broehl@watserv1.waterloo.edu (Bernie Roehl) (02/25/91)
I'm considering setting up a multi-line BBS that's accessible over
Datapac (Canada's X.25 service, analagous to Tymenet or Telenet). I'm
considering several options:
1. Buy a self-contained PAD with a number of serial lines, and hooking this
up to a multi-port serial interface on the PC end. Advantage: works
off-the-shelf, no additional software to write (I'd be using a Fossil
driver and an existing BBS). Disadvantage: hardware cost and being
limited by hardware to a small maximum number of sessions.
2. Buying an X.25 board and writing software to provide an int 14h type
interface (do the board come with that kind of software?). Advantage:
again, relatively simple to implement, and eliminiates running a
bunch of serial cables. Disadvantage: cost.
3. Buying a synchronous serial card for the PC, and implementing X.25 in
software. Advantage: lowest cost. Disadvantage: lots of work.
Do X.25 libraries exist for the PC?
Any advice would be appreciated. (I know, I know ... why X.25?
Because it's there. I don't like the protocol particularly, but it is
in widespread use).
Bernie Roehl, University of Waterloo Electrical Engineering Dept
Mail: broehl@sunee.waterloo.edu OR broehl@sunee.UWaterloo.ca
BangPath: {allegra,decvax,utzoo,clyde}!watmath!sunee!broehl
Voice: (519) 885-1211 x 2607 [work]tnixon@uunet.uu.net (Toby Nixon) (02/28/91)
In article <telecom11.161.3@eecs.nwu.edu>, broehl@watserv1.waterloo. edu (Bernie Roehl) writes: > I'm considering setting up a multi-line BBS that's accessible over > Datapac (Canada's X.25 service, analagous to Tymenet or Telenet). I'm > considering several options: > 1. Buy a self-contained PAD with a number of serial lines, and hooking this > 2. Buying an X.25 board and writing software to provide an int 14h type > 3. Buying a synchronous serial card for the PC, and implementing X.25 in > software. Advantage: lowest cost. Disadvantage: lots of work. There's a fourth option you may not be aware of: a modem with X.25 built in. The Hayes Ultra 96, for example, provides V.22bis or V.32 X.32 (dial-up X.25) with a four-channel X.3/X.28/X.29 PAD built in. It connects via your normal async port -- one port. The data to/from the four channels is multiplexed onto the single async port via a very simple protocol we call "AutoStream" (which I had a part in designing). We've implemented an AutoStream multisession interface in Smartcom III's SCOPE scripting language -- it's really that simple to do multisession communications with AutoStream. Ultra 96 is fully certified for use on Datapac. You have to have a synchronous modem to do X.25 anyway, and for a little more than the "average" cost of a V.32 modem you can have one with X.25 built in. I think this would be the best combination of low cost and low effort, compared to the other options you've listed. I don't know if four channels is enough for you. You should consider that if you try to do MORE than that, then the throughput on a 9600bps modem might become unacceptably slow for the remote users. You could use additional modems (on standard comm ports) to provide an additional four channels each as your use expanded. If you want higher throughput, about your only choice is a digital circuit at 56kbps or 64kbps, but then you're talking about a major expense. If you'd like more information on Hayes modems with X.32/X.25 built in, and AutoStream, just let me know. Toby Nixon, Principal Engineer | Voice +1-404-840-9200 Telex 151243420 Hayes Microcomputer Products Inc. | Fax +1-404-447-0178 CIS 70271,404 P.O. Box 105203 | UUCP uunet!hayes!tnixon AT&T !tnixon Atlanta, Georgia 30348 USA | Internet hayes!tnixon@uunet.uu.net
langz@asylum.sf.ca.us (03/03/91)
In article <telecom11.161.3@eecs.nwu.edu> broehl@watserv1.waterloo.edu (Bernie Roehl) writes: > I'm considering setting up a multi-line BBS that's accessible over > Datapac (Canada's X.25 service, analagous to Tymenet or Telenet). Contact Galacticomm (+1 305 583-5990). Their flagship product is called the Major BBS. It is a self-contained, multi-tasking, multi-user BBS designed to run on a single CPU under MS-DOS. With a regular 386 machine, you can support up to 64 users. They also offer an X.25 option that will let you support up to 256 simultaneous connections on a standard MS-DOS machine with an X.25 card. I operate a small Major BBS-based system, and I'll be happy to answer any technical questions you'd like answered by someone who doesn't turn a profit when you buy. Be seeing you, Lang Zerner