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CHANGES.BPQ
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1989-10-14
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Recent changes to G8BPQ switching system (TheNode)
Version 3.10 10/3/89
Several L2 parameters are now set by port - see BPQCFG.TXT for details.
BEACON param added to config file. When set, the text from a BT command
overrides the ID message from the config files. (Primarily for RLI Mail
beacons).
UNPROTO param in config file sets default UNPROTO addr - again mainly
for RLI users.
The quality of the BBS relative to the NODE is now set using the BBSQUAL
param (it used to be fixed at 255). This can be used to limit how far the
BBS call/alias 'spreads' through the network, if you want to discourage
'BBS DX-ing'
Stack allocation changed in an attempt to reduce crashes. This could cause
a problem if you run more than 8 windows - please let me know if this is
insufficient.
The 'random' number generator in the PC120/DRSI code, used to control the
Persistance system was anything but random, which may have led to the system
'hogging' the channel. The persist value in the config file should now work
better - it is based on the refresh timer, which seems ok on all the machines
I've tried, but could just give problems on some 'not-too-compatibles'.
The 'Check if Loaded' COMBIOS call returns 'AA55' in BX as well as AX - this
allows applications to test if my code is running.
Fixed a bug in command handler which could cause crash if system runs out
of buffers
Version 3.11 26/3/89
Another attempt to stop 'locked' ROUTES getting zapped (My last 'fix' didn't!)
L2ONLY param removed. Each port may now be set to suppress L3/L4 functions by
setting the port default quality to zero. This suppresses "NODES" broadcasts
on the port, and causes incoming 'NODES' to be ignored.
Fixed a problem which could occur if two TheNode nodes could communicate on
more than one band - or if a user tried to access the node on two bands using
the same callsign/ssid at both ends.
PACLEN for L2 connects is taken from an additional parameter in PORT config.
This allow a more sensible value to be set for HF ports.
Code added to PC120/DRSI driver to discard frames that have not been sent for
over 60 secs. This is mainly to prevent hangups if, for instance, the squelch
sticks open. Frames discarded are counted in a new STATS field, 'Frames
abandoned'.
A 'NODES' broadcast is sent one minute after loading.
Version 3.13 1/4/89
Found, and hopefully fixed, a bug in level 2 code which was causing FRMR
errors. Monitor code modified to display FRMR status bytes
Version 3.15 12/4/89
Fixed problem with the system getting node-node links confused with up/
downlinks, resulting in corruption and crashes. It should now be safe to
run with NODE=0, and should generally be much more stable.
KISS driver now supports dual port TNC's. Set the port letters in the config
file to 'A' for port 1, and 'B' for port 2. This has been tested with the KPC4,
but should work with the KAM and other machines conforming to the same
protocol.
Version 3.17 28/4/89
Includes CWID for PC120 and DRSI cards.
Should greatly reduce occurences of FRMR's (and includes FRMR counts in stats)
Allows more than 4 radio ports to be used.
Allows TNC stream (COMBIOS) numbers above 9.
Version 3.20 29/5/89
Displays FRMR counts in stats (should have been in 3.17, but wasn't).
Obeys NOMODE setting following a C SWITCH. Mainly so RLI's Netwalker will work.
Allows a 'via' string in UNPROTO line of config file.
Tidies monitored data by removing surplus newline at end.
Includes new TNC command MMASK, which controls selective monitoring of
radio ports. A port will only be monitored if the corresponding bit in MMASK
is set, ie to monitor only port 1, set MMASK to 1, to monitor only port 3,
set MMASK to 4, to monitor ports 1 & 3, set MMASK to 5. Default is FF hex.
Setting MMASK=0 is equivalent to setting NOMON ON, so NOMON has been withdrawn.
Disconnects user if he gets more than 6 'Invalid Command' responses in
succession. This is primarily to catch the situation where a BBS somehow gets
attached to a Node, and swaps 'invalid command' messages for ever.
Allows the ROUTES and NODES lists to be saved whilst running, so that they can
be restored on reload. See separate file SAVENODE.DOC for details.
Improves timeout of 'hung' sessions. This may get over the problems where
ports become unusable after disconnection in certain circumstances. It does,
however, mean that the session timeout (normally 15 mins) is applied to host
sessions.
Addition of a system to allow multiple applications (servers) to run above
the code - see file APPLS.DOC for details.
Support for digi-ed routes, and locked nodes, has been added, but not tested -
partly because I dont really understand how NET/ROM copes with having both
direct and digi-ed routes to the same neighbour. If anyone wants to use the
facility, send me a message (or a 'phone call).
3.21 2/7/89 (Released for beta test only)
Fix letter 'J' in CWID (was sent as dah dah dad dit).
Fix possible overflow of ROUTES list.
Fix loading of BPQNODES when over 4k, or with calls with 2-char SSIDs.
Fix C BBSCALL/BBSALIAS from node.
Fix error in L4 NAK/RETRY logic, which could cause session to hang.
Allows commas (as well as spaces) between calls in a 'via' string.
Allows a separate callsign/alias pair for each radio port for level 2
access only.
Fixes problem with putting 'via' in lower case in CONFIG file UNPROTO.
Removes 'RTS RAISED' message from TNC emulator.
Removes redundant spaces from end of 'connected to' msgs.
I've made a start at long last to improve the documentation - the first
stage is a definition of the node command set (COMMANDS.DOC). I would
appreciate any feedback on it, and what you would like to see documented
next!
Version 3.22 10/7/89
Fixed initialisation of PORT ALIAS - was rubbish in 3.21.
Fixed BPQNODES to handle calls more than 7 bytes long.
Fixed problem which could cause loss of the initial BBS 'signon' message,
and possible FRMR conditions, when receiving a repeated SABM (due to UA
being missed, or channel conjestion).
Relax callsign validation rules to allow '/' chars in callsigns.
Drops the CTS bit in the emulated modem status register when too many
messages queued for transmission.
There was an error in APPLS.DOC - application names have a maximum length
of 12 chars (not 2).
UFQBBS param is replaced by HOSTMODE - see BPQCFG.TXT for details.
Attempts to support AA4RE. I've run it, but am not familiar enough with
it to be certain it's doing all it should. Please let me know how you get
on if you try it. See AA4RE.DOC for configuration info.
Version 3.23 15/7/89
Version 3.22 introduced a couple of bugs (User applications and UFQ BBS
stopped working) - hence 3.23!
Version 3.50 23/9/89
Improved format of PORT definition in CONFIG file. See PORTS.DOC
Supports Sharing of hardware interrupts (with suitable cards) and
Quadram Quadport.
Allows data to be loaded into EMS memory. This saves up to 64k below
the 640k limit, but prevents the use of EMS for anything else. This is
mainly to help AA4RE users who are very short of store.
Acts upon the max connects parameter passed from AA4RE.
Attempts to prevent overrun errors on AA4RE monitored data.
Supports KISS params (TXD, SLOTTIME, PERSIST, FULLDUP).
Accepts 's' qualifier on CONNECT command, which causes the user to (S)tay
connected to the node from which the connect is issued, if the circuit is
closed by the far station.
Accepts a set of additional 'COMBIOS' commands, primarily for use with
user written application programs. See INT14.DOC for details.
Allows you to conect to ALIAS-SSID, thus forcing an L2 connect, even when
ALIAS is 6 chars long.
Ignores connect request (SABM) from a node if it is locked into the ROUTES
list with a quality of zero.
Allows you to limit incoming connects on a particular port to a list of
up to 8 calls, specified with the VALIDCALLS parameter of the PORTS
configuration. This is mainly for use for HF BBS ports, but could be used
to control access to a dedicated truck channel.
Connects to PORTCALL or PORTALIAS will now go to the BBS if NODE=0
Version 3.51 7/10/89
Sorted NODES List (at last!)
New versions of BPQNODES and BPQDUMP
TX Underrun counter should now work.
Code added to recover from 'lost interrupt' problems.
Change to USERS display to identify circuits shutting down.
TNC Command Handler no longer returns 'Eh' to blank input lines.
NEWMODE Now correctly spelt (but still ignored!).
Correctly handles SENDPAC characters above 1F Hex.
Accepts '*** LINKED to CALLSIGN' command to node to change callsign used
for connections from the node. This is to allow the real user's callsign
to appear in connects from Gateway programs running above the switch.
The normal rules for SSID processing apply - ie if you enter a call of say
G8BPQ-2, the call used in downlink connects will be G8BPQ-13. Connects
to other nodes will contain the call as entered.
TNC Command handler now accepts Y/N in as equivalents of ON/OFF
See file WARNING! for details of problems with AA4RE.
73, de John Wiseman, G8BPQ
ps.
Following the demise of GB7NTS, please send any mail to me @ GB7DAD
Also my postcode is wrong in some documentation - it should be NG3 6AE.