PMBO
WinLink 2000 WEB-based Installation
Read-me
Notes And Quick Start Guide
Created
Mar 26, 2000 by Rick Muething KN6KB
[email protected]
Updated
August 22, 2000 by Hans Kessler N8PGR
[email protected]
IMPORTANT!
READ THESE NOTES CAREFULLY BEFORE TRYING TO INSTALL OR OPERATE
THE WinLink 2000 SYSTEM. These are meant to provide you with
installation and startup instructions. Please report any errors with
this document or where there is confusion to one of the E-mail
addresses above.
Installation
Requirements
This
is an intelligent Internet WEB-based installation. An active Internet
connection is required during the installation process.
The
very first time you run a WinLink2000 installation you need to be
connected to the Internet for quite some time. The total connect time
depends on your IP connection speed, the current version of your
operating system and your current version of WinLink 2000. A first
time installation of WinLink 2000 with an IP rate in the 30KB/s range
may require up to 4 hours of Internet connect time to download and
complete the installation.
Subsequent
installations/updates will only load and install what has actually
changed since your last WinLink 2000 installation.
Minimum
System Requirements
Before
you proceed with a WinLink 2000 installation make sure to check your
system configuration. WinLink 2000 is a machine demanding product. If
you run WinLink 2000 in an environment that does meet these minimum
requirements you will experience all sorts of problems, none of which
we can help you with.
CPU:
Pentium 220 or faster
Memory:
64 MB for Windows 9x and 128 MB for Windows NT and 2000
Disk:
5 GB of free space. A UDMA capable IDE Disk and motherboard
yield
the best performance.
Monitor:
15” Color VGA with 800x600 resolution or better
NIC:
Ethernet 10 Base-T for Windows 9x (not required for
Windows
NT or 2000)
Modem:
56K
Phoneline: Required for PMBO operation
Serial
Number: Each and every WinLink 2000 installation requires a worldwide
unique
serial number. The Network CMBO operator assigns
serial
numbers as PMBO systems come on-line.
Network
Discussion
Before
we go into installation and setup issues we need to discuss some
network basics. This document addresses only a typical PMBO single
user environment, although much more complex configurations are
possible. For a more in-depth discussion on network assignments and
how IP is used in the greater scheme of WinLink 2000 please refer to
document Network Addressing. We suggest that your network is
set up and configured before you install and run WinLink 2000.
WinLink
2000 uses TCP/IP protocol and UDP protocol (IP in general) to
communicate between the various modules, the CMBO and the Internet.
In
order for any application to use IP the TCP protocol needs to be
installed in your system. The caveat is that under Windows 9x one
cannot install TCP without also having a physical network board
installed (NIC card). This board can either be a 10 base-T or 100
base-T Ethernet card, neither of which are expensive any longer (around
$20). It is NOT necessary to be actually connected to a Local Area
Network (LAN) but the card and appropriate drivers and protocols must
be installed.
Depending
on which operating system you are running, there are two different
scenarios:
Windows
9x systems
-
Install the physical network card
-
Bind the TCP protocol to the card
-
Assign a Fixed IP address to the TCP
protocol
After
you installed the NIC card and start Windows back up, it will
automatically detect the new card and install the correct driver for
it. If Windows failed to detect the card you can manually install the
driver by choosing the Add New Hardware option from the control
panel.
Once
the driver is installed you need to bind and configure the TCP
protocol. To do so right-click on the Network Neighborhood icon on
your desktop. Scroll down the list of components and look for the
“TCP/IP -> (your NIC card)” entry. If it is not there click on
“Add”, select Protocol and Add, choose Microsoft and then TCP/IP
from the right hand window.
Now
select the TCP protocol for your NIC card and select Properties.
Choose “Specify IP address” and enter the following values in the
next two fields labeled IP Address and Subnet Mask:
10.1.1.1
255.255.255.0
Then
OK all the screens. Windows needs to restart to make the settings
active.
Your
WinLink 2000 IP address is now 10.1.1.1. Remember that for the
discussion of the Profile Editor.
FYI:
Certain groups of IP Addresses are used by convention for intra LAN
such as those starting with 10.0.0.0 or 127.0.0.0.
The class B, C and D values are not critical for as long as the
chosen address does not conflict with any other computer on the
network. For more information on this subject please refer to document
Network Addressing.
Windows
NT and Windows 2000 systems
With
these operating systems you do NOT need a special NIC card to bind TCP
to. Instead you should install the Loopback Adapter from Microsoft.
That is a software emulator that functions just like a NIC card.
In
your Control Panel select Add New Hardware. Windows will first be
looking for new Plug-and-Play devices and should not find any. Choose
the “No, I want to select the hardware from a list” option. Select
Network adapters, Manufacturer = Microsoft and model = Loopback
Adapter.
Now
go to your desktop and right click on the Network Neighborhood. You
will see a network connection. Select its properties. Choose TCP and
define the IP address in the same manner as described above for
Windows 9x.
Issues
independent of the operating system
If
you are connected to an existing LAN then the unique address for the
computer should already be set up if the network is using TCP/IP
Protocol. If an existing network is not using TCP/IP Protocol you must
add that protocol and bind it to the network card as discussed above.
This should not disrupt normal operation of the network.
If
you have a "semi permanent" connection like with a cable
modem or ASDL then TCP has probably already been set up to obtain the
address dynamically using DHCP. If the computer is left on 24x7 then
ICP addresses assigned by DHCP will typically not change.
Once
the network installation is complete and the network card has either a
fixed or a dynamic address assigned you are ready to run the WinLink
2000 Profile.
If
you have made any changes to the Windows Network settings or
parameters reboot the system and make sure the network is operating
correctly before proceeding.
WinLink
2000 Installation (Setup)
In
the installation directory you will find 2 setup programs:
WL2KPMBOSetup.exe
Installs or updates a full WinLink 2000 System
ScanSetup.exe
Installs WinLink Scanner v2.2, if needed
To
start the installation you execute the respective EXE file.
In
order to run the WL2KPMBOSetup.exe you need to be connected to the
Internet. This is a WEB based installation, which loads the required
modules from the WinLink WEB site. Each installation may load and
install different modules, depending on your particular Windows and
WL2K version. Some installations may fly right through if all your
modules are current while others may run for several hours.
Note
the any subsequent installation will never replace your database or
your customized text files.
Look
at the end of this document how to keep your WinLink 2000 system
current and updated.
Important
note regarding first time installations
When
you install WinLink 2000 the very first time you need to have your
assigned Serial Number (password) handy. Do not attempt to install
WinLink 2000 without that number, you will not succeed.
If
you have not been assigned a serial number yet contact the
WinLink
2000 CMBO sysop. That is currently Steve Waterman ([email protected])
Depending
on your Windows version the installation may automatically update your
Microsoft Data Access Services (MDAC). This happens only once with the
first installation. When MDAC is being updated you may be asked to re-start
your machine, after which the installation will automatically resume.
Windows
NT and 2000 users beware to be logged on as a user with Administrative
rights during the installation process.
After
WL2KPMBOSetup has finished make sure you run the WinLink 2000
Parameters option from the new WinLink 2000 Program Group. That is
where you declare all the important operating parameters.
If
you had operated WinLink version 3 before you can convert all your
data and messages by running the conversion program from the WinLink
2000 program group. That program converts everything, including your
users and routing tables.
Before
your station becomes a WinLink 2000 network node you need to contact
the
CMBO sysop. There are a number of easy steps to get your station
synchronized
with the network. When you run WinLink 2000 without having been
authorized by the CMBO you will receive a respective warning each time
you start the Communications Controller.
Here
is a typical sequence of installation events:
It
is suggested that you shut down all your Windows programs currently
running before you start the first installation. Subsequent
installations do not care about running programs, including WinLink
2000 itself.
Insert
the PMBO Installation CD or point to and start the downloaded file
WL2KPMBOSetup.exe.
If
for some reason your Windows registry entries have become corrupted
and need to be reset for WinLink 2000, you can run a special install
by passing an additional parameter to the RUN command:
WL2KPMBOSetup.EXE CLEARSERIAL. Note
to pass the parameter in capital letters.
When
you install WinLink 2000 the very first time on your machine you may
notice that a system restart is requested. On some systems, depending
on the particular version of Windows, that may be up to three times.
Always restart the system at that point. When the system comes back,
the installation will automatically continue.
1.
You run WL2KPMBOSetup
Install asks you the usual setup questions and a password
>> Enter your assigned serial number where the password
is asked.
On Windows 98 and NT systems
>> Begins to install MDAC
>> Asks you to re-start the machine. Do so now.
2.
WinLink 2000 Setup automatically continues after your system starts
up.
Install asks you the usual setup questions and the password
again. Any future installations will never ask you for your password
again, unless you do the special install with the parameter
CLEARSERIAL.
>>
Reply to the installation questions as appropriate. Unless you have a
good reason, we suggest to accept all defaults.
Choice
of Install paths: The default installation places the entire system on
drive C: in directory WL2K with a series of subdirectories underneath.
During the installation you are asked the path (drive and directory)
where you wish to place WinLink 2000. You may choose to place the
installation elsewhere (other drives), however you may not move the
installation after it has been installed. There are several system
pointers that remember where you installed the system. Whenever you
start WinLink 2000 it will always look there for the programs and more
importantly for the data.
AFTER
SUCESSFUL WINLINK 2000 INSTALLATION.
After
a successful installation there are important parameters which must be
set prior to running WinLink 2000.
This section deals with that setup.
Running
PROFILE:
Profile
is the WinLink 2000 program that sets/stores critical parameters in
the WinLink 2000 database. This one database holds EVERYTHING about
the system (settings, messages, users, attachments inquiry tables etc).
There are only 3 exceptions to this:
A
series of text files are in the data directory.
·
BANNER.TXT is the log on banner.
·
HELP and INFO are the reply messages
to the HELP and INFO commands which are the only two keyboard commands
supported by the system. They should contain brief mention that a
WinLink 2000 compliant Client like AirMail is necessary to use most
functions and where it can be obtained.
The
installation program has placed prototype message files already there
for you. Please check each text file and change its contents as
appropriate for your system.
Start
the PROFILE program from the WinLink 2000 program group.
1.
Setting up System Parameters
The
Profile program should open with the System tab active. If it is not
shown, click on the system tab to make it active. On the system tab
you declare the basic station parameters:
·
Enter your call sign without any pre
or suffixes
·
Select the MBO Type (Normally PMBO).
·
Enter the H Route normally used in
Packet. E.g. #NCA.CA.USA.NA.
·
Select the number of days you wish to
retain delivered messages. We suggest that initially you set this
parameter to 7 days so that you have a chance to recall older, read
messages for diagnostics purposes.
·
Check self register if you wish to
allow users to self register. Note that although this option may be
checked, users cannot really self-register over the air until your
PMBO has synchronized its station table with the CMBO first.
·
Bulletin forwarding: If your station
ever receives bulletins over HF and if you have a Packet outlet (either
over VHF/UHF or Telnet) you may select a Packet BBS to route those to.
All Bulletins received will be sent to that station. WL2K does not
deal with Bulletins.
·
Uncheck (default) the Auto Assign
check box
·
Uncheck the Support Remote
Transmitter Site check box
·
Enter the fixed IP address you
declared during the TCP installation in both fields labeled Internal
and External Network. If the network card and protocol are operational,
that address is already listed in those fields – there is nothing
you must do.
·
You will need the fixed IP address of
the CMBO to communicate via the Internet with the CMBO. The current IP
address is 209.57.143.20
·
You cannot change the module or
desktop base port numbers.
Now
press the Update button
2.
Setting port parameters for HF and Packet
Click
on the Ports tab.
This
sets up the communication ports. WinLink 2000 supports up to 999
devices (TNCs) per PMBO. At this time only the SCS PTC-II is supported,
as seen in the physical device pull-down.
Each
like TNC (same brand and model) you have connected is considered an
“instance”. Typically you may only have one TNC, therefore you
only have one instance: instance 1. For larger installations with
radio farms there will be many like TNCs, usually one per radio.
Important
note: The SCS PTC-II may house up to
three modems in the same box: 1 HF port and up to 2 packet ports.
These ports are NOT considered instances. They are members of the
device. WinLink 2000 treats them internally like a separate device and
you do not need to count them as instances.
To
run packet you will need the optional plug in packet modules installed
in the PTC-II. If you have only one packet module make sure to install
it in socket #1 of the PTC-II.
Port
Parameters Tab
·
Select module instance 1 (default)
·
Select the Com-port where that TNC is
connected to your computer
·
Select the baudrate you wish to use
to communicate to that TNC
·
Leave external Network unchecked
·
The IP address shown should be the
same as defined on the System Tab. If for some reason it is not the
same, click the checkbox next to it and manually and enter the IP
address, then uncheck the checkbox again.
·
Leave the TCP timeout at 15 seconds
·
Press the Update button
Upon
pressing the Update button you will receive a message that port
parameters have changed. Make sure you answer YES to the question
about saving them. If you press the Update button and do not get this
question you need to make any change on the form and change it back,
then click Update again.
IP
Connection Tab
For
WinLink 2000 to access the Internet requires one of the following
connection types:
1)
Full time Internet connection via a LAN, Cable modem or ASDL
type connection.
2)
Dial up connection via standard or ISDN dial up lines.
If
you are using a dial up connection it must be configured to
automatically dial and log onto your Internet Service Provider (ISP.)
This has probably been set up before and should be available as
connection in Dial up networking. It is necessary to have the “save
password” checked so the program can automatically dial in using
this connection setup. You may have multiple dial up connections set
up and you will pick one of these later.
If your computer is not set up for internet dial up you must
set this up first (usually part of the installation of the ISP
provider setup).
On
the IP Connection Tab you will select one of three possible connection
methods:
1)
Dial up only.
Use this if you are using a dial up. You should have a list of
available phone book entries (connection settings from dial up
network). You must highlight one of the phone book entries if you
select dial up. The selected connection will be the one used by
WinLink 2000 to communicate with the CMBO and other IP points over the
Internet.
2)
Full time connection.
This is if you have a full time setup like a network, cable modem or
ASDL.
3)
Once full-time is checked you get another option labeled Multihomed
Selection. That serves to select the proper network when your
machine is connected to more than one network. This should never apply
to a typical PMBO installation.
4)
Both Full time and Dialup as a backup. If you have both
connections available you may check both. In that case the full time
is used unless it does not find an active IP connection then the dial
up is tried.
You
should normally also check the Ping Verify checkbox and enter a domain
to use for ping verification. This can be any valid IP address but it
is best if it is an IP domain not local to your local network or
hosted on your ISP. Using winlink.org will Ping winlink.org once an IP
connection is established.
Now
press the Update button again and your settings are saved.
Telnet
Tab
There
is a separate document describing Telnet operations and the parameters
on this tab. The document is located on http://winlink.org/wl2k/PMBO_Docs.
The document name is Telnet Client Module Users Guide.rtf.
You
may now close the Profile Editor and configure Scheduler
Setting
up the Scheduler
Start
the Scheduler from your WinLink 2000 program group. This program will
automatically minimize itself when started. Click on the icon on the
task bar to make it visible.
Go
to the main Scheduler menu and Click Schedules from the Menu bar at
the top. The CMBO Schedule tab will come up. Default values have
already been chosen for you, but you may wish to change them as
follows:
There
are three values which may be entered. The blind call interval
sets the number of minutes you will wait between polls of the CMBO.
For normal dial ups this should be in the range of 30 –120 minutes.
If you are charged by your ISP for each connection or if you must
share the phone line with other voice or fax services you may wish to
choose a longer interval. By using a longer interval you will increase
the message latency period and you will increase the connection time
at each connection since there may be more messages to exchange.
If
you have a full time connection you can set the time shorter but less
than 15 minutes is not recommended as it will increase overhead at the
CMBO.
The
time for call CMBO with QTC may be shorter or the same as the
normal polling interval. This sets the calling time when you have
outbound messages for the CMBO. The
interval numbers shown are approximate, as there is some randomization
done to reduce the likelihood several PMBOs will try and connect at
the same time. The CMBO can however handle simultaneous connections.
Finally
the Retry interval is the wait period for a retry if the
connection failed. This can be a short period (say 5 minutes).
The
other (currently the only other active) tab is the Maintenance tab.
This allows setting the times (all UTC) for resetting usage counts and
backing up the WinLink database. The default values should be adequate
for initial operation.
When
finished Close the scheduler setup and then Close the Scheduler
program.
Once
you have completed these steps make a backup copy of file winlink.mdb
in the data directory. This file and the text files mentioned above
determine the total "state or profile" at any point in time
of your station.
How
to test your parameters and IP communication
There
is one very simple way to test your entire setup:
1.
Start the Scheduler
2.
Start the SCS module with the TNC connected and in AUTOBAUD
standby. You should hear the Beep in the TNC and it should go into
STBY just as in old WinLink. Looking on your SCS screen you should see
a number of yellow module squares show up, one for each module
installed in the TNC. There will always be an HF module plus 1 or 2
Packet modules.
If
the TNC fails to start up check all the parameters using the Tools
menu option. Make sure you have the correct Com port selected and no
other Windows application is using that Com port.
3.
Start the Communications Controller. It should come up on the
screen with one yellow module showing the CMBO. If that module does
not show up (eventually you will also receive an error message) it
indicates that IP is not working in your machine. You need to go back
and confirm your Network setup and the parameters selected in Profile.
Within
a few seconds you should also see the SCS modules show up in green.
The same number of modules shown on the SCS screen must also appear on
CC. Furthermore, on the SCS screen you need to see a handshake icon on
the top right hand corner of the screen.
If
any of the above is not happening you need to re-check your network
settings and parameters in Profile.
4.
Check the connection to the CMBO. Note: you will not be able to
exchange any data with the CMBO. That feature is protected until such
time as the CMBO Sysop enters your registration in its database. This
test will communicate with the CMBO on a lover level to ensure your
communication path is working.
First
check the Diagnostics option on CC. Then enlarge the CC window by
dragging the lower end of its screen down some. You will notice 2
empty windows showing up.
Next,
click on the yellow CMBO module in CC and confirm that you want to
call the CMBO. You will hear the modem dial and after a short period
of time you will see a message in the left-hand debug window stating
NOT_REGISTERED. When you see this you have confirmed that all is
working perfectly between your PMBO and the CMBO.
After
30 seconds a message window will appear telling you that the CMBO has
not responded. That is normal because you are not registered yet.
You
are now ready to contact the CMBO operator and schedule for database
synchronization.
Important:
Database synchronization is required in order for your HF and Packet
users to be able to connect to or self-register themselves with your
system. Although you may have the self registration option checked in
Profile, self registration is not allowed until after you have
synchronized the users with the CMBO.
5.
While you have all these programs on the screen you may also
wish to arrange their position and size to your liking. All modules
remember their position after they close down and come back in that
same position.
Running
the PMBO Modules
When
you install WinLink 2000 you will notice that program Startup
is placed in your startup folder. This program is responsible to
sequence the startup of all required WinLink 2000 programs in order.
No other entries are needed in your Startup folder.
When
the startup program is activated with parameter AUTOSTART, such as
from the startup folder, it will automatically sequence all WinLink
2000 programs for that station type and then exit without
notification. When activated normally, via the WinLink 2000 program
group, the program performs no action unless so directed by the user.
There
are 6 program modules which should be running to operate the basic
WinLink 2000 PMBO station. Each of these modules interacts with the
WinLink database to run the system. All data processing tasks are
handled through the database but there are a few important
synchronization tasks handled by intermodule IP messages. The
following summarizes each of these modules and how they are used and
set up.
Scheduler:
This
module has several functions and serves to schedule and co-ordinate
such things as calling the CMBO, connecting to the Internet, backing
up the database and maintaining user accounts and usage timing.
Scheduler also is the one module that manages the Internet connections
required by the CC module and the IQDaemon module. The scheduler
module must be the first module started.
QueueProcessor:
The
Queue Processor is the “engine” that processes all inbound and
outbound messages. It must be running to have messages flow through
the system. No settings are required to run the QueueProcessor.
Communication
Controller (CC):
The
CC handles all traffic in and out of the PMBO. It communicates with
all TNCs (Radio users) as well as the CMBO. It uses the common FBB
protocol with extension B2 which allows binary transfer of attachments.
All communication amongst all modules has been standardized using IP
communication.
IQDaemon:
This
module handles all request for bulletins. This includes lists of
available bulletins, lists of current users (last 24 hours) and list
of mobile users and last reported positions. Bulletins for which there
is not a current (fresh) cached version are requested from the
Internet.
SCS
Module:
This
module sets and runs the PTC-II controller. Multiple SCS instances
including remote connections via IP may be running. The SCS module
contains menus for setting all parameters for the PTC-II, both for HF
and Packet (if installed). Press the Tools menu option to access the
parameters.
Scanner:
There
is a special 2.2 version for use with WinLink 2000. Later the scanner
functions will be incorporated into the scheduler. The scanner 2.2
will use the same setup parameters as were used in a prior WinLink
installation.
Converting
from a WinLink MBO to a WinLink 2000 PMBO.
VERY
IMPORTANT!!!! If you are converting from an existing WinLink MBO to a
WinLink 2000 PMBO you must follow the following procedure before
accepting any incoming messages to the new system.
First
make sure the WinLink 2000 installation has been done above, confirm
that all appears to be working and the required 6 modules can be run.
Then,
if you are running Netlink, contact Deni (WB0TAX) and arrange with him
a specific time for him to forward any incoming Netlink mail to
WinLink 2000. Have Deni
send you an email confirming that forwarding is on.
Your incoming email to the Netlink address e.g. [email protected]
will then be forwarded to [email protected].
After
you have received confirmation that forwarding is on. Connect using
Netlink and retrieve what should be the last incoming messages to your
win-net.org address.
Now
shut down all old WinLink programs.
Run the Old2New WinLink 2000 program. This program may take up
to 1 hr to run depending on CPU speed and the size of your old WinLink
database. It will bring all messages and bulletins into the new
WinLink 2000 system. When it is complete you should be able to view
the messages using the WinLink 2000 Message administrator program.
In
your sign on banner advise all mobile AirMail users to be sure and set
their parameters with the OPTIONS message. Critical parameters are
their mobile status and their attachment limit. The defaults upon
conversion are not mobile and attachments = 0. This will mean that
incoming messages are NOT mirrored to all PMBOs and no attachments
will be sent.
Updates
to WinLink 2000
In
your WinLink 2000 program group is a module named Check for WinLink
2000 updates. This is an automated update wizard that will go to
the WinLink WEB site and look for updates. It will automatically
install any updates if they are present or it will tell you if your
installation is current. You may place this program in your startup
directory so that it automatically checks for updates whenever your
start your computer. Note that there is a 5 day latency built in with
the automatic update. This means that when you run the update wizard
in silent mode from the startup group it actually only looks for
updates once a week.
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