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DV-GUARD.DOC
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1990-05-23
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DV-GUARD: The RBBS-PC protector when
running under DESQview.
DV-GUARD is a program that performs five functions critical to
safe and reliable operation of RBBS-PC.
1. DV-GUARD reboots the system if no carrier is detected in 8 hours.
Thus, if RBBS hangs, the system will automatically restart.
2. DV-GUARD reboots the system if carrier is lost during a critical
period. In particular, the system will be rebooted if carrier is lost while
executing a DOOR. This ensures that the system will be available after such
a loss, and that no user can gain access to a DOOR that he or she did not
initiate.
3. DV-GUARD reboots the system if the phone rings 8 times without
answering. Thus, if the system hangs for some reason, it may be rebooted by
simply calling and letting the phone ring for a minute or two.
4. DV-GUARD reboots the system if the "Hit any key to return to system"
message appears on the screen. If there's a software failiure, instead of
requiring manual intervention to bring the system back on line, DV-GUARD will
automatically correct the situation.
5. DV-GUARD drops the line if the left and right shift keys are
pressed simultaneously. This allows users to be logged off without a
nasty message, and allows the SYSOP to get immediate control of the system
at any time.
DV-GUARD is loaded as a TSR before RBBS is started for the first time.
The syntax is DV-GUARD ps, where p is the port number RBBS uses (1,2,3,4),
and s is the screen type (C-olor or M-ono). For example
DV-GUARD 2C specifies that COM2 is to be monitored and that the system
has a color screen.
Initially, all DV-GUARD functions are disabled. Subsequent DV-GUARD
commands control the operation of the program:
DV-GUARD OFF disables all functions
DV-GUARD ON reboots if carrier lost
DV-GUARD TIMER reboots if 8 rings without answering phone, if no carrier
in 8 hours, or if "Hit any key to return to system" appears on screen.
Also, pressing both Left and Right Shift keys simultaneously will
drop the line, logging off the current user.
Normally, DV-GUARD TIMER should be used just before RBBS is entered,
whether initially or on return from a Door. DV-GUARD ON should be used just
before entering a Door. DV-GUARD OFF should be used when exiting RBBS to DOS.
******************************
DV-GUARD has been tested for 2-1/2 months without any glitches being found.
It was tested on a two-node RBBS-PC 17.3 board running under DESQview 2.25.
DV-GUARD was placed in the batch file that invoked node one (RBBS1.BAT).
As a guide for your implementation of DV-GUARD, here is the content of that
batch file:
:START
DV-GUARD 1M
DV-GUARD OFF
IF EXIST RBBS1F1.DEF DEL RBBS1F1.DEF
IF EXIST RCTTY1.BAT DEL RCTTY1.BAT
DV-GUARD TIMER
RBBS-PC.EXE 1
IF EXIST RBBS1F1.DEF GOTO EXIT
DV-GUARD ON
IF EXIST RCTTY1.BAT RCTTY1.BAT
:EXIT
To use DV-GUARD, simply revise your RBBS-invoking batch file to include the
appropriate DV-GUARD statements and have DV-GUARD.COM in the same subdirectory
as this batch file.
******************************
DV-GUARD is in the public domain and may be freely distributed and/or
modified. DV-GUARD is a modified version of the superb public-domain WATCHCAT
program written by Joseph R. Ahlgren. With the original author's permission,
the WATCHCAT program has been revised to function in the DESQview environment.
Without the valuable contributions of a number of people, this revised program
would not have been possible. In particular, a great many "thanks" should go
out to the folks at Quarterdeck Office Systems (DESQview's developer), as well
as to Anthony Petillo (a fine programmer who put in a whole bunch of hours to
make the project happen).