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MULTINET.DOC
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1993-05-30
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*
The Virtual BBS/NET
Version 6.10
Copyright (C) Roland De Graaf 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993
4246 Elisabeth Ave.
Holland, MI 49424
*
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Multi-Network Documentation
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Edited By: UT Prof aka Richard Shell 1@2103 VirtualNet
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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(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 - NETWORKS.LST File
4.2 - Net.x Files
4.3 - <database filename>.NET Files
4.4 - The MultiNet Tosser Functions & Email Gating
APPENDICES
I. Local Network Configuration
II. VFido Configuration
III. VWW4 Configuration
IV. VUUCP Configuration
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(1) - THE VBBS MULTINET ENGINE
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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
NETWORKS.LST, 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 NETWORKS.LST file.
The NETWORKS.LST file is an ascii file in following format:
1,1,VirtualNET
2,2,WWIVnet
3,2,WWIVLink
4,4,FIDOnet
5,3,USEnet
The NETWORKID comes first, followed by the NETWORKTYPE,
and finally, the NETWORKNAME.
To view the network entries in the NETWORKS.LST 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.
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(2) - CONFIGURATION
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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 ab