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MULTINET.DOC
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1992-07-25
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Virtual BBS/NET 5.50
Multi-NET Engine Doc
Copyright (C) Roland De Graaf 1992
==== OVERVIEW ====
VBBS 5.50 is the first BBS program to incorporate a true multinet
engine within the BBS, capable of seamlessly integrating up to 999
networks. The multinet engine is composed of 3 main parts:
1) The multinetwork master list (NET.0, in your DATA directory)
This master list is the way for VBBS to identify what network
a post/email is to/from. New networks will be added to the official
NET.0 on a regular basis. New networks should send requests
to 1@1 VirtualNET for inclusion into NET.0.
DO NOT edit NET.0 yourself!
A few typical NET.0 entries look like this:
1 "VirtualNET" 1
2 "WWIVnet" 2
3 "WWIVLInk" 2
4 "FIDOnet" 4
5 "USEnet" 3
6 "ICEnet" 2
7 "GNN" 1
8 "TechNET" 1
^ ^^^^^^^^^ ^
| | |------- Network Type ( 1=VirtualNET type
| |--- Network Name 2=WWIVnet type
|--- Net ID # 3=UUCP type
4=FIDO type )
2) The multinet Mail Tosser (built into VBBS)
This part handles this process of distributing email
and posts to the appropriate "pending" files for each
network you are connected to. This part 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.
3) The various network-specific interfaces
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)
Note: VWW4, VUUCP, and VFIDO are made available to registered
VBBS sysops only.
==== CONFIGURATION ====
1) VCONFIG
Most multinet configuration is done with VCONFIG. You merely tell
VCONFIG which network you want to edit, and it does it. For more
info on settings in VCONFIG, see VBBS550.DOC, and the DOC files that
accompany each network interface utility. (ie..VWW4, VUUCP, VFIDO.)
2) ANSWER.NET configuration (ANSWER.NET, text file, DATA directory)
ANSWER.NET is a kind of script file that "tells" VBBS how to detect
networks. VirtualNET type networks do NOT need to be configured
in ANSWER.NET. (Type 1 networks are automatic.)
However, to detect types 2 through 4, you will need to "program"
ANSWER.NET. ANSWER.NET knows three simple one-character commands:
">" Transmits a string.
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 driver
Examples:
?78=2
If received byte was 78 ("N"), then answer network #2 (WWIVnet)
?76=3
If recevied byte was 76 ("L"), then answer network #3 (WWIVLInk)
Here is an example ANSWER.NET, for a VBBS that is on WWIVnet:
!
?78=2
?32=2
Here is an example for 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:
>UUCP
!
?78=2
?32=2
?76=3
?85=5
==== STARTING YOUR OWN NETWORK ====
Becuase of VBBS uniquely-designed multinet engine, starting your own
new network is easier than ever before. Contact the VBBS author
for more information, and inclusion into the NET.0 master file.
A few things to consider:
1) 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
2) You will need to select a name for your network.
3) You will be responsible for maintaining your network;
its bbslists or nodelists, connections, etc.
4) You should have the following thought out in advance:
Network Policy and Goals
Network Application
Advertising
Administration
5) 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, and obtaining update utilities, contact Roland De Graaf.