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Text File | 1993-02-06 | 21KB | 468 lines

██┐ ██┐ ████████┐ ████████┐ ███████┐ ██│ ██│ └██┌──██│ └██┌──██│ ██┌────┘ ██┐ ██┌┘ ███████│ ███████│ ███████┐ ██┐██┌┘ ██┌──██│ ██┌──██│ └────██│ ███┌┘ ████████│ ████████│ ███████│ └──┘ └───────┘ └───────┘ └──────┘ * The Virtual BBS/NET Version 5.6x Copyright (C) Roland De Graaf 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993 4246 Elisabeth Ave. Holland, MI 49424 * -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Multi-Network Documentation -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Edited By: UT Prof aka Richard Shell 1@2103 VirtualNet -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- TABLE OF CONTENTS -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- (1) - THE VBBS MULTINET ENGINE 1.1 - Overview 1.2 - The Multinetwork Master List 1.3 - The Multinet Mail Tosser 1.4 - Network-specific Interfaces (2) - CONFIGURATION 2.1 - VConfig 2.2 - Answer.net Configuration (3) - STARTING YOUR OWN NETWORK 3.1 - Considerations for Wide-Area Networks 3.2 - Local Networks (4) - TECHNICAL NOTES 4.1 - Net.0 File 4.2 - Net.x Files 4.3 - <database filename>.NET Files 4.4 - The MultiNet Tosser Functions & Email Gating -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- (1) - THE VBBS MULTINET ENGINE -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 1.1 - Overview VBBS is the first BBS program to incorporate a true multinet engine within the BBS itself, capable of seamlessly integrating up to 999 networks and providing automatic gating of e-mail between different networks. The multinet engine works through the interraction of four components: the multinetwork master list which identifies the networks, the multinet mail tosser which processes e-mail and posts, specific network utilities used for interfacing with each basic type of network, and the front end mailer which identifies incoming network calls. 1.2 - The Multinetwork Master List The master list of allowable networks is a file named NET.0, and is located in the VBBS 'Data' subdirectory. This master list is the only way for VBBS to identify the origin and destination of posts and e-mail, so it is a requirement that major networks be listed in the NET.0 file. For small local networks, open slots configureable by the sysop have been made available in the NET.0 file for use with the VBBS, WWIV, and FIDO interface utilities. Please refer to the Local Network section below for specific details. New major networks are added to the official NET.0 file on a regular basis. Please see the NET.0 Inclusion section below. For reasons of security, the NET.0 file comes in encrypted form and may not be edited. Attempts to do so are considered hacking and appropriate legal action may be taken against those involved. It should be stressed that contamination of the master listing could result in network-wide failure and disruption of the normal flow of information through various networks. To view the network entries in the NET.0 file, simply choose option 7, Network Configuration, on the VConfig menu. 1.3 - The Multinet Mail Tosser The multinet mail tosser is built directly into VBBS. No external mail tossers from third parties are needed, although VBBS can be configured to use them if desired. The tosser handles this process of distributing email and posts to the appropriate "pending" files for each network you are connected to. The tosser also handles the importation of incoming email and posts to the BBS, and the gating of posts between networks. Mail tosser operation is completely automatic and requires no special attention. Tossing may also, however, be invoked by command line switches or batch files called by external events to add flexibility. Please refer to the individual documentation for each network-specific interface for details on syntax and how this is accomplished. Such documentation is included in the zip file for each interface utility. 1.4 - Network-specific Interfaces As of this moment, four basic network interface types may be used in conjunction with the VBBS multinet engine. These are as follows: VNET.EXE for VirtualNET-type networks (type 1) VWW4.EXE for WWIVnet-type networks (type 2) VUUCP.EXE for UUCP-type networks (type 3) VFIDO.EXE for FIDO-type networks (type 4) These utilities may be downloaded from any VBBS support board and are accompanied by specific installation instructions. Please note that these utilities are not crippled in any manner, however, you should register VBBS within sixty (60) days to avoid an interruption of service. Failure to register will inactivate all interface utilities automatically, with the exception of VNET.EXE, after the 60-day period. To avoid any inconveniences, please register VBBS as soon as possible. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- (2) - CONFIGURATION -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 2.1 - VConfig The multinet configuration is done by running option 7, Network Configuration, in VConfig. From the net configuration menu, you simply choose which network you want to add, and enter the appropriate information. It is very important to remember after running option 7 to select option 3, Database Configuration, and run the Sort Databases and Compile Network functions found there. For specific installation details, please refer to the main VBBS560.DOC, and the DOC files that accompany each network interface utility, ie. VWW4, VUUCP, and VFIDO. 2.2 - Answer.net Configuration ANSWER.NET, an ordinary ascii text file, should be created and placed in your VBBS 'Data' subdirectory if you are to interface with other networks successfully. You must have answer.net set up properly for VBBS to be able to correctly identify incoming network calls. In many cases, the incoming network call will use a macro to identify itself. The answer.net file is used by the multinet engine to acknowledge the network macro, identify the network, and call up the proper network interface utility after connecting. Note that VirtualNET type networks do NOT need to be configured in ANSWER.NET since type 1 networks are automatic. However, to detect types 2 through 4, you must "program" ANSWER.NET to be able to identify the incoming network from the string it sends. ANSWER.NET uses only three simple one-character commands: ">", "!", and "?". ">" Sends a string. For example, >HELLO would transmit HELLO "!" Waits up to 2 seconds for a byte to come in "?" Compares received byte to ascii code values and calls up the appropriate network interface driver Here are some examples: ?78=2 If received byte was 78 ("N"), then answer network #2 (WWIVnet) N N N N is the string that WWIVNet sends. ?76=3 If recevied byte was 76 ("L"), then answer network #3 (WWIVLInk). L L L L must be the string that WWIVLink sends and must be set up by your Link server using a macro. Here is an example ANSWER.NET, for a VBBS that is on WWIVnet only which you may use: ! ?78=2 ?32=2 Here is an example you may use if you are on both WWIVnet and WWIVLink: ! ?78=2 ?32=2 ?76=3 Here is an example for a VBBS on USEnet: >UUCP ! ?85=5 Here is an example for a VBBS on USEnet, WWIVnet, and WWIVLink which may be used: >UUCP ! ?78=2 ?32=2 ?76=3 ?85=5 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- (3) - STARTING YOUR OWN NETWORK -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 3.1 - Considerations for Wide-Area Networks Because of VBBS' uniquely-designed multinet engine, starting your own new network is easier than ever before whether you are a business or an advanced system operator. Here are just a few things to consider if you are contemplating this: A) You will need to decide on what type of network software you want to use for your new network: VirtualNET type WWIVnet type FIDO type UUCP type While the multinet engine will easily handle any type above, remember that the simplest network to run operationally is a VirtualNET type network. This requires no special setup of the answer.net file or macro setup on the part of the server, has support for update utilities, and other advantages. B) You will need to select a name for your network. C) You will be responsible for maintaining your network, such as producing its bbslist or nodelist, establishing connections, nominating ACs, etc. D) You should have the following thought out in advance: Network Policy and Goals Network Application Advertising Administration E) Update utilities Update utilities let you, as network coordinator send out BBSLISTs and SUBSLISTs for the maintenance of your network. Custom update utilities for VirtualNET type networks are available from the VBBS author. For more information on how to start a VirtualNET type network, please refer to the LOCALNET.DOC file. F) Inclusion in NET.0 Inclusion in the NET.0 file implies that your network will be national/international in nature with 1) a substantial number of subscribing nodes 2) in diverse geographical areas 3) with a reasonable volume of message traffic. Networks which feel they will meet these criteria should send requests for inclusion on the NET.0 master list directly to 1@1 VirtualNET. The requesting sysop will receive a questionnaire to complete and return. The information provided will be reviewed and approved by the Virtual MultiNetwork Committee (VMC) in light of the guidelines above. There is no charge for inclusion in the NET.0 file. The only constraints are: 1) the request for inclusion be made by a registered VBBS system operator, and 2) only one inclusion per system operator is allowed. 3.2 - Local Networks In many cases the network you wish to start or join will be restricted to your own locale, or be too small for inclusion on the national NET.0 master list. In this case the sysop wishing to start/join a network may use one of the sysop configureable open slots available on the NET.0 list. A total of 2 configureable slots are available on the NET.0 master list. They are slots 15 and 19, and you can configure the network names and network type. To set-up the name and type for slot 15: Create a text file called LOCALNET.15 in your main VBBS dir. The first line of the file should contain the network name. The second line the network type (1 to 4). Example: MyNetwork 4 Setting up slot 19 works the same way except you would create a LOCALNET.19 instead. Please refer to the LOCALNET.DOC for detailed instructions on setting up your network. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- (4) - TECHNICAL NOTES -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 4.1 - NET.0 File The NET.0 file is a master list of networks. Each network is defined by Proper Name ("VirtualNET", "WWIVNet", "USENet",etc.) and by Network Protocol (VNET, VWW4. VUUCP, VFIDO,etc.), and by Network ID. Each network has a unique ID number. IDs begin at 1 and go up sequentially. Slot 0 is earmarked for special use by the author. This file is encrypted and may only be edited by the VBBS author. 4.2 - NET.x Files These are the configuration files for each network and are located in the Data subdirectory. The .x refers to the network ID number as defined in the NET.0 file. These are simple ascii files in this format: <parametername>=<parameter data> A NET.2 file for WWIVNet, for example, might look like this: systemid=2067 netdir=c:\wwiv\data mode=net where systemid is the WWIV node number, netdir is where the network files are located, and mode is either "net" or "link" which instructs VWW4 of the mode to run in. A NET.1 file for VirtualNET, might look like this: systemid=2103 netdir=c:\vbbs\net server=1 client=2112 $1-512-340-2265 client=2115 +381-0031 /25 where $,+, /,!, and ^ are optional modifiers indicating long distance phone numbers, local phone numbers, threshold, macro, and password. Note that VConfig is used to edit these NET.x files, but they could be edited manually. 4.3 - <database filename>.NET Files These are located in the DB subdirectory and show the networks a database (message base,sub) is connected to. These are ascii files that store the sub identifications. In addition to the .NET file, .QSC, .BIN, and .DAT files are generated when a database is configured. For example, the x.NET file for VBBS Forum, a sub gated to WWIVNet, might look like this: 1=302 2=5275 This is translated as: network ID 1 (VirtualNET) sub number 302 network ID 2 (WWIVNet) subtype 5275 If this sub were being gated to other networks, additional lines would be added with the appropriate information. Note here also that the sub identification can be a number or a string. This depends only on the net interface's interpretation of the data. 4.4 - The MultiNet Tosser Functions & Email Gating The multinet tosser ensures that all gated messages go to the proper place. An example of the mechanics are as follows: When a user posts, two copies are written. One goes to the database itself, and the other goes to SPOOL.NET which is a temporary file fond in the Data subdirectory. After the user logs off, the tosser analyzes SPOOL.NET and distributes the posts to PENDING.x files, where .x is the network ID. VBBS then checks for PENDING.x files that might exist and calls up the proper network interface handler for each PENDING.x file. The net interface program reads its own PENDING.x file and packs up the messages. When a net interface program receives a message, it also needs to write two copies, one to LOCAL.NET which VBBS unpacks to the databases, and one to either VALIDATE.x if validation is turned on for the sub, or to DISTRIB.NET. DISTRIB.NET is similar to SPOOL.NET except that messages in DISTRIB.NET are redistributed to all networks except the one it came in on. (SPOOL.NET is distributed to all networks). The multinet mail tosser also handles gating of email. That is, you can send & receive email to a user on a network of which you are not actually a member. For example, let's say you wanted to send an email to someone on FIDOnet, but you're not actually on FIDOnet, but you are a member of VirtualNET. Your first step is to find a VirtualNET system that is also on FIDOnet. (Multinetworked) Once that is accomplished, email the sysop of that board and ask if you may use his system to gate email into the other network. (It's always good to ask first.) If permission is granted, manually create a text file in your DATA directory, the filename should be GATEWAY.x where x is equal to the network id of the network you want to have a gateway to. In this example, since are target network is FIDOnet (Network ID = 4), we would create a GATEWAY.4 file in the DATA Directory. We will put one line of ASCII text into this file: @<system address>*<network number> <system address> is the node address of our gateway system. <network number> is the TRANSPORT NETWORK which will be used to gate the mail. For example, if I wanted my FIDOnet gateway to be @440 VirtualNET, I would make GATEWAY.4, with the line: @440*1 Another example: I want to email USEnet thru TechNET (Network ID = 8) system @1000. I would create a GATEWAY.5 file (Network ID = 5 for USEnet), containing the line: @1000*8 It should be noted that the TRANSPORT NETWORK must be of VirtualNET type. An email may, however, pass thru several gateways (no limit), if needed, to get it where you want it to go. This opens up some very powerful possibilities.