Commodore 64 disk / tape emulation

Commodore 64 disk/tape emulation and data transfer comprises hardware and software for Commodore 64 disk & tape emulation and for data transfer between either Commodore 64 (C64), Commodore (1541) disk drive or Commodore (1530 Datasette) tape deck and newer computers.
There are a large variety of adapters for C64 disk/tape emulation and data transfer, and an even larger variety of compatible software. Many of the adapters interface with the original "serial bus" disk drive plug or the "C2N" tape. Others connect to either the "user port" or the cartridge "expansion port" using either standardized RS232 interfaces or proprietary adapters. In combination with software (or firmware), the adapters can either fully support the original communication protocols, provide partial support or apply proprietary communication protocols. Different solutions allow for letting the C64 access programs stored on another computer or the Internet, and for accessing the C64 disk station and tape deck from other computers.
History.
Some of the oldest adapters are the "C64 user port" to RS232 converters. Those were standardized and originally designed to connect printers and other 3rd party hardware, including modems. Later, those adapters have also been adopted for disk drive emulation and even Internet connections. However, the most widespread adapters were probably the different disk drive and printer plug "C64 serial bus" to Parallel port adapter that evolved for transferring data between disk drives and parallel port supplied computers. Because of hard timing requirements on the C64 side, those are unfortunately not applicable to laptops or multitasking operation systems. There also exist a more limited number of adapters for the "C64 tape interface". While the data transfer over the "user port" is usually limited to 2.4 kbit/s, the "C64 expansion port" cartridge interface supports transfer rates of one to two magnitudes higher through proprietary protocols. There exist "C64 expansion port" adapters that support both "hard disks", "memory cards", "USB-disks" and "Ethernet" connections.
The software is typically open source, and so is most of the hardware designs. You can therefore build most of the hardware yourself, though they are usually also available from online shops.
Software for C64 disk & tape emulation.
This section comprises software for emulating the 1541 disk drive or the Commodore 1530 Datasette tape deck on external computers, making them available to a physical Commodore 64.
.* no software required with C2N232, but with X1541 and PC64
.** a simple Basic version of the software on the C64 side is available for typing in to the C64 before the first use.
.*** The 1541 Ultimate II have special adapters to support TAPE emulation.
Software for PC to disk & tape transfer.
This section comprises software for transferring files and images between the 1541 disk drive or the Commodore 1530 Datasette tape deck and an external computer different from the Commodore 64.
.*This software requires that OpenCBM is available.
Hardware.
The following table addresses hardware for connecting the Commodore 64, the 1541 disk drive or the Commodore 1530 Datasette tape deck to external computers, data storage (such as disks and memory cards) or the Internet.
Software by C64 compatibility.
Full emulation of the Commodore 1541 disk drive or Commodore 1530 datasette is required e.g. to support fast loaders. Software that supports the basic transfer protocols, such as load and save, will not support fast loaders.
Software exists that replaces the basic transfer protocols with proprietary alternatives. These protocols require special software on both the host side and the Commodore 64 side.
Some software supports transfer between a disk or tape drive and a computer other than a Commodore 64.
Hardware by C64 compatibility.
The User Port RS232 adapters provides a low-speed serial port for Commodore 8-bit computers, originally for connecting printers etc. They can operate at speeds of up to 2.4 kbit/s.