Transcript How Winlink Evolved

Introduction and Overview
Winlink 2000 (WL2K)
Prepared by WL2K authors:
Vic Poor, W5SMM / AAA9WL
Rick Muething, KN6KB and
Presenter: Rick Pemble AAR4WJ / W4RP
10/13/07 Melbourne Hamfest
Overview:
What is Winlink 2000 (aka WL2K)
What were the design Goals for Winlink 2000
Winlink Today…
Winlink 2000 and MARS
Alphabet soup…
What are a CMS, PMBO, RMS and Telpac?
What are AirMail and Paclink?
Winlink Web services…system info via the web
WL2K Emergency Use
What you need to get started with WL2K
Additional Resources
Questions
What is Winlink 2000 (aka WL2K)?
It is a volunteer designed and operated
communications system that provides
reliable
E-mail service over MARS and
amateur radio Frequencies regardless of the
user’s physical location.
In english: It lets you send and receive email
to/from the internet via radio: HF Pactor, VHF
Packet, or via Telnet on your computer.
The Acronyms:
• PMBO Participating Mail Box Office
• RMS
Radio Messaging System
• CMS
Common Message Servers
• Telpac Telnet Packet
• AirMail An WL2K Client (program) a user
runs on his computer to access (send and
receive) e-mail on his computer
• PaclinkMP A new WL2K Client (replacement
for AirMail)
Advantages over ‘classic’ BBS / Node / and
other Radio Messing Systems
• Seamless message communications between
Internet and all supported radio modes
– A single domain for E-mail (@winlink.org)
– No H-routing, No ‘home’ BBS, etc
• Compatibility with existing packet networks
• Multiple-destination Addressing of Messages
(Amateur, MARS, and internet E-mail)
Advantages over ‘classic’ BBS / Node / and
other Radio Messing Systems
• Transparent File Attachments
• Reduce HF Radio Airtime
– Use a fast user client program
– Inter-MBO forwarding on Internet
– User Time Limits and Lockouts
– Minimize/eliminate “keyboard” connections
• Worldwide Access Via HF for Mobile Users
• Local Access Via UHF/VHF for Fixed Users and
for Packet Interconnection
Winlink Today
WL2K ‘LAND’
Internet
PMBO/RMS
Three mirrored CMS sites in
Washington, San Diego, and Perth
Existing Ham/MARS
Radio Networks
Telnet, D-Star,
WiFi, Etc.
VHF/UHF Packet
VHF/UHF Packet
Paclink at Served Agency
Telpac
Served Agency LAN
Individual
Users
(AirMail,
Paclink)
Radio Domain
User’s standard Email Client
Outlook, Thunderbird, etc.
Winlink 2000 Today By The
Numbers
• Demonstrated > 99.9% system availability since implementing mirrored servers
• 3 Full-time Redundant Common Message Servers (CMS) in Washington, San
Diego and Perth, all in hardened “caged” sites, with power backup, provide excellent
reliability
• 102 total PMBO/RMS sites, worldwide, in 4 service classes: Public, ARES,
Army/Air Force MARS, and UK Cadet Forces
• Approximately 10,000 Radio users, 100,000 Email recipients, currently running an
average of 150,000 messages monthly and growing.
• Average monthly HF connection time of 280,000 minutes with an average duration
of 3.3 Minutes and 3,600 bytes/per message.
• Typical message latency sender to recipient delivery 4 to 5 minutes, less locally
• In the ARES Service Class, there over 400 Active VHF/UHF Telpac Gateways with
many more on standby for emergency operation
MARS WL2K: Current Status
• The formal Agreement between Army MARS & the WDT
now complete.
• DHS HQ Common Message Server/PMBO now in place
(CMS Washington).
• Secure FTP site to be moved to Fort Huachuca.
• Proposed Fort Huachuca CMS/PMBO in process.
• The Network is fully operational. It is very robust.
• MARS WL2K is being reviewed, proposed, and used, by
an ever-increasing number of Agencies.
(This is dated – someone in This audience can update us)
What is a CMS (Central Message Server) ?
• Routes all messages between PMBO/RMS sites and messages to
and from the Internet
• Sends all outbound Internet mail messages to their addressees
(no relays)
• Receives and routes all messages addressed to
<callsign>@Winlink.org
• Automatically registers all users and tracks their locations and
PMBO/RMS usage
• Provides additional services . . .
IT IS A SYSTEM LEVEL DATA BASE THAT HOLD ALL E-MAIL UNTIL THE
INTENDED USER RECIEVES IT.
FOR REDUNDANCY, THERE ARE
SEVERAL OF THEM (3) DISPERSED GEOGRAPHICALLY AND
PERIODICALLY SYNCHRONIZE SO THEY ALL HOLD THE SAME
MESSAGES/INFO.
What is a PMBO or RMS?
(Participating Mail Box Operator)
(Radio Message Server)
• Routes messages between users sharing the same
PMBO or RMS site
• Receives messages for local users from CMS sites
• Forwards all radio messages to a CMS site for further
handling (internet or radio destinations)
• Forwards all message and connection status data to a
CMS site for further handling
• Maintains a local user directory
What is TELPAC (TELnet PACket) ?
• Connects one or more VHF packet users and
channels directly to a PMBO/RMS site using
telnet
• Works over hardwired, D-Star, WiFi, or any
channel capable of supporting TCP/IP
• Reports QTH to APRS and Status to CMS
• Simple transparent, no-maintenance
installation and operation
TELPAC for Win 98 – Win XP
Simple Setup:
Computer,
Packet TNC,
FM VHF Radio,
Antenna,
Internet connection
What is AirMail?
• AS A USER: This is the program YOU load on
YOUR computer and send/receive e-mail via
WL2K – (HF Pactor, VHF/UHF Packet, Internet, etc)
• Acts as a personal E-mail client for a radio user
• Supports Pactor, packet, and telnet connections to a PMBO or RMS site
– directly or via a Telpac gateway
• Optionally provides propagation forecasting for picking optimum HF
radio channels
• Provides a catalog of PMBO/RMS locations and frequencies
• Provides extensive bulletin catalog
Using AirMail…
You tell AirMail your
TNC, and Radio
Configuration.
Then
compose and
send your
message just
as with any
Email Client
AirMail Screens (cont)
AirMail Screens (cont)
What is Paclink MP?
• Provides an SMTP/POP3 port into Winlink for served
agencies so they can use Winlink services with their
existing LAN and Internet email client.
• Works over VHF/UHF packet, HF Pactor, D-Star, WiFi,
or telnet.
• Supports automatic multiple prioritized channels for
message delivery
• Minimizes training of served agency personnel
PACLINK is the next-generation AirMail – it integrates WL2K into
your Outlook/Outlook Express / Thunderbird / Etc., email client
When you have Airmail ‘down’ you might want to try Paclink MP
as a replacement or adjunct to Airmail – (it is still under development)
Using Paclink MP…
You pre Configure
Prioritized Pactor,
Packet Or Telnet
“Channels”
Each “Channel”
becomes a way to
connect to WL2K
Once configured Paclink needs no user interaction…simply send email
From your existing Mail Client (Outlook, Thunderbird, etc.) and
Paclink MP automatically routes it through the best “channel” to WL2K
and your destination!
Emergency Use
WL2K’s mission is to provide our users and agencies with
the value-added services they want. Today, that includes
digital messaging in the form of de facto e-mail extendibility.
The network is in place, proven and fully operational. It is
now up to us to be organized and trained with the proper
tools to respond to any casualty event.
What you need to get Started with Winlink 2000
As a User to send/receive Radio Email:
Valid MARS or Ham Radio license
Paclink MP or AirMail user client and Windows computer.
VHF/UHF Radio and TNC (packet radio) (local access)
Pactor TNC and HF SSB radio for Long distance
As a part of the WL2K/MARS
System Infrastructure:
Valid MARS or Ham Radio license
VHF/UHF Radio and TNC (Telpac or RMS Packet gateway)
SCS PTC II model TNC (Pactor 1, 2, 3) & HF SSB Radio
Full time internet connection
Win 2000 or later OS and modern computer.
• What Programs Do I NEED???
– AIRMAIL
• Use on HF (Pactor I or II)
• Use on VHF / UHF (Packet)
• Use on Internet (Telnet)
• Where to get the programs / Tutorials / Info
– http://www.winlink.org/Emergency.htm#Emerg_Pres
– http://www.winlink.org/Client.htm
Additional Resources
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System details and downloads: www.winlink.org
Join the 1400+ member EmComm reflector:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wl2kemcomm/
Join the Mars_WL2K reflector
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/mars_wl2k/
Take the on-line course for using WL2K modules for EmComm:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/loading_wl2k_user_programs/
Keep up with the latest news about Winlink 2000:
http://www.winlink.org/news.htm
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2006/03/02/5/?nc=1
Review the presentations and examples of EmComm use:
http://www.winlink.org/emergency.htm
AirMail/Winlink Demos
FPAC Switch
Trinity Towers, Melbourne
Distant HF
PMBOs
To the WORLD
VIA INTERNET
AAR4WJ
MLB Hamfest
WL2K Demo RV
30 M Pactor II, III
Paclink MP, PK96,
KDK VHF
Paclink MP, PTC II, TS-480
This Presentation can be found on the web at my web site (W4RP)
At:
www.w4rp.com
follow the links for MARS
Last But NOT LEAST
• Say Hello to Our Audience VIP’s
– WL2K Authors:
• Vick Poor W5SMM / AAA9WL
• Rick Muething KN6KB
• Ask them about WL2K !!