SYSOP DOCUMENTATION

American Version

22 June, 2000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

FPAC is a network node program developed by the Hams of ATEPRA. ATEPRA is a French Amateur Radio association which supports packet radio experimentation. The FPAC node establishes and maintains packet radio connections, using AX.25 protocol. It provides transparent routing of AX25 data packets for the user. It routes packets from one point in the network to another.

FPAC is based on ROSE (RATS Open System Environment) system, designed and written by Tom Moulton, W2VY. ROSE follows an OSI model, uses a hierarchical addressing scheme and is built into a TNC2. The TNC2 has two ports, one rf and one RS232/TTL. Nodes must be "stacked" to link rf channels. This is done by tying TNC2s together via their RS232/TTL ports. Each ROSE node requires; two call signs, one for level 2 connects and one for level 3 connects and one network address. Node stacks are expensive and require considerable coordination of addresses and call signs.

FPAC is a ROSE switch stack in a PC with up to 10 ports. While keeping the original TNC based ROSE concept, FPAC takes advantage of the PC platform. The PC has a more powerful processor, larger memory capacity and is supported by development tools which simplify the software design and allows more complex operations.

 

 

Credits

A great deal of the FPAC development work was done by F6DWJ. He ported the ROSE system, from a Z80 based TNC to a PC environment. Functions, based on suggestions from Beta Testers: F6FBB, F6ABJ, F1ONT, F1TE, F6DEG, were also added.

With the help of F6ABJ, F6DEG, F1TE & F1AAV; ATERPA designed a 4 channel SCC board and modems. F1TE, F6FBB, & F6DEG, tested the hardware.

F1EDH wrote the French documentation, based on preliminary input from F6DWJ, F6BEX, F1TE, F6CSS, & F5CDC. The documentation was verified by F5PBX and F6ABJ. The English translation was accomplished by W5/F6CNB.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Network

The packet network consists of linked nodes. Network users connect to each others through these nodes and data is transmitted from the input node to the output node. The answers follow the reverse path. The FPAC node implements level 3 of the OSI model

There are no routing table broadcasts. Each node handles connections with its neighbors based on the destination addresses and routing data entered by the Node Manager. Network status is tested in real-time.

When the network establishes a connection it does so based on the destination address. The connection is established through the network as each node connects to one of it’s neighbors. Each node knows which neighbor it should try and the alternate connection. If the primary link is not available the node will attempt to link to an alternate node. This process continues until a route is established or all alternate paths have been tried and failed.

The network establishes the connection based on available nodes and links. FPAC reliability improves with the number of links and alternate routes between nodes. Since the network reliability depends largely on the number of links, it is very important to have a large number of nodes and alternate routes.

Illustration 1

Illustration 1 is an example of the FPAC network around Tampa, Florida. Note that each node is identified by a call sign and a 6 digit address. e.g.: KE4CRB-9, 1813878. The call sign is used for the input connection, the address is used in determining the output. The address is derived from the local a telephone number. The nodes are linked together by dedicated transport links. The links may be a land line or radio.

 

 

 

System Requirements

A minimal FPAC node will include :

- an IBM PC or compatible

- an I/O card (ATEPRA SCC, DRSI or a PC Com)

- a modem card/TNC (if not included on the serial card)

- a radio transceiver

Computer

Operating Systems : DOS 5.0 or higher & LINIX. The MS Windows environment is NOT recommended.

Minimum Computer requirements : 16 MHz 80286 processor, 512K of RAM, 20 Meg HD, The FPAC software will run on a 8080 processor with a floppy drive. However, the speed and reliability will be compromised.

Keyboard and monitor: are not required for normal operation. However, some PCs will not boot without a keyboard.

I/O boards :

The software supports four types of controller boards.

The SCC4/ATEPRA board (Serial Communication Controller) : includes 2 Z8530 which provide four serial HDLC ports, either RS232 or TTL compatible. This card does not include modems. This card is available through the ATEPRA.

The DRSI boards : available through HAM radio dealers. The DRSI board includes one Z8530 which provides two ports. The modems included depend upon the model of DRSI board.

The OPTO SCC board : is designed by PA0HZP and is fully compatible with the SCC4.

The SCC/DM5/ATEPRA board : is a special version of the SCC4 designed for the NCR/DM5 PC.

TNCs and Modem boards

ATEPRA Bi-Modem board : ATEPRA has designed two modem boards. One is based on the TCM3105 IC, the other one on the 7910 IC. Both boards include two modems with carrier detect circuitry, based on the XR2211, for open squelch operation. The printed circuit boards are available from ATEPRA.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Installation

  1. Prepare the PC.
  1. install the Hard Drive and Operating System.
  2. Install and configure the interface boards (Com, DRSI or SCC).
  1. Install FPAC
  1. Copy FPAC files on to the PC hard drive.
  2. Modify your AUTOEXEC.BAT. & Run FPAC.
  3. Edit the FPAC.CFG file to reflect your hardware configuration.
  4. Edit "Node" file to reflect your local node text & routing information.
  5. Create FPAC.TXT file by compiling the "node" file by running CONFIGUR.EXE.
  6. Create or Modify your FPAC.BAT file.
  1. Install inter-connect cables (SCC to modem, Com to TNC, modem to radio).
  2. Install the radios & antennas.

FPAC files

The following files should be in the FPAC Directory ;

FPAC.EXE - The FPAC program file FPAC.MSG - The language text for FPAC messages. FPAC.TXT - The output of the compiled "node" file. FPAC.CFG - The FPAC configuration info. FPAC.BAT - FPAC Startup CONFUR.EXE - The compiler for the "node" file. NODE.CNF - This file may be renamed, it contains he information for the node’s local texts and routing instructions. READ.ME - Last minute instructions and notes. FPAC.MOD - The program modification history.

The Underlines files are Required.

The FPAC.ZIP file should contain all the necessary files.

Running FPAC the First Time

It is possible to run FPAC without configuring the I/O cards or powering up the external devices (modem or TNC). The configuration of the node will probably not be correct but, it will allow you to get the feel of the local console.

Begin by adding the following line to your autoexec.bat file.

SET FPAC=<FPAC Dir> <FPAC Dir> is the directory in which you have installed the FPAC files.

Example: FPAC will execute from C:\FPAC - the SET command will be SET FPAC = C:\FPAC.

FPAC.CFG

Continue by editing the FPAC.CFG file This file reflects the hardware installation, assigns a call sign for the operator console, defines the language used by the system texts and AX25 parameters.

Text beginning with "#" indicates a Comment. Information between # and the end of this line is disregarded by the compiler.

Each line starts with a keyword defining a parameter name, followed by parameter definition. Only the first three characters of the parameter name are interpreted by the compiler.

Do Not leave any lines blank. If you wish extra lines for readability… place a # in the first column

Alias definitions

Up to 5 Alias may be defined.

alias=1;k0ZXF,813962,R

alias=2;node,813962

alias=3;k4ks,813777

In the above example: a connect request to K0ZXF-2 will be routed to Node, a request to K0ZXF-3 will go to K4KS. The R letter make the node transparent for this alias

APARS Information

The following information may be may be loaded into the FPAC variables $F, $P, $p. Lat=2894.71N #Latitude Lon=08232.13W #Longitude Frq=144.910 #Frequency

Beacon

Define beacon message, the time between bacons and optionally a Digi path.

balias = North Tampa Network Access # Message text

via=TPA # Digi path

every=3600 # each hour

 

Buffer number

Define the number of buffers for each port. 0 (zero) initializes only the defined ports.

min=0

Buffer size

The buffer is used to hold frame data. The default size is 65512 bytes. It should not be necessary to change it.

size=65512

Command

The Commands which are used by the Remote Operator may be entered at Startup time.

Cmd=be off # Shut the BELLS off Cmd=bc USERS # Beacon callsign

Date

The Date command allows you to specify the date format.

By default the format is %Y/%m/%d ( year/month/day )

NOTE: only the order may be modified. DO NOT use commas or spaces

.

date=%Y/%m/%d

 

 

FBB

FBB=1 is the default. FBB=0 signals FPAC that the associated BBS is something other than a FBB BBS.

EOL

Defines the end-of-line character(s) for the LOG file.

eol=0 # Default - log file lines end with \r

eol=1 # Log file lines end with \r\n ( for DOS...)

 

Level 2 and 3 parameters

Define Level 2 and 3 parameters for each active port. The lines begin with ni2= (level 2) or ni3= (level 3) followed by the Port number and then the parameter values for:

FRack, REsptime, CHeck, REtries, MAxframe, and FRamesize. [See the Glossary for the definitions of terms]

# Layer 2 and 3 parameters

# L#

# | Port #

# | | Frack

# | | | Resptime

# | | | | Check

# | | | | | Retries

# | | | | | | Maxframe

# | | | | | | | Framesize

# | | | | | | | |

# 144.91 user port

ni2= 0 025 12 800 10 4 256

ni3= 0 025 12 800 8 4 256

# DEDICATED CABLE TO WINFBB

ni2= 1 020 10 800 10 7 256

ni3= 1 020 10 800 8 7 256

# TRUNK TO IBM

ni2= 2 005 00 800 10 7 256

ni3= 2 005 00 800 16 7 256

# TEST PORT

ni2= 3 025 12 800 10 1 256

ni3= 3 025 12 800 8 1 256

#

ni2= 4 030 15 800 10 7 256

ni3= 4 030 15 800 8 7 256

|

|

ni2= 8 030 15 300 8 7 256

ni3= 8 030 15 600 8 7 256

ni2= 9 030 15 300 8 7 256

ni3= 9 030 15 600 8 7 256

 

 

 

Mail statistics to the associated BBS

Net= (time address)

Enables FPAC to send Statistics Reports to an associated BBS. The report is addressed to FPACST. The time period is in seconds. Net=0 sends the Report once a day. The station to which the bulletin is addressed must be on an adjacent node

See the appendix for an example of the Statistics Report.

net=3600,KP4DJT@KP4DJT-9 813877 # statistics each hour are sent to KP4DJT@ KP4DJT 813877.

Minimum buffers

Min=(0 or1)

Min=0 - will only create buffers for channels which are defined.

Min=1 - will create 1 buffer per channel at Startup. All 10 channels are initialized regardless of their definition.

Options

The options are used for testing and optimization of the node.

Example : option =R O B

B : Enable CTRL+ALT to stop the program. R : Use PC clock (AT) N : Test O : Optimize message buffers T : Trace mode D : Debug mode K : Process K command in DED mode P : Panic then boot C :

To conserve memory the panic line should also be added 'panic=1'.

NODE console call sign

mycall=K0ZKX-10

This is the call that is used by the system during console sessions. The SSID or call should be different from the Node identifications.

Test port

The test port is the default port for console commands. It is also the Beacon port.

testport=0

Local addresses

localaddr= n1,n2 (n1 = port #, n2 = network address)

Each User port is assigned a network address This is a six digit node addresses. The address is normally the local telephone area code plus the telephone number prefix.

E.g. for the telephone number 757 243 4434 the local node address would be 757243.

localadd=0,813962 # port 0

localadd=3,813119 # port 3

Password

Pwd= (n = number, Character string)

Defines the number of correct characters in response to the password challenge and the password string. The numerical value sets the number of characters which must have a correct response. See Remote SysOp Access for further information.

If the file FPAC.PWD exists, the password is taken from that file. The Pwd= parameter is ignored. The format in FPAC.PWD is nChrstr.

Four characters are needed in the following example.

pwd=4The FPAC System Is Outstanding!

Language

Langue=

Define the language used in the NODE’s text. The FPAC.MSG file contains the text for the language messages. The following are presently defined : French, Spanish, German, English.

langue=english

 

Information Texts

Inf=n (n = 0 - 9)

FPAC allows the handling of multiple text messages. If Inf= statement is used, FPAC accesses INFO.TXT file for the text messages

n is the number of messages that are in INFO.TXT. INFO.TXT may contain up to 10 message texts, labeled M0 to M9.

 

History

His=0/1,n1,n2

This allows FPAC to save command lines in a history buffer. The amount of buffer space may be set by the Sysop. The total of the upper and lower window buffers should not exceed 60000.

his=0 # Do not save command history his=1,n1,n2 # Save command history - n1 = the size of the buffer for the upper window, n2 = the size of the buffer for the lower window.

 

Port hardware definition

The hardware portion of the configuration defines each of the hardware ports. There are 13 parameters for each port. Parameter "0" defines the port type. FPAC presently recognizes: Bay=, Scc=, Dsri=, and Com= . See the Appendix for examples and parameters used for the different types of ports.

All 10 ports must be defined. The unused ports will defined as Nul= and have 0s for their parameter values.

 

Window

window=n1,n2,n3

Standard values 3,25,18 for a Color screen

7,25,18 for a Black & White screen

n1= Mode

0 = TEXTBW40, 8 = HERCMONO, 16= ORESCOLOR

1 = TEXTC40, 9 = MRES16COLOR,

2 = TEXTBW80, 10= HRES16COLOR,

3 = TEXTC80, 11= ERESNOCOLOR,

4 = MRES4COLOR, 12= ERESCOLOR,

5 = MRESNOCOLOR, 13= VRES2COLOR,

6 = HRESBW, 14= VRES16COLOR,

7 = TEXTMONO, 15= MRES256COLOR,

n2= Screen length in number of lines [ 60, 50, 43, 30, 25 ]

n3= Screen length of upper window (ALT+W) number of lines

 

 

The "NODE" file

This file includes the Node Address, its Digi and Node call signs, and links to the network. It also defines the routing tables The information included in this file will be compiled by CONFIGUR.EXE. This compilation creates the FPAC.TXT file. See the Example in the Appendix

Verify

This Statement is used for De-bugging. It works like the Echo On DOS command. VERIFY enables the display of Compiler messages. NOVERIFY disables the output of messages. When used around a block of code they will help to narrow a problem in compiler statements.

Default Parameters

There are four switch parameters that may be defaulted, the form of the default is:

DEFAULT PORT 0

DEFAULT TIMEOUT 600

DEFAULT L3W 6

DEFAULT MAXVC 40

DEFAULT par Value

Where "par" is one of the following and "Value" is described.

L3W 1..7

This configures the Level 3 Packet Window, much like MAXFRAME for TNC Links. Valid values are 1 through 7.

TimeOut 0..65535

Once a network link is established it will handshake every TimeOut period. If the link goes Out of Order due to a radio failure or interference a timer begins to count down from the TimeOut period. No connections or routing will be attempted via this link until the time period has expired. This will reduce the time required to route around a malfunctioning switch or path. The suggested value is 900 seconds (15 Minutes), but other values may be used. Valid values are from 0 to 65535 seconds (18 Hours). A realistic minimum value is 3-5 minutes. A lower value could cause the call router to try a bad link more than once with the same call request. When the link is not out of order it will Handshake every TimeOut period.

MaxVC 0..254

This parameter sets the maximum number of VCs, or simultaneous connections, that will be allowed on a link to another switch. The recommended value is 20. A special case occurs when this statement appears in a USER block statement.

Port 0..4

This defines the default port .

Include

- defines the location of any external files. The Characters *< at the beginning of a line indicate that the character string that follows will be a file name. The compiler will load that file and use the contents of the file as a part of the source code. This feature is handy for Local Text and standard lists of addresses. External files make the main file shorter and easier to read and edit.

This DNC

- defines the Country Code. 3100 is the Country Code for the USA within data networks.

THIS DNIC 3100 United States of America

This

- the beginning of a block of statements which will identify the switch being configured.

The location name, Tom1, is only used within the configuration file. This name must not contain any spaces or commas. Little Falls, NJ is listed as LittleFalls.

THIS Node Tom1.

Address

Each switch must have a Network Address. It is used as the destination reference of a Connect Request The address should be 6 digits and should follow the national numbering plan in use for the AX.25 network. In the United States. ( Area Code and local Exchange at the location of the Node.)

ADDRESS 813962

Call

In order for users and other nodes to establish links. This node must have an Amateur Radio call. When this call is used for switching requests, all network level messages will be displayed. These messages include connection setup status and notification of reset conditions that may have caused lost of data.

CALL K0ZXF-9

Digi

Each switch also has a call that may be used for digipeating, this may be the same as the CALL. Even if CALL and DIGI are the same they need to be specified. If a switching request uses the DIGI call there will be no call progress messages supplied by the network.

DIGI K0ZXF-8

If the CALL and DIGI are the same, the all network messages will be disabled.

Coverage

If a switch has a RF coverage that crosses more than one telephone exchange then these extra exchanges may be specified in the statement. This is a Block Statement and is terminated with an END statement.

This is a nested block statement. The COVERAGE statement is inside the "This Node Tom1" block.

COVERAGE

813123 813000 8130001

END

Each of the Network Addresses listed above will be treated as if they were the Node’s Network Address. When a Call Request is received that has address 201934 or one of the addresses listed in the Coverage list, the node will attempt to establish a link with the specified user.

Userport

specifies which Port should be used to establish connections to users.

USERPORT 0

 

 

 

 

Text

Information about how to use the network, or information of general interest may be loaded into the node. This information is accessed by the user by connecting directly to the Node’s call. This is information block begins with a TEXT statement and ends with $EOF statement. A blank line (CR / LF ) is inserted by entering a $ on a line by itself.

Example:

TEXT

Welcome to the TPALAN K0ZXF-9 node at North Tampa $ Node Callsign: K0ZXF-9 Digi Callsign: K0ZXF-8 Address: Frequency: 144.91

Site Location: North Tampa $ Services available for direct connects on 144.91: $ FAST CONNECTS $ C K0ZXF (The K0ZXF BBS) C K0ZXF-1 (K0ZXF node Application) C K0ZXF-5 (WIDE AREA service directory) C K0ZXF-6 (Conference Application) $ C INFO-1 V K0ZXF-9,813555 (WIDE AREA service directory) C INFO V K0ZXF-9,813411 (TPALAN service directory) $ Local Users: Connect to K0ZXF-1 and enter ? to get a help listing of all commands available. Enter I9 for additional Information text. $ Remote network users should connect to NODE at . $ Configuration 19Aug1998 $EOF End

This TEXT may be up to 2048 bytes long END - an END statement is used to terminate a Block of statements.

 

Defining Local & User Nodes

This section describes the neighboring nodes and associated BBSes which communicate directly with our node The general form for Local and User is: Node/User (Name) Address (Network Address) Path (Call of Node ) Port (The port through which the link will be established) End (an END statement is used to terminate a Block of statements)

 

Local Node

This block defines a node that is identified as "Tampa3. The node uses the call KE4CR-9 at network address 813878. It is on PORT 2.

Node TAMPA3

Address 813878

Path KE4CRB-9

Port 2

End

Local User

This block defines an associated BBS, WNFBB, located on Port 1, It’s call is K0ZXF and allows only one VC.

User WINFBB

Path K0ZXF

Port 1

Maxvc 0

End

Adjacent Nodes may be defined as a "USER" to make it is possible to explore the network from node to node without knowledge of the Node addresses.Routing Information

Route

- statements specify which network addresses should be routed to which nodes. This is usually divided into two parts - first the routing needed for the nodes within the local network (the nodes you control) and the second the routing for out of area network addresses.

The general form of the ROUTE statement is:

Route To Node(s) (Node-list)

Calls For

(Network-address-list)

End

"Node-list" is a sequence of nodes; and "Network-address-list" is a list of Network Addresses. The network address is composed of the current DNIC followed by the address specified. If the command "DNIC 0" is entered then the DNIC need not be added to the address, this is useful to route an entire country or continent.

If a Call Request is received for one of the addresses in the list the node will use this routing information to pass the call to the next switch. The nodes are tried in the order they are listed. So, the routes should be listed best to worse. This was done to limited the number of ways to get from this node to a remote region. From the Clifton Node we can route calls for New England to Manhattan or Little Falls, so the following statement would set up the required routing entries.

Route to nodes TAMPA3 HILL52

Calls for

813007 813777 813047 813046 813911

214000

806 505 817 316 318 405 409 512 713 903 915 918 210 719 501 601 205 504

End

We also need to include the routes for the local nodes. The routing information here should include the full address of each node as well as the addresses in it's coverage.

Route to node HILL52

Calls for

813968

End

DNIC

For switching connections to other countries you will need to include instructions for their routing. To do this you use a DNIC command and follow it with a Route To block. Example: DNIC 0

DNIC 0

This instructs the Configur program to treat the addresses in the Route blocks that follow as country codes.

Route To Node HILL52

Calls For

3020 7

End

This adds routing information for all calls to Canada, (DNIC 3020), as well as South America, where all DNICs start with 7.

Write

Defines the output file. The FPAC will look for FPAC.TXT for the routing information.

WRITE FPAC.TXT

Quit

The end of the file. This signals the compiler that there are no more lines to be scanned.

FPAC.MSG

The FPAC.MSG file contains the text strings which makeup the messages within FPAC. This allows the SysOp to specify the language and tailor the messages on the Node.

Although it is not necessary -you may remove any unused language blocks.

Each language block is identified with a $language statement (Example $English) at the beginning and contains a specific number of message.

Each message begins and ends with a " character. The Maximum message length is 300 characters.

Do not add or remove any lines within a language block except for the comments - lines which begin with #.

Be careful when modifying the messages.

Blank line are not allowed .

See APPENDIX for variables

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

info.txt

The info.txt file supplements the CNF & MSG files. The use of the info.txt makes the modification of the Information text(s) easier. info.txt uses the same variables as FPAC.MSG

Sysop Defined variables

The Sysop may define 10 variables - to be used within info.txt and fpac.msg. Text variables may be used within the Sysop Defined variables and the information messages. If an info.txt file is not used the Sysop defined variables may be defined in fpac.msg. In either case the format will be :

$0 "Text"

|

$9 " Char strig…"

$EndV # end of Sysop Defined variables

Examples

$0 "K0ZXF"

$1 "$0 $D $T"

$2 "Memory usage : "

$3 "Friends of Packet"

$4 "FL Amateur Digital Communications Assoc."

$5 "Tri-state wormhole"

$6 "QTH: Malfunction Junction"

$7 "dollar seven"

$8 "dollar eight"

$9 "dollar nine"

$EndV # Close variable declaration

 

Information texts

The SysOp may also define 10 separate Information texts. An Info text is sent as a reply to the 'I' command issued to NODE. You may display message #n with the Command In after connecting to node. It is also possible to display message #n with the I(without number) Command when connected to node via port n.

They are Labeled $M0 thru $M9.

The information text format is :

$MnP # message number n

"text" #The maximum length that each message can have is 2000 bytes.

$ # end of text

# n is the message number, P indicates that this will replace the Primary Info text message in the .cnf file. You should only have one of the 10 marked with a P. You should also remember to specify in fpac.txt that information texts are available for supplementary information (See command - Inf= n).

 

 

 

Operation

This section describes the Console commands and the Remote Sysop commands. Console commands allow the testing of hardware, links, and the temporary modification of the System configuration. The remote sysop commands allow file uploads and access to DOS commands so that the sysop can update the program or the configuration

Console Operation

Function KEYS

They may be used in connected mode.

F1 - Displays the function keys HELP menu

F2 - Not used

F3 - Stops YAPP transfer.

F4 - Stops ASCII transfers.

F5 - Sends an ASCII file. Press the F5 key and type the filename (including the directory if the file is not in the current one)

F6 - Receives an ASCII file.

Press the F6 and type the filename. The transfer status is displayed during the transfer. Press the F4 to stop the transfer.

F7 - Sends a file using YAPP protocol. The YAPP transfer should be started at the receiving side.

F8 - Receives a file using YAPP protocol.

F9 - Go to DOS. Use EXIT to come back to FPAC.

Console commands

? : Help

Displays a menu of the most common commands.

cmd:?

F1=help F3=abort yapp F4=Stop text F5=TX text F6=RX text F7=TX F8=RX yapp

<ESC>=cmd:

ba: balise[,n°sec] bc: balise call(s) be: bell

bm: call to monitor bt: beacon message c : connect

cf: config cl: clear screen co: converse

d : disconnect dd: stat ded dw: dwait for test port

h : heard i : info il: list idle time

it: idle time lo: log/trace mc: edit mcb

md: map modem ml: max link mo: monitor

my: my call ni: param. 2/3 ns: net sup

pa: panic [exit] pt: test port q : quit

ss: sys status st: station on/off t : log time

tc: time constant td: time start th: thresh hold

tn: time tr: traffic tx: txdelay for test port

u : users ? : help

?? : Help map

Displays a more complete menu :

cmd:??

F1=help F3=abort yapp F4=Stop text F5=TX text F6=RX text F7=TX F8=RX yapp

<ESC>=cmd:

ba: balise[,n°sec] bc: balise call(s) be: bell

bm: call to monitor bt: message balise c : connect

cf: config cl: clear screen cn: count

co: converse d : disconnect dd: stat ded

ds: dump ds area dw: dwait for test port es: dump es area

ex: exam label h : heard i : info

il: list idle time it: idle time ki: kiss on/off

ld: load test lk: init link lo: log/trace

mc: edit mcb md: map modem ml: max link

mo: monitor my: my call ni: param. 2/3

ns: net sup op: options pa: panic [exit]

pr: reserve map pt: test port q : quit

qr: reset ded ss: sys status st: station on/off

sv: save log (after lo) t : log time tc: time constant

td: time start th: thresh hold tn: time

tr: trafic ts: reserve map tx: txdelay for test port

u : users uc: reserve map wr: reserve map

? : help ??: help map

 

ba : Beacon

ba [n] Change or display the beacon period. The value n is in seconds.

Example

cmd:ba 3600 Change the beacon period

cmd:ba Display the beacon period

ba=1800

To force a beacon transmission. Type ba=0 and then ba.

cmd:ba each ‘ba’ forces an immediate beacon transmission on the current port

 

bc : Beacon callsign

BC [callsign [v callsign[ callsign]]]

Define the beacon destination.

By default, the beacon frames are sent to "BALISE" (BEACON in French) in unconnected mode.

Remark : The beacons are transmitted on the current port (test port)

Example :

cmd:bc balise Destination balise

cmd:bc BEACON V K0ZXF-11 Through a digipeater

 

be : Bell

BE [on|of]

Disables the BELL for each received frames during console traffic.

Example :

cmd:be of Disable the bell

cmd:be Display the bell status

 

bm : Call to monitor

bm[0|callsign]

Allow selective filtering on monitoring. Monitoring should be disabled by mo command.

Bmk4zxa-1 Monitor only frames from or to K4ZXA-1.

bm0 monitor all frames (no filter)

Example 1 :

cmd:bmK6ABJ Monitor only frames from and to K6ABJ

Example 2 :

cmd:bm Display monitor status

K6ABJ-0

Example 3 :

cmd:bm0 Monitor all frames

 

bt : Beacon text

bt [text]

Change or display beacon text.

Example:

cmd:bt Hi here is FPAC New beacon text

or

cmd:bt Display current beacon text

Nodal FPAC F6KDS-11 * Digi : F6KDS-10. Qth Les LILAS (93)

 

 

c : Connect

C[ callsign[ v callsign [callsign]]]

Connect to a station on the current port (test port, command 'ptx')

If a connection is pending, the message 'Call in Progress' appears, and additional requests will be refused. Use the "D" command to stop the request and reissue the connect command.

Example:

cmd:C F6ABJ Connection request to F6ABJ

Calling Port:2 F6ABJ-0 Trying on port 2

cmd:C F5LXS Connection request to F5LXS

Call in Progress FPAC busy

cmd:D Disconnection from F6ABJ

disconnecting from:F6ABJ-0 You are disconnected

*** Disconnected ***

The C command without argument will try a connection to the last called station.

Example :

cmd:C F5LXS Connection request to F5LXS

Calling Port:4 F5LXS-0 Trying on current port

cmd:D Disconnect from F5LXS

disconnecting from:F5LXS-0 You are disconnected

*** Disconnected ***

cmd:c Connection request without callsign

Calling Port:4 F5LXS-0 Trying last callsign

 

cf : Configuration Display

CF

Displays the level 1 and 2 configuration as defined in FPAC.CFG.

Example :

cmd:cf

Testport =2 Panic =0 ; RTIMER: fm RT timer set to 11 ms

Port : 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

SCC type: 2 2 5 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

DataPort: 0153 0151 0157 0155 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000

CtrlPort: 0152 0150 0156 0154 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000

Int Port: 0168 0168 0168 0168 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000

Int nb : 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

BaudRate: 62 62 62 62 0 0 0 0 0 0

Dwait : 0 0 11 15 0 0 0 0 0 0

TxDelay : 1 80 50 50 0 0 0 0 0 0

Fwait : 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

MaxBufer: 5 3 5 3 0 0 0 0 0 0

Maxlink : 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

# links : 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

AsyDupRT: 0e 08 0c 0c 00 00 00 00 00 00

DED_NB : 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

 

cl : Clear Screen

CL [on|off] Default: off

Enable or disable the screen saver after 5 min without keyboard activity.

Warning: ANSI.SYS must be loaded. (DEVICE=ANSI.SYS in CONFIG.SYS file)

Example :

cl on => enable screen saver

cl off => disable screen saver

 

cn : count

cn [on|off] Default : on

Enable or disable the free time counter display.

Upper value is the last 160 seconds. Lower value is the last 10 seconds.

This counter is very useful during the testing phase of a node to evaluate its performances and its limits.

The free time counter is incremented when FPAC has nothing to do ! This counter is memorized and reset each 160 seconds. The displayed value is the last memorized one. The maximum value without traffic depends on the PC processor (88,286,386,...).

1) Check the counters without traffic (RX/TX not connected).

2) Check the counters in normal operation or display the node statistics.

If the counter values with traffic are less than 10% of the values without traffic, upgrade the PC !!!!.

Example :

cn on cn off

 

co : Converse

Return to connected mode. <ESC> is used to come back to the command mode.

 

D : Disconnect

Disconnection (end of QSO) in connected mode.

dd : Status of DED

Display DED messages

ds : Dump DS

DS area

Dump 80x86/8088 data memory.

dw : DWait of the test port

DW [n]

Change or display Dwait parameter for the test port. n is in 10ms.

Examples:

cmd:dw 25 Change

cmd:dw Display DWAIT

dw=25 Answer : 250mS

es : Dump ES

es area

Dump the 80x86/8088 and memory. (Reserved)

(Reserved)

h : Heard

Display the heard list. (See User documentation H command)

i : Info

Display the NODE information (see user documentation I command)

il : Display Idle time

Display idle time. This are the values from the free-time counter for the last 1600 seconds. (see "cn" command page )

Example:

cmd:il

Idle time :

duree 10 sec -0 : 581

duree 10 sec -1 : 584

duree 10 sec -2 : 581

duree 10 sec -3 : 588

duree 10 sec -4 : 588

duree 10 sec -5 : 583

duree 10 sec -6 : 582

duree 10 sec -7 : 586

duree 10 sec -8 : 586

duree 10 sec -9 : 586

duree 160 sec -0 : 576

duree 160 sec -1 : 566

duree 160 sec -2 : 574

duree 160 sec -3 : 571

duree 160 sec -4 : 576

duree 160 sec -5 : 572

duree 160 sec -6 : 565

duree 160 sec -7 : 558

duree 160 sec -8 : 560

duree 160 sec -9 : 564

 

it : Set Idle time

IT [n] Default = 10s

Set or display the period of idle counter. Warning the 160 seconds period for free time counters is valid only with it <= 10 s.

i : KISS

I [on|off]

Enable or disable the KISS mode on the current port (test port).

FPAC disable the KISS mode by sending FF to the TNC.

Remark: If a port is neither in KISS, nor in ASYNC nor in DED, it is in TNC mode. All received characters are displayed and all typed characters are transmitted to the TNC (if in converse mode (co on)).

ld : Load test

This command blocks buffers to simulate a load (reserved for development).

 

lk :Init link

Same as "L": display traffic between NODES (number of bytes).

If try =0 the link is good. Try indicates the number of seconds before retrying the connection.

 

lo : Store Log

LO [filename|of]

Store the monitor traffic in a file. The information is the same as that displayed by the MO command.

Be careful about the amount of the data logged.

lo of will stop the recording..

Example:

cmd:lo ESSAI.MON Log traffic in ESSAI.MON

DATE:03/07/94 File created on March,7 1994

TIME:19:25:58 at 19h25mn58s

ESSAI.MON opened File open

cmd:lo of Stop logging

DATE:03/07/94 File closed on March,7 1994

TIME:19:48:06 at 19h48mn06s

ESSAI.MON closed File closed

 

mc : Edit mcb

Display DOS MCBs ( provided by F1OAT ).

Example:

cmd:mc

========================================================================

MCB MCB ID PID MB PAR- ENV OWNER

NO. SEG SIZE ENT BLK?

========================================================================

01 025B M 0008 9472 011C N IBMDOS.COM/MSDOS.SYS

02 025B M 0008 64 011C N IBMDOS.COM/MSDOS.SYS

03 025B M 04B6 48 04B6 N COMMAND.COM COPY #1

04 025B M 04B6 3008 04B6 N COMMAND.COM COPY #1

05 025B M 04B6 64 04B6 N COMMAND.COM COPY #1

06 025B M 04B6 256 04B6 N COMMAND.COM COPY #1

07 025B M 0597 208 04B6 N UNKNOWN OWNER

08 025B M 0597 1392 04B6 N UNKNOWN OWNER

09 025B M 05FF 240 0597 N C:\WINDOWS\system\win386.exe

10 025B M 05FF 4112 0597 N C:\WINDOWS\system\win386.exe

11 025B M 0711 240 0711 N COMMAND.COM COPY #2

12 025B M 0711 3008 0711 N COMMAND.COM COPY #2

13 025B M 0711 256 0711 N COMMAND.COM COPY #2

14 025B M 07EF 240 0711 N D:\FPAC\FPAC.EXE

15 025B M 07EF 177472 0711 N D:\FPAC\FPAC.EXE

16 325B M 07EF 65536 0711 N D:\FPAC\FPAC.EXE

17 425B Z 0000 379808 F000 N FREE MEMORY CONTROL BLOCK

========================================================================

 

md : Map modem

You can send either 0, or 1, or a succession of 0 and 1 with a period of 1s.

This mode can be exited with "*" character. WARNING remote mode is blocked !

ml : Max link

ML [n] Default 0 no limit.

Limit or display the number of links on a channel. It can be used to limit the traffic.

This command overwrites the last column of the FPAC.CFG file.

 

mo : Monitor

MO[he|on|of|de|dd|id][n]

Enable or disable the traffic monitoring. Without argument, display the possible options:

he only header (1)

on header and text (2)

of no monitor (0)

de for testing (3)

dd ded messages (4)

id idle time (5)

A port number can be specified after the argument.

Example :

Mo on2 Monitor port 2

MO on Monitor all ports

 

my : My Call

MY [callsign]

Change or display console call sign.

Example :

cmd: my F1EDH Change console callsign to F1EDH

cmd: my Check console callsign

 

ni : Level 2/3 parameters

Display level 2 and 3 parameters.

Example :

cmd:ni

Tampa 2

Port : 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

T1=frack: 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40

T2=resp : 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20

T3=check: 3000 3000 3000 3000 3000 3000 3000 3000 3000 3000

N2=retry: 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Maxframe: 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

Paclen : 256 256 256 256 256 256 256 256 256 256

Niveau 3

Port : 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

T1=frack: 400 400 400 400 400 400 400 400 40 40

T2=resp : 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20

T3=check: 6000 6000 6000 6000 6000 6000 6000 6000 6000 6000

N2=retry: 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Maxframe: 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Paclen : 253 253 253 253 253 253 253 253 253 253

 

ns : Net sup

Send a statistic mail to the BBS. The time interval can be specified. (see FPAC.CFG configuration).

op : Options

DO NOT USE. options for software debugging.

pa : Panic [exit]

Exit FPAC with memory dump on disk. This allows the developers to analyze the reasons of a crash.

pr : Reserve map

Reserved

pt : Test port

pt [n]

Change or display the current port.

The current port is used for console commands like c or dw...

Example:

cmd:pt 1 Set port 1 as current

cmd:pt display test port

pt=1

q : Quit

Quit FPAC.

Warning: immediate exit and all connections are killed.

qr : Reset DED

Reset DED links

ss : System statistics

Display system statistics.

st : Station on/off

Enable or disable the console traffic. (see "my" command)

cmd:st on Enable connections

cmd:st Display status

st:On

sv : Save log ( after log)

Save log. Should be used after the lomem command.

This command is only for debugging.

 

t : Log time

Display and log (if open) time and date (DD/MM/YY).

Example:

cmd:t Request time and date

DATE:03/07/94

TIME:11:54:25

tc : Time constant

For testing: modify the current port baud rate.

td : Time start

Display FPAC starting time and date.

th : Threshold

The threshold is the minimum size of the buffer (in bytes).

tn : Time

Display current Time and Date.

tr : Traffic

Display the traffic by port and link

ts : Reserve map

Reserved command.

tx : TXdelay for Test port

TX [n]

Change or display TXDELAY for current port.

Example :

cmd:tx 60 Change TXDELAY to 600mS

tx=60 check : 600mS

cmd:tx Request TXDELAY

tx=80 Value 800mS

u : Users

Display users list.

uc : Reserve map

Reserved - The "reserve map" commands are debugging one and should be used only by developers.

 

wr : Reserve map

Reserved - The "reserve map" commands are debugging one and should be used only by developers.

 

Remote Commands

K command

In response to a request for access to the system from a remote user the system will send a series of hexadecimal values. The requester will lookup the characters indicated by these values and respond with X characters. X equals the number set by the PWD command. The password is case sensitive. You may respond with more than the required (X value), but the first values must match the password.

Example :

FPAC (A,B,C,H,I,L,M,S,T,U,?) >K Request the sysop mode

07 06 09 0E 11 15 02 05 04 02 06 0C 15 13 0B 16 FPAC Challenge

CASM Answer : CASm

OK

FPAC (SYSOP:B,C,D,G,S,!,/,[,yapp) >

The password is and the PWD command is set for four characters:

00

01

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

0A

0B

0C

0D

0E

0F

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

1A

1B

1C

1D

1E

T

h

e

 

F

P

A

C

 

S

y

s

t

e

m

 

I

s

 

O

U

T

S

T

A

N

D

I

N

G

!

NOTE: numbers are in hexadecimal and the first character is numbered 00

The NODE answers either OK or NOK , then the SYSOP menu is displayed.

B command :

Go back to the user menu.

C command :

Set the system date and time. The date/time format is YY MM DD HH mm.

Example 00 05 22 14 00 May 22 2000, 1400 hours

 

D command :

Display disk directory: D A ==> DIR A:

G command :

This command stops the FPAC program and sends an Error level number to DOS.

GA stops FPAC and returns "Errorlevel" = 1

GB stops FPAC and returns "Errorlevel" = 2 .... (up to 9)

This command associated with a batch file, provides a flexible remote control of the node.

G alone returns 0

BATCH example : AUTOEXEC.BAT

REM 9 = "I" ==> end : exit REM 0 = no code ==> exit REM 1 = "A" ==> start FPAC from disk A REM 2 = "B" ==> start FPAC from disk B REM 3 = "C" ==> start FPAC from disk C C:\DOS\KEYB FR,,C:\DOS\KEYBOARD.SYS PATH=C:\;C:\DOS;C:\UTIL CD \FPAC SET FPAC=C:\FPAC\STATS

:Start

CD \FPAC

FPAC

:Test

If Errorlevel 9 Goto END

If Errorlevel 0 Goto START_A

If Errorlevel 1 Goto START_B

If Errorlevel 2 Goto START_C

If Errorlevel 3 Goto END

Goto Start

:START_A

REM Start FPAC from A:

A:\FPAC

Goto Test

:START_B

REM Start FPAC from B:

B:\FPAC

Goto Test

:START_C

REM Start FPAC from C:

C:

CD \FPAC

FPAC

Goto Test

:END

S command :

Write text to disk : S filename, then text finished by <CTRL Z>

! command :

Execute a DOS command. The shell is a subset of COMMAND.COM. Wild cards should be avoid, full directories should be used. CAUTION! A command expecting an answer will crash the system

Example : !TYPE FPAC.CFG display the FPAC.CFG file.

/ command :

Allows a Console cmd in remote mode.

CAUTION! A command expecting an answer will crash the system.

[ command :

Set time and date from the user menu.

Example :

cmd:[

C 94 05 21 12 47

OK date/time

FPAC (SYSOP:B,C,D,G,S,!,/,[,yapp)

This command is used by F6FBB BBS to setup node time from the FORWARD.SYS file

 

 

 

Interfacing with an Associated BBS

FPAC allows easy User access by way of a pre programmed address. FPAC and a BBS should NOT be located in the same "Box". Both applications require lots of CPU time.

Closely located BBS and Node facilities.

The connection solution for this situation depends upon the distance between the two facilities. In the case that this distance is measured in feet, a serial link between the two facilities will do the job. When the distance is several hundred feet the two facilities may need to be connected via a TNC2

Facilities connected through a serial cable.

This solution requires a serial Null cable be connected between the serial ports of the two computers. The BBS is then configured to supply access through a KISS driver. The FPTAX25 driver has been written for this purpose. It was written primarily for a FBB BBS. See the FPTAX docs supplied with this documentation package

Facilities connected through a TNC2

This solution feeds the output of a serial port into the external modem connector (J4) of a TNC2. The TNC2’s RS232 I/O is then connected to a Serial port on the BBS. The modem of the TNC2 is not used in this interfacing, but may be connected to another FPAC Serial port for use by the node. This solution is expensive in terms of hardware.

Note :

The protocol between the BBS and the FPAC node is the WA8DED. It is not an efficient data stream

 

 

 

 

Radio link between the BBS and FPAC

When the BBS and FPAC node are located a good distance from each other (miles apart ) the logical connection would be a rf link. The link can be either half or full duplex. Each should be setup independently. The Node & the BBS configurations will need to be coordinated so that network routing and addresses are compatible. Refer to the appropriate sections for instructions.

Appendix A - FPAC.CFG

January 17, 2000

# Release 2.0r6

# This is configuration used at K0ZXF-9, 813962

#

# 4 CHANNEL KISS

#

# BUFFERS USED TO REMEMBER FRAMES.

size=65500

#

# StartUp Commands

cmd=be of

cmd=bc USERS

#

# Options

panic=1

option=O

option=P

option=B

#

# THE LANGUAGE USED AT THIS NODE.

langue=english

#

# Call sign of the operator's console

mycall=K0ZXF-10

#

# Location and frequency information for this node.

lat=2804.71N

lon=08232.13W

frq=144.910

#

#

# Default port for beacon and local operator

testport=0

#

# Beacon text definition

balias= <North Tampa Network access)

#

# Beacon time

every=3600

#

# Beacon path

via=TPA

#

# Minimum buffers,

min=0

#

# Password

pwd=4The FPAC System Is Outstanding!

#

# Mail statistics to associated BBS.

net=0000,kp4djt V KP4DJT-9 813877

snd=SB FPACST@KP4DJT

#

# BBS type

fbb=1

#

# Window

window=3,25,18

#

# History

his=0

#

# Date Format

Date=%Y/%m/%d

#

# End of Line character

eol=1

#

# Multiple 'info' messages.

inf=9

#

# Layer 2 and 3 parameters

#

# L#

# | Channel

# | | Frack

# | | | Resptime

# | | | | Check

# | | | | | Retries

# | | | | | | Maxframe

# | | | | | | | Framesize

# | | | | | | | |

# 144.91 User port

ni2= 0 025 12 800 10 4 256

ni3= 0 025 12 800 8 4 256

# Serial Cable TO WINFBB

ni2= 1 020 10 800 10 7 256

ni3= 1 020 10 800 8 7 256

# Trunk to IBM

ni2= 2 005 00 800 10 7 256

ni3= 2 005 00 800 16 7 256

# Test Port

ni2= 3 025 12 800 10 1 256

ni3= 3 025 12 800 8 1 256

# Unused Ports

ni2= 4 030 15 800 10 7 256

ni3= 4 030 15 800 8 7 256

ni2= 5 030 15 800 10 7 256

ni3= 5 030 15 800 8 7 256

ni2= 6 030 15 800 10 7 256

ni3= 6 030 15 800 8 7 256

ni2= 7 030 15 800 10 7 256

ni3= 7 030 15 800 8 7 256

ni2= 8 030 15 300 8 7 256

ni3= 8 030 15 600 8 7 256

ni2= 9 030 15 300 8 7 256

ni3= 9 030 15 600 8 7 256

#

#############################################################################

# 1 Channel number (0-9)

# 2 Data address port A of 8530 in hex (for the PAL 20L10 - 150 or 158)

# 3 Control address port A of 8530 in hex

# or, serial card 16550 interrupt trigger level in hex.

#

# 16550 interrupt trigger level in hex

# 0 - 8250/16450, or 16550 in 8250 mode (interrupt every character)

# 1 - 16550 trigger level

# 4 - 16550 trigger level

# 8 - 16550 trigger level

# E - 16550 trigger level

#

# Example:

# 0000 use 8250/16450, or 16550 interrupt every character

# 0008 use 16550 trigger level 8

#

# 4 8536 master control address in Hex for the DRSI card.

# Interrupt control port for SCC cards with

# PAL 150 or 158 : (SCC150=168, SCC158=160)

#

# Serial card:

#

# FLAG1: WWWW XXXX YYYY ZZZZ

#

# WWWW XXXX YYYY ZZZZ

# 1000 |||| |||| 0000

# | |||| ||||

# | |||| ||||

# | |||| ||||

# | |||| ||||___ use CTS (receiving flow control)

# | |||| |||____ use DSR (receiving flow control)

# | |||| ||_____ (reserved)

# | |||| |______ use DCD (receiving flow control)

# | ||||

# | ||||__ use DTR (sending flow control)

# | |||___ use RTS (sending flow control)

# | ||____ (reserved)

# | |_____ (reserved)

# |_this parameter specifies which modem signals are to be used for

# flow control.

# Example:

# 8280 use RTS/DCD default

# 8180 use DTR/DCD

#

# 5 Divider value to select the data speed.

#

# 8530 & DRSI COM card's

# ---------------- ----------------

# 300 bps => 254 50 => 2304

# 1200 bps => 62 75 => 1536

# 2400 bps => 30 110 => 1047

# 4800 bps => 14 134 => 857

# 9600 bps => 6 150 => 786

# 19200 bps => 2 300 => 384

# 38400 bps => 0 600 => 192

# 1200 => 96

# 1800 => 64

# 2000 => 58

# 2400 => 48

# 3600 => 32

# 4800 => 24

# 7200 => 16

# 9600 => 12

# 19200 => 6

# 38400 => 3

# 115200 => 1

#

# if the channel ( mandatory : port B of the 8530 ) is set to asynch,

# (DED see parameter 10), values are identical to above.

#

# 6 Dwait in decimal (n*10ms)

# 7 Txdelay in decimal (n*10ms)

# 8 Fwait in decimal (n*10ms), for full/duplex, PTT hold time.

# 9 Rx buffer numbers (0 = Unused channels )

# 10 IRQ number (1 to 15) only for the first channel of each card.

# 11 FLAG : mode of operation :

# two octets in hex :

#

# Reserved

# | Reserved

# | | L2 connections barred if = 1

# | | | DCD is not taken into account on this port

# | | | | IRQ shared

# | | | | | sleep between frames

# | | | | | | MULTI_KISS

# | | | | | | | Beacon

# | | | | | | | | ASYNCHRONE

# | | | | | | | | | AFT

# | | | | | | | | | | DED

# | | | | | | | | | | | KISS

# | | | | | | | | | | | | (the following two lines are for cross port UI)

# | | | | | | | | | | | | cross port UI

# | | | | | | | | | | | | | UI authorized (allows UI frames to be handled)

# | | | | | | | | | | | | | | duplex

# | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | timer

# | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

# x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

#

# Example: 0082 DED channel with SCC4 card port B.

# : 050C cross band channel, cross UI's accepted

# rest time between frames and beacon

# : 0001 channel reserved for internal timing generation.

#

# 12 = Number of simultaneous L2 connections allowed on this port. 0 = no limit.

#

#

# 13 ; KISS mode

#

# for a KISS port with a single TNC :

#

# 00 KISS standard

# 0B KISS_CA secure mode ( checksum )

# and synchronized ( ack of the TNC after frame is sent)

#

# for a KISS_RL ( several TNCs on one serial COM )

#

# xC x is the TNC's address ( 0-8)

#

##########################################################################

#

# Control Addr, or 16550 Trigger level

# | Int. control port, or FLAG1

# | | Baud rate

# | | | DWait

# | | | | TXdelay

# | | | | | Fwait

# | | | | | | number of buffers

# Port | | | | | | | IRQ nbr of links max

# | Addr | | | | | | | | FLAG | KISS mode ( protected... )

# | | | | | | | | | | | | |

com=0 2F0 0008 0000 06 0 10 2 10 9 009C 0 0B # USER PORT (KISS)

com=1 3E0 0008 0000 06 0 01 0 10 11 009E 0 0 # WINFBB BBS (KISS)

com=2 2E0 0008 0000 06 0 15 0 10 5 009C 0 0B # TRUNK TO IBM (KISS)

com=3 260 0008 0000 06 0 01 2 10 15 009C 0 0B # Test Port

# Unused ports

nul=4 0 0000 0000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

nul=5 0 0000 0000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

nul=6 0 0000 0000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

nul=7 0 0000 0000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

nul=8 0 0000 0000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

nul=9 0 0000 0000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

#

# Aliases definition ..,R specify a reverse effect (co-located BBS)

alias=0;K0ZXF,813962,R

alias=1;NODE,813962

alias=2;W4DPH,727442

alias=3;KO4KS,813007

#alias=4;

alias=5;INFO-1,813626

alias=6;CROWD,813777

#

localadd=0,813962

localadd=3,813119

#

# 'CONF2 813962' generate FPAC.TXT

#

# End of FPAC.CFG file

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix B - NODE.CNF

Example:

* Generated 08-19-1998 10:05:05

* Config file for 813962 K0ZXF-9 North Tampa

VERIFY

Default L3W 6

Default TimeOut 180

Default MaxVC 40

Default Port 0

* No password for this switch

This DNIC 3100

This Node TOM1

Call K0ZXF-9

Digi K0ZXF-8

Address 813962

Userport 0

COVERAGE

813123 813000 8130001

END

Text Welcome to the TPALAN K0ZXF-9 node at North Tampa

$

Node Callsign: K0ZXF-9 Digi Callsign: K0ZXF-8 Address: Frequency: 144.91

Site Location: North Tampa $

Services available for direct connects on 144.91:

$ FAST CONNECTS $ C K0ZXF (The K0ZXF BBS) C K0ZXF-1 (K0ZXF node Application) C K0ZXF-5 (WIDE AREA service directory) C K0ZXF-6 (Conference Application) $ C INFO-1 V K0ZXF-9,813555 (WIDE AREA service directory) C INFO V K0ZXF-9,813411 (TPALAN service directory) $ Local Users: Connect to K0ZXF-1 and enter ? to get a help listing of all commands available. Enter I9 for additional Information text. $ Remote network users should connect to NODE at . $ $EOF End

Node TAMPA3

Address 813878

path KE4CRB-9

port 2

end

Node HILL52

Address 813968

Path KB4GBS-9

Port 3

End

User WINFBB

Path K0ZXF

port 1

maxvc 0

end

route to nodes TAMPA3 HILL52

calls for

813007 813777 813047 813046 813911

214000

806 505 817 316 318 405 409 512 713 903 915 918 210 719 501 601 205 504 913 214 972 281

813005 813411

727548

end

route to nodes HILL52 TAMPA3

calls for

813968

end

DNIC 5050 5050

route to nodes TAMPA3 HILL52

calls for

293360

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

end

DNIC 0

WRITE FPAC.TXT

QUIT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix C - Statistics Report

Example of the Statistics Report :

From : F6ABJ

To : FPACST

Type/status : BN

Date/time : 05-Jul 02:20

BID (MID) : 42035_F6ABJ

Message # : 435251

Title : F6ABJ-11

FPAC init on 07/04/94 … 17:03:43

LINK LIST

---------

F6ABJ-11 2080175201

Port 2 2080175301

----------------------------------------

Port Delay

----------------------------------------

Node 1 : F6PRA-9 3 120

Node 2 : F6DWJ-9 0 120

Node 3 : F6KBF-11 5 120

Node 4 : F6PTT-11 7 120

User 1 : F6ABJ-1 8

User 2 : F6BVP-1 0

User 3 : F6PTT-10 7

User 4 : F6PRA-8 3

User 5 : F6RAC-1 1

User 6 : F6KBF-10 5

Alias

n = 0 NODE - 0, 175201- 0

n = 1 F6ABJ - 1, 175201- 0, R

ns=0

STATISTICS [FPAC-DWJ-1.2k-C$]

--------------------------------

Starting Date: 07/04/94 a 17:03:43

Current Date: 07/05/94 a 02:19:54

User Port : 0

Test Port : 0

Monitor : 0

Log : 0

Beacon : 2600

Threshold : 6000

Max size: : 1281

Panic : 1

Options : B O P

 

 

 

 

 

 

Network supervisor : 300,F6ABJ-1 v F6ABJ-11 175201

 

TRAFFIC

-------

Characters

Callsign Digipeater Port out in Delay Try Fail.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nodal 1:F6PRA-9 3 1568356 1075738 120 0 0

Nodal 2:F6DWJ-9 0 0 0 120 0 0

Nodal 3:F6KBF-11 5 761054 75815 120 0 0

Nodal 4:F6PTT-11 7 1007993 741733 120 0 1

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Port : 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Msg in : 15725 27911 455 32911 0 15133 0 18232 44683 0

Msg out: 18542 4592 1233 32739 0 15917 8 24097 44329 0

Frm Err: 15084 60902 504 10878 654 9700 0 2635 0 0

RX Ovfl: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

TX Unfl: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

 

 

 

 

Appendix D - Text Variables

The following variables are defined within FPAC and may be used in the INFO.TXT and FPAC.MSG files.

$B => Bell.

$D => Date

$N => Call ( with ssid )

$O => Call ( with no ssid )

$P => LONG. of this node

$p => LAT. of this node

$S => Call of Sysop ( my call )

$T => Time

$V => Version of FPAC <CR>

$W => <CR>

$/ => Text continuation, (more lines follow).

$$ =>to use the $

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix X - Parameters for a SCC board

1 - Scc= (from 0 to 9). Use successive port numbers.

2 - Data register address for the port in Hex. [See Table 1]

3 - Control register address for the port in Hex. [See Table 1]

4 - Interrupt control register address for the port in Hex. [See Table 1]

5 - Clock divider to determine the transmission speed. [See Table 2]

6 - DWait) in 1/10 seconds.

7 - TXdelay in 1/10 seconds.

8 - FWait 1/10 seconds. In the full duplex. mode the PTT is activated for a Fwait period of time.

9 - the number of receiving buffers for this port. 0 disables the port.

10 - IRQ.

Caution : on an AT, IRQ 2 is not available. On a XT with a hard drive, IRQ is not available

11 - protocol used on the link.

12 - Maximum number of links. 0 = no limitation.

13 - KISS mode. 13 - KISS mode.

KISS port with a single TNC :

00 KISS standard

0B KISS_CA - Secure mode. Checksum and synchronized ( ACK from the TNC after frame is sent)

KISS port with several TNCs on one serial COM

XC KISS_RL X is the TNC's address ( 0-8)

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix Y - Parameters for a DRSI board

Two channels are defined for each DRSI board. Define the second port even if it is not being used. Lines for DRSI cards will begin Drsi=.

1 - Drs= (0 to 9) port number. Use successive port numbers.

2 - Data register address for the port in Hex.

3 - Control register address for the port in Hex.

4 - 8536 address for the port in Hex.

5 - Clock Divider to determine the transmission speed. [See Table 2 ]

6 - DWait in 1/10seconds.

7 - TXdelay in 1/10 seconds.

8 - FWait in 1/10 seconds. For full duplex the PTT is activated for a FWait period of time.

9 - Number of receiving buffers for this port. 0 disables the port.

10 - IRQ. The IRQ is setup only for the first channel of the board. It should be zero for the second channel.

Caution : On an AT, IRQ 2 is not available. On a XT with a hard drive, IRQ 5 is not available.

11 - 0 for DRSI boards. [Protocol]

12 - Maximum number of links. 0 = No limit.

13 - KISS mode.

KISS port with a single TNC :

00 KISS standard

0B KISS_CA - Secure mode. Checksum and synchronized ( ACK from the TNC after frame is sent)

KISS port with several TNCs on one serial COM

XC KISS_RL X is the TNC's address ( 0-8)

.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix Z - Parameters for Serial boards

1 - Com= the port number (from 0 to 9).Use successive port numbers.

2 - I/O port address. [ See Table 3 ]

3 - Modem initialization in hexadecimal. (Add the HEXA values)

4 - Initialization in hexadecimal. (Add the HEXA values)

5 - Clock divider. Determines the transmission speed. [ See Table 4 ]

6 - Port DWait (decimal) in 1/10 seconds.

7 - Port TXdelay (decimal) in 1/10 seconds.

8 - Port FWait (decimal) in 1/10 seconds. In the Full-duplex mode the transmitter is kept in transmit for the Fwait period

9 - Number of receiving buffers for this port. 0 disables the port.

10 - IRQ (Interrupt ReQuest).

11 - FLAG : mode of operation : [two octets in Hex ]

Example : 0082 DED channel with SCC4 card port B.

: 050C Cross band channel, cross UI's accepted rest time between frames and beacon

: 0001 Channel reserved for internal timing generation.

: 0096 For an Async, full duplex, KISS link with UI.

12 - The maximum number of connections to this port. 0 = no limitation.

13 - KISS mode.

KISS port with a single TNC :

00 KISS standard

0B KISS_CA - Secure mode. Checksum and synchronized ( ACK from the TNC after frame is sent)

KISS port with several TNCs on one serial COM

XC KISS_RL X is the TNC's address ( 0-8)

 

 

Board type

Data

Address

(Parameter 2)

Control Address

(Parameter 3)

INT control Address

(Parameter 4)

SCC Port A (pal SCC150)

153

152

168

SCC Port B (pal SCC150)

151

150

168

SCC Port C (pal SCC150)

157

156

168

SCC Port D (pal SCC150)

155

154

168

SCC Port A (pal SCC158)

15B

15A

160

SCC Port B (pal SCC158)

159

160

SCC Port C (pal SCC158)

15F

15E

160

SCC Port D (pal SCC158)

15D

15C

160

 

PC Port

I/O Address

IRQ

COM1

3F8

4

COM2

2F8

3

COM3

3E8

4

COM4

2E8

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Definition of AX.25 Parameters

Check

Function : Connection check interval.

Define the interval between checks of the connection (in seconds). During periods of inactivity the node will test the link by sending a "test" frame. If a reply is not received the link will be marked Out of order.

DWait

Function : Extra Digipeater delay.

The Dwait period is added to Frack to provide extra time for frames to propagate through a link with Digipeaters.

NOTE: DWAIT is used differently on several networks. DO NOT SET DWAIT =0.

FRack

Function : Delay to received an ACK

The node or TNC waits an amount of time equal to FRack before it retries the unacknowledged frame.

FRAMESIZE

Maximum : 256 for L2 and 253 for L3 (inter-nodes L2 !).

Define the maximum length of a data packet.

FPAC automatically transmits the packet when "FRAMESIZE" bytes are available. This value is used in both converse and transparent mode. For good links, the maximum value is recommended. Lower values (like 128) can be used on poor links.

MAXFRAME

Nominal: 4 for L2 and 3 for L3 (inter-nodes L2 !).

Function: Maximum number of unacknowledged frames allowed.

MAXFRAME fixes the maximum number of packets without acknowledge that may be transmitted. It is also the maximum number of packets in a single transmission. In case of error (RRx or REJx), the packets are repeated from the last correct one and new packets are added up to MAXFRAME. For a poor link, use 2 or better 1.

RESPTime

Nominal : 20 (in 1/10 Seconds)

Function: Minimum delay for acknowledge.

Resptime determines the minimum delay before an ACK packet is transmitted. It is used in addition of DWait or any random delays.

RETries

Function: Number of transmission retries before disconnection.

 

TXDelay

Function: Delay between keying TX and data transmission

Parameters:

n = 0 - 32767, in 10 ms.

The value is the delay the TNC should waits between keying the transmitter and sending data. This delay allows the transmitter to fully switch in transmission mode (mechanical relays, PLL locking time, ...). This parameter should also include the receiver switching time.

 

Hardware configuration for SCC4 board

Switch ON

Interruption IRQ

1

7

2

6

3

5

4

4

5

3

6

2

Table of Contents

Introduction

Credits

The Network

System Requirements

Computer

I/O boards :

TNCs and Modem boards

Installation

FPAC files

Running FPAC the First Time

FPAC.CFG

Alias definitions

APARS Information

Beacon

Buffer number

Buffer size

Command

Date

FBB

EOL

Level 2 and 3 parameters

Mail statistics to the associated BBS

Minimum buffers

Options

NODE console call sign

Test port

Local addresses

Password

Language

Information Texts

History

Port hardware definition

Window

The "NODE" file

Verify

Default Parameters

Include

This DNC

This

Address

Call

Digi

Coverage

Userport

Text

Defining Local & User Nodes

Local Node

Local User

Route

DNIC

Write

Quit

FPAC.MSG

INFO.TXT

Sysop Defined variables

Information texts

Operation

Console Operation

Function KEYS

Console commands

? : Help

?? : Help map

ba : Beacon

bc : Beacon callsign

be : Bell

bm : Call to monitor

bt : Beacon text

c : Connect

cf : Configuration Display

cl : Clear Screen

cn : count

co : Converse

D : Disconnect

dd : Status of DED

ds : Dump DS

dw : DWait of the test port

es : Dump ES

h : Heard

i : Info

il : Display Idle time

it : Set Idle time

i : KISS

ld : Load test

lk :Init link

lo : Store Log

mc : Edit mcb

md : Map modem

ml : Max link

mo : Monitor

my : My Call

ni : Level 2/3 parameters

ns : Net sup

op : Options

pa : Panic [exit]

pr : Reserve map

pt : Test port

q : Quit

qr : Reset DED

ss : System statistics

st : Station on/off

sv : Save log ( after log)

t : Log time

tc : Time constant

td : Time start

th : Threshold

tn : Time

tr : Traffic

ts : Reserve map

tx : TXdelay for Test port

u : Users

uc : Reserve map

wr : Reserve map

Remote Commands

K command

B command :

C command :

D command :

G command :

S command :

! command :

/ command :

[ command :

Interfacing with an Associated BBS

Closely located BBS and Node facilities.

Facilities connected through a serial cable.

Facilities connected through a TNC2

TNC2 Modification :

Radio link between the BBS and FPAC

Appendix A - FPAC.CFG

Appendix B - NODE.CNF

Appendix C - Statistics Report

Appendix D - Text Variables

Appendix X - Parameters for a SCC board

Appendix Y - Parameters for a DRSI board

Appendix Z - Parameters for Serial boards

Definition of AX.25 Parameters

Check

DWait

FRack

FRAMESIZE

MAXFRAME

RESPTime

RETries

TXDelay

Hardware configuration for SCC4 board