Modem Server is an application that allows you to use multiple bbs systems with just one phone line (or more). Modem Server is also an inexpensive way of adding more nodes to your existing bbs, with out buying a Hurdler card.
What it does:
Modem Server tends to the modem (initalizing it every few minutes), waiting for calls, and then answering calls. Once connected it can etiher display a menu of sites to ADSP to, or connect directly to a choosen ADSP site, automatically. Once the bbs releases the ADSP connection, MS can either hang-up the modem or display the menu again.
Port Prefs:
Port Prefs is where you configure the ports. Each port can be set to a different modem settings, call sound, and even ADSP to different sites.
Num: The number of the current port, use popup to change.
New: Add a new port.
Delete: Delete the last port.
Port: Is it the modem port, or the printer port?
Modem: Driver to use to init modem.
Baud: Speed to talk to modem at.
Carrier Detect: Type of carrier detection.
Call Sound: Sound to play when a ring is detected.
Hardware Handshaking: Whether or not to use hardware handshaking.
On Connect ADSP: List of sites this port is authorized to connect to. If only one is selected it will be connected to without a menu. Note: You can ADSP to a ADSP connection on the same machine! In fact it's even faster, since no appletalk is involved.
Automatically hangup: Hang-up automatically after ADSP connection is closed, if not selected, MS will re-display the menu.
Port Status:
Port Status displays the status of what's happening on each port. Port 1 is the first line, 2 the second, etc.
Typical Setups:
One typical setup is to run two bbs systems (Example, Public Address, and Pancake), and Modem Server. You can run all three on the same computer, or different if you want. Just always make sure AppleTalk is enabled. Set up the BBS systems to answer only ADSP connections, and set up MS for the modem you have (write your own if you need to). MS will answer the phone and ask your caller which bbs he wants, Pancake, or Public Address.
Another typical setup is, you already have a 1 or 2 node bbs, but you want more nodes. You have another computer laying around, and can't afford a Hurdler. Just newtowrk the computets (via Ethernet or Appletalk). Setup the BBS to accept ADSP connections, and MS for the new node's modem.
Popular misconceptions:
ADSP doesn't have flow control, so Zmodem won't work.
Fact: ADSP has dandy flow control, Hermes is just dumb.
You have to run MS and the bbs on seperate computetrs.
Fact: Modem Server was written so it enables intra/node appletalk (if it wasn't already enabled) so ADSP can work on the same computer.
Wrapping it up:
Modem Server is NOT free. It is shareware. It you use it for more than 30 days, you must register it, by sending 20 U.S. Dollars to me at:
Darrell Turner
510 Lindsey Dr.
Wayne, PA 19087 USA
Comments, questions, bugs, or features needed, can be sent to me at ferrari@netaxs.com.
If you need a feature, e-mail me, and mention money, and you'll probably get it.