SBC - Standby Circuit

[jok3rm0n]

What is Standby ...
Standby is a way of obstructing (stopping/starting) your network traffic.
There are a couple of ways to Standby via hardware and software.
This document/tutorial is a hardware based solution.

How To Standby ...
A) The Manual Way
1) Unplug your network cable from your modem/router (no network traffic)
2) Do a mental count to some number (number of seconds)
3) Plug your network cable back in (network traffic restored)

B) The Automated Way (somewhat automated, I’ll give you real automation below!!!)
Your modem/router has a Standby Button
1) Press the Standby Button (no network traffic)
2) Do a mental count to some number (number of seconds)
3) Press the Standby Button Again (network traffic restored)

Why Would I Want To Standby ...
If you have to ask about game play, then you defiantly do not need this
document/tutorial.

What Is SBC (Standby Circuit) ...
SBC is an external electronic board that can block/permit network traffic.
SBC follows the basic design of a built in standby circuit found in some modems/routers.
It is not the same architect (hardware and firmware) but the end results are the
same (hardware only) ... block/permit network traffic.

Below is an electronic schematic and parts list to build the SBC.
I have gone to great lengths in restricting the parts list to items that
can be purchased from RadioShack (in store and online). The total
price of the parts will be somewhere between $20-$30. If you have
some other local electronic store near you, they can cross reference
the items for you. This circuit is not new nor is it the cure for cancer
(patentable … if that’s a word). It’s a simple 555 Timer Circuit (used in
monostable mode). Do a google search on 555 timer and you’ll get
all kinds of hits.

This document/tutorial assumes you ...

1) Know how to read electronic schematics
2) Have basic solder skills
3) Etc.

Basically, you can dabble in electronics ...

If you do not have the basic skills to build the SBC, I’m sure someone in
your family does or you have a buddy that does. Please do not ask if I
can build it for you, I can assure you, you can not afford my time.
I know, it’s an arrogant statement, but it’s true.

Below is the SBC Schematic and parts list ...





SBC Breadboarded ...



SBC Built ...



Now that you have built your SBC, take a look at the pics to
decide on how to hook it up.

Configuration 1:
Normal Operation:



Configuration 1:
SBC In The Loop:



Configuration 2:
Normal Operation:



Configuration 2:
SBC In The Loop:



How To use SBC ...
Once have your SBC in the loop, you simply press the Standby Button
(SW2 in the schematic) when you want to Standby in the game.

Now, here is the beauty of SBC, once you have pressed the Standby Button,
you can forget about. Yep, that’s right, forget about. Why, the SBC has
a built in timer that will automatically restore the network connection.

The duration of the timer is based on the setting of P1 in the schematic.
What you want to do is, try a few adjustments to increase or decrease
the timer delay. The goal is to adjust P1 (delay) so it will standby your
opponents but not bring up the Blue Standby Screen. They will not have
a clue as to what just happened to them, they just died.

Go into a custom game (you will need Host of course for this to work)
with a friend or two and play around with the adjustment of P1 until
you have the delay set. Once you have the delay set, go play others.

A couple of notes ...
Why does the SBC have to be on the modem/router/pc side of the loop ...
The reason the pics show the SBC in the loop on the modem/router side
of the PC is because you do not want your Xbox ethernet connection
detecting a Lost Link on it’s side of the loop (network).
This allows the standby period to be longer. I’m using this method to emulate
the missing firmware that this version of the SBC does not have.

Why does the SBC break the connection on pin 6 of the ethernet connection ...
This is the negative side of the Data Receive. The goal here is to keep
transmitting but not receive data from your opponents. Again, this is not
the perfect technical way of manipulating the network traffic but it works
for the purposes of the SBC. I am working on another version of SBC that
will include firmware so it will function truly as network Standby as you
see on some modems/routers/switches. Once this is done, it will not
matter what side of the loop you plug the SBC in.

There are other ways to Standby nowa days. This method is for
learning hardware design.

(.)(.) For more help on this tutorial, surf by www.se7ensins.com
(.)(.) Also for more tutorials and programs, surf by www.se7ensins.com

Have fun ...
jok3rm0n
All of my works are distributed exclusively through se7ensins.
If you find it elsewhere, it's been leeched!!!

[Paigy Poo]

wow very confusing