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- I have been asked to explain and define how to set up a Maximus BBS to be
- accessed over the Internet.
-
- Well, having done it I have agreed to write down what I did, but I am a
- little embarrassed, as most of the work is done by Raymond L. Gwinn's SIO
- software.
-
- Having said all of that, here is what I recommend:
-
- *****************************************
- Part 1 -
- *****************************************
-
- Install SIO from Raymond L. Gwinn (remember this is SHAREWARE not freeware,
- Ray's drivers are excellent and he deserves to have you register them).
-
- When you install SIO, make sure you install all of your normal com ports and
- make sure you install VSIO and VX00 as well.
-
- Here is an example of a standard SIO configuration lines in the config.sys:
-
- DEVICE=C:\BIN\SIO.SYS (1:115200,3F8,4,-,) (2:115200,2F8,12,-,)
- DEVICE=C:\BIN\VSIO.SYS
- DEVICE=C:\BIN\VX00.SYS
-
- You will notice that in this example I have configured my COM2 com port to use
- IRQ 12, instead of the standard IRQ 3.
-
- When you set up SIO in your config.sys file, make sure that you configure a
- virtual port (it doesn't really exist) for the internet connections.
-
- Here is another example:
-
- DEVICE=C:\BIN\SIO.SYS (1:115200,3F8,4,-,) (4,INTERNET:2e9,3,-)
- DEVICE=C:\BIN\VSIO.SYS
- DEVICE=C:\BIN\VX00.SYS
-
- The important part here is that you use a com port that doesn't really exist.
-
- After doing this, you will need to reboot your computer.
-
- *****************************************
- PART2
- *****************************************
-
- Now comes the real interesting part:
-
-
- After you have made the SIO command line changes, and rebooted, you
- must first activate TCP/IP. Users of the IBM Internet Access Kit must
- initiate a connection in the normal manner before Vmodem will start.
- After TCP/IP is activated, type Vmodem at any OS/2 prompt. The Vmodem
- display attempts to simulate a modem display. An activity log will
- start at the bottom of the display and scroll up to the bottom of the
- simulated LED display. If you wish, you can use "START /min Vmodem"
- to invoke Vmodem in your TCP/IP start up scripts, TCPEXIT.CMD is the
- best place. Hit Control C if you wish to terminate Vmodem, but you
- must leave it running if you want Virtual Modem support.
-
- This window will have representations for the com port number, what
- the auto answer S register is set to, and the DCD RI OH RD SD DTR DSR
- and CTS lights. All of this is near the top of the window.
-
- Once Vmodem is started, any access to COM4 (in this example) will go
- out over the Internet. Bring up your favorite terminal program, or mailer,
- configured for COM4, and type "AT?" for a list of supported AT
- commands. To dial out, type ATDT inetaddr.com, of course you must use
- a real Internet address.
-
- The current implementation of Vmodem works only with the
- Internet Access Kit (IAK) that is included with OS/2 V3, OS/2 V4 and IBM's
- TCP/IP V2.0 with the August 1994 CSD applied. Contact IBM for
- information about obtaining their TCP/IP and the CSD update.
-
- Prior to executing Vmodem, you should have TCP/IP installed and
- operational on your system.
-
- Users of the IBM Internet Access Kit (IAK) and IBM's SLIP be sure to
- execute MODE COMn DTR=ON somewhere before you attempt to dial in.
-
- Vmodem implements a Telnet server meaning that inbound Telnet
- connections are accepted. The "well-know name" for the Telnet server
- is VMOTelnet. The default port is the standard Telnet port, 23. The
- port used by the Telnet server can be changed by adding a line to the
- SERVICES file in your ETC directory and assigning VMOTelnet to another
- port. This can also be done to disable the Telnet server part of
- Vmodem.
-
- *****************************************
- PART 3
- *****************************************
-
- Now you have a com port pointed directly at the internet. Just configure
- your mailer or set the WWIV port for MAXIMUS to point to that com port and
- you are "on the internet" with your BBS.
-
- Now for the things to remember:
-
- For some reason, I have no idea why, your mailer or MAXIMUS needs to set the
- port speed to 57600. If you set it to 115200 it won't work.
-
- You may still be able to use the very same exebbs file you had before, well
- at least a copy of it, but you have to make sure that MAXIMUS is configured for
- MULTI-LINE operation. Make sure all of your MEC or MEX files are passing
- the com port handle and not the default from within the CTL files.
- Setting up for multi-line operation is much more complex and complicated
- process than getting up on the internet, but there are other FAQs concerning
- that particular issue.
-
- *****************************************
- EXTRA STUFF YOU MAY WISH TO READ
- *****************************************
-
- Vmodem is a part of a larger package collectively known as SIO. The
- entire package collectively known as SIO is ShareWare. It is not free
- software or freeware. The ShareWare version of SIO is distributed
- electronically. One may check their favorite electronic hangout for
- the latest version of SIO. The latest copy of the ShareWare version
- is always posted for downloading from the BBS at 1-304-255-7903 or
- vmbbs.gwinn.com and www.gwinn.com. ShareWare versions of SIO can also
- be downloaded from the CompuServe Forum OS2BVEN, library 4.
-
- Registered versions of SIO are distributed by US Mail and
- electronically from the SIO Distribution and Support BBS. Users
- desiring to register electronically, may call the BBS and register on
- line (1-304-255-7903 or vmbbs.gwinn.com) and www.gwinn.com, and
- immediately download their registered version of SIO. Use the ORDER
- command at the main BBS prompt.
-
- As of this writing, there are several BBSes available for incoming
- calls using Vmodem. Their Internet addresses are listed in the SIO
- package.
-
-
-
- DIALING EXAMPLES
-
- Vmodem will translate any "*" (asterisk) in the dialing string to a
- "." (dot). Some terminal programs refuse to pass the dot, but should
- pass the asterisk because it is a key on telephone keypads.
-
- The following are a few dialing examples to numeric type internet
- addresses.
-
- atdt198.96.20.209 Steven Bonisteel in Canada
- ATDT194*70*36*10 Jon Morby in England
-
- Vmodem implements two different Internet protocols, Telnet and VMP.
- VMP is Vmodem to Vmodem only, but is true binary while Telnet it not.
- The Internet protocol that Vmodem uses when making an outgoing connect
- is specified in the ATDT command by preceding the Internet address
- with a pound sign "#". If the pound sign precedes the Internet
- address, then VMP is used. Otherwise, Telnet is used. Again, the
- reader should note that VMP should be used only when you know your are
- connecting to another Vmodem on the remote.
-
- Telnet
-
- Vmodem implements a Telnet server meaning that inbound Telnet
- connections are accepted. The "well-know name" for the Telnet server
- is VMOTelnet. The default port is the standard Telnet port, 23. The
- port used by the Telnet server can be changed by adding a line to the
- SERVICES file in your ETC directory and assigning VMOTelnet to another
- port. This can also be done to disable the Telnet server part of
- Vmodem.
-
- The best Telnet Client to use to connect to a Vmodem Telnet Server is
- a terminal program also executing under Vmodem. Vmodem can
- concurrently act as a Client and Server, meaning Vmodem can connect to
- itself on the same system. This feature is a very good testing tool.
- Of course, you can connect from a remote system as well.
-
- IBM's Telnet Client
-
- IBM's Telnet seems to be a little finicky, but I did get it to connect
- and work with a Vmodem host. I executed IBM's Telnet with the
- following command line:
-
- telnet -t ANSI -c NONE
-
- In addition, after Telnet loads I had to enter the following:
-
- toggle crlf
-
- BE SURE TO ENTER THE ABOVE COMMAND AFTER EXECUTING IBM'S TELNET.
- Things are really screwy if you do not.
-
-
- I can be reached at chuck@ftbbs.com or 1:133/5050 if you have any questions
- or recommendations for this document.
-
- Chuck Robinson
-