I might just try good ole MS-DOS 6.22 and see if it got all the needed functions done - I'd use the lowest common denominator that will work -
if you don't need the networking tools of FreeDOS, MS-DOS has been tried and true for both of the things you want to do with the machine...
I don't see any reason why MTCP should not work in MSDOS 6.22 environment if there is right networking card that is enlisted on supported packet driver list.
I run MTCP on 86box with MSDOS just fine.
I have FreeDOS on my iMac from 2011 and it also works just fine unless I want to use or programs use 0x60/61 IO ports for keyboard handlers. int 21h keyboard functions work but direct port scanning not, thus some PMODE extenders that rely on 0x60 checks for some reason and most games don't work with FreeDOS anyway... if they are UEFI systems with limited Legacy mode for BIOS boot ups.
That's my experience.
-h1
... Xerox Alto was the thing. Anything after we use is just a mere copy.
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