
           Using the Wisconsin Network - Part 16
                   by Andy Nemec, KB9ALN

     Last time we traveled our Wisconsin network, our
discussion centered on sending a message from a typical BBS
you would find on our packet network - the "MSYS" BBS. While
this type of BBS provides the usual services associated with
any other BBS, it also can be used as a node in many
instances. In fact, it is pressed into that service in many
parts of our state.

     MSYS nodes use the very same computer to operate the BBS
as the Node. The call-sign will have a different SSID than the
BBS (commonly it will be -5).There is also a bit of a price to
be paid for operating a BBS and Node on one computer. MSYS
Nodes operate a little more slowly than a dedicated network
nodes, but they do get the job done.

     MSYS BBS's will function as a node in a couple of ways,
as non-networked or networked. As a non-networked node, you
will find that it operates in much the same way that a K-Node
operates. If you have a Kantronics TNC, or use one as a local
"Wild Node", you pretty much know how it operates. The basic
commands of the K-Node style MSYS node will look something
like this:

Bye BBS Connect Help Info JustHeard Knode Ports Talk Users

     Depending on the way that the BBS and node are
configured, you may see more of these commands, or perhaps
fewer. This is a typical arrangement. The most obvious
differences are shown in the JustHeard, Knode, Ports and Talk
commands.

     The JustHeard command will give you a heard list, broken
down by port number. For example, a typical JustHeard list
might look something like this:

On BBS    Port 0     Port 1      Post 2      Port 3     Port 4

W9XBD     KB9XTL     NU9UR       W2XBS       KX9TC      DL0MEN
AZ9ZA
W9XFN

     Note that there are a couple of odd things going on
there. Just as normal network nodes have more than one port,
an MSYS node can, too. Notice, too that the BBS is counted as
a port.  You can usually connect to the BBS from the node by
typing BBS when you connect to the node. Also notice DL0MEN on
port 4. Yes, this type of node may have several radios hooked
to it, and one of them might very well be an HF radio.

     The Ports command will give you a listing of just what
port does what. For example, you may see a listing like this
when you invoke this command:

Port 0 is 145.090
Port 1 is 446.375
Port 2 is 145.030
Port 3 is 446.200
Port 4 is  14.105

     The Knode command is similar to the Nodes command you
will find on networked nodes, but only lists known Kantronics
Knodes. No network nodes will be shown.

     The Talk command will connect you to the BBS operator's
keyboard, so you can talk to him or her. When you issue this
command, you will see this:

Paging SYSOP for 60 seconds.

If the sysop is prepared to answer your call, he or she will
break in and converse. If not, you will be returned to the
node and will see the prompt:

Node Cmd?

     The remainder of the commands are the same as a standard
network node, with one exception. The Connect command is
different because of the number of ports involved. In the
example above, we know from issuing the Ports command that
Port 2 is 145.030 Mhz. If you wish to connect to W2XBS on that
frequency, you would alter the standard connect command to
include the port number. It would appear as:

C2 W2XBS

If your station was on port 1, you would use C1 for the
connect command.

     Networked MSYS nodes operate in the same way as the usual
"TheNet" style node. The Help command will return the same
information as the K-node version, with a couple of additions.
These are Nodes and Routes. They will give you the same
results as "TheNet" type nodes.

     The Connect command shares some of the restrictions of
the Knode, unless you are making a connection to another
Network Node.

     For example, if you find a node that you wish to connect
to by using the Nodes command, you do not need to know what
port it is on - it's automatic. If you intend to connect to a
station that is not a node, you still need to add the port
number after the C (or Connect). If you try to make a
connection to a network node by using the port number along
with the C, the MSYS node will make that connection as a
standard "AX.25" connection. In other words, the node will
behave as though it were a Knode, and you will loose the
advantages of the network connection.

     When in doubt as to the type of node, you can always
issue the Help command. MSYS nodes will have a long and
thorough help file that will list the valid commands and a
short explanation of each.

     That wraps up our discussion of the node function of the
MSYS BBS. Next time, we will do a "wrap-up" of loose ends
concerning the BBS and Node operation of the MSYS BBS program.

  ***End of Part 16***
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