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How to set up FlexNet as a Node Site

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 ! .

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How to set up FlexNet as a Node Site

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  1. 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 !

  2. FlexNet is modular, configure to your application. FBB BBS DXCluster

  3. 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 !

  4. 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.

  5. 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)

  6. 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)

  7. 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

  8. 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”.

  9. FlexNet w/multiple RS-232 portsusing 6PACK driver Corrected 19Jan2000 Connector type: DB-9 (DB-25) PC 2 (3) 2 (3) TNC 0 COM 1 < 6PACK interface> 3 (2) 3 (2) 2 (3) 2 (3) TNC 1 COM 2 < 6PACK interface> 3 (2) 3 (2) Tie all grounds together, pin 5 DB-9, pins 1 & 7 DB25 2 (3) 2 (3) TNC 2 COM 3 < 6PACK interface> 3 (2) O O O O O 3 (2) O O O 2 (3) 2 (3) COM 9 TNC 8 < 6PACK interface> 3 (2) 3 (2) Advantage: Easy to troubleshoot, high speed Disadvantage: Cost of multiple port RS-232 cards.

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. FlexNet w/single RS-232 port,using 6PACK driver Corrected 19Jan2000 PC running FlexNet w/ Flexdigi module 2 (3) 2 (3) TNC 0 COM 1 < 6PACK interface> 3 (2) 3 (2) 2 (3) 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 2 (3) To 2nd string of TNC’s, or to a second PC TNC 3 3 (2) Advantage: Cost savings of RS-232 ports. Disadvantage: Difficult to troubleshoot, limited speed.

  13. 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 RS-232 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.

  14. Transceiver Transceiver DRSI Modeminterface PC #1 DRSI Modem Card XSCC driver FlexNet 3.3g w/ Flexdigi module COM 1 To other TNC’s COM 2

  15. 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

  16. YAM Modem Interface PC YAM 0 COM 1 YAM 1 COM 2 YAM 2 COM 3 O O O YAM 8 COM 9

  17. 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

  18. FlexNet DX Clusterinterface PC #1 Pavilion DX Cluster For free software version: http://hes.iki.fi/clusse/ TFEMU driver FlexNet 3.3g w/ Flexdigi module COM 1 To TNC’s COM 2

  19. FlexNet <> FBB BBS interface PC #1 FBB 7.00g (DOS) BBS For F6 FBB software http://www.f6fbb.org/ TFEMU driver FlexNet 3.3g w/ Flexdigi module COM 1 To TNC’s COM 2 Advantage: Single PC needed, runs reliable. Disadvantage: Windows version of FBB unavailable.

  20. 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.

  21. FlexNet <> FBB BBS(Windows95) interface PC #1 PC #2 DOS 6.22, FlexNet w/ Flexdigi module 2 , 3 FBB 7.00g BBS (Windows) COM 1 3 , 2 To TNC’s 2 , 3 COM 2 3 , 2 TFEMU Connector type:DB-9 (DB-25) FlexNet w/o Flexdigi module Tie all grounds together, pin 5 DB-9, pins 1 & 7 DB25 2 (3) 3 (2) COM 3 COM 1 < KISS interface> 3 (2) Null modem cable 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

  22. FlexNet <> NOSinterface PC #1 PC #2 PC running FlexNet w/ Flexdigi module 2 , 3 PC running NOS w/ ax.25 ASYC interface COM 1 3 , 2 To TNC’s 2 , 3 COM 2 3 , 2 Connector type: DB-9 (DB-25) Tie all grounds together, pin 5 DB-9, pins 1 & 7 DB25 2 (3) 3 (2) COM 9 COM 1 < KISS interface> 3 (2) 2 (3) Advantage: Will run existing NOS. Disadvantage: Lack of adaptive parameters yields less optimum speeds.

  23. FlexNet <> LINUXinterface PC #1 PC #2 DOS 6.22, FlexNet w/ Flexdigi module 2 , 3 LINUX running WAMPES w/ ax.25 ASYC interface COM 1 3 , 2 To TNC’s 2 , 3 COM 2 3 , 2 Connector type: DB-9 (DB-25) Tie all grounds together, pin 5 DB-9, pins 1 & 7 DB25 2 (3) 3 (2) COM 9 COM 1 < KISS interface> 3 (2) Use RMNC CRC on both ends 2 (3) Advantages: WAMPES provides full adaptive parameters matching FlexNet, LINUX not memory limited.

  24. FlexNet <> LINUXinterface • WAMPES (WüllenburgAmateur 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.

  25. 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 !

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