From: <A HREF="mailto:ebertrem@infracom.gatelink.fr.net">ebertrem@infracom.gatelink.fr.net</A> (Eric Bertrem)
Newsgroups: <A HREF="news:rec.radio.amateur.digital.misc">rec.radio.amateur.digital.misc</A>
Subject: FlexNet for digipeaters
Date: Mon, 07 Aug 95 23:06:25 +0100
Reply-To: ebertrem@infracom.gatelink.fr.net
Distribution: world
Organization: INFRACOM (Gatelink)
News-Software: Relay System Mail v1.5á


                   FlexNet, a solution for digipeaters
                   ===================================

Have you ever heard about RMNC/FlexNet and PC/FlexNet systems ? The first
one runs with 6809 based cards, the second one on any PC compatible
computer (XT or even better 386).

The software has been written by Gunter Jost, DK7WJ @ DB0GV. It has
many interesting capabilities, such as :

 . automatic router : no more broadcasts (The Net), no static routing
                      (Rose / Fpac) ! The whole network is known on any
                      digipeater and is displayed in DESTINATIONS routes.

 . up to 15 radio channels on a PC/FlexNet + 1 used to interface with
   programs running on the same computer, as TSR for example.

 . any hardware can be used :

        . serial 1k2 Baycoms modems
        . Centronics 9600 Baud FSK Baycom modems (PAR96)
        . BayCom USCC cards (2, 4, or 8 channels, depending on the model)
        . Ethernet cards
        . Sound Blaster cards
        . KISS interface on COM ports (for PC-to-PC links, not for TNCs)
        . Texas Instrument DSP kit
        . SCC cards (not yet available, but soon)

          etc...

   If you don't find *your* card, a driver kit is available : you can program
   your own interface !

 . A &quot;service interface&quot; allows the use of remote DOS commands (sysop only) 
   and offers a watchdog function : if your PC hangs, it restarts 
   the digipeater.

 . FlexNet uses auto-parameters : Persist, Maxframe and few other parameters
   get values according to the trafic on each radio channel.

 . User friendly interface : no more &quot;phone numbers&quot; (Rose) or out-of-range
   routes :

      C W1AAA WA7MMM is enough to connect your friend 500 miles from home!
        ----- ------
          !     !------&gt; output digi
          !------------&gt; callsign of your correspondent

 . an IP router should be available soon, but at this moment, IP frames can
   be sent via the FlexNet network.


There are many other interesting features, but a bulletin wouldn't be long
enough :-)) At this moment, I have an English translation of the PC/FLEXNET
French documentation (home made, WORD 6 format only).
If you're interested, just send me an email, I'll send it UUEncoded.

I'm also looking for people who help me translating German / French into
English, or simply correct my mistakes.

I forgot : FlexNet is FREE, it has no commercial purpose and can only be
used on a ham-radio basis.

Vy 73s.

Eric BERTREM / F5PJE

Email : <A HREF="mailto:ebertrem@infracom.gatelink.fr.net">ebertrem@infracom.gatelink.fr.net</A>