From mboxrd@z Thu Jan 1 00:00:00 1970 From: Chuck Gelm Subject: Re: FBB for linux and internet forwarding Date: Sun, 08 Dec 2002 16:25:51 -0500 Sender: linux-hams-owner@vger.kernel.org Message-ID: <3DF3B8DF.1D44C438@gelm.net> References: <200212080932.03464.n7bfs@qwest.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Return-path: List-Id: Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" To: n7bfs@qwest.net Cc: linux-hams@vger.kernel.org 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