

	       Using the Wisconsin Network - Part 9
		       By Andy Nemec, KB9ALN

      In our last part of the series, we took a breather and
 answered a few  of the most commonly encountered questions
 concerning network nodes. In this  part, we will expand on one of
 the questions concerning the "X-1J" nodes.

      Why? The X-1J series of nodes is compatible with and is very
 similar to familiar "TheNet" nodes we have been working with all
 along. The X-1J will accomodate newer operating modes, it is
 capable of doing a great deal more. It also makes conventional
 operating modes easier and more convenient to use. That is why it
 is rapidly becoming the new Node firmware of choice in Wisconsin,
 and many other areas.

      In addition to providing all of the usual node services, it
 also has the ablilty to route TCP/IP Packets as well. For those of
 you who are unfamiliar with TCP/IP, one can safely say that it is
 an amateur radio version of the Internet, and can be connected to
 the Internet. TCP/IP uses a different method to hook our computers
 together than the standard "AX.25" method we are all used to.
 TheNet X-1J allows us the opportunity to interface to the rest of
 the computer world, yet still retain "backward compatability" so
 that we can use AX.25 as well.

      In order to accomodate the expanded features, some commands
 needed to be changed from the older "TheNet" Node Firmware. And
 that is the subject of this article, to compare the two and show
 the command differences. 

      Question is, how do you tell what kind you are connected to?
 Luckily, there is one command that will tell you very quickly -
 the U command. Once connected to the node, it will not only tell
 you who is using the node, but what type it is. This is usually
 the first line you get when you ask for users. You will see one of
 the these 3, in all likelihood:
 
 TheNet 2.08          TheNet 2.10st             TheNet X-1J4

      Once you know what one you are using, you can use the
 appropriate command. You can find out which commands the node will
 take by sending a ?. TheNet 2.08 and 2.10 will show:
 
Bye Connect CQ Heard Info Nodes Routes Users

 while TheNet X-1J will show:

 Invalid Command - Choose from :
 Connect CQ Bye Help Info Nodes Routes Talk Stats Host BBS
 DXcluster MHeard Users Quit IProute ARP Adc 

      Quite a difference between the two! They have more in common
 than this would lead you to beleive, however. You can still use
 the X-1J to do what you have always done, you can just do a little
 more. First, we start with the similarities. Bye, Connect, CQ,
 Info, Nodes, Routes, and Users all do the same in both versions.
 By now, you probably know what all of these do with the possible
 exception of CQ. But that it easy to understand, it just allows
 you to call CQ.

      Now to the different use of H. In the 2.08 and 2.10 versions
 of TheNet, it gives you a list of the most recently heard stations
 on the TNC in which it was installed. It the X-1J, it gives you a
 small Help file. This covers the most common commands and the
 command differences between this version and the conventional
 TheNet nodes.

      The Heard list is still in the X-1J. It is called up with the
 M (or MH) command. An easy way to remember this is "Most recently
 Heard". This heard list is better than the older style. It tells
 us what "port" a station was heard on (Radio port 0 or wireline
 Port 1 to the rest of the stack). It will also tell you the
 elapsed time since a station was last heard, how many packets that
 station has sent, and may also show that station's deviation or
 signal strength. This depends on whether an accessory board has
 been installed and hooked to the Node radio. Not essential, but
 really handy if the node is equipped with it!

      There are also some added commands. Here is a quick rundown
 and just what they do:

     ARP -                  A TCP/IP Function. Gives the "Address
			    Resoloution" table from the node.
 
     ADC -                  Will give information from accessories
			    hooked to the node, like a temperature
			    sensor.

     IPA -                  Will give the node's TCP/IP Address.

     IPRoute -              Gives the node's TCP/IP Routing table.

     BBS, DXcluster, Host - These commands will hook you up to the
			    local BBS, DX Cluster, or TCP/IP Host
			    Computer. Simple enough.

     Quit -                 Same as Bye.

     Stats -                Not of too much use to the average user.
			    Will show statistics on Node (CPU)
			    usage.

     Talk -                 Conference mode. To enter, type T when
			    you first connect up to the node. To
			    exit, type /EX on a line all by itself.

      And that is a quick overview of the differnces between the
 newer "X-1J" series nodes and the older "TheNet" nodes. Not all of
 the features are enabled on every node, but this sumarry shows
 what this powerful new firmware is capable of. If you would like
 more detailed information, look elsewhere on this World Wide Web
 page. There is a host of information on TheNet X-1J here, in
 addition to other related information.

      In the next part we will explore another aspect of the Using
 the Wisonsin Network.
 
 *End of Part 9*
 
