Post on 15-Jan-2016
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
• 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.
(Based solely upon well working sites in NY Metro area)
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 portsusing 6PACK driver
PC
TNC 0
TNC 8
TNC 2
TNC 1
COM 1
COM 2
COM 3
COM 9
3 (2)
2 (3)
2 (3)
2 (3)
3 (2)
3 (2)
3 (2)
2 (3)
2 (3)
2 (3)
3 (2)
3 (2)
3 (2)
3 (2)
2 (3)
2 (3)
Connector type: DB-9 (DB-25)
Tie all grounds together,pin 5 DB-9, pins 1 & 7 DB25
OOOOO
Advantage: Easy to troubleshoot, high speed Disadvantage: Cost of multiple port RS-232 cards.
OOO
< 6PACK interface>
< 6PACK interface>
< 6PACK interface>
< 6PACK interface>
Corrected 19Jan2000
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
PC runningFlexNet w/
Flexdigimodule
TNC 0
TNC 3
TNC 2
TNC 1
COM 1
2 (3)
3 (2)
2 (3) 2 (3)
2 (3)
2 (3)
3 (2)
3 (2)
3 (2)
3 (2)
Tie all grounds together,pin 5 DB-9, pins 1 & 7 DB25
COM 2 To 2nd string of TNC’s, or to a second PC
Advantage: Cost savings of RS-232 ports. Disadvantage: Difficult to troubleshoot, limited speed.
< 6PACK interface>
Corrected 19Jan2000
Connector type: DB-9 (DB-25)
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.
DRSI ModemCard
XSCC driver
FlexNet 3.3g w/Flexdigi module
COM 1
COM 2To other TNC’s
DRSI Modeminterface
Transceiver
PC #1
Transceiver
• DRSI cards can support two radios per card
• Multiple DRSI cards can be installed
• Install a copy of XSCC driver DRSI for each card
DRSI Modem Interface details
YAM Modem Interface
PC
YAM 0
YAM 8
YAM 2
YAM 1
COM 1
COM 2
COM 3
COM 9
OOO
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 Clusterinterface
PavilionDX Cluster
TFEMU driver
FlexNet 3.3g w/Flexdigi module
COM 1
COM 2To TNC’s
PC #1
For free software version:
http://hes.iki.fi/clusse/
FlexNet <> FBB BBS interface
FBB 7.00g (DOS)BBS
TFEMU driver
FlexNet 3.3g w/Flexdigi module
COM 1
COM 2To TNC’s
Advantage: Single PC needed, runs reliable. Disadvantage: Windows version of FBB unavailable.
PC #1
For F6 FBB softwarehttp://www.f6fbb.org/
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 w/oFlexdigimodule
DOS 6.22,FlexNet w/
Flexdigimodule
COM 12 , 3
3 (2)
Connector type:DB-9 (DB-25)
Tie all grounds together,pin 5 DB-9, pins 1 & 7 DB25
COM 2
FBB 7.00gBBS
(Windows)
COM 1COM 3
2 , 3
3 , 2
3 (2)
3 , 2
2 (3)
2 (3)
To TNC’s
FlexNet <> FBB BBS(Windows95) interface
TFEMU
PC #1 PC #2
< KISS interface>
Advantage: FBB Windows version. Disadvantage: Needs 2nd PC, reliability of Windows
Go to http://home.texoma.net/~n5pvl/flex95.htm for Win 95 setup info.
Null modem cable
PC runningNOS w/
ax.25 ASYC
interface
FlexNet <> NOSinterface
PC runningFlexNet w/
Flexdigimodule
COM 12 , 3
3 (2)
Connector type: DB-9 (DB-25)
Tie all grounds together,pin 5 DB-9, pins 1 & 7 DB25
COM 2
COM 1COM 9
2 , 3
3 , 2
3 (2)
3 , 2
2 (3)
2 (3)
To TNC’s
PC #1
< KISS interface>
PC #2
Advantage: Will run existing NOS. Disadvantage: Lack of adaptive parameters yields less optimum speeds.
LINUX running
WAMPES w/
ax.25 ASYC
interface
FlexNet <> LINUXinterface
DOS 6.22,FlexNet w/
Flexdigimodule
COM 12 , 3
3 (2)
Connector type: DB-9 (DB-25)
Tie all grounds together,pin 5 DB-9, pins 1 & 7 DB25
COM 2
COM 1COM 9
2 , 3
3 , 2
3 (2)
3 , 2
2 (3)
2 (3)
To TNC’s
PC #1
< KISS interface>
PC #2
Advantages: WAMPES provides full adaptive parameters matching FlexNet, LINUX not memory limited.
Use RMNC CRC on both ends
FlexNet <> LINUXinterface
• 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 !