How to set up FlexNet as a Node Site

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 TNCs.
• 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.
• LEDs 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 TNCs 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 TNCs

• i.e. Kantronics (all), AEA (all except PK-80)
• All TNCs in End Users home stations are
  totally compatible w/ FlexNet Digis (Nodes).
• For NODE use, TNCs 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 TNCs, 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

3 (2)
3 (2)
2 (3)
2 (3)
TNC 1
COM 2

3 (2)
3 (2)
Tie all grounds together, pin 5 DB-9, pins 1 7
DB25
2 (3)
2 (3)
TNC 2
COM 3

3 (2)
3 (2)
O O O O O
O O O
2 (3)
2 (3)
TNC 8
COM 9

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 UARTs 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

3 (2)
3 (2)
2 (3)
TNC 1
Connector type DB-9 (DB-25)
3 (2)
Tie all grounds together, pin 5 DB-9, pins 1 7
DB25
2 (3)
TNC 2
3 (2)
2 (3)
COM 2
To 2nd string of TNCs, 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 UARTs recommended when more than two 1200
  Links are series connected.
• Not usable for most 9600 links due to RS-232
  speed limits within TNCs.
• 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
DRSI Modeminterface
PC 1
DRSI Modem Card
XSCC driver
FlexNet 3.3g w/ Flexdigi module
COM 1
To other TNCs
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 doesnt
  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/cluss
e/
TFEMU driver
FlexNet 3.3g w/ Flexdigi module
COM 1
To TNCs
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 TNCs
COM 2
Advantage Single PC needed, runs reliable.
Disadvantage Windows version of FBB unavailable.
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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 TNCs
2 , 3
COM 2
3 , 2
TFEMU
Connector typeDB-9 (DB-25)
FlexNet w/o Flexdigi module
Tie all grounds together, pin 5 DB-9, pins 1 7
DB25
3 (2)
2 (3)
COM 1
COM 3

3 (2)
2 (3)
Null modem cable
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 NOS w/ ax.25 ASYC interface
PC running FlexNet w/ Flexdigi module
2 , 3
COM 1
3 , 2
To TNCs
2 , 3
COM 2
3 , 2
Connector type DB-9 (DB-25)
Tie all grounds together, pin 5 DB-9, pins 1 7
DB25
3 (2)
2 (3)
COM 1
COM 9

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
LINUX running WAMPES w/ ax.25
ASYC interface
DOS 6.22, FlexNet w/ Flexdigi module
2 , 3
COM 1
3 , 2
To TNCs
2 , 3
COM 2
3 , 2
Connector type DB-9 (DB-25)
Tie all grounds together, pin 5 DB-9, pins 1 7
DB25
3 (2)
2 (3)
COM 1
COM 9

3 (2)
2 (3)
Use RMNC CRC on both ends
Advantages WAMPES provides full adaptive
parameters matching FlexNet, LINUX not memory
limited.
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FlexNet LINUXinterface

• WAMPES (Wüllenburg Amateur Packet Experimental
  System) is simply NOS with a FlexNet interface
  built in.
• Since mid 1990s, 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, its
  designed for PC to PC use ONLY !