n2dsy@hou2d.UUCP (G.BEATTIE) (08/26/87)
************** The Radio Amateur Telecommunications Society ************
******************** Information Bulletin 20 August 1987 ****************
To: All Radio Amateurs
Fm: N2DSY @ KD6TH-4/201
Sb: COSI-Switch and RATS Update
The delays in getting out the COSI-Switch have been long and
somewhat frustrating for everyone. Things are finally coming
together.
What should be clear to everyone by now is that the originally
announced X.25 Level 3 code has not arrived.
Something had to be done...
The project has been started from scratch by Tom Moulton, W2VY.
He is getting consultation support from John Howell, N2FVN,
Harlan Worchel, KB2CNL, and Gordon Beattie, N2DSY. All of these
individuals have previously implemented X.25 switches or Packet
Assembler/Disassemblers (PADs). We had a design review on the
14th of August and we are all quite pleased with the progress
Tom has made. (Kudos to TOM !)
The revised delivery scedule is as follows:
1 Oct - Alpha testing of a completed COSI-Switch Level 3 module
1 Nov - Beta testing of a completed COSI-Switch machine - TNC-2/DR-200
(Any other hardware suggestions ?)
1 Jan - Production shipment begins
All individuals and clubs that contacted RATS regarding this
project will receive MS-DOS Disks and EPROMS with the code
during each phase of the testing cycle. We got a good deal on
diskettes and EPROMs so we will include everyone ! The
production version will include SOURCE in "C".
As with all the SOURCE we distribute, it is free for
non-commercial use.
--- Delete the following before transmission over Amateur Radio networks ---
Support contributions are accepted and commercial
licensing arrangements can be made. Contact RATS for details.
-------------------- END DELETE -------------------------------------------
ALL proceeds go to the enhancement of the Packet Network.
Other happenings:
John Howell N2FVN has produced an implementation of the
"Asynchronous Framing Technique (AFT) in "C". This is useful
for providing error-checked, transparent HDLC links through
asynchronous interfaces. AFT can be run over seven or eight bit
networks and handles HDLC frames transparently. It is a nice
building-block for the network.
This AFT is a generic implementation (accompanied by a "DOC"
file) that includes code that runs under MS-DOS. Distribution
of this code, in compressed form, will be via Amateur Packet
Radio, Usenet and CompuServe HAMNET. The file name(s) will be
based on the string "AFT10" for AFT version 1.0. It will be
distributed in compressed form. We'll send it out with the
first COSI-Switch test code.
John is working on a matching capability for the TNC-2. This
would provide a error-checked link between PCs and TNCs. Harlan
Worchel, KB2CNL (yes, a NOVICE !) is working on porting the code
to the Commodore 64.
Brian Riley's (KA2BQE) latest release of the Packet Radio
MailBox System, version 95c, supports forwarding
through COSI-Switch, GatorSwitch and NET/ROM. It also has the "KT"
(kill traffic) feature that will automatically generate a
service message when a traffic message is removed from the
packet network. It is available from RATS, with the "C" SOURCE
CODE. Send a message to N2DSY @ KD6TH-4/201 or KA2BQE @
KA2BQE-4/609 to get a copy of the code.
RATS is currently beta-testing the GLB Netlink 220 19.2 KBps
modem/radios. So fast ! Sooo goood ! We are also burning-in eight
PAC-COMM DR-200s. These will be deployed shortly.
RATS wishes to thank you for your patience. We're not real
happy with how we got into the Level 3 COSI-Switch delay, but we
think the effort is on the right track. If you have any
questions call or send me a message.
Hang tough. We think you'll like the output !
Next update will be sent on or about 15 September.
Vy 73,
J. Gordon Beattie, Jr.
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