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.TOPIC: Interfacing with WWIV-type Networks ╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ CHAPTER 12 ANNEX C INTERFACING WITH WWIV-TYPE NETWORKS ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝ Requirements ════════════ It should be pointed out that in order to interface VBBS with WWIVNet and WWIVLink (or other WWIVtype networks), you should register VBBS as soon as possible. Multinet access in the demo version is limited to 60 days, after which time all network interface utilities with the exception of VNet, become inoperable. By registering, you are guaranteed that network access will not be interrupted, so please do register VBBS as soon as possible to avoid any inconvenience. VWW4.EXE is the interface utility designed especially for VBBS which carries out the net interface function for every WWIV-type network, including WWIVNet, WWIVLink, and ICENet. Before setting up the interface, however, you should be aware that many subs from these networks are now being gated to VirtualNET. Thus, it may not even be necessary for you to carry out this interface at all if that is what you are after. Now, if you already have VWW4.EXE in hand and want to continue with the interface installation, be aware that you MUST also have a WWIVnet or WWIV-type node number in order to net. You must also set up the appropriate WWIV network files according to instructions from your AC/GC. WWIVNet network policy requires registration of the WWIV network software within 60 days. After this period , unregistered sysops are automatically dropped from the WWIV bbslist. The WWIV network files may be registered separately for $20, and we urge all sysops that wish to have access to all WWIV-type subs to register this software. Contact your local WWIV AC for more information. As for WWIVLink sysops, no such registration requirement currently exists and separate network software is available. VBBS 6.12 Documentation--12-C-2 Installation ════════════ Step 1 - Run option 7, Networks Configuration in VConfig and choose the appropriate slot to configure. Here you will see the following: 1. Node Number: 2. Data Directory: 3. Mode: 4. EXE Directory: 5. Dialout Init String: U. Uninstall this Network Step 2 - Enter your WWIVnet node number in the first field. Step 3 - In the next field, enter the full path to the WWIVNet DATA directory (e.g. c:\wwiv\data). Step 4 - For Mode, select NET for WWIVNet-type networks, or LINK for WWIVLink-type networks. Step 5 - For the entry to the EXE (executeable) directory, specify the complete path to where the WWIV network executeable files are located (e.g. c:\wwiv). Step 6 - For your Dialout Init String, leave this blank for now, unless you are using a version of WWIV prior to WWIV 4.20. Later on when testing your WWIV connect with the multinet engine, it may be necessary for you to include the WWIV modem init string in this space if you fail to connect properly. This string would be the same one chosen from the WWIV modems.mdm file. Again, make sure you connect properly to your WWIV server independently from VBBS before attempting the interface here. Step 7 - After Vconfiguring the NETWORK option above, unzip the VWW4.exe file in your root VBBS directory and read the technical information given in the VWW4.DOC . It should be noted that the multinet engine in VBBS 6 is automatic and requires no batch files, but batch files may be used for convenience and flexibility depending upon your setup. Step 8 - You must now create an ANSWER.NET file based on the information provided in the MULTINET.DOC file. This should be placed in your VBBS DATA subdirectory. For a VBBS that is on WWIVNet, the ANSWER.NET file would look as follows: ! ?78=2 ?32=2 For a VBBS on WWIVNet and WWIVLink, the ANSWER.NET would contain: VBBS 6.12 Documentation--12-C-3 ! ?78=2 ?32=2 ?76=3 Please refer to other parts of the documentation for more details. Just as an explanation, the ?78 above refers to the N N N sign that WWIVNet sends as an incoming identifier. The ?76 is an L L L that WWIVLink uses. These are ascii characters 78 and 76, respectively. Step 9 - Copy NETWORKS.LST from the zip package to the VBBS NET subdirectory. Step 10 - If you are interfacing with both WWIVnet and WWIVLink, you MUST maintain separate directories for NET and LINK as mentioned previously. The same holds true for any other WWIV-type networks you subscribe to. In each directory make sure that all of the WWIV network files are in their proper places. Make sure you have run Vconfig's Network option and set the path correctly to where the respective networkx.exe files are located. NOTE : You will also have to maintain the DATA subdirectories in each of these to create the necessary NNxxxx.net and Nxxxx.net or NNALL.NET files needed later to subscribe and to host subs on WWIVNet. If you are converting totally over to VBBS from WWIV and would like to delete unnecessary/unwanted WWIV files, a list of the required WWIV files is available from support sites. Erasure of unwanted files, however, should be the very last step you take in the conversion process after verifying successful net connections. As an alternative to deletion, we suggest that you simply zip up the unnecessary files and keep them in a safe place in the event you need them to reconfigure something in WWIV itself later. Step 11- Run VConfig again and choose the Databases (option 3). Choose Sort Databases to allow the program to set up. Now choose the Compile Networks option. It is important to note than whenever ANY changes are made in the Network option or in Database entries, this must be followed by the Sorting and Compiling options above for the changes to take effect. This complete the network installation procedure. VBBS 6.12 Documentation--12-C-4 Installing Message Bases ════════════════════════ Assuming you have placed VWW4.exe in your main VBBS directory and vconfigured the networks properly, then installing a message base is a fairly simple process. Follow the instructions given in the main documentation regarding adding databases. In the database entry for a sub, note that option G is for Networks Configuration. Choosing this will bring up a screen which allows you to A)dd D)elete E)dit a network. Pressing A) to add a network brings up a screen where you can choose the appropriate network. For a sub carried on WWIVNet, you would choose entry 2, for example. Doing so will bring up another prompt as follows: WWIVNet Network Conference Identifier:_ Simply enter the subtype number of the message base you want, and press enter. Exit out of the database to the main database menu and once again, choose Sort Databases and Compile Networks. Please note that if a message base is being gated to VirtualNET from any other network, you have the option of subscribing to it as a VirtualNET sub or as a sub from another network, but NOT both. Doing so will result in duplicate posts. NOTE: If you are subscribing to a Net or Link sub for the first time, you must follow the normal procedure of requesting the sub from the host and setting up the appropriate NNxxx.NET files or NNALL.NET file in the proper data directory. In addition this version of VBBS also supports WWIV's auto request sub feature (req.exe) using the VREQ utility available. It also accepts type 20 messages (subs.pub) using the VWWIV utility. Hosting a WWIV Sub ══════════════════ If you are currently hosting a WWIV message base, be assured that the same procedure above works for hosts. Again, simply enter the appropriate subtype when asked for the Network Conference Identifier. Don't forget that you must maintain your distribution list through you Nxxxx.NET file as usual. Subs flagged for validation may be validated from the SysOp SubMenu. VBBS 6.12 Documentation--12-C-5 Gating Subs to Other Networks ═════════════════════════════ If you are currently hosting a sub on WWIVNet or another network, you probably will be interested in 'gating' your sub into VirtualNET or other networks to expand your subscriber base. This is easily accomplished by adding additional networks to your database entry. Entering more than one network and respective Network Conference Identifier (subtype, sub number, echo,area,etc.) effectively 'gates' that database. NOTE: If you are running VBBS as a chain, we do not recommend that you attempt gating due to the mechanics of the multinet engine. If you wish to gate to multiple networks, we strongly recommend that you run VBBS as your main bbs software for simplicity's sake. Please refer to the network portion of the documentation for how to set up a hosted VirtualNET sub, sub numbers,etc. Forcing a Callout ═════════════════ Please note that the VWW4 software is fully automatic, and will callout and receive calls from your server depending upon your main settings for Threshold and Polling in Vconfig. However, you most likely will wish to force callouts to your server from the WFC screen from time to time. To do so, you should Type 'N' from the Control Panel. First, this will bring up all the Networks you currently belong to. Select the appropriate network followed by the appropriate system (server). This will force the system to call a particular node. NOTE: WWIVNet and WWIV-type callouts are completely automated if you are running VBBS as your main program. Be sure to set your Threshold level and Polling frequency in Vconfig. Note that the settings of these levels apply generically to all networks, (e.g. the same threshold and polling configurations apply to VirtualNET, WWIVNet, and WWIVLink packets). Setting the threshold level to 0 effectively tells the software never to dial out automatically, so be sure to change this. For different calling schedules, appropriate utilities such as POLLUTIL.ZIP and VWW4-CHK.ZIP are available to customize your setup. VWW4 Activity Log ═════════════════ All net connections made by VWW4 are also listed in the VWW4.LOG file which can be found in your main WWIV directory. We suggest setting up a function key to be able to view this from the VBBS WFC screen using the Control Panel option in Vconfig. For example, a bat file called VWW4LOG.BAT could be created and placed in your VBBS directory with the following command line: CD\WWIV VLIST VWW4.LOG CD\VBBS VBBS 6.12 Documentation--12-C-6 If you are interfacing with both WWIVNet and WWIVLink, then a second batch file similar to the above would need to be created pointing to your Link directory, and a second function key set up in the Control Panel. Viewing WWIV's net logs may be done in the same fashion using the Control Panel. Simple script mods are also available to view all pending lists from the internal Sysop Menu in VBBS. Analyzing the BBSList ═════════════════════ VBBS creates a listing of systems belonging to various networks that is used for routing mail. You will need to compile this information for WWIV the first time you set up so that it may be viewed from inside of the board. Subsequent updates are made automatically. Note that when WWIV calls in with new bbslists, these will be compiled normally and no special maintenance is necessary. To make a new indexed list of WWIV boards for use by VBBS, please delete the existing BBSDATA.IDX file from your WWIV data subdirectory first. Then, from the WWIV main directory type: NETWORK3 /Y . This will produce new a new idx file. Now, generate a new bbslist index for VBBS. Change to the root VBBS directory where VWW4 is located and type: VWW4 B NETWORKID=2 for the WWIVNet list, or VWW4 B NETWORKID=3 for the WWIVLink index You should now have succesfully created the new bbslist index file that VBBS uses. This is located in your VBBS Data subdirectory. The procedure is similar for generating bbs listings for other WWIV-type networks. Be aware of the importance of specifying the correct Network Identifer Number in the above command line NETWORKID= . Refer to the list of networks available in VConfig's Network options if you need to refresh your memory on what network the appropriate network number is. VWW4 Command Line Switches ══════════════════════════ The Virtual MultiNet Engine (VME) handles WWIVtype networks seamlessly. However, VWW4 functions may be called up from batch files also, thus providing a flexible means for you to customize your setup. VME will run the VWW4 as needed automatically, providing the proper NETWORKID= and PORT= parameters. Running from a command line, however, you must specify the following three command line parameters: VBBS 6.12 Documentation--12-C-7 VWW4 <command letter> NETWORKID=<net #> PORT=<COM port #> The command letter tells VWW4 what to do: Command Letters are: B Bundle mail for WWIV (Update WWIV packets and bbslists) U Unbundle mail from WWIV and store in VBBS databases D#### Dial WWIV System #, do transfer, and unbundle if successful A Answer WWIVnet call, do transfer, and unbundle if successful. The NETWORKID= parameter tells VWW4 which network to process. WWIVnet is net #2, WWIVLink is net #3, ICEnet is net #6, and if new WWIVnet based nets appear, they will have net numbers assigned to them as well. Check NETWORKS.LST for the current network list. The PORT= parameter must be included when using VWW4 to answer, or dial a network call. This specifies a COM port number. An example of forcing bundling from the command line would look like this: VWW4 B NETWORKID=2 PORT=2 This would bundle the mail for WWIVNet for processing on comport 2. VBBS 6.12 Documentation--12-C-8 Below, we put this altogether in a specific example: Installation Example ════════════════════ For this example, we will be using a WWIV type network called WeasNet. Be sure to change the directory and network names with the directory and network names that you use. -= Step A: WWIV Setup =- NOTE: You will need to install one copy of WWIV for EACH WWIV type network you will be running. The following steps can be used for each WWIV network. 1) Make a directory under your VBBS directory called WEASNET. i.e. C:\VBBS\WEASNET 2) Copy an uninstalled version of WWIV and the WWIV network software (like NET33) into the WEASNET directory. 3) Run INIT to perform the initial installation. Be sure to set up your modem type and COM port, since the WWIV network software will use this to dial out. 4) Once finished, exit INIT and run NETWORK3. It should give you an error that you do not have a WWIVNet node number set up. 5) Go back into INIT. Go into 'N' for network info. Change the name to WeasNet and change the node number to the node number assigned to you. Example: Network name : WeasNet Node number : 10 Data Directory : DATA\ 6) Exit INIT. Copy your WeasNet network files (BBSLIST.1, CONNECT.0, etc) into your WeasNet DATA directory. i.e. C:\VBBS\WEASNET\DATA 7) From the VBBS\WEASNET directory, run NETWORK3. It should say 'net33: Analyzing WeasNet connections...' VBBS 6.12 Documentation--12-C-9 -= Step B: VBBS Setup =- NOTE: You will need VWW4 6.11 or later, the VBBS<->WWIV interface, available from the VBBS Support Boards. 1) Install VWW4 in your VBBS directory. 2) Edit your NETWORKS.LST file in your VBBS\DATA directory. Either add or change an entry to read WeasNet, and the type (the second number) should be 2. i.e. 4,2,WeasNet 3) Run Vconfig. Go into 7. Network Configuration. Add a network and choose WeasNet. Type in your node number. The DATA directory will be C:\VBBS\WEASNET\DATA and the EXE directory will be C:\VBBS\WEASNET. Leave the dialout string blank. 4) Go into 3. Database Configuration and Compile Network Info. 5) Try running VBBS. WeasNet should now show up in your Network Listing. That should be it for the basic setup. There will be a few more things to take into consideration, and we'll cover those now. When WWIV calls WWIV for a network connect, it sends a series of N's and spaces (i.e. 'N N N N N'), and WWIV will look for these to tell that it's the network. VBBS will do this, but not automatically. You need to make a file called ANSWER.NET in your DATA directory to tell VBBS what to look for, and when it sees it, what net to go to. It's recommended that your WWIV network connects use a macro that will send a unique network identifier when it calls. Let's say that your WeasNet connect uses a macro that sends a 'W' when it calls. You will need to make an ANSWER.NET file that looks something like this: >NN: ! ?87=4 The '>NN:' will tell VBBS to send a NN: at the Network Detection Phase. The '?87' will tell VBBS that when it sees a 'W' when it's doing the Network Detection, go and run the software for network 4 in the Network Configuration. Make sure that the WWIV board you connect to is aware of this. They will have to make a macro to send the 'W' to access WeasNet, and also modify their CALLOUT.NET file to have the macro enabled. VBBS 6.12 Documentation--12-C-10 The macro should look something like this (M1.NET): DEBUG "" DIAL "%2" WAITFOR "NN:" SEND "W" When the WWIV network software sees a 'NN:' it will send a 'W' to access WeasNet. Also, in their CALLOUT.NET file, they will need to add a %1 between their WeasNet connect and the & sign. Example: @1 %1 & ; "KHOGKEJHKLJDHF" The %1 tells WWIV to run the macro M1.NET. A %2 would tell it to run M2.NET, %3 is M3.NET, etc. Ok, now with a little luck and if everything is set up correctly, here is what is supposed to happen: WWIV starts a net callout and runs the macro. Once connected, it starts looking for 'NN:'. Meanwhile, VBBS is answering the phone and doing its Network Detection. A few seconds after VBBS sends the '°°', it will send an 'NN:'. WWIV sees this and then sends a 'W'. VBBS sees this and, according to the ANSWER.NET file, goes and runs network 4.