Getting started... a step-by-step procedure for getting your first ROSE X.25 packet switch up and running.

By KB1BD@kb1bd.nj.usa.na and N2IRZ@wb2gtx.nj.usa.na

Materials/equipment needed:

> 2 TNCs (TNC-2 or compatible, such as Pac-Comm Tiny-2)
> 2 27256 EPROMS.  If radio link is to be 9600 baud or above, you must use 150 nSec type.  Otherwise, any speed will do.
> 2 DB-9 (or DB-25) connectors for the RS-232 ports of the TNCs.
> An EPROM programmer.
> Cables to connect the TNCs to the radios you intend to use.
> Some 4 conductor shielded wire (for step 2).


1. Download a copy of the latest version of the ROSE X.25 software.  Since you are reading this, it is assumed that you have already done so.  If not, either call the RATS Landline PRMBS [(718) 956-7133, 8n1 12-9600 V.32] or write to RATS at the address below.  Include a formatted disk and a postpaid return mailer, please.  

2. Construct a Back-to-back cable for your TNCs.  In the DB-9 version (such as for the Tiny-2), wire as follows:

          1st TNC    2nd TNC
            2 ------- 3
            3 ------- 2
            5 ------- 5
            8 ------- 9
            9 ------- 8

For other TNCs, refer to the System Manager's Manual (ROSESYS.TXT)

3. Create the EPROM data files (one for each TNC) by running MAKEPROM.EXE using the TNC2 overlay.  Read the screen, accept the defaults except: choose callsigns and addresses, and you can't go wrong.  

Some suggested SSID choices are:

Usage          SSID (Switch/Digi)

2m User port      -3/-2
Other user port   -6/-5
Backbone switch   -9/-8
Backbone switch   -12/-11

However, you may choose your SSID to conform with local ROSE conventions.

To determine the ADDRESS of your ROSE switch, use the telephone AREA CODE and select an EXCHANGE (first 3 digits of phone numbers) local to the switch, a total of 6 digits, for EACH SWITCH.  For example, lower Manhattan (NY City) has an Area Code of 212, and local exchanges of 352, 825, 771,
and 592.  The backbone port address might be 212825, and the user port address 212771.  (choose the easy-to-remember numbers for user ports).

4.Program the EPROMS.

5. Install the EPROMS into the TNC in place of the regular EPROM.  If using a TNC with battery-backed parameters, disconnect the battery for a minute to be sure that the RAM is clear.  You must have 32k of memory in the TNC.

Note: some older TNCs need a wire added - check the System Manager's Manual.

6. Close up the TNCs and connect them to power.  The TNCs should begin Cyloning after a few seconds.  (Cyloning is the cycling of the STA and CON LEDs back and forth, like the CYLONS on Battlestar Galactica).  If they are Cyloning, the hardware is OK and you can continue.

7. Connect the TNC to a RADIO (before you go to the remote site!).

8. Create the Configuration (.CNF) file, using guidelines given in the System Manager's Manual.

9. Convert the .CNF file to a Hexadecimal "Table" (.TBL) format using CONFIGUR.EXE.

10. Using a normally connected TNC (like a user - All ROSE configuration is done over the air!), connect to the LOADER utility as follows:

(In these examples, we assume the default callsign is KD6TH-3 and the default address is 212456.  The default callsign and address of your switch are as you specified in MAKEPROM).

C LOADER V KD6TH-3,212456

When you get back the W2VY Banner, upload the following file to the switch:

CONFIG.LOD

after you get back 3 OKs, type

:0000000000

The switch should come back saying the CONFIG.LOD file has been loaded.

DISCONNECT from Loader.

11. Now connect to the CONFIG application as follows:

C CONFIG V KD6TH-3,212456

After you get the W2VY banner upload the compiled configuration file to the switch (the .TBL file for that particular switch, created in step 9).

(In this case, the file KD6TH-3.TBL)

After you get eleven OKs back, disconnect from CONFIG.

12. REPEAT the same process with config.lod and the .tbl files (steps 8 through 11) for all other switches you are working with.

13. Go to the remote site: you are ready to install!

14. Install at site, verifying normal cyloning when power is connected.  Make sure that the Back-to-back cable, and all other hardware, is connected BEFORE you switch the TNCs on, because the switch checks whether a cable is connected or not during power-up testing.

If they both cylon, go home because you're in the home stretch!

15. When you get back home, connect to LOADER again on one of the switches and repeat steps 10 and 11. After 11 OKs, disconnect from CONFIG.

16. Connect to LOADER at that switch again. You want to erase CONFIG from the switch to prevent tampering (LOADER can be setup to have a password from the .CNF file.  Read the System Manager's Manual).  So, type:

:0201000000

This will delete application #1 from the switch, which right now is the CONFIG application. (the colon [:] gets the switch's attention, the [02] is the "erase" command, the [01] is the application number, and the six zeroes are meaningless (but have to be there).  You'll get an OK back.
(you can't erase entry 0, which is LOADER).

17. Load in the normal applications:  While connected to LOADER, upload the following files:

USERS.LOD
INFO.LOD
HEARD.LOD
 
(You'll get 3 OKs from each application)
After you have HEARD.LOD into the switch type

:0000000000

The switch should show you that all 3 applications have been loaded.

(Normally, you don't load applications into a backbone port, since they take up memory that can be used for connections.  While you're learning, though, they help give a better understanding of what's going on).

Disconnect from LOADER

18. Configure the other switch the same way, except you connect to LOADER and CONFIG through the first switch.  Of course, you CAN connect through the other radio port, but you don't have to.

For example, the other switch's address is 212771:

C LOADER v KD6TH-3,212771

and follow the same steps as for the first switch.

19. The End!  Play with the switch.  You'll get a better idea of the ROUTING capabilities of the switch when you set up 3 dual-port switches as described above, but a single dual-port site will get you started.

Please let us know how you made out!  Contact:

The Radio Amateur Telecommunications Society 
Post Office Box 93
Park Ridge, New Jersey 07656-0093

Or, via Packet: ASKRAT@kb4cyc.nj.usa

73, Bob KB1BD and Don N2IRZ.