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How Does a 1980s Z80 Retro Computer Get Real TCP/IP Networking?(NedoOS)

A multitasking ZX Spectrum OS drives WIZnet's W5300 using plain Z80 IN/OUT instructions, enabling ping, telnet, browsing, and network games.

irina

Published September 29, 2026

187 UCC

5 WCC

66 VAR

Original author: alfisheOriginal source (new tab)

How Does a 1980s Z80 Retro Computer Get Real TCP/IP Networking?(NedoOS)

Components

Hardware components
W5300

WIZnet - W5300

x 1

Project description

How Does a 1980s Z80 Retro Computer Get Real TCP/IP Networking? A multitasking operating system for ZX Spectrum-compatible computers talks to a WIZnet W5300 hardware TCP/IP chip using nothing but the Z80's native IN/OUT instructions — turning a decades-old 8-bit architecture into a machine that can ping, telnet, browse the web, and play network games. COMPONENTS Hardware components Part Role Z80 CPU Runs NedoOS; found in ZX Spectrum-compatible boards such as ZX Evolution, Pentagon 2.666, and ATM Turbo 2+ WIZnet W5300 Hardware TCP/IP offload chip with a parallel 8/16-bit bus, accessed as Z80…

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