Using the Wisconsin Network - Part 11
by Andy Nemec, KB9ALN
Last time we turned in a slightly different direction in our exploration
of the Wisconsin Network. We started to explore the somewhat mysterious
world of the TCP/IP station. We learned just what "TCP/IP" is, and
what makes them different from the garden-variety "AX.25" station. We also
learned that they are capable of the "standard" AX.25 protocol so that
they can communicate with "standard" stations. And we learned that these
stations can also talk to Network Nodes, and are part of the network.
And this is why we are learning about them; you may encounter a TCP/IP
station that functions as part of the network and we should learn how to
use it as such. Most IP stations you will come into contact with use the
network in a different way, to support the TCP/IP functions of the system.
Because of their inhernet versatility, they are gaining wide usage as "Packet
Switches". They can handle various different protocols, and therefore,
can do many different jobs. Most likely, when you connect up to one, you
will be connecting to what looks like a BBS. But a TCP/IP station can and
is often used as a node. When you connect, you may get a greeting screen
that looks something like this:
[WNOS-4B0-HMI$] Currently 1 user.
Welcome to KB9ALN's Mailbox and Node in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
To chat with me, Type C . Mail area (WX9APR): 0 Messages
Enter Command: (a,b,c,co,conv,d,du,e,f,h,i,k,l,m,n,n c,p,q,r,s,t,u,v,w,?)>
The first line you see identifies the program in use by this station,
which is called "WNOS". WNOS is an abbreviation meaning "WAMPES
Network Operating System". WAMPES is a group of Amateurs from Germany
who modified a program written by Phil Karn, KA9Q called
NOS. Virtually every flavor of TCP/IP has NOS in it's name.
The "HMI$" part of the first line lets other BBS's know that
this station will accept forwarded messages, among other things. The second
line is self-explanatory, the users currently connected. The third and
fourth lines of text are just a greeting and an instruction as to how to
do a keyboard chat with the operator of the station.
Notice that the fifth line mentions a "Mail Area". Every one
who connects up to the station has a personal mail area where their messages
are stored. You log onto your own personal area. The user connected here
is WX9APR (a call I pulled out of thin air for example), and has no messages.
If you were to connect up to this station, you would see your call sign
in place of this one.
Now, to the command line. It does look similar to a BBS, doesn't it?
There are a fair number of BBS function in there, and they function much
like any other BBS. We'll cover each command specifically below:
A - area
This is used to find out about the various mail areas available,
and allows you to change to a different one. When you log onto a TCP/IP
station, you are in your personal mail area. Those of you who have
used the MSYS BBS systems may be familiar with the concept of message
catagories. The mail area is very similar.
B - bye
This will disconnect you from the station.
C - chat
Allows you to talk to the Sysop, if available. Some TCP/IP stations use
the "O" command (for "Operator").
CO - connect
Makes a connection as a node to another station. Sometimes, this will make
a network node connection for you. Most of the time it will connect you
to another station much like a "KA-Node" does.
CONV - "converse"
This allows you to join in a "round table". More than one person can join
in a conversation with you and all stations can see what each participant
is sending. Their call-signs are inserted in front of each sentence they
send.
D - download
Allows you to download a text file. The format is d (filename)
DU- download
This allows you to download binary files that are "UU" encoded.
The format is du (filename)
E - escape
Allows you to set an "escape character" This is a key combination
(like control-x) that is used if you want to abort a process, but wish
to remain connected to this station.
F - finger
This retrieves a short info file about a user of this system.
H - help
Just what you would expect. In addition, you can use this in conjunction
with a particular command. Help Finger will give you specific information
about the finger command.
I - info
Gives you a short info file about this TCP/IP station.
K - kill
Deletes a message, just like any other mailbox or BBS.
L - list
Lists messages. Again, just like any other BBS.
M - mheard
Returns this station's heard list.
N - nodes
Just like any other node, this is a list of network nodes that this mailbox
and node can connect to.
N C - "Netrom" or "Network" Connect
Some TCP/IP stations need to know that you wish to connect to a network
node. If you wish to connect to the Green Bay LAN node WIGRB, you
would send: n c wigrb .
P - path
Gives a list of nodes that this node can directly connect to, without going
through the Network. Similar to "routes".
Q - quit
Same as "bye".
R - read
Read a message, just like a conventional BBS.
S - send
Send a message. Again, this is the same as a regular BBS or Mailbox,
and the same process is used.
T - telnet
This is TCP/IP lingo telling this computer to connect up with specified
computer running TCP/IP.
U - users
Shows who is currently connected to this station.
W - what
Sends you a list of What files are available for downloading.
Now you may have a better idea of how to use a TCP/IP mailbox/node.
There is much more that you can learn about these stations. Space permits
us to only go so far. But operation as a network node is remarkably similar
to any other node you may have used. If you have questions about a TCP/IP
station, the best way to find out more is to contact someone who operates
this mode. Most folks who operate these stations are more than happy to
help you use their station.
On
to Part 12 - Your station as part of the packet network
Back
to Part 10 - A look at TCP/IP Stations
Back
to the Using the Wisconsin Network Index - Choose a different
part to view
Back
to the WAPR home page - Look at something else