moment). I
have been able to netboot and run my 3000/700 diskless using this kernel.
A "release" version of the WSCONS kernel for the 3000/700 (and friends) is
at least 6 months away.

After unpacking the sets and configuring the system (all done manually
whilst running diskless), I then booted off the local disk using the
standard 1.4.2 kernel. It still goes to the serial console but I don't
care as I can now access the machine over the network.

> 1. Is it possible to boot and run a 3000/700 completely over the net? At
> least in the first instance (to compile a kernel)?

*** See above. I've been running the system completely diskless for a
couple of weeks.

> 2. Is it possible to compile a kernel with a text console support for a
> 3000/700 or am I doomed to failure w/o a MMJ cable?

*** I am yet to try to compile a kernel with WSCONS support. However, I
did have problems using the first 1.5 snapshot kernel on the console
*after* going multiuser. Single user mode works without a hitch.

> 3. Where can I get a (cheap :-) MMJ cable (I'm not a hardware person) -

*** RS Components make a 6-lead MMJ-MMJ cable and MMJ-D25 and MMJ-D9
converters. A 3m MMj-MMJ cable with both the MMJ-D25 and MMJ-D9 converters
costs around 16 pounds (incl delivery)... Not cheap (but available).

Relevant RS part numbers are:

1. 6-lead MMJ patch cord grey - 446-670
2. MMJ-D9 socket adaptor      - 486-331
3. MMJ-D25 socket adaptor     - 486-353

HTH,

--Nino