SYSOP DOCUMENTATION
FPAC is a network manager developed by French hams within the ATEPRA. The ATEPRA is a radio amateur association which is providing support to packet radio experimentation.
The FPAC system works in connected mode, that means the system establishes the connection and maintains it during the whole communication.
It provides transparent routing of AX25 data packets for the user. It routes packets from one point of the network to another one.
FPAC is based on ROSE system imagined and realized by Tom MOULTON W2VY. ROSE follows the OSI model and uses a hierarchical addressing scheme.
A huge development work has been provided by F6DWJ to first port the ROSE system, running on a Z80 based TNC, to a PC environment, and then to add new functionality based on proposals from the first users: F6FBB, F6ABJ, F1ONT, F1TE, F6DEG...
FPAC while keeping the original ROSE philosophy, takes advantage of the PC platform (powerful processor, large memory). The PC with powerful development tools, simplifies the software design and allows more complex software.
With the help of F6ABJ, F6DEG, F1TE, F1AAV have designed a 4 channels SCC board and modems. F1TE, F6FBB, F6DEG, ..., have tested these hardwares. F1EDH has written the final French documentation based on preliminary one by F6DWJ, F6BEX, F1TE, F6CSS, F5CDC... F5PBX and F6ABJ have checked the documentation. W5/F6CNB has translated it.
Thanks to all hams who have given their time for this project. When you are using FPAC, think to the large number of days spent to complete this project.
Thanks again to F6DWJ, the main contributor of the project.
A network consists of nodes linked together. The network users connect each others thru these NODES.
The data are transmitted from NODE to NODE from the input node to the output one. The answers follow the the reverse path.
FPAC network implements the level 3 of the OSI model (see appendix)
FPAC reliability improves with the number of links between nodes. Because the nodes and links are not 100% reliable, the network establishes the connection based on available nodes and links.
Each node only knows adjacent nodes and addresses routed by these nodes. When the network establishes a connection, each node tries to connect one of its neighbors. It knows which node it should try based on the destination address. If the connection failed, it'll try another alternate node which can also provide a route to the final destination. There is no need to transmit out of date routing tables, each node only handles connections with its neighbors based on the destination address. The network reliability and status is tested in real-time.
But it is obvious that the network reliability largely depends on the number of links. It is very important to increase the number of nodes and the number of alternate routes.
The above network is derived from the French FPAC/ROSE network around Paris.
Each node is identified by a callsign: e.g. F6KDS-11, and a FPAC routing address: 193201. The callsign is used for the input connection, the address is used for determining the output node.
The nodes are linked together by dedicated transport links.
The following steps are needed:
- Select the PC based on availability and needed performances.
- Select the interface boards (serial, SCC, ...), configure them and insert them in the PC.
- Prepare connection cables (SCC to Modems, Serial, radio)
- Edit FPAC.CFG file for your hardware configuration.
- Edit "node" file for your logical node configuration.
- Compile "node" file by typing: CONFIGUR node. (Create FPAC.TXT file).
- Modify AUTOEXEC.BAT
- Do not forget the radio installation
- Boot the PC !!!
A NODE FPAC, minimal version, should include :
PC :
All Pcs equipped with at least 512K of RAM, can be used with FPAC. It can also be run on a floppy only system but a hard disk is useful.
Keyboard and monitor are not mandatory. Caution, some Pcs don't work without keyboard.
Modems and Controller boards :
Controller boards :
- The SCC4/ATEPRA board (Serial Communication Controller) : It includes 2 Z8530 which provide four serial HDLC ports either RS232 or TTL compatible. This card does not include modems. This card is available through the ATEPRA.
- The DRSI boards : These boards are available through hamradio dealers. It includes 1 Z8530 which provides two ports. Depending of the type of board, it includes modems.
- The OPTO SCC board : This board designed by PA0HZP is fully compatible with the SCC4.
- The SCC/DM5/ATEPRA board : It is a special version of the SCC4 for the NCR/DM5 Pcs
Modem boards :
ATEPRA BI-MODEM board : The ATEPRA has designed two modem boards. One is based on the TCM3105, the other one on the 7910. Both included two modems and a carrier detect based on the XR2211 for open squelch operations. The Printed boards are available from ATEPRA.
TRX :
Any TRX can be used for FPAC NODE.
Possible Extension
A FPAC NODE can handle up to 10 ports. With 2 SCC4 and 4 bi-modem boards, it is already possible to handle 8 TX !
Two files are needed for FPAC NODE configuration
FPAC.CFG file
NODE file (it is possible to rename this file).
It is the physical node configuration.. "#" indicates the beginning of a comment ending at the end of the line. Each line starts with a keyword defining a parameter name, followed by parameter definition. Only the three first characters of the parameter name are interpreted.
The buffer is used to memorized frames. Its default size is 65512 bytes. It is not necessary to change it.
# Buffer size
#size=65512
mycall=F6KDS-12
The SSID should be different from the NODE one.
The test port is the default one for console commands like "tx", "C" "td" ...It is also the beacon port.
testport=2 # port 2 is the VHF port
They are the NODE addresses. There is one per user port.
local=2,193201 # VHF on port 2
local=3,193301 # UHF on port 3
Define beacon message and its period. It is also possible to define a digi path.
balise=Nodal FPAC F6KDS-11 * Digi : F6KDS-10. Qth Les LILAS (93)
every=1800 # each half an hour
# via=F6PRA-12
Define the number of buffers for each port. 0 (zero) initializes only define ports.
min=0
Define the password and the number of characters for SYSOP access through the K command.
For characters are needed in the following example:
pwd=4LE FPAC C EST FORMIDABLE
Define Level 2 and 3 parameters for each port. Each definition begins with ni2= or ni3= followed by the port number.
FRACK, RESPTIME, CHECK, RETRIES, MAXFRAME, FRAMESIZE are defined.
# Canal Frack Resptime Check Retries Maxframe Framesize # # Cnl Fr Rs Ck Re Mf Fs # ni2= 0 40 20 3000 8 4 256 ni3= 0 40 20 6000 8 3 253 ni2= 1 40 20 3000 8 4 256 ni3= 1 40 20 6000 8 3 253 ni2= 2 40 20 3000 8 4 256 ni3= 2 40 20 6000 8 3 253 ni2= 3 40 20 3000 8 4 256 ni3= 3 40 20 6000 8 3 253 ni2= 4 40 20 3000 8 4 256 ni3= 4 40 20 6000 8 3 253 ni2= 5 40 20 3000 8 4 256 ni3= 5 40 20 6000 8 3 253 ni2= 6 40 20 3000 8 4 256 ni3= 6 40 20 6000 8 3 253 ni2= 7 40 20 3000 8 4 256 ni3= 7 40 20 6000 8 3 253
Allow FPAC to send its statistics to the associated BBS. The bulletin mail is addressed to FPACST. The period is in seconds.
net=3600,F6KDS-1 # stats each hour send to F6KDS-1 BBS
#net=0 ... #/- once a day
Example of the received mail :
From : F6ABJ
To : FPACST
Type/status : BN
Date/time : 05-Jul 02:20
BID (MID) : 42035_F6ABJ
Message # : 435251
Title : F6ABJ-11
FPAC init on 07/04/94 … 17:03:43
LINK LIST
---------
F6ABJ-11 2080175201
Port 2 2080175301
----------------------------------------
Port Delay
----------------------------------------
Node 1 : F6PRA-9 3 120
Node 2 : F6DWJ-9 0 120
Node 3 : F6KBF-11 5 120
Node 4 : F6PTT-11 7 120
User 1 : F6ABJ-1 8
User 2 : F6BVP-1 0
User 3 : F6PTT-10 7
User 4 : F6PRA-8 3
User 5 : F6RAC-1 1
User 6 : F6KBF-10 5
Alias
n = 0 NODE - 0, 175201- 0
n = 1 F6ABJ - 1, 175201- 0, R
ns=0
STATISTICS [FPAC-DWJ-1.2k-C$]
--------------------------------
Starting Date: 07/04/94 a 17:03:43
Current Date: 07/05/94 a 02:19:54
User Port : 0
Test Port : 0
Monitor : 0
Log : 0
Beacon : 2600
Threshold : 6000
Max size: : 1281
Panic : 1
Options : B O P
Network supervisor : 300,F6ABJ-1 v F6ABJ-11 175201
TRAFFIC
-------
Characters
Callsign Digipeater Port out in Delay Try Fail.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nodal 1:F6PRA-9 3 1568356 1075738 120 0 0
Nodal 2:F6DWJ-9 0 0 0 120 0 0
Nodal 3:F6KBF-11 5 761054 75815 120 0 0
Nodal 4:F6PTT-11 7 1007993 741733 120 0 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Port : 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Msg in : 15725 27911 455 32911 0 15133 0 18232 44683 0
Msg out: 18542 4592 1233 32739 0 15917 8 24097 44329 0
Frm Err: 15084 60902 504 10878 654 9700 0 2635 0 0
RX Ovfl: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TX Unfl: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Define the NODE language. The FPAC.MSG file contains messages in different languages. The following one are presently defined : français, espanol, german, english.
Remark :
If you check the FPAC.MSG file, you will discover that only French and English are complete. The level 2 messages for Spanish and german are in English. If you translate them, please send a copy of the file to ATEPRA. It will be added to the next release.
langue=francais
For each port some parameters need to be defined.
scc=0 153 152 168 62 0 1 0 5 5 0E 0
scc=1 151 150 168 62 0 80 0 3 0 08 0
scc=2 157 156 168 62 15 50 0 5 0 0C 0
scc=3 155 154 168 62 15 50 0 3 0 0C 0
parameter "0" defines the port type. It should be:
- scc= SCC board
- dsri= DRSI type PC board
- com= Standard PC comport
- nul= Used to configure non existant ports
Parameters for a SCC board :
Parameter "zero" define the port type. scc= in this case
Parameter "1" is the port number (from 0 to 9). It is better to use succesive port number. There is no relation between the port number and DOS COM port.
Parameter "2" is the Data register address for the port in hexa.
Parameter "3" is the Control register address for the port in hexa.
Parameter "4" is the INT control register address for the port in hexa.
Board type Data Control address INT control address address (Parameter 3) (Parameter 4) (Parameter 2) PAL 150 SCC Port A 153 152 168 SCC Port B 151 150 168 SCC Port C 157 156 168 SCC Port D 155 154 168 PAL 158 SCC Port A (pal 15B 15A 160 SCC Port B (pal 159 158 160 SCC Port C (pal 15F 15E 160 SCC Port D (pal 15D 15C 160Parameter "5" is the clock divider (in decimal) to select the transmission speed.Speed Divider (Bits/S) 300 254 1200 62 2400 30 4800 14 9600 6 19200 2 38400 0Parameter "6" is the port Dwait in décimal and in 1/10S.Parameter "7" is the port TXdelay in décimal and in 1/10S.
Parameter "8" is the port Fwait in décimal and in 1/10S for fullduplex. The TX is kept in transmission for Fwait in fullduplex mode.
Parameter "9" is the number of receiving buffers for this port. 0 disables the port.
Parameter "10" is the IRQ.
Switch Interruption ON IRQ 1 7 2 6 3 5 4 4 5 3 6 2Warning: on an AT, IRQ 2 is not available. On an old XT with a hard drive, IRQ 5 is not available.
Parameters for a DRSI board
Two channels should be defined per DRSI board.
Parameter "zero" define the port type. drs= in this case
Parameter "1" is the FPAC port number (from 0 to 9). It is better to use successive port number.
Parameter "2" is the Data register address for the port in hexa.
Parameter "3" is the Control register address for the port in hexa.
Parameter "4" is the 8536 address for the port in hexa.
Parameter "5" is the clock divider (in decimal) to select the transmission speed.
Speed Divider(Bits/S) 300 254 1200 62 2400 30 4800 14 9600 6 19200 2 38400 0Parameter "6" is the port Dwait in decimal and in 1/10S.
Parameter "7" is the port TXdelay in decimal and in 1/10S.
Parameter "8" is the port Fwait in decimal and in 1/10S for fullduplex. The TX is kept in transmission for Fwait in fullduplex mode.
Parameter "9" is the number of receiving buffers for this port. 0 disables the port.
Parameter "10" is the IRQ. The IRQ should be setup only for the first channel of the board. It should be zero for the additional channel.
Parameter "11" defines the protocol used on the link. Normally 0 for DRSI boards (COM boards)
Parameter "12" defines the maximum number of links. 0 is no limitation.
Warning: on an AT, IRQ 2 is not available. On an old XT with a hard drive, IRQ 5 is not available.
Parameter "zero" define the port type. com= in this case.
Parameter "1" is the port number (from 0 to 9). It is better to use succesive port number. There is no relation between the port number and DOS COM port.
Parameter "2" is the I/O port address.
Parameter "3" is the Modem initialization in hexadécimal. (Add the HEXA values)
Parameter "4" is the Line Initialization in hexadécimal. (Add the HEXA values)
Board type I/O address Init Modem Init line (Parameter (Parameter 3) (Parameter 4) 2) Serial PC 3F8 DTR = 1 BITS5 EQU 0 (COM1) RTS = 2 BITS6 EQU 1 OUT1=4 BITS7 EQU 2 OUT2=8 BITS8 EQU 3 Serial PC 2F8 LOOPBACK = 10 BITS5 EQU 0 (COM2) BITS6 EQU 1 BITS7 EQU 2 BITS8 EQU 3 ONESTOP = 0 ;DEFAULT Serial PC 3E8 TWOSTOP = 4 (COM3) NOPAR = 0 PARON = 8 ODDPAR = 0+PARON ;DEFAULT EVENPAR = 10H+PARON Serial PC 2E8 STICKPAR = 20H ;(???) (COM4) BREAKON = 40H DLAB = 080H ;DIVISOR LATCH ACCESS BITParameter "5" is the clock divider (in decimal) to select the transmission speed.
Vitesse Valeur de Vitesse Valeur de (Bits/S) division (Bits/S) division 50 2304 2000 58 75 1536 2400 48 110 1047 3600 32 134 857 4800 24 150 786 7200 16 300 384 9600 12 600 192 19200 6 1200 96 38400 3 1800 64 115200 1Parameter "6" is the port Dwait in décimal and in 1/10S.
Parameter "7" is the port TXdelay in décimal and in 1/10S.
Parameter "8" is the port Fwait in décimal and in 1/10S for fullduplex. The TX is kept in transmission for Fwait in fullduplex mode.
Parameter "9" is the number of receiving buffers for this port. 0 disables the port.
Parameter "10" is the IRQ.
Port Interruption IRQ COM1 4 COM2 3 COM3 4 COM4 3 Standard IRQ for PC COM ports. Some boards have jumpers to allow different IRQs.Parameter "11" is the protocols used on the serial link.
- 80 for an asynchrone link
- 40 AFT (protocole ROSE) (not tested)
- 20 DED
- 10 KISS
- 08 not used
- 04 for a channel accepting cross-UI's beacons and synchro for F6FBB BBS
- 02 for a full duplex channel
- 01 for a channel used as the internal timer.
either the 8536 timer of a DRSI board or port B of a SCC4 board. In this case the port cannot be used as I/O.
Ex : 96 : for an asynchrone fullduplex KISS link with UI.Parameter "12" defines the maximum number of links. 0 is no limitation.
See the User Documentation for more details.
A connection request to F6KDS-2 will be routed to F6ABJ-1, one
to F6KDS-3 wil go to F6PTT-1. 5 Alias can be defined. The R
letter make the Node transparent for this alias
alias=1;F6KDS-1,193201,R
alias=2;F6ABJ-1,175201
alias=3;F6PTT-1,191201
The options are used for testing and optimization of the node.
Ex :
option=R O B
#########################################################
# FPAC.CFG for F6KDS-11 #
# Written on 24 02 94 #
# by F1EDH #
# #
#########################################################
#
# CONFIGURATION FPAC on PC by JP (F6DEG) and F6ABJ with
information from
# F6DWJ, F6FBB, F6ABJ.
#
# 2 SCC4 boards from Atepra
# 1 channel (TNC2/TF18) at 1200 bauds full/duplex
# 6 radio channels at 1200 bauds
#
# beginning:
#
# buffer size
#size=60000
#
#han=s (s=Seconde) temps d'attente si pas ACK liaison
arrètée (défaut : 300s)
# debut d'action en cas d'occupation memoire importante
#thresh=8000
#
# Above extended buffer disabled for the time being
#
# Console callsign
mycall=F6KDS-12 # ssid different from the node one
#
# default port for beacon and local operator
# see console command tpx (x = port number).
#
testport=2 # port 2 = VHF port
local=2,193201 # VHF port 2
local=3,193301 # UHF port 3
#
balise=Nodal FPAC F6KDS-11 * Digi : F6KDS-10. Qth Les LILAS
(93)
every=1800 # each 1/2 h
# via=F6PRA-12
#
# 'min' specifies the minimim number of buffers per channel:
# min=1 1 buffer per channel =>initialize all 10 channels
# min=0 no buffer => initialize only configured channels
min=0
#
pwd=4LE FPAC C EST FORMIDABLE
#
# Level 2 and 3 parameters
# Canal Frack Resptime Check Retries Maxframe Framesize
#
# Cnl Fr Rs Ck Re Mf Fs
#
ni2= 0 50 25 800 10 2 256
ni3= 0 30 25 800 8 2 253
ni2= 1 30 25 800 10 2 256
ni3= 1 30 25 800 8 2 253
ni2= 2 30 25 800 10 2 256
ni3= 2 30 25 800 8 2 253
ni2= 3 50 25 800 10 2 256
ni3= 3 30 25 800 8 2 253
ni2= 4 50 25 800 10 2 256
ni3= 4 30 25 800 8 2 253
ni2= 5 00 25 800 10 4 256
ni3= 5 00 25 800 8 4 253
ni2= 6 50 25 800 10 2 256
ni3= 6 30 25 800 8 2 253
ni2= 7 50 25 800 10 2 127
ni3= 7 30 25 800 8 3 128
net=3600,F6KDS-1 # stats each hour to F6KDS-1 BBS
langue=francais
# Three types of board can be used with FPAC:
# DRSI : 2 adjacent channels (n and n+1)
# SSC4 (ATEPRA) or SCCOPTO : 4 adjacent channels (n, n+1, n+2,
n+3)
# one line per channel
#**********************************************
# Configuration level 1 / level 2
#**********************************************
# 1ere carte (tout en 1200 bauds. IRQ 5. PAL=SCC150)
# 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
# Cnl da ba Bd Dw Tx Fw Bf It Md Mx
scc=0 153 152 168 62 0 1 0 5 5 0E 0
scc=1 151 150 168 62 0 80 0 3 0 08 0
scc=2 157 156 168 62 15 50 0 5 0 0C 0
scc=3 155 154 168 62 15 50 0 3 0 0C 0
# 2nd board (4 x 1200 bauds. IRQ 4. PAL= SCC158)
# 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
# Cnl da ba Bd Dw Tx Fw Bf It Md Mx
scc=4 15B 15A 160 62 15 50 0 5 4 04 0
scc=5 159 158 160 62 15 50 0 5 0 04 0
scc=6 15F 15E 160 62 15 50 0 5 0 04 0
scc=7 15D 15C 160 62 15 50 0 5 0 04 0
# All 10 channels should be configured. All parameters should be set
# to 0 for unused channels
# 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
# Cnl da ba Bd Dw Tx Fw Bf It Md Mx
scc=8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
scc=9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#drs=8 303 302 307 62 20 80 0 3 2 0 0 # drsi at 0x300 IRQ=2
#drs=9 301 300 307 62 10 60 0 0 0 0 0
#com=6 3F8 0B 3 6 0 0 0 5 4 96 0 # liaison com1
#com=6 2F8 0B 3 6 0 0 0 5 3 96 0
alias=1;F6KDS-1,193201,R
alias=2;F6ABJ-1,175201
alias=3;F6PTT-1,191201
#alias=4
#alias=5
#
# 'CONFIGUR 193201' create FPAC.TXT
The "NODE" file :
this file is the logical configuration of the NODE.
This file includes instructions which are compiled by: CONFIGUR. This compilation creates the FPAC.TXT file.
This file defines the NODE address, its callsign, and its links to the network. It also defines the routing tables.
Verify Request verification by CONFIGUR Default L3W 3 Level 3 window Default TimeOut 120 L3 timeout (in 1/10s) Default MaxVC 30 max number of virtual circuits Default Port 2 Default L3 routing port (2) This DNIC 2080 France Country address (France) This Node DPS-93 Les Lilas NODE name Address 193201 NODE address Call F6KDS-11 NODE callsign Digi F6KDS-10 "Digipeater" callsign coverage NODE coverage 193201 193301 193201 (VHF) and 193301 (UHF) end userport 2 User port 2 Text Level 2 connection text $ $ for an empty line Nodal systeme FPAC/ROSE QTH : Les LILAS ************************** LOCATOR JN18FV * FPAC DPS93 * ADRESSE : 193201 * Tests en cours * INDICATIF digipeater niveau 2 : F6KDS-10 ************************** $ Utilisation C F6XXX Via F6KDS-11,Adresse de destination avec "Adresse de destination" = nodal pres de chez F6XXX $ pour info sur le trafic connectez-vous sur F6KDS-10 $ $EOF end Node Paris18 Neighbour NODEs. The name is used for routing tables address 175201 FPAC address Path F6ABJ-11 FPAC callsign Port 1 Access port End Node Meru60 address 260201 Path F5SEM-10 Port 4 End Route to nodes Routing table Meru60 Paris18 Note "S" at nodes.Meru60 is tried first, Paris18 in second Call for 260 2 End Route to nodes Paris18 Meru60 Calls for 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 175 191 192 194 195 178 160 177 End User BBS Path F6KDS-1 Port 0 MAXVC 0 End User F6ABJ-10 "USER" F6ABJ-10 Path F6ABJ-10 Path : F6ABJ-10 PORT 1 On port 1 MAXVC 0 End User F5SEM-10 "USER" F5SEM-10 Path F5SEM-10 Path : F5SEM-10 PORT 3 On port 3 MAXVC 0 End WRITE FPAC.TXT Write compilation result in FPAC.TXT QUIT End
Remarks:
This NODE knows only its two neighbors. In this example, all connection requests to region 2 subregion 60 will be routed toward Meru60. If the link is down, it will be rerouted toward Paris18.
With a multiple links network, it is possible to define identical routes through several neighbour nodes. FPAC will handle the routing.
The adjacent DIGIPEATERs are defined as "USER". It is possible to explore the network from DIGI to DIGI without knowledge of the NODE addresses.
The FPAC NODE sysop should setup the hardware, test it and configure the software.
The following parts describe the console commands, the remote sysop commands, the configuration files and the hardware of a FPAC NODE.
The console commands allow to test hardware and links, and to modify temporary the configuration.
The remote sysop commands allow file upload and DOS command access to update the program or the configuration.
Display an help menu of the most common commands.
cmd:? F1=help F3=abort yapp F4=Stop text F5=TX text F6=RX text F7=TX F8=RX yapp <ESC>=cmd: ba: balise[,n°sec] bc: balise call(s) be: bell bm: call to monitor bt: beacon message c : connect cf: config cl: clear screen co: converse d : disconnect dd: stat ded dw: dwait for test port h : heard i : info il: list idle time it: idle time lo: log/trace mc: edit mcb md: map modem ml: max link mo: monitor my: my call ni: param. 2/3 ns: net sup pa: panic [exit] pt: test port q : quit ss: sys status st: station on/off t : log time tc: time constant td: time start th: thresh hold tn: time tr: traffic tx: txdelay for test port u : users ? : help
Display a more complete help menu :
cmd:??
F1=help F3=abort yapp F4=Stop text F5=TX text F6=RX text F7=TX F8=RX yapp <ESC>=cmd: ba: balise[,n°sec] bc: balise call(s) be: bell bm: call to monitor bt: message balise c : connect cf: config cl: clear screen cn: count co: converse d : disconnect dd: stat ded ds: dump ds area dw: dwait for test port es: dump es area ex: exam label h : heard i : info il: list idle time it: idle time ki: kiss on/off ld: load test lk: init link lo: log/trace mc: edit mcb md: map modem ml: max link mo: monitor my: my call ni: param. 2/3 ns: net sup op: options pa: panic [exit] pr: reserve map pt: test port q : quit qr: reset ded ss: sys status st: station on/off sv: save log (after lo) t : log time tc: time constant td: time start th: thresh hold tn: time tr: trafic ts: reserve map tx: txdelay for test port u : users uc: reserve map wr: reserve map ? : help ??: help map
Change or display the beacon period. The value n is in seconds.
Ex :
cmd:ba 3600 Change the beacon period
Ex2 :
cmd:ba Display the beacon period ba=1800
If you wish to force a beacon transmission (for example to check a transmitter). you should first type ba=0 and then "ba".
Ex3:
cmd:ba=0 cmd:ba each 'ba' force an immediate beacon transmission on the current port (test port, command 'ptx') cmd:ba
Define the beacon destination.
By default, the beacon frames are sent to "BALISE" (BEACON in French) in unconnected mode.
Remark : The beacons are transmitted on the current port (test port)
Ex :
cmd:bc balise Destination balise cmd:bc BEACON V F6KDS-11 Through a digipeater
Unable the bell for each received frames during console traffic. Very NOISY !
Ex :
cmd:be of Disable the bell
Ex2 :
cmd:be Display the bell status
be:On
Allow selective filtering on monitoring. Monitoring should be unable by mo command.
bmf6abj-1 monitor only frames from or to F6ABJ-1.
bm0 monitor all frames (no filter)
Ex :
cmd:bmF6ABJ Monitor only frames from and to F6ABJ
Ex2 :
cmd:bm Display monitor status F6ABJ-0
Ex2 :
cmd:bm0 Monitor all frames
Change or display beacon text.
Ex:
cmd:bt Hi here is FPAC New beacon text
or
cmd:bt Display current beacon text
Nodal FPAC F6KDS-11 * Digi : F6KDS-10. Qth Les LILAS (93)
Connect to a station on the current port (test port, command
'ptx')
If a connection is pending, the message 'Call in Progress' appears, and the request is refused. It is possible to use "D" to stop the previous request and then to reissue the command.
Ex:
cmd:C F6ABJ Connection request to F6ABJ Calling Port:2 F6ABJ-0 Trying on port 2 cmd:C F5LXS Connection request to F5LXS Call in Progress FPAC busy cmd:D Disconnection from F6ABJ disconnecting from:F6ABJ-0 You are disconnected *** Disconnected ***
The C command without argument will try a connection to the last called station.
Ex :
cmd:C F5LXS Connection request to F5LXS Calling Port:4 F5LXS-0 Trying on current port cmd:D Disconnect from F5LXS disconnecting from:F5LXS-0 You are disconnected *** Disconnected *** cmd:c Connection request without callsign Calling Port:4 F5LXS-0 Trying last callsign
Display the level 1 and 2 configuration as defined in FPAC.CFG.
Ex :
cmd:cf Testport =2 Panic =0 ; RTIMER: fm RT timer set to 11 ms Port : 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 SCC type: 2 2 5 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 DataPort: 0153 0151 0157 0155 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 CtrlPort: 0152 0150 0156 0154 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 Int Port: 0168 0168 0168 0168 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 Int nb : 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 BaudRate: 62 62 62 62 0 0 0 0 0 0 Dwait : 0 0 11 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 TxDelay : 1 80 50 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 Fwait : 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 MaxBufer: 5 3 5 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 Maxlink : 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 # links : 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 AsyDupRT: 0e 08 0c 0c 00 00 00 00 00 00 DED_NB : 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Default: off
Enable or disable the screen saver after 5mn without keyboard activity.
Warning: ANSI.SYS should be loaded in config.sys (DEVICE=ansi.sys in Config.sys)
Ex :
cl on => enable screen saver cl off => disable screen saver
Default : on
Enable or disable display the processor free time counter.
Upper value is the last 160 seconds.
Lower value is the last 10 seconds.
This counter is very useful during the testing phase of a NODE to evaluate its performances and its limits.
The free time counter is incremented when FPAC has nothing to do ! This counter is memorized and reset each 160 seconds. The displayed value is the last memorized one. The maximum value without traffic depends of the PC processor (88,286,386,...). If the value less than 10% of the maximum value, the PC is not powerfull enough!
1) Check the counters without traffic (RX/TX not connected).
2) Check the counters in normal operation or display the node statistics.
If the values go below 10% of the values without traffic, change the node PC !!!!.
Ex :
cn on
cn off
Return to connected mode. <ESC> is used to come back to the command mode.
Disconnection (end of QSO) in connected mode.
Display DED messages
Dump 80x86/8088 data memory.
Change or display dwait parameter for the test port. n is in 10ms.
Ex:
cmd:dw 25 Change cmd:dw Display DWAIT dw=25 Answer : 250mS
Dump the 80x86/8088 es memory. (Reserved)
(Reserved)
Display the NODE heard list. (see user documentation H command)
Display the NODE information (see user documentation I command)
Display idle time. This are the values from the free-time counter for the last 1600 seconds. (see "cn" command page )
Ex:
cmd:il Idle time : duree 10 sec -0 : 581 duree 10 sec -1 : 584 duree 10 sec -2 : 581 duree 10 sec -3 : 588 duree 10 sec -4 : 588 duree 10 sec -5 : 583 duree 10 sec -6 : 582 duree 10 sec -7 : 586 duree 10 sec -8 : 586 duree 10 sec -9 : 586 duree 160 sec -0 : 576 duree 160 sec -1 : 566 duree 160 sec -2 : 574 duree 160 sec -3 : 571 duree 160 sec -4 : 576 duree 160 sec -5 : 572 duree 160 sec -6 : 565 duree 160 sec -7 : 558 duree 160 sec -8 : 560 duree 160 sec -9 : 564
Default = 10s
Set or display the period of idle counter. Warning the 160 seconds period for free time counters is valid only with it <= 10 s.
Enable or disable the KISS mode on the current port (test port).
Fpac disable the KISS mode by sending FF to the TNC.
Remark: If a port is neither in KISS, nor in ASYNC nor in DED, it is in TNC mode. All received characters are displayed and all typed characters are transmitted to the TNC (if in convers mode (co on)).
This command blocks buffers to simulate a load (reserved for development).
Same as "L": display traffic between NODES (number of bytes).
Remark : if try =0 the link is good else try indicates the number of seconds before retrying the connection.
Log the traffic (monitor) in a file. The data are the same as the one display by mo command.
Be caution with the size of the data.
lo of will stop the recording.. EX: cmd:lo ESSAI.MON Log traffic in ESSAI.MON DATE:03/07/94 File created on March,7 1994 TIME:19:25:58 at 19h25mn58s ESSAI.MON opened File open cmd:lo of Stop logging DATE:03/07/94 File closed on March,7 1994 TIME:19:48:06 at 19h48mn06s ESSAI.MON closed File closed
Display DOS MCBs ( provided by F1OAT ).
Ex:
cmd:mc ======================================================================== MCB MCB ID PID MB PAR- ENV OWNER NO. SEG SIZE ENT BLK? ======================================================================== 01 025B M 0008 9472 011C N IBMDOS.COM/MSDOS.SYS 02 025B M 0008 64 011C N IBMDOS.COM/MSDOS.SYS 03 025B M 04B6 48 04B6 N COMMAND.COM COPY #1 04 025B M 04B6 3008 04B6 N COMMAND.COM COPY #1 05 025B M 04B6 64 04B6 N COMMAND.COM COPY #1 06 025B M 04B6 256 04B6 N COMMAND.COM COPY #1 07 025B M 0597 208 04B6 N UNKNOWN OWNER 08 025B M 0597 1392 04B6 N UNKNOWN OWNER 09 025B M 05FF 240 0597 N C:\WINDOWS\system\win386.exe 10 025B M 05FF 4112 0597 N C:\WINDOWS\system\win386.exe 11 025B M 0711 240 0711 N COMMAND.COM COPY #2 12 025B M 0711 3008 0711 N COMMAND.COM COPY #2 13 025B M 0711 256 0711 N COMMAND.COM COPY #2 14 025B M 07EF 240 0711 N D:\FPAC\FPAC.EXE 15 025B M 07EF 177472 0711 N D:\FPAC\FPAC.EXE 16 325B M 07EF 65536 0711 N D:\FPAC\FPAC.EXE 17 425B Z 0000 379808 F000 N FREE MEMORY CONTROL BLOCK ========================================================================
modem test. You can send either 0, or 1, or a succession of 0 and 1 with a period of 1s.
This mode can be exited with "*" character.
WARNING remote mode is blocked !
Limit or display the number of links on a channel. It can be used to limit the traffic.
This command overwrites the last column of the FPAC.CFG file.
Default 0 no limit.
Enable or disable the traffic monitoring. Without argument, display the possible options:
he only header (1)
on header and text (2)
of no monitor (0)
de for testing (3)
dd ded messages (4)
id idle time (5)
A port number can be specified after the argument.
Ex :
Mo on2 Monitor port 2 MO on Monitor all ports
Change or display console callsign.
Ex :
cmd:my F1EDH Change console callsign to F1EDH cmd:my Check consolecallsign My Call:F1EDH Answer : F1EDH
Ex2 :
cmd:my Check console callsign My Call:F6KDS-12 Answer : F6KDS-12
Display level 2 and 3 parameters.
Ex :
cmd:ni Niveau 2 Port : 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 T1=frack: 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 T2=resp : 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 T3=check: 3000 3000 3000 3000 3000 3000 3000 3000 3000 3000 N2=retry: 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 Maxframe: 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 Paclen : 256 256 256 256 256 256 256 256 256 256 Niveau 3 Port : 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 T1=frack: 400 400 400 400 400 400 400 400 40 40 T2=resp : 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 T3=check: 6000 6000 6000 6000 6000 6000 6000 6000 6000 6000 N2=retry: 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 Maxframe: 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 Paclen : 253 253 253 253 253 253 253 253 253 253
Send a statistic mail to the BBS. The time interval can be specified. (see FPAC.CFG configuration).
DO NOT USE. options for software debugging.
Exit FPAC with memory dump on disk. This allows the developers to analyze the reasons of a crash.
Reserved
Change or display the current port.
The current port is used for console commands like c or dw...
Ex:
cmd:pt 1 Set port 1 as current cmd:pt display test port pt=1
Quit FPAC.
Warning: immediate exit and all connections are killed.
Reset DED links
Display system statistics.
Enable or disable the console traffic. (see "my" command)
cmd:st on Enable connections
cmd:st Display status
st:On
Save log. Should be used after the lomem command.
This command is only for debugging.
Display and log (if open) time and date (DD/MM/YY).
Ex:
cmd:t Request time and date DATE:03/07/94 TIME:11:54:25
For testing: modify the current port baud rate.
Display FPAC starting time and date.
The threshold is the minimun size of the buffer (in bytes).
Display current time and date.
Display the traffic by port and link
Reserved command.
Change or display TXDELAY for current port.
Ex :
cmd:tx 60 Change TXDELAY to 600mS tx=60 check : 600mS
Ex2 :
cmd:tx Request TXDELAY tx=80 Value 800mS
Display users list.
Reserved
Reserved
The "reserve map" commands are debugging one and should be used only by developpers.
They can be used in connected mode.
Display the function keys HELP menu :
F1: help F2: F3: Abort yapp F4: Stop text F5: Send text F6: Recv text F7: Send yapp F8: Recv yapp
Not used
Stop YAPP transfer.
Stop ASCII transfers.
Send an ASCII file. Type F5 then type the filename (including the directory if the file is not in the current one)
Receive an ASCII file. Type F6, then type the filename. The display continues during the transfer. Type F4 to stop the transfer.
Send a file using YAPP protocol. Warning The YAPP should be started first on the receiving side.
Receive a file using YAPP.
Go to MDSE. Use EXIT to come back to FPAC.
K : Request password validation. The NODE will answer by sending a list of numbers which represents the position of letters is the password. The password is case sensitive.
WARNING : numbers are in hexadecimal.
first letter is numbered 0
You should answer by the n first requested characters of the password. n is a number between 1 and 16 specified by the sysop in FPAC.CFG.
Ex :
FPAC (A,B,C,H,I,L,M,S,T,U,?) >K Request the sysop mode 07 06 09 0E 11 15 02 05 04 02 06 0C 15 13 0B 16 FPAC requests password C FM Answer : <SPACE>C<SPACE>FM OK FPAC (SYSOP:B,C,D,G,S,!,/,[,yapp) >
The password is the following and the sysop requests 5 characters:
00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 0A 0B 0C 0D 0E 0F 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 1A 1B 1C 1D 1E L E F P A C C E S T F O R M I D A B L E
The NODE answers either OK or NOK , then the SYSOP menu is displayed.
A ROSE utility generates the above table.
Go back to the user menu.
Set the system date and time. The command should be followed 5 groups of 2 figures (Year,Month,Day,hours,minutes).
Display disk directory: D A ==> DIR A:
This command stops the FPAC program and sends an errorlevel number to DOS.
GA stops FPAC and returns "errorlevel" = 1
GB stops FPAC and returns "errorlevel" = 2 .... (upto 9)
This command associated with a batch file, provides a flexible remote control of the node.
G alone returns 0
BATCH example : AUTOEXEC.BAT
REM 9 = "I" ==> end : exit
REM 0 = no code ==> exit
REM 1 = "A" ==> start FPAC from disk A
REM 2 = "B" ==> start FPAC from disk B
REM 3 = "C" ==> start FPAC from disk C
C:\DOS\KEYB FR,,C:\DOS\KEYBOARD.SYS
PATH=C:\;C:\DOS;C:\UTIL
CD \FPAC
SET FPAC=C:\FPAC\STATS
:Start
CD \FPAC
FPAC
:Test
if errorlevel 9 goto END
if errorlevel 3 goto START_C
if errorlevel 2 goto START_B
if errorlevel 1 goto START_A
if errorlevel 0 goto END
goto Start
:START_A
REM Start FPAC from A:
A:\FPAC
goto Test
:START_B
REM Start FPAC from B:
B:\FPAC
goto Test
:START_C
REM Start FPAC from C:
C:
CD \FPAC
FPAC
goto Test
:END
Write text to disk : S filename, then text finished by <CTRL Z>
Execute a DOS command ex : !TYPE FPAC.CFG display the FPAC.CFG file.
Caution : The shell is a subset of command.com. Wild cards should be avoid, full directories should be used.
CAUTION ! A command expecting an answer will crash the system.
Example : !del a:tata.cfg !copy b:toto.cfg a:toto.cfg
Allow to use a console command in remote mode.
ex : /cf display the NODE configuration. Use with caution some commands expect an answer and will crash the system, some others provide only console display.
Allow to set time and date from the user menu.
Ex :
cmd:[
>
C 94 05 21 12 47
OK date/heure
FPAC (SYSOP:B,C,D,G,S,!,/,[,yapp) >
This command is used by F6FBB BBS to setup node time from the FORWARD.SYS file
Three solutions are possible :
In this case, The external modem connector on the TNC2 is connected to a SCC4 port. The TNC2 provides the AX25 level on the BBS side. This solution is expensive in term of hardware.
Examples of INITTNC.SYS for the F6FBB BBS are provided on the FPAC distribution disks.
Note : The protocol between the BBS and the FPAC node is the WA8DED. It is poorly efficient with the FPAC node.
Cut tracks and add a connection as shown above.
Add a 2.2k resistor between J4 pin 20 and U9 pin 14
FPAC uses KISS serial link, it is then possible to directly connect the BBS through a kiss driver like G8BPQ, TFPCX or better PKTAX25 by F1OAT. This last driver which is part of FPAC distribution, has been optimized for full duplex link.
In this case, the link can be either Half or full duplex.
See the hardware configuration.
Add the following line (TNC2 on port COM1)
ESS 1
F6ABJ access is on port 3 (C).
The connection request line uses the FPAC syntax: C C F6ABJ-1 via F6KDS-11-11,175201. where 175201 is the F6ABJ FPAC address and F6KDS the local FPAC NODE callsign.
Ex:
A F6ABJ * P C * C C F6ABJ-1 via F6KDS-11,175201 * G FRPA G FRA G FRANCA G AMSAT G EU G WW * B F6ABJ F F6ABJ * * R * ------
The BBS can also setup the NODE time and date. You should add the following section in the FORWARD.SYS file and add the NODE callsign in BBS.SYS.
----
A F6KDS
*
P C
*
IF 23
C C F6KDS-10
ENDIF
*
Y
*
R
*
----
This file should include the beacon destination. This line begins by "!". The beacon should be sent through the NODE callsign. The SSID represents the port number where the beacon is transmitted by the FPAC NODE.
Ex:
%15 ! MAIL v F6KDS-2 $d $T <<< 93-BBS * UHF >>> $N active Msgs Mail for: $Q
With F6FBB version 5.15C, it is possible to define several beacon lines for the broadcasts. This allows broadcast on several ports but the beacon is transmitted only on the first path.
Ex2: port 2 is VHF, port 3 is UHF
%15 ! MAIL v F6KDS-2 ! MAIL v F6KDS-3 $d $T <<< 93-BBS * UHF >>> $N active Msgs Mail for: $Q
This file is similar to a standard TNC2 one:
1 1 03F8 9600 # . #TNC NbCh Com MultCh Pacln Maxfr NbFwd MxBloc M/P-Fwd Mode Freq 3 10 3 1 250 2 3 10 07/15 UDYLW FPAC
In this case G8BPQ is used as a KISS driver for the BBS.
You can add the command BPQCODE to start BPQ SWITCH in APPEL.BAT (or in AUTOEXEC.BAT).
There is two lines for the connection request. One to connect the BPQ SWITCH, one the real connection. This second line uses the FPAC syntax: C C F6ABJ-1 via F6KDS-11,175201 where F6KDS-11 is the local FPAC callsign, and 175201 is the F6ABJ-1 FPAC address.
Ex:
A F6ABJ G FRPA P C * C C SWITCH C C F6ABJ-1 via F6KDS-11,175201 * B F6ABJ F F6ABJ * * R * ----
See above.
This file is to the standard G8BPQ one:
8 2 03E8 9600 # . . #TNC NbCh Com MultCh Pacln Maxfr NbFwd MxBloc M/P-Fwd Mode Freq 3 10 8 1 250 2 3 10 07/15 UQYLW FPAC
Add the two following parts and remind that if there is the same number of TNCPORT than PORT, the UI frames (beacons and broadcast) are transmitted from the TNCPORT to the corresponding PORT.
For example, if you define:
TNCPORT COM=6 TNCPORT COM=7 TNCPORT COM=8
The UI frames received on tncport 6 are sent to the first port, The UI frames received on tncport 7 are sent to the second port, ....
TNCPORT
COM=8
APPLMASK=1
ENDPORT
PORT
ID=BPQ_FPAC
TYPE=ASYNC
PROTOCOL=KISS
IOADDR=2F8H
INTLEVEL=3
SPEED=4800
CHANNEL=A
QUALITY=250
MAXFRAME=4
TXDELAY=10
SLOTTIME=500
PERSIST=255
FULLDUP=1
FRACK=7000
RESPTIME=500
RETRIES=15
PACLEN=250
USERS=10
UNPROTO=MAIL
ENDPORT
Add a line to start TFPCX : where -DR enable DRSI interface, IFF to use 0xFF int. TFPCX286 -PKISS1 -DR -IFF
This file is similar to the one used with BPQ SWITCH.
Ex:
------ A F6ABJ G FRPA P C * C C SWITCH C C F6ABJ-1 via F6KDS-11,175201 * B F6ABJ F F6ABJ * * R * ----
See using a TNC2
The ports are defined as for BPQ. They are virtual ports.
6 4 02F8 9600 # # 3 10 6 1 250 2 3 10 07/15 UDYLW FPAC
This software has been developped by F1OAT to link a F6FBB BBS to a FPAC NODE using a KISS link. It is the best method.
See KISS link with G8BPQ.
See KISS link with G8BPQ.
See KISS link with G8BPQ.
See KISS link with G8BPQ.
see Appendix PKTAX25.
Configuration file example:
############################################################################### # PKTAX25 configuration file example # by F1OAT (9 January 1994) ############################################################################### BPQ_Vector = 7F # IRQ 8 System Clock Frequency : 18.2 Hz is standard frequency ClockFrequency = 18 ClockDivisor = 3 NumberOfStreams = 15 NbDataBLK = 50 NbPacket = 30 NbFrame = 5 NbEvent = 10 # Timers in ms Frack = 4000 RespTime = 500 Check = 30000 Retry = 20 MaxFrame = 7 Paclen = 255 FullDuplex = 1 MyCall = F6ABJ-1 QuietMode = 0 OAT_Extensions = 0 # Offset for FBB compatibility BufferFreeOffset = 20 # COM2 port at 9600 Bds Base_8250 = 2F8 Irq_8250 = 3 Baudrate_8250 = 9600 ###############################################################################
default : 3000 or 6000
Function : Connection check interval.
Define the interval between checks of the connection (in seconds).
Cette commande fixe un dépassement de temps de connexion. Quand FPAC est connecté à une station, et que l'autre station "disparaît" FPAC resterait connecté indéfiniment. Ceci peut advenir si la propagation change ou si une station répéteur intermédiaire s'arrête. Pour prévenir ce blocage, FPAC vérifiera la liaison si le temps spécifié s'écoule sans paquet entendu de l'autre TNC.
Function : Wait time before keying the TX
Cette valeur est employée pour éviter les collisions avec les paquets répétés. FPAC attendra le temps d'attente par défaut après la dernière écoute de données sur le canal avant de commencer sa séquence d'envoi, à moins qu'il ne soit en attente de paquets à répéter. Cette valeur doit convenir à tous les amateurs desservis par un répéteur et doit être communément adoptée. La meilleure valeur sera déterminée par l'expérimentation, mais sera une fonction du temps de commutation (TXDELAY) de la station répéteur.
NOTE: DWAIT is used differently on several networks. DO NOT SET DWAIT =0.
Default: 40 (in 1/10 S ( 4 secondes))
Function : Delay to received an ACK
Définit le temps d'attente des trames d'acquittement en intervalles d'un dixième de seconde.
Après l'émission d'un paquet nécessitant un acquittement, FPAC attendra un certain temps la trame d'acquittement pour incrémenter le compteur d'essai et émettre une nouvelle trame. Si après ce délais l'accusé de réception n'est pas parvenu à FPAC, la procédure d'essai est réinitiée.
Maximum : 256 for L2 and 253 for L3 (inter-nodes L2 !).
Define the maximum length of a data packet.
FPAC automatically transmits the packet when "FRAMESIZE" bytes are available. This value is used in both converse and transparent mode. For good links, the maximum value is recommended. Lower values (like 128) can be used on poor links.
default: 4 for L2 and 3 for L3 (inter-nodes L2 !).
Function: Maximum packets in a transmission.
MAXFRAME fixes the maximum number of packets without acknowledge that FPAC can transmit. It is also the maximum number of packets in a single transmission. In case of error (RRx or REJx), the packets are repeated from the last correct one and new packets are added up to MAXFRAME. For a poor link, use 2 or better 1.
default : 20 (en 1/10 S (2s))
Function: Minimum delay for acknowledge.
This command determines the minimum delay before an ACK packet is transmitted.
It is used in addition of DWAIT or any random delays.
Number of transmission retries before disconnection.
Function: Delay between keying TX and data tranmission
Parameters:
n = 0 - 32767, in 10 ms.
The value is the delay the TNC should wait between keying the transmitter and sending data. This delay allows the transmitter to fully switch in transmission mode (mechanical relays, PLL locking time, ...). This parameter should also include the receiver switching time.
Software and documentation written by F1OAT (translated by W5/F6CNB)
AX25 TSR driver compatible with G8BPQ V4.06K
Level 1 type KISS
13 May 1994 Version
-------------------
PKTAX25.EXE Driver
PKTAX25.CFG Configuration
PKTAX25.DOC Documentation
PORT.SYS PORT.SYS example for F6FBB BBS
PKTAX25 is a TSR driver compatible with G8BPQ. It is designed to interface a BBS or a DXC to a FPAC node through a KISS link.
The architecture is the following:
For the application, PKTAX25 is similar to BPQ4.06K. It can be used with any applications supporting G8BPQ like F6FBB BBS but also PAC4 (the G8BPQ terminal program).
PKTAX25 is completly independant from the BPQ switch. /there is no need to install G8BPQ to use PKTAX25.
The differences between PKTAX25 and BPQ-Switch are:
- Only one KISS port.
- NO Thenet/Netrom protocol.
PKTAX25 has been written for the following reasons:
- optimization to use KISS link with a FPAC NODE.
- new functions for F6FBB BBS.
- minimize memory use.
- future FPAC evolutions.
PKTAX25 is optimized for full-duplex. The half-duplex mode can be enable but has not been tested.
PKTAX25 is also designed to interface "Packet Driver" to allow Ethernet links to FPAC or other systems. This possibility is under development and should be available soon.
The PKTAX25 configuration file is PKTAX25.CFG. This file is not compatible with BPQCFG.TXT. There is no need for the BPQCFG.TXT file.The distribution includes an example.
The config lines can appear in any order. Lines starting with # are comments. Blank lines are allowed. Default values are used if the parameter is not specified.
Interrupt vector used by BPQ interface.
INT08 PC clock. If no software has changed it, it should be 18.2 Hz.
Dividing factor for the INT08 PC clock to generate the PKTAX25 internal clock.
PKTAX25 clock = 18.2 Hz / 3 = 6 Hz
There is no need to change this value.
Number of streams handled by PKTAX25. This is the maximum numbers of connections at a given time. If PKTAX25 is used with a F6FBB BBS, it should greater or equal to the BBS equivalent parameter.
Number of 256 bytes buffers. These buffers are used to store I frames tranmitted or received by PKTAX25.
The value depends of the load on the KISS link.
For example, if there is 4 streams at a given time and a maxframe of 2, you need 8 (4*2) DataBLK to achieve a continuous transmission. You should also include the received traffic.
The optimization is not easy. You can use the following formulae to start with.
NbDataBLK = 4 * NumberOfStreams
Each DataBLK uses 264 bytes.
Number of AX25 packet descriptors. They are used to store information on packets being built or transmitted.
NbPacket depends of the transmission window size and the number of allocated streams.
NbPacket = NumberOfStreams * (MaxFrame + 1)
This is the worst case. NumberOfStreams can be replaced by the maximum used streams at a given time.
Each Packet descriptor uses 100 bytes.
Number of "radio" format frames. They are only used during KISS transfert. There is no need for a large number. 5 seems reasonable but it can be reduced to 2. Should be tested.
Each Frame uses 338 bytes.
Number of event descriptors. The " Events " are used to transmit events between PKTAX25 layers (eg received frames, timeout, ...)
Use NbEvent = 10. Each event uses 12 bytes.
Same as TNC2 FRACK (T1) but in milliseconds. The recommended values are:
19200 bit/s : Frack = 500
9600 bit/s : Frack = 1000
4800 bit/s : Frack = 2000
2400 bit/s : Frack = 3000
1200 bit/s : Frack = 4000
Same as TNC2 RESPTIME (T2) but in milliseconds. Not used by PKTAX25
Same as TNC2 CHECK (T3) but in milliseconds.
For FPAC, use Check = 30000.
Same as TNC2 RETRY (N2).
For FPAC, use Retry = 10.
Same as TNC2 MAXFRAME (k).
For Full Duplex with FPAC use MaxFrame = 4.
Same as TNC2 PACLEN.
This parameter is not used in the present version. It is hardcoded to PACLEN=256.
Define the mode on the KISS link:
0 : Half Duplex (Untested, avoid it)
1 : Full Duplex
Define the callsign used by PKTAX25.
Enable or disable the ASCII status messages reported by the BPQ interface.
0 : enable messages
1 : disable messages
For F6FBB BBS, use QuietMode = 0
For future extension.
Value added to the real number of buffers that is reported to F6FBB BBS.
This valeur depends of F6FBB version. (The doc SHOULD be clarified and completed.W5/F6CNB)
RS232 I/O address
RS232 IRQ.
RS232 baudrate.
The PKTAX25 driver can be installed by typing:
pktax25 -i pktax25.cfg
The PKTAX25 driver can be uninstalled by typing:
pktax25 -u pktax25.cfg
It is possible to get the PKTAX25 statistics by typing:
pktax25 -s pktax25.cfg
The following counters are displayed :
TxByte : Number of transmitted bytes
RxByte : Number of received bytes
TxFrame : Number of transmitted frames
RxFrame : Number of received frames
RxError : Number of received character errors
FramePurge : Number of ignored frames due to bad characters
RxOverflow : Number of receiving overflows
TxTimeout : Number of tranmitting timeout (lost IRQ)
Yon can connect through FPAC and FLEXNET but you should not use a digipeater.
Ex:
From FPAC to FLEXNET
C DL3TST v F6DWJ-9 651201 DL1IN DL2OUT
DL3TST Final destination
F6DWJ-9 Input FPAC network
651201 Output FPAC network
DL1IN Input FLEXNET network
DL2OUT Output FLEXNET network
From FLEXNET to FPAC
C F6BSV-1 v DL2IN DL1OUT F6KIF-9 175201
F6BSV-1 Final destination
DL2IN Input FLEXNET network
DL1OUT Output FLEXNET network
F6KIF-9 Input FPAC network
175201 Output FPAC network
- Select the IRQ using the switchs (only one switch should be on)
Switch Interruption ON IRQ 1 7 2 6 3 5 4 4 5 3 6 2
- Put a jumper in JP5 (between lower and center pins)
- Put 2 jumpers in JP2 as shown below.
- In J3 (board with the PC connector down, this strap is in the low right corner), put a jumper in the high position if the modems boards are powered by 12V, put it in the low position for 5V.