Econet is the local area networking system for BBC Micro computers. To relive our childhoods, we're going to build an Econet at the lab.

• Econet clock unit. One required for each network, to generate the timing signal. We can buy this for £50, or make it ourselves with reasonably basic components.
• For each BBC Model B client: a kit of components to be soldered onto the motherboard. Kits can be bought for £30, or we can source the parts ourselves (though one IC is very rare).
• For each BBC Master: an Econet daughterboard and ROM. Cost is £30. We can also use an Archimedes Econet board available for £10, and burn our own ROM.
• For each Acorn Archimedes: an Econet daughterboard and 9-pin-to-5-pin cable. Available for £10-20. Archimedes daughterboards can be used in the BBC Master, but BBC Master daughterboards are too large for the Archimedes.
• M-M 5-pin DIN (180 degrees) cables. One per client, and one between each junction box. MIDI cables can be used, as long as they are fully-wired (all 5 pins).
• Passive terminators (male 5-pin DIN with some resistors/capacitors). One at each end of the chain.
• Junction boxes. Three or more DIN sockets connected in a short-chain. The backbone (or terminator) is connected at either end of the chain, and one or more clients connected in the middle.
• File server: Level 1 (very basic) can be run on any BBC with a floppy. Level 2-3 require a second processor (which we have). Archimedes can also act as a file server with some free software.

To show-off our network, we'll want to host some applications.

• Games archive (Elite, Repton, Granny's Garden, …)
• Multiplayer games
• Hacklab Teletext
• Telnet/SSH (this won't be trivial)