PROJECT X

RoscoNet

A message network for rosco_m68k nodes with near-instant delivery over Ethernet via W5500. Inspired by FidoNet, minus the dial-up era delays. Built by enthusiasts. Owned by no one.

       .──────────────.      /  Node 1:101  /|     +--------------+ |     |              | |     |              | +     +------┬-------+            │          [eth]            │    .═════════╧════════.                    .══════════════.   /    Hub 1:100     /║                   /   Hub 2:200  /║  +══════════════════+ ║◄─────[eth]──────►+══════════════+ ║  ║                  ║ ║                  ║              ║ ║  ║                  ║ ╬                  ║              ║ ╬  +════════╦═════════+                    +═══════╦══════+           │                                      │    .──────┴───────.                       .──────┴───────.   /  Node 1:102  /|                      /  Node 2:201  /|  +--------------+ |                     +--------------+ |  |              | |                     |              | |  |              | +                     |              | +  +------┬-------+                       +--------------+         │  .──────┴───────. /  Node 1:103  /|+--------------+ ||              | ||              | ++--------------+

THE IDEA

FidoNet was born in 1984. We keep the idea, but tune it for modern-speed delivery on our own hardware.

FidoNet connected BBS systems over telephone lines — messages traveled from node to node, stored and forwarded until they reached their destination. It had no central server. It was built by hobbyists and ran on hardware most people had at home.

RoscoNet does the same thing, but on rosco_m68k machines connected over Ethernet using the W5500 module. This is not the internet. It is something rawer, more honest, more DIY.

Every node is someone's rosco_m68k computer running somewhere — a home lab, a desk, a workshop. The network belongs to its participants.

FidoNet (1984)

RoscoNet (2026)

IBM PC + modem

rosco_m68k + UART

Telephone lines

Ethernet — W5500 module on each rosco_m68k

~40,000 nodes at peak

Starting from the first one

Store-and-forward

Near-instant delivery over a custom protocol

Built by enthusiasts

UNDER THE HOOD

Messages that land almost instantly

Write

You compose a message on your rosco_m68k node. It sits in the outbound queue.

Connect

Your node connects to its uplink over Ethernet — a W5500 module plugged into your rosco_m68k.

Forward

The model is slightly reworked: once connected, the message moves through the network immediately instead of crawling like it's 1984.

Deliver

The recipient's node gets it almost right away. No hours-long waits, and still no noisy read receipts.

NETWORK TOPOLOGY

Every node has an address. Every message finds its way.

1:100/1   — Hub node, Zone 11:100/2   — Node 2 in Hub 1001:100/3   — Node 3 in Hub 1002:200/1   — Hub node, Zone 2

RoscoNet uses a hierarchical addressing scheme. Zones group regions, hubs aggregate local nodes. Your node's address is your identity on the network.

BECOME A NODE

All you need is a rosco_m68k and a cable

✓A working rosco_m68k — assembled and booting
✓W5500 Ethernet module — plug it into your rosco_m68k and connect to the network
RoscoNet firmware — flash the network stack onto your board (coming soon)
A node address — register with your local hub
Delay is no longer the point — messages should arrive almost instantly

STATUS

Where we are right now

✓

Concept

Done

Network architecture and protocol design

Protocol spec

In progress

Defining message format, routing, and handshake

Firmware

Implementing the network stack for rosco_m68k

First link

Two nodes exchanging their first message

Hub infrastructure

Multi-node routing and nodelist management

Public release

Open firmware, documentation, and network launch

STAY IN THE LOOP

This network won't build itself

RoscoNet is in early development. If you have a rosco_m68k and want to be one of the first nodes — or if you just want to follow the progress — join the community.

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