home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
Media Share 9
/
MEDIASHARE_09.ISO
/
hamradio
/
tnet_x1h.zip
/
README.X1H
< prev
next >
Wrap
Text File
|
1992-11-02
|
8KB
|
191 lines
This disk contains the distribution version of TheNet X-1H.
1. Hardware Requirements
The software runs in a Z80 based TNC2 or similar clone such
as the BSX2. It is installed as described in the bankswitch
mods file, but essentially all it needs is a single piece of
wire from pin 8 of the modem disconnect header to pin 1 of
the eprom.
The Eprom needed is a 27512, rather than the 27256 of a
normal TNC2. Pin 1 of the eprom is bent out from the socket
and connected as described above.
The TNC needs to be set to the higher clock speed of 4.9 MHz
as a minimum. Whilst this version of TheNet is more
efficient than others, it is not sensible to run at the
slower speed.
The TNC needs at least 32K bytes of RAM.
The TNC needs to have DCDB from the SIO/0 connected to pin
23 of the RS232 connector. See the section on RS232 later in
this note for more information.
2. Installing over TheNet X previous versions
If you are replacing a previous rom with thenet in it, be
sure to do a coldstart ( you may need to remove the battery
link to force this )
3. Files
The files on this disk are :
read.me This file
thenet1.x1h Part 1 of the code
thenet2.x1h part 2 of the code
configur.x1h Installation guide
userguid.x1h A user's guide to the node
overview.x1h The sysop's manual
patch.exe A windowing driven patcher for thenet?.x1h
quickref.x1h A handy quick reference guide
intel.exe An Intel hex file dump utility
intel.c The source of the above
motorola.exe A Motorola S1 type file dumper
motorola.c The source of the above
bankswit.mod Information on the hardware bankswitching
intro.x1h The brief release note
ip-mtu.x1h Info on increasing the MTU limits for IP
4. Using it with a TCP/IP system
One of the reasons for the inclusion of the IP router was to
help the development of IP networks. This is in two
different ways :
1. It allows a IP station that does not run 24 hours to
run an IP router for the others in the area without
leaving the PC running
2. It allows existing nodes to double as IP routers.
In scenario 1, where a station runs a TNC2 clone with a KISS
rom or similar, this software may be used instead of the
KISS rom. It should be configured to run KISS, Selective
Copy on the RS232 port.
5. The other version
The version that includes the HIGH and LOW commands is not
included here. Anyone who specifically needs it, drop me a
line. The reason for this is due to the more complex
bankswitching that it needs - I do not think anyone is still
using it.
6. Problems
As far as I know, the only funny is over the reset command.
For reasons I cannot understand it sometimes locks up if
asked to warmstart with the reset command. Coldstart seems
OK as does warmstart on power on. I have included complex
integrity checking to try to help but it is still there!.
If you have problems, try the following :
Is the CPU & SIO/0 fast enought for 4.9 MHz ?
Is the Eprom too slow ?
Is the reset capacitor too small ( reset over before
power rails have stabilised ) ?
The above have been reported by others as having cured their
systems. Wish I understood !.
One common problem. If your node appears to 'lose' nodes,
look very carefully at the rates of node broadcasts and the
setting of the algorithm control. The RS232 rate should be
faster than the radio rate or it should be set to zero, and
the alternative algorithm should only be enabled on the
RS232 port if at all. Try switching it off to see if that
helps.
The patcher has been altered. The code now comes as two
parts and the patcher patches both at the same time. It
needs & expects to be able to access both parts.
7. RS232 connections
It is important that you understand the RS232 connections.
The RS232 port will operate in one of two basic modes, a
dumb terminal mode and a protocol mode. Each of these modes
has two basic types of operation. These are detailed further
below.
The decision as to whether the node operates in dumb
terminal or protocol mode depends on the setting of the DCDB
input of the serial communications chip ( the SIO/0 ). In
TNC2 clones, this is the signal on pin 23 of the RS232
connector, but in most TNCs you will need to either insert a
link or a piece of wire, as detailed in your TNC manual.
After connecting the links if needed, then leaving pin 23
open circuit will cause the TNC to operate in dumb terminal
mode, and setting it to a negative voltage ( ie connecting
it to pin 10 ) will cause it to operate in protocol mode.
If you use a BSX2 TNC, then you should connect pin 23 to pin
7 rather than pin 10 for protocol mode. You will also need
to insert a link into JMP14 & make sure there is no jumper
in JMP9.
If you use one of the other common TNC2 clones such as the
PK80, MFJ1270, TNC-200 etc, then I understand ( but cannot
confirm ) that you will need to connect a wire from JMP9 pin
1,2 or 3 - they are all joined on the PCB - to RS232 pin 23.
Incidentally, don't forget to increase the watchdog timer
capacitor to give a 1 minute timeout ( C31 to 47uF in TNC2
clones ).
Finally, the protocol modes are CROSSLINK or KISS, selected
by the firmware, and the dumb terminal modes are STANDARD or
MODEM, again set by firmware. In the MODEM mode, hardware
handshaking is used for connect request / disconnect. This
is NOT the usual method of operation. Unless you are certain
you understand, DO NOT use this mode !.
8. Introduction to nodes
If you have not used a TNC based node before, the following
notes on the operation of the 'dumb terminal' port may be of
use.
When pin 23 on the RS232 interface is high, and with a
terminal or terminal emulator on the RS232 port, the node
will not appear to respond to anything. If you send an
'escape' character, the node should respond with a '* '. If
it does not, look at the TNC status LED. It should be dimly
lit with a little bit of a flicker. If not, the node is not
operating. If it is, you have an RS232 problem. If you
receive unsolicited garbage whenever the TNC receives data,
you have pin 23 tied low and you are receiving crosslink or
kiss frames.
If it does respond with a star and a space, you can now type
one of 3 characters - C, D or P.
P will display the current password.
D will disconnect you from the node.
C will connect you to the node.
Try the C command. You should get a 'connected' message. Hit
'?' followed by return and you will get a list of all
commands.
Escape commands only work on the RS232 port when in dumb
terminal mode. Don't forget to disconnect from the node
before you disconnect the terminal.
73's
Dave G8KBB @ GB7MXM.#36.GBR.EU
[44.131.16.31] g8kbb.ampr.org
7, Rowanhayes Close
Ipswich
IP2 9SX
England
Tel 0473 682266
+44 473 682266