Transcript FlexNet using single RS

How to set up FlexNet as a Node Site
• “PC FlexNet” version with FLEXDIGI.EXE.
• Various hardware configurations illustrate.
• FlexNet is compatible with any and all brands of
End User TNC’s.
• TNC comments and modifications refer to Node
Site applications ONLY !
FlexNet is modular,
configure to your application.
FBB BBS
DXCluster
Source of FlexNet software
• http://www.afthd.tu-darmstadt.de/~flexnet/
• You must “register” for the “Digi” module
needed to build a “Node”. All other modules
can simply be downloaded.
• Use only this site, to ensure the latest revision
code !!
• Software license is granted for Amateur Radio
use ONLY !
Computer Requirements
(Based solely upon well working sites in NY Metro area)
• 386SX-20 with 2 megs RAM for a 4 port
FlexNet Node w/o a BBS.
• 386DX-33 with 8 megs RAM for a 3 port
Node with a FBB BBS.
• 486DX-66 w/ 2megs RAM for a 10 port
FlexNet Node w/o a BBS.
• 486DX-100 w/ 8megs RAM for a 8 port
FlexNet Node w/ FBB BBS.
Radio Modems
• TAPR2 compatible TNC with 6PACK EPROM.
(replaces previous NETROM/TheNET EPROM)
• DRSI cards.
• YAM Modem (emulates TNC with 6PACK using
Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)).
• Baycom 1200 baud serial port Modem (TNC
emulated in software within PC).
• Baycom 9600 baud parallel port Modem (TNC
emulated in software within PC)
TAPR2-TNC Details I
• EPROM is replaced with 6PACK.BIN image,
will fit within original 27256 device.
• Remove “Wink & Blink” modifications.
• LED’s now work like standard TNC showing:
–
–
–
–
–
Power ON
Transmitting Data (PTT)
Receiving Data (DCD)
Radio Link Connected (CONN)
Outgoing Traffic Pending (STAT)
TAPR2-TNC Details II
• 9600 radio links: MFJ 127x series, AEA
PK-80, PacComm TNC-200, GLB and
other original TAPR2 design TNC’s need
the RS-232 modified to 19200.
• Cut trace between SW2 pins 1, 6 and U1
pin 2; jumper these switch contacts to U1
pin 10, converting the 300 baud positions to
19200 baud. May need to replace U3 with a
faster Op-Amp. See NEDA for Op-Amp
Non Standard TNC’s
• i.e.: Kantronics (all), AEA (all except PK-80)
• All TNC’s in “End Users” home stations are
totally compatible w/ FlexNet Digi’s (Nodes).
• For NODE use, TNC’s not currently supported
by 6PACK EPROM is due to use of a different
microprocessor from standard Z-80 and hence
need for different software.
• One Solution: Trade, Swap, Barter or Loan for
compatible TNC’s, between “user” & “node”.
FlexNet w/multiple RS-232 ports
using 6PACK driver
Corrected 19Jan2000
Connector type: DB-9 (DB-25)
2 (3)
COM 1
2 (3)
TNC 0
< 6PACK interface>
3 (2)
3 (2)
2 (3)
COM 2
2 (3)
TNC 1
< 6PACK interface>
3 (2)
3 (2)
Tie all grounds together,
pin 5 DB-9, pins 1 & 7 DB25
PC
2 (3)
COM 3
TNC 2
< 6PACK interface>
3 (2)
O
O
O
COM 9
2 (3)
2 (3)
O
O
O
O
O
3 (2)
2 (3)
TNC 8
< 6PACK interface>
3 (2)
3 (2)
Advantage: Easy to troubleshoot, high speed Disadvantage: Cost of multiple port RS-232 cards.
COM Serial Port to TNC details
• Pin 2 to Pin 2 and Pin 3 to Pin 3 when
connectors are the same. i.e. DB-9 to DB-9
or DB-25 to DB-25.
• Pin 2 to Pin 3 and Pin 3 to Pin 2 swap when
connecting a DB-9 to a DB-25.
• 16550 UART’s needed for 9600 and above
Radio Link speeds.
• RS-232 baud rate must always be at least
twice the Radio Link baud rate.
Com Port Interrupts and Addresses
• Up to 9 Com Ports can be installed in a PC
• Interrupts 3,4,5,7,9,10,11,12 & 15 are all
useable if not employed elsewhere in the PC
(i.e. for printer ports, etc).
• We are using “Siig I/O Expander 4S” quad
port 16550 serial cards..
• DO NOT employ standard COM 1 thru 4 on
a multi port serial card, if a serial port exists
on the mother board, even if disabled.
FlexNet w/single RS-232 port,
using 6PACK driver
Corrected 19Jan2000
2 (3)
COM 1
2 (3)
TNC 0
< 6PACK interface>
3 (2)
3 (2)
2 (3)
PC running
FlexNet w/
Flexdigi
module
Connector type: DB-9 (DB-25)
TNC 1
3 (2)
Tie all grounds together,
pin 5 DB-9, pins 1 & 7 DB25
2 (3)
TNC 2
3 (2)
COM 2
To 2nd string of TNC’s,
or to a second PC
2 (3)
TNC 3
3 (2)
Advantage: Cost savings of RS-232 ports. Disadvantage: Difficult to troubleshoot, limited speed.
Daisy Chained TNC details
• Up to 4 1200 links on a 9600 RS-232 port.
• 16550 UART’s recommended when more
than two 1200 Links are series connected.
• Not usable for most 9600 links due to RS232 speed limits within TNC’s.
• A pin 2 to 3 shorting plug is good aid to
jump out a suspect TNC when
troubleshooting.
• RS-232 baud rate must be at least twice the
sum of all the Radio Link baud rates.
DRSI Modem
interface
PC #1
Transceiver
DRSI Modem
Card
Transceiver
XSCC driver
COM 1
COM 2
FlexNet 3.3g w/
Flexdigi module
To other TNC’s
DRSI Modem Interface details
• DRSI cards can support two radios per card
• Multiple DRSI cards can be installed
• Install a copy of XSCC driver DRSI for
each card
YAM Modem Interface
COM 1 YAM 0
COM 2 YAM 1
PC
COM 3 YAM 2
O
O
O
COM 9 YAM 8
YAM Modem interface details
• PC configures the FPGA within the YAM
Modem upon power on, thereafter unit emulates
at TNC with 6PACK like interface.
• Faster than the Baycomm approach, as it doesn’t
burden the PC emulating the TNC functions.
• YAM will work either 1200 or 9600 baud !
• PC serial port powers the YAM Modem !
• See http://www.microlet.com/yam/ for more info
FlexNet DX Cluster
interface
PC #1
Pavilion
DX Cluster
For free software version:
http://hes.iki.fi/clusse/
TFEMU driver
COM 1
COM 2
FlexNet 3.3g w/
Flexdigi module
To TNC’s
FlexNet <> FBB BBS
interface
PC #1
FBB 7.00g (DOS)
BBS
For F6 FBB software
http://www.f6fbb.org/
TFEMU driver
COM 1
To TNC’s
COM 2
FlexNet 3.3g w/
Flexdigi module
Advantage: Single PC needed, runs reliable. Disadvantage: Windows version of FBB unavailable.
TFEMU Interface details
• FlexNet is loaded first, runs “terminate and
stay resident” in the background.
• BBS or DX Cluster loads second, runs in
foreground
• Uses the hex FD address for the internal
software port linking programs.
• FBB BBS requires minimum 6 MB of
RAM.
FlexNet <> FBB BBS
(Windows95) interface
PC #1
PC #2
2 , 3
FBB 7.00g
BBS
(Windows)
COM 1
3 , 2
2 , 3
To TNC’s
COM 2
3 , 2
DOS 6.22,
FlexNet w/
Flexdigi
module
TFEMU
Connector type:DB-9 (DB-25)
Tie all grounds together,
pin 5 DB-9, pins 1 & 7 DB25
2 (3)
COM 3
3 (2)
< KISS interface>
3 (2)
Null modem cable
FlexNet w/o
Flexdigi
module
COM 1
2 (3)
Go to http://home.texoma.net/~n5pvl/flex95.htm for Win 95 setup info.
Advantage: FBB Windows version. Disadvantage: Needs 2nd PC, reliability of Windows
FlexNet <> NOS
interface
PC #1
PC #2
2 , 3
COM 1
3 , 2
2 , 3
PC running
NOS w/
ax.25
ASYC
interface
To TNC’s
COM 2
3 , 2
PC running
FlexNet w/
Flexdigi
module
Connector type: DB-9 (DB-25)
Tie all grounds together,
pin 5 DB-9, pins 1 & 7 DB25
2 (3)
COM 9
3 (2)
COM 1
< KISS interface>
3 (2)
2 (3)
Advantage: Will run existing NOS. Disadvantage: Lack of adaptive parameters yields less optimum speeds.
PC #1
FlexNet <> LINUX
interface
PC #2
2 , 3
LINUX
running
WAMPES
w/
ax.25
ASYC
interface
COM 1
3 , 2
2 , 3
To TNC’s
COM 2
3 , 2
DOS 6.22,
FlexNet w/
Flexdigi
module
Connector type: DB-9 (DB-25)
Tie all grounds together,
pin 5 DB-9, pins 1 & 7 DB25
2 (3)
COM 9
3 (2)
< KISS interface>
3 (2)
Use RMNC CRC on both ends
COM 1
2 (3)
Advantages: WAMPES provides full adaptive parameters matching FlexNet, LINUX not memory limited.
FlexNet <> LINUX
interface
• WAMPES (Wüllenburg Amateur Packet
Experimental System) is simply NOS with a
FlexNet interface built in.
• Since mid 1990’s, all software updates have only
been ported to the LINUX operating system.
• Source of latest code: http://deyke.tripod.com/
• Advantages: WAMPES provides full adaptive
parameters matching FlexNet. LINUX provides
true mult-tasking, does not limited NET/NOS to
640K memory.
COM Serial Port KISS details
• When connecting two Computers use null
modem cable :
• Pin 2 to Pin 3 and Pin 3 to Pin 2 when
connectors are the same. i.e. DB-9 to DB-9 or
DB-25 to DB-25
• Pin 2 to Pin 2 and Pin 3 to Pin 3 when
connecting a DB-9 to a DB-25.
• KISS driver will not drive a TNC properly,
it’s designed for PC to PC use ONLY !