FBB for linux and internet forwarding

FBB for linux and internet forwarding

[Douglas Cole]

A question for the list that hopefully will not be too open ended .

Our local packet crew (two guys)is considering changing from DOS based FBB BBS 
to a Linux based machine but are concerned about ease of setup and stability.

They wish to use internet forwarding (through a cable modem) and coming out on 
VHF node freq'.

My concern is , since I subscribe to this list for other reasons not related 
to packet and am not a packet person, I see alot of posts recently about 
troubles with the kernel and lockup problems , so my question is , is this 
only for folks who are doing non-standard things or is this an issue with any 
amateur trying to setup a Linux based FBB BBS with internet forwarding?

I don't want to have given them the wrong impression about Linux stability (I 
use it on a daily basis for my desktop), only to have it be a troublesome and 
failure prone system , as they are very happy with their DOS based machine , 
they just want to move into the TCP/IP internet based way of forwarding , 
which apparently the dos based one is hard to make so ...

Any input or links/pointers on what not to do would be appreciated , they will 
just be starting out with Linux and I am not knowledgable with Linux packet 
at all...

tia


-- 
Douglas Cole   N7BFS
Spokane IRLP node owner
AMSAT#26182 , K2 # 544
http://www.users.qwest.net/~cdoug3
Registered Linux user # 188922

Re: FBB for linux and internet forwarding

[Chuck Gelm]

Hello, Douglas:

 I've run an active Linux networking server for as long as 6 months
without and problems.  Actually that 6 months period was terminated
to install a faster modem. ;-)  So this narrows down the topic of
"concerned about ease of setup and stability" to 
"ease of setup". ;-)

 Although the 'ease of setup' is perhaps more difficult with
Linux, more can be done with xFBB than with the DOS version.

 As a minimum, the first thing I can suggest is to subscribe to
the fbb@f6fbb.org and xfbb@f6fbb.org list.

 IMHO, if you have been running or using nodes
 (NETROM 2000, THENET, X1J, Xrouter, or G8BPQ) get ready for a 
disappointment.  The current linux implementation of 'node' is
made expressly for wire networking with little adaptation for
radio networking environments.  :-(

 Next:
"internet forwarding (through a cable modem) and coming out on
 VHF node freq'."

 This seems ambiguous or has two topics:
"internet forwarding" happens between two pBBSs that have
an internet 'port'.

 "coming out on VHF node frequency" has multiple topics also:
"coming out" == tranceiving
VHF == what difference does the band make?
'node' == do you want standard AX.25 packets on the 'node frequency'
or do you need L3/L4 packets on the 'node frequency'?

 -or- 
 
 This is purely a choice of whether you wish to enable the
'gateway' function of FBB.  All this should probably be discussed
on the FBB/xFBB list(s).

 Lastly, this list may be appropriate to discuss 
packet (AX.25 and 'linux-node') "kernel and lockup problems"
as xFBB has nothing to do with how the kernel generates 
AX.25 and 'node' packets.  :-|

HTH, Chuck nc8q

Douglas Cole wrote:
> 
> A question for the list that hopefully will not be too open ended .
> 
> Our local packet crew (two guys)is considering changing from DOS based FBB BBS
> to a Linux based machine but are concerned about ease of setup and stability.
> 
> They wish to use internet forwarding (through a cable modem) and coming out on
> VHF node freq'.
> 
> My concern is , since I subscribe to this list for other reasons not related
> to packet and am not a packet person, I see alot of posts recently about
> troubles with the kernel and lockup problems , so my question is , is this
> only for folks who are doing non-standard things or is this an issue with any
> amateur trying to setup a Linux based FBB BBS with internet forwarding?
> 
> I don't want to have given them the wrong impression about Linux stability (I
> use it on a daily basis for my desktop), only to have it be a troublesome and
> failure prone system , as they are very happy with their DOS based machine ,
> they just want to move into the TCP/IP internet based way of forwarding ,
> which apparently the dos based one is hard to make so ...
> 
> Any input or links/pointers on what not to do would be appreciated , they will
> just be starting out with Linux and I am not knowledgable with Linux packet
> at all...
> 
> tia
> 
> --
> Douglas Cole   N7BFS
> Spokane IRLP node owner
> AMSAT#26182 , K2 # 544
> http://www.users.qwest.net/~cdoug3
> Registered Linux user # 188922
> 
> -
> To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe linux-hams" in
> the body of a message to majordomo@vger.kernel.org
> More majordomo info at  http://vger.kernel.org/majordomo-info.html

Re: FBB for linux and internet forwarding

[Douglas Cole]

On Sunday 08 December 2002 13:25, Chuck Gelm wrote:
> Hello, Douglas:
>
>  I've run an active Linux networking server for as long as 6 months
> without and problems.  Actually that 6 months period was terminated
> to install a faster modem. ;-)  So this narrows down the topic of
> "concerned about ease of setup and stability" to
> "ease of setup". ;-)
>
>  Although the 'ease of setup' is perhaps more difficult with
> Linux, more can be done with xFBB than with the DOS version.
>
>  As a minimum, the first thing I can suggest is to subscribe to
> the fbb@f6fbb.org and xfbb@f6fbb.org list.

Thanks , this I will let them know .

>
>  IMHO, if you have been running or using nodes
>  (NETROM 2000, THENET, X1J, Xrouter, or G8BPQ) get ready for a
> disappointment.  The current linux implementation of 'node' is
> made expressly for wire networking with little adaptation for
> radio networking environments.  :-(

Unkown , since I am not the sysadmin.

>
>  Next:
> "internet forwarding (through a cable modem) and coming out on
>  VHF node freq'."
>
>  This seems ambiguous or has two topics:
> "internet forwarding" happens between two pBBSs that have
> an internet 'port'.
>
Sorry , as I previously said , I am not the one who admins the system , just 
the one Ham in town they know who uses Linux as his desktop , and had 
mentioned that Linux could work for them , so I really don't have a clue as 
to what their setup is , and have'nt spent any time with packet in general 
for well over 5 years (I used to have a 1200 baud passive packet repeater in 
town , but took it down from lack of use).


>  "coming out on VHF node frequency" has multiple topics also:
> "coming out" == tranceiving
> VHF == what difference does the band make?
> 'node' == do you want standard AX.25 packets on the 'node frequency'
> or do you need L3/L4 packets on the 'node frequency'?
>
See above.


>  -or-
>
>  This is purely a choice of whether you wish to enable the
> 'gateway' function of FBB.  All this should probably be discussed
> on the FBB/xFBB list(s).

Looks like that will be the case :^}


>
>  Lastly, this list may be appropriate to discuss
> packet (AX.25 and 'linux-node') "kernel and lockup problems"
> as xFBB has nothing to do with how the kernel generates
> AX.25 and 'node' packets.  :-|
>
> HTH, Chuck nc8q

Yes, thanks for the response , I will try to get them to both this and the 
xFBB lists hopefully :)
73

>
> Douglas Cole wrote:
> > A question for the list that hopefully will not be too open ended .
> >
> > Our local packet crew (two guys)is considering changing from DOS based
> > FBB BBS to a Linux based machine but are concerned about ease of setup
> > and stability.
> >
> > They wish to use internet forwarding (through a cable modem) and coming
> > out on VHF node freq'.
> >
> > My concern is , since I subscribe to this list for other reasons not
> > related to packet and am not a packet person, I see alot of posts
> > recently about troubles with the kernel and lockup problems , so my
> > question is , is this only for folks who are doing non-standard things or
> > is this an issue with any amateur trying to setup a Linux based FBB BBS
> > with internet forwarding?
> >
> > I don't want to have given them the wrong impression about Linux
> > stability (I use it on a daily basis for my desktop), only to have it be
> > a troublesome and failure prone system , as they are very happy with
> > their DOS based machine , they just want to move into the TCP/IP internet
> > based way of forwarding , which apparently the dos based one is hard to
> > make so ...
> >
> > Any input or links/pointers on what not to do would be appreciated , they
> > will just be starting out with Linux and I am not knowledgable with Linux
> > packet at all...
> >
> > tia
> >
> > --
> > Douglas Cole   N7BFS
> > Spokane IRLP node owner
> > AMSAT#26182 , K2 # 544
> > http://www.users.qwest.net/~cdoug3
> > Registered Linux user # 188922
> 

Re: FBB for linux and internet forwarding

[w9ya]

Hey gang; 

I don't know squat about FBB, but I can tell you this much (as little as it 
is)...dos can be VERY reliable when set up right. I have a dos accounting 
server I built for a client several years ago that NEVER goes down except 
when I clean the dust bunnies out. Linux can ALSO be ...VERY reliable when 
set up right. (Differnet clients, same (similar) stories to tell.)

If networking hardware and interface software are causing a change in 
operating system, yeah, unfortunately there will be some bumps in the road as 
a "rule" regardless of what the application is.

Not much to go with, just probably confirming what you already know and/or are 
finding out.

vy 73

Bob
w9ya

On Sunday 08 December 2002 04:25 pm, Chuck Gelm wrote:
> Hello, Douglas:
>
>  I've run an active Linux networking server for as long as 6 months
> without and problems.  Actually that 6 months period was terminated
> to install a faster modem. ;-)  So this narrows down the topic of
> "concerned about ease of setup and stability" to
> "ease of setup". ;-)
>
>  Although the 'ease of setup' is perhaps more difficult with
> Linux, more can be done with xFBB than with the DOS version.
>
>  As a minimum, the first thing I can suggest is to subscribe to
> the fbb@f6fbb.org and xfbb@f6fbb.org list.
>
>  IMHO, if you have been running or using nodes
>  (NETROM 2000, THENET, X1J, Xrouter, or G8BPQ) get ready for a
> disappointment.  The current linux implementation of 'node' is
> made expressly for wire networking with little adaptation for
> radio networking environments.  :-(
>
>  Next:
> "internet forwarding (through a cable modem) and coming out on
>  VHF node freq'."
>
>  This seems ambiguous or has two topics:
> "internet forwarding" happens between two pBBSs that have
> an internet 'port'.
>
>  "coming out on VHF node frequency" has multiple topics also:
> "coming out" == tranceiving
> VHF == what difference does the band make?
> 'node' == do you want standard AX.25 packets on the 'node frequency'
> or do you need L3/L4 packets on the 'node frequency'?
>
>  -or-
>
>  This is purely a choice of whether you wish to enable the
> 'gateway' function of FBB.  All this should probably be discussed
> on the FBB/xFBB list(s).
>
>  Lastly, this list may be appropriate to discuss
> packet (AX.25 and 'linux-node') "kernel and lockup problems"
> as xFBB has nothing to do with how the kernel generates
> AX.25 and 'node' packets.  :-|
>
> HTH, Chuck nc8q
>
> Douglas Cole wrote:
> > A question for the list that hopefully will not be too open ended .
> >
> > Our local packet crew (two guys)is considering changing from DOS based
> > FBB BBS to a Linux based machine but are concerned about ease of setup
> > and stability.
> >
> > They wish to use internet forwarding (through a cable modem) and coming
> > out on VHF node freq'.
> >
> > My concern is , since I subscribe to this list for other reasons not
> > related to packet and am not a packet person, I see alot of posts
> > recently about troubles with the kernel and lockup problems , so my
> > question is , is this only for folks who are doing non-standard things or
> > is this an issue with any amateur trying to setup a Linux based FBB BBS
> > with internet forwarding?
> >
> > I don't want to have given them the wrong impression about Linux
> > stability (I use it on a daily basis for my desktop), only to have it be
> > a troublesome and failure prone system , as they are very happy with
> > their DOS based machine , they just want to move into the TCP/IP internet
> > based way of forwarding , which apparently the dos based one is hard to
> > make so ...
> >
> > Any input or links/pointers on what not to do would be appreciated , they
> > will just be starting out with Linux and I am not knowledgable with Linux
> > packet at all...
> >
> > tia
> >
> > --
> > Douglas Cole   N7BFS
> > Spokane IRLP node owner
> > AMSAT#26182 , K2 # 544
> > http://www.users.qwest.net/~cdoug3
> > Registered Linux user # 188922
> >
> > -
> > To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe linux-hams" in
> > the body of a message to majordomo@vger.kernel.org
> > More majordomo info at  http://vger.kernel.org/majordomo-info.html
>
> -
> To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe linux-hams" in
> the body of a message to majordomo@vger.kernel.org
> More majordomo info at  http://vger.kernel.org/majordomo-info.html