home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Ham Radio 2000
/
Ham Radio 2000.iso
/
ham2000
/
packet
/
mb1801
/
hiera.doc
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1994-06-11
|
5KB
|
104 lines
Recently there has been some confusion as how to use the White Pages (WP)
lookup for ham callsigns and subsequent addresses. To understand how the
WP system is to function one must understand how this information is derived
and updated throughtout the amateur packet system.
Firstly there are 3 sources of WP inforamation. 1) From direct user
information upon logging into a local BBS. 2) From personal messages sent
from one user to another from one BBS to another. 3) Via the Bulletins that
are distributed throughtout the packet network.
The bbs' that are in the amateur packet network routinely create WP update
messages that review the wp files of the local system for new or changed
information and generate a message that is sent to a WP Global Server located
at N6IYA. Along the way each system is updated with the information until
it reaches N6IYA.
The Minimum information that WP uses is user Callsign, Home BBS Callsign,
Hierarchial Address of the user Home bbs, and in some cases city, state and
zip code of the home bbs.
The information on each BBS and at the Global Server is time sensitive. By
time sensitive we mean that within a specified time period if an update is
not received for a specific callsign or BBS it is purged from the listing.
Generally for local type system this is 90 days in duration meaning that if
a system has not heard from a user or BBS within the 90 day window the record
is purged and any query for that record will yeild a null result.
The WP system as designed is much like a tree in structure with the local
bbs systems being the roots and the Global Server being the crown of the Tree.
Accurate information depends on timely and accurate updates to the Global
Server and the systems along the line. Therefore it is imperative that users
and sysops alike make sure that information is correct. Simple things like
registering with your local BBS and not specifying your callsign as your
home bbs, unless you are running a personal system, are important.
WP users teh Hierarchial addressing system as it core. The Hierarchial
Addressing Scheme (her-to referred as H address) uses the callsign of
the user plus the callsign of the Home BBS plus several addons to define
the complete address. The addon's include:
servicing BBS
Region designator
State Designator
Country Desigantor
Continental Designator
in the form:
Callsign @ BBS.Servicing BBS.#regional Designator.State Designator.Country
Designator.Continental Desigantor
For example:
n6qrm @ n6qrm.n6iya.#nocal.ca.usa.na
Querying WP for Information
There are 3 accepted ways to query WP for information.
1) The I or similar command.
When connected to you local BBS issuing the I callsign or I loc command
will result in an answer of the address of the callsign in question.
(See your locall BBS help file on the I or similar commands)
2) Send a personal message to the REQWP Server at your local or other BBS
System..
This type of query is similar to the I request from the local system
The message format is:
SP REQWP @ BBS <cr>
Subj: Query
Msg: I callsign <cr>
I callsign <cr>
etc
etc
cntrl z or /ex <cr>
Note: there are limits to the number of responses that you will receive
based on what the sysop has set up. This pertains to i loc and i zip
type requests.
3) Send a personal message to the Global Server for query information.
This type of query requires a message be sent to WP @ N6IYA for the
proper responses to be obtained.
These are the only acceptable types of queries to the WP system and will result
in the proper answers to your queries. Any attempt by regional groups to set
up servers for WP can and will result in incorrect responses to the users
requests for wp information.
All wp updates and requests for information should be directed to
WP @ N6IYA.#NOCAL.CA.USA.NOAM If the requests are directed to the local
system as in form # 3 above and the callsign is not found will result
in a null response, ie no reponse. If and only if the query is sent to
WP @ N6IYA will a [ not found ] response be obtained.
This information is to educate the users on the proper use of WP. IF the
system or you local BBS does not conform, you may direct your flames to the
writers of the BBS Code. I will take any flames for the W0RLI systems and
pass them on.
73, n6iya @ n6iya.#nocal.ca.usa.na
.... JOHN ....