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1995-01-31
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Domain DataLink
Copyright (c) 1995 Domain Entertainment
Installation/Configuration
Last Updated 01/31/95
Domain DataLink Table of Contents
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Program Description/Features ............................................... 1
Quick & Easy Synchronet Setup .............................................. 2
Quick & Easy RBBS Setup .................................................... 3
Quick & Easy Wildcat! Setup ................................................ 4
Quick & Easy Generic BBS Setup ............................................. 5
Command Line Options ....................................................... 6
Questions & Answers ........................................................ 8
Problems & Solutions ....................................................... 9
Exit Codes ................................................................. 10
Demo Limitations ........................................................... 11
Domain DataLink Description/Features Page 1
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Domain DataLink is a program that, through your BBS, will allow users to
connect to each other - just as though one had called the other directly! Any
functions which could normally be performed by a user directly calling another
user via their modem can also be accomplished using the Domain DataLink. This
includes (but is by no means limited to) playing modem capable games (e.g.
DOOM, DOOM ][, Falcon, etc.) and transferring files directly to each other.
Domain DataLink has the capability to work with ANY BBS software, but has
certain additional functions which are usable only when running under
Synchronet BBS software (e.g. sending and receiving messages from the BBS).
Following is a quick and easy set up for Synchronet BBS software, as well
as a list of available command line options, and suggestions for running under
other BBS packages (if anyone running any of these packages has more info on
setting up under them, please contact Domain Entertainment with that info).
Domain DataLink Quick & Easy Synchronet Setup Page 2
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
If you received Domain DataLink on a floppy diskette, simply insert the
diskette into the floppy drive. Log into that drive and run the INSTALL
program.
If you downloaded Domain DataLink (or received it in the form of a ZIP
compressed file) then you must create the directory DATALINK within your
\SBBS\XTRN directory (to make \SBBS\XTRN\DATALINK). Once the directory has
been created, simply unzip the compressed file into that directory.
Now you'll need to run your SCFG program. Create a NEW external program
and set it up as follows:
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ Domain DataLink ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ │Name Domain DataLink ║
║ │Internal Code DATALINK ║
║ │Start-up Directory ..\XTRN\DATALINK ║
║ │Command Line DDL D:%d ║
║ │Clean-up Command Line ║
║ │Cost in Credits 0 ║
║ │Access Requirements ║
║ │Execution Requirements ║
║ │Multiple Concurrent Users Yes ║
║ │Intercept I/O Interrupts No ║
║ │Swap BBS out of Memory Yes ║
║ │Modify User Data No ║
║ │Execute on Event No ║
║ │BBS Drop File Type Synchronet XTRN.DAT ║
║ │Place Drop File In Node Directory ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
That's it! It's installed and ready to go! The only option you may wish
to add is the 'R:' (RAMdisk) option for greater speeds. Be sure to read any
and all notes on the options before attempting to use any.
Domain DataLink Quick & Easy RBBS Setup Page 3
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Make a directory for Domain DataLink somewhere on your hard drive. If you
are on a network, make sure the drive can be accessed by all BBS machines. For
this example, we will assume you have named the directory \DDL.
Copy all of the Domain DataLink files from the installation diskette into
the DDL directory on your hard drive.
Create a batch file to run Domain DataLink. Your batch file should appear
similar to the following:
c:
cd \ddl
ddl P:F F:C:\RBBS #:%node% X:4
c:
cd \rbbs
That's all there is to it! Please note that this batch file assumes that
you are using a FOSSIL driver.
Domain DataLink Quick & Easy Wildcat! Setup Page 4
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Before we begin it will be assumed that you have a basic knowledge of the
internal workings of Wildcat!; DOORx.RUN and DOORx.BAT files, Adding Dos hooks
with Makemenu, adding doors with Makewild, Wildcat! enviroment variables. If
you don't you may proceed with caution. As the Unix gurus always say RTFM!
To set up DDL as a menu hook you must define it using Makemenu. Give
it a letter and assign it to one of your pre-existing menus. If you are going
to use it as a door, assign it in Makewild. Make sure you set it as a multi-
user door (after all what fun is it playing DOOM with yourself?). Now on to
the tricky part. Create a directory somewhere (preferably on your BBS machine
hard disk). Unzip the DDL archive into it. The following are examples of a
DOORx.BAT and a DOORx.RUN, modify them as necessary to fit your system:
DOORx.BAT
c:
cd \wildcat\door\ddl
ddl F:C:\WILDCAT\WCWORK\NODE%WCNODEID% X:3
DOORx.RUN
c:
cd \wildcat\door\ddl
ddl F:C:\WILDCAT\WCWORK\NODEx X:3
These are both very generic setups. If you are using non-standard com ports
you will need to use other command line options:
ddl I:%WCIRQ% P:%WCPORT% F:C:\WILDCAT\WCWORK\NODE%WCNODEID% X:3
Domain DataLink Quick & Easy Generic BBS Setup Page 5
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Make a directory for Domain DataLink somewhere on your hard drive. If you
are on a network, make sure the drive can be accessed by all BBS machines. For
this example, we will assume you have named the directory \DDL.
Copy all of the Domain DataLink files from the installation diskette into
the DDL directory on your hard drive.
Create a batch file to run Domain DataLink. Your batch file should appear
similar to the following:
c:
cd \ddl
ddl P:F X:3 F:C:\GBBS
c:
cd \gbbs
Refer to the following page for complete information on the available
command line options. The above batchfile example assumes that you are using
a DOOR.SYS type dropfile (X:3), a FOSSIL driver (P:F) and that the dropfile is
located in your main BBS directory (F:C:\GBBS).
Now set up DataLink as a door on your BBS (refer to your BBS manual on
installing doors or external programs if you are not familiar with this
procedure) and you're all set.
Domain DataLink Command Line Options Page 6
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
ddl [name] B:[DTE] D:[DCE] I:[IRQ] P:[IO] T:[tleft] #:[#]
R:[rdisk] F:[path] X:[type]
Most command line arguments are optional when using a BBS drop file (see
information on the 'X:[type]' command line option). Those arguments which are
required to be used in combination with any drop file types are marked with a
note.
IMPORTANT: When using Synchronet with an XTRN.DAT drop file type, there are NO
command line options that need to be used! The only optional
command that you may wish to use would be the 'R:[rdisk]'. Read
any notes about the 'R:[rdisk]' option before attempting to use it!
name This is the users name or alias. If the name or alias consists of
more than one word, this option should be surrounded by quotation
marks (e.g. "The User").
DTE This is the baud rate setting of the serial port.
DCE This is the actual connect (bit) rate of the modem.
NOTE: While this setting is not required, it should be used if
possible. This is only needed on the command line when using
CHAIN.TXT, DORINFO#.DEF, PCBOARD.SYS, and SFDOORS.DAT.
IRQ This is the IRQ line of the serial port. This is only required
when using UART serial boards on non-standard ports (those other
than COM1 or COM2). This is should be used for the channel or
port number when using Fossil, Int 14h (BIOS), or DigiBoard.
NOTE: This option must be specified on the command line when
using UART serial boards with non-standard port settings
with the following drop file types: ALL except for XTRN.DAT.
IO This is the port number (when using a UART serial board on COM1 or
COM2), the I/O address of the port in hex (when using a UART serial
board on ports other than standard COM1 or COM2), or F for Fossil,
B for PC Bios, E for PS/2 Bios, or D for DigiBoard. When using
F,B,E, or D for this option, a port (or channel) number must be
specified on the command line using the 'IRQ:' option if you are
not using a drop file.
NOTE: When using PC BIOS, PS/2 BIOS, FOSSIL, or DigiBoard with
ANY drop file type, you must specify this option on the
command line.
tleft This is the amount of time the user has left online (in seconds).
Domain DataLink Command Line Options Continued Page 7
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
# This is the number of the node the user is connected to.
NOTE: This number must be specified on the command line when using
CHAIN.TXT or DORINFO#.DEF drop file types.
rdisk This is the full path to a RAMdisk. This option is never required,
but will speed up the operation of Domain DataLink (while in the
link) if you have a RAMdisk available.
IMPORTANT: This option should ONLY be used if you are running ALL
of your BBS nodes on ONE machine. If you are using
multiple machines across a network, this option cannot
be used.
You must have a RAMdisk of sufficient size to accomodate
the number of nodes on your system. Domain DataLink
requires 256k of disk space per node in the link.
NOTE: This option can also be used to specify an alternate
temporary directory.
path This is the path (excluding file name) to the BBS drop file.
type This is the type of BBS drop file to use. 1 = XTRN.DAT,
2 = CHAIN.TXT, 3 = DOOR.SYS, 4 = DORINFO#.DEF, 5 = SFDOORS.DAT,
6 = PCBOARD.SYS.
Domain DataLink Questions & Answers Page 8
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Q: Can Domain DataLink allow users to transfer files to each other even if
they are connected at different baud rates?
A: Yes. The DDLUSER.DOC (which can be read within the DataLink by users)
gives suggestions on types of transfer protocols to use with varying baud
rates.
Q: Can users play 4 player modem games through the DataLink?
A: No. Domain DataLink emulates a serial connection which will only allow the
connection of two users per session.
Q: Does this mean that only two users can use the DataLink at any given time?
A: No. Domain DataLink allows for an unlimited number of two player sessions
at once.
Q: In order for users to play modem games through the DataLink, do I need to
have the game they wish to play installed on my BBS machine?
A: No. The users should have the games installed on their machines, and be
familiar with the game operation prior to calling the BBS to link.
Q: Can I play modem games against a calling user?
A: Yes. But you will need to call into the BBS yourself in order to do so.
Q: What else can users do through the DataLink?
A: Anything that can be done if a user calls another user directly can be done
through the DataLink and more. The DataLink offers one important feature
that users can't do by calling each other directly - they can DataLink even
if they are connected to the BBS at different baud rates.
Domain DataLink Problems & Solutions Page 9
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
Q: Domain DataLink links up fine and everything seems to work, but no data is
being transmitted. I am using a network (ie: Lantastic, Netware Lite,
Personal Netware, Novell DOS, Netware, etc.).
A: Most networks have their own version of SHARE built in. In most instances
the built in SHARE doesn't work properly. Loading the SHARE.EXE program
that is included with DOS in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file should solve the
problem. If you are using a PEER-TO-PEER network, you should make sure you
are also using the DOS SHARE.EXE program on the SERVER machine.
Q: When two players go into the DataLink at the same time a DOS sharing
violation appears.
A: In some installations this will occur. The solution is to simply mark the
DDL.EXE file as READ ONLY by using the ATTRIB.EXE program that is included
with DOS. Go into your DataLink directory and type: ATTRIB +R DDL.EXE and
press ENTER. Your DDL.EXE file is now marked as READ ONLY and this problem
should no longer occur.
Domain DataLink Exit Codes Page 10
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
When Domain DataLink returns to the BBS it will return with one of the
following error levels set:
0 Successful.
1 Failed operation. This can occur for several reasons: insufficient
memory for buffers, unable to open files, unable to initialize com
routines, no BBS drop file specified, etc.
2 Carrier was dropped.
3 User ran out of time.
Domain DataLink Demo Limitations Page 11
───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
To encourage product registration, the following limitations have been
placed on the demonstration version of the Domain DataLink program:
o Users have a maximum time allowed in the DataLink of 10 minutes.