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 !