In the past editions of "Using the Wisconsin Network", we have devoted
a fair amount of space to the operation of "TheNet" Nodes, and how to use
them. While this is important to knowing the network, there are other types
of stations you may encounter on your travels. We will try to cover most
anything you are likely to find, and attempt to give some practical background
information for you. We will start with an introduction to one of the more
mysterious types of stations you may encounter, the TCP/IP station.
An ever-increasing number of hams are exploring this mode, and chances are you may encounter a station using it. Once we get familiar with it, we will move on to examples of TCP/IP Amateur Radio stations and show you how to use them.
A protocol, in computer terms, is the method or language that computers use to pass information back and forth. A computer can use one or several methods to speak to another computer. The important thing is that the computers must both be speaking the same language at the same time and speed. Most Amateur packet radio stations use a protocol, or specific method to communicate with each other called AX.25. This method of communication was adapted from Ma Bell (AT&T) for use on Amateur radio.
"TheNet" Nodes use a variation of this protocol called "Net/Rom" to exchange information. Although they work OK in Amateur radio, these protocols are not widely used in the rest of the computer world. For example, the Internet, a global network of connected computers. These computers all need a standard set of protocols in order to communicate. The standard set of protocols used is referred to as "TCP/IP". Amateur Radio has adapted TCP/IP protocols, and others, to communicate via packet radio. Amateur Radio TCP/IP Stations are also capable of communicating with the AX.25 protocol. This is the legally recognized protocol for Amateur Radio, so all of the TCP/IP Packets are "Buried" in an AX.25 packet. This also means that someone who only uses AX.25 can communicate with a TCP/IP station (though they may not be able to use all of it's features).
Consider what is possible amongst computers using TCP/IP:
-Standard keyboard chats
-Standard "PBBS" type mailbox for AX.25 users
-Automated Mail delivery to other TCP/IP stations, AX.25 mailboxes,
and BBS's
-Automated message forwarding
-Access (limited) to a computer's hard drive
-Ability to transfer text and binary files simply and easily (including
Wave, GIF, JPG, COM, and EXE
files, to name a few)
-Ability to test radio paths before using them
-Possibility of receiving special-interest "Newsgroups" by automated
mail
-Extensive Remote Sysop-ing of the station
-Possibility of connection to the Internet
-Ability to carry on a multi-station conference discussion
-Possibility of networking computers in your own home, so that you
may operate your packet station from
outside of the shack
-The ability to have a TCP/IP station operate as a Network Node
And that is where most of us will get our first exposure to a TCP/IP
station, as a network node. Now that you know a little bit about them,
we can devote some space to a discussion of using one of these stations.
Look for that in the next edition of "Using the Wisconsin Network".
On to Part 11 - Using a TCP/IP Station as a Network Node
Back to Part 9 - A look at TheNet X-1J Nodes
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