		      
		    Using the Wisconsin Network
		       by Andy Nemec, KB9ALN

      In the past editions of "Using the Wisconsin Network", we
 have devoted a fair amount of space to the operation of "TheNet"
 Nodes, and how to use them. While this is important to knowing the
 network, there are other types of stations you may encounter on
 your travels. We will try to cover most anything you are likely to
 find, and attempt to give some practical background information
 for you.

      We will start with an introduction to one of the more
 mysterious types of stations you may encounter, the TCP/IP
 station. An ever-increasing number of hams are exploring this
 mode, and chances are you may encounter a station using it. Once
 we get familiar with it, we will move on to examples of TCP/IP
 Amateur Radio stations and show you how to use them.
  
 What the heck is TCP/IP, anyway?

      TCP/IP stands for Transport Control Protocol / Internet
 Protocol. I know, that tells you what the letters mean, but just
 what is it? Well, surprisingly enough, you really don't need to
 know too much about the terminology to get the idea of what it is
 basically about.

      You might remember from one of the earlier editions of this
 series a discussion of "Protocols". In case you might have
 forgotten about this, we'll review. A protocol, in computer terms,
 is the method or language that computers use to pass information
 back and forth. A computer can use one or several methods to speak
 to another computer. The important thing is that the computers
 must both be speaking the same language at the same time and
 speed.

      Most Amateur packet radio stations use a protocol, or
 specific method to communicate with each other called AX.25. This
 method of communication was adapted from Ma Bell (AT&T) for use on
 Amateur radio. "TheNet" Nodes use a variation of this protocol
 called "Net/Rom" to exchange information.

      Although they work OK in Amateur radio, these protocols are
 not widely used in the rest of the computer world. You have heard
 of the "Internet", the global network of interconnected computers.
 These computers all need a standard set of protocols in order to
 communicate. The standard set of protocols used is referred to as
 "TCP/IP". Amateur Radio has adapted TCP/IP protocols, and others,
 to communicate via packet radio.

      Amateur Radio TCP/IP Stations are also capable of
 communicating with the AX.25 protocol. This is the legally
 recognized protocol for Amateur Radio, so all of the TCP/IP
 Packets are "Buried" in an AX.25 packet. This also means that
 someone who only uses AX.25 can communicate with a TCP/IP station
 (though they may not be able to use all of it's features). 

  Why TCP/IP?     

      One of the main attractions of using TCP/IP might be already
 apparent. Because it is possible for the computer to communicate
 with a world-wide network using TCP/IP, the opportunities become
 seemingly endless. Stations that are part of a Amateur Radio
 TCP/IP network have greater flexibility of operating, providing
 the operator with more than the usual mailbox and keyboard
 services. The computer becomes an integral part of a packet
 station with TCP/IP, because the computer is "connected" to
 another computer. With standard AX.25, TNC's are connected, typing
 is done, and TNC's are then  disconnected. Your computer operates
 as little more than a "dumb terminal".

 Consider what is possible amongst computers using TCP/IP:

 -Standard keyboard chats
 -Standard "PBBS" type mailbox for AX.25 users
 -Automated Mail delivery to other TCP/IP stations, AX.25 mailboxes,
  and BBS's
 -Automated message forwarding
 -Access (limited) to a computer's hard drive
 -Ability to transfer text and binary files simply and easily
  (including Wave, GIF, BMP, COM, and EXE files, to name a few)
 -Ability to test radio paths before using them
 -Possibility of receiving special-interest "Newsgroups" by
  automated mail
 -Extensive Remote Sysop-ing of the station
 -Possibility of connection to the Internet
 -Ability to carry on a multi-station conference disussion
 -Possibility of networking computers in your own home, so that you
  may operate your packet station from outside of the shack
 -The ability to have a TCP/IP station operate as a Network Node

      And that is where most of us will get our first exposure to a
 TCP/IP station, as a network node. Now that you know a little bit
 about them, we can devote some space to a discussion of using one
 of these stations. Look for that in the next edition of "Using the
 Wisconsin Network".
 
 *End of Part 10*
 
