Software for use in conjunction with, or for facilitating packet radio.
Jonathon Naylor, G4KLX, jsn@cs.nott.ac.uk and Alan Cox, GW4PTS, iialan@iifeak.swan.ac.uk
Software that provides native AX.25 support in the Linux Kernel.
ALPHA. Still under development. In a working state.
Linux kernel 1.3.*, or kernel 1.2.* plus patches.
Jonathon's software provides the programmer with a berkeley socket based interface to the AX.25 protocol. AX.25 sockets can opened for either connected, or connectionless modes of operation. Support to allow tcp/ip over AX.25 is provided. Jonathon has recently added NetRom support and provided fixes and other enhancements to the code. The software comes in two parts, a kernel patch, and the configuration tools and user programs. The user programs included in the most recent distribution are:
to associate a particular AX.25 callsign with a userid on your system.
to convert a serial device into a KISS device.
an AX.25 listener designed to start a PMS when it receives an incoming connection. The PMS is still very new.
to change the callsign of a port.
generated beacon messages every 30 minutes.
A linemode AX.25 connection program. Call allows you to make connections to other AX.25 nodes. It provides file transmit and receive capabilities, and newer versions allow YAPP binary file transfers.
a packet trace tool for radio links.
a program to display callsign heard on radio ports.
a daemon program to generate netrom routing broadcasts.
a program to restore netrom routing information from a file.
a program to save netrom routing information to a file.
a program to configure a netrom interface.
an implementation of the rip98 routing protocol.
There are a number of different versions of the software. You must choose the one that suits your version of Linux kernel. Software for kernel versions older than 1.3.* is available from: ftp.linux.org.uk
More detail on where and how to obtain the software is provided in the AX.25 section of the `Installation, Configuration, Hints and Tricks' chapter below.
Most of the software is covered by the GNU Public License, some of the software is Copyright by the Regents of University California Berkeley.
Brandon Allbery, KF8NH, bsa@kf8nh.wariat.org
Brandon ported JNOS to Linux. His port is currently of the 1.09 (aka 1.08df) release of JNOS. Future versions will probably be based on Doug Crompton's evolution of 1.08df. Brandon suggests that JNOS for Linux is primarily of interest to people with existing DOS-based NOS configurations (especially server/switch configurations) who wish to switch to Linux or to escape the 640K barrier.
Brandons code was rolled back into the main jnos distribution, so development on the two runs in parallel.
Any version of Linux along with ncurses 1.8.1 or 1.8.5 (the latter is preferred). Optionally you will require Linux networking (at least loopback and slip).
If you include the Linux networking code in addition to JNOS, you can link the two by a slip link running over a pty, so that Linux can provide services to your radio users. In this way you can easily add servers without having to build them into JNOS itself.
You can obtain JNOS for Linux ALPHA.4 at: ftp.ucsd.edu ncurses is available on most Linux ftp sites.
Brandon's modifications to JNOS are public domain. Most of the pre-existing NOS code is copyrighted and restricted to non-commercial use by the various contributors from Phil Karn on.
Brandon Allbery, KF8NH
Brian A. Lantz, brian@lantz.com
TNOS is a NOS derivative that is being actively supported and which is available for both DOS and Linux. It features enhancements not found in other NOS versions.
The current version is 2.0 and is stable.
Kernel networking slip support if you want to link the normal Linux network facilities with TNOS. A kiss tnc.
Brian maintains a World Wide Web server which contains up to date information on TNOS, you can find it at www.lantz.com.
The current version of TNOS is always available from: ftp.lantz.com, sunsite.unc.edu, or ftp.ucsd.edu.
Free for use by amateur radio operators and educational oraganisations
Bob Arasmith, N0ARY, ported to Linux (and others) by Bob Proulx, KF0UW, rwp@fc.hp.com
A packet bbs implemented under UN*X.
ALPHA. Bob is running version ARY-0.9 on both Linux and HP-UX. The next version from N0ARY which is called 4.0 is in alpha test/development release. Bob has not been able to bring this online yet and is still running 0.9+kf0uw mods. Bob has about half it working with Alan Cox's AX.25 kernel which would be the desirable combination.
Linux installation, C Compiler, plus HAM radio TNC hardware.
This bbs has an excellent packet user interface. It has a compatible set of commands with the RLI bbs so users will be familiar with it immediately. It then extends the command set to be a very nice natural language style interface (e.g "list at allus about KPC-3"). Many csh style bang commands are supported. Also included is a mail interface to provide a packet to internet gateway.
Currently you need to customize the source code for your installation so you need some C programming proficiency.
For a Linux version or for Linux information send mail to
rwp@fc.hp.com. For a SunOS version contact bob@arasmith.com.
This code is not packaged for distribution yet since it is not past the alpha
stage of development.
Copyright by Bob Arasmith, N0ARY, but freely redistributable.
Bob Proulx, kf0uw, rwp@fc.hp.com
SM0OHI, pme@it.kth.se
Software that will convert incoming MBL/RLI messages into either NNTP or RFC-822 formatted mail messages.
Development, not yet released.
Unknown.
This software would be ideally suited to those who want to establish a mail and news gateway between conventional tcp/ip networks and the amateur radio mail network.
Not yet availale.
Unknown.
SM0OHI
Franta Bendl, DJ0ZY, and Bernhard ("Ben") Buettner, DL6RAI, root@dl6rai.muc.de
A PacketCluster like system running on Linux.
Released in October 1995.
Linux Kernel version 1.2.0 or greater with Alan Cox's AX.25 version 025 driver, TCP/IP networking, SysV IPC. Also needs Perl and KISS TNC hardware on serial device.
PacketCluster nodes have been available for about six years. The original software was written by Dick Newell, AK1A, and is running under DOS. clx is a system which clones a PacketCluster node. To the outside user commands and features are mostly identical, remote PacketCluster nodes, which can be networked, don't see the difference between a generic PacketCluster node and clx. So it fits well into an established network of PacketCluster nodes.
clx is not a user application, it is network node software. As such it is not of much use for the individual amateur. SysOPs of PacketCluster nodes with some experience on both PacketCluster and Linux will find this application interesting.
Here are some of the features of CLX:
interfaces AX.25 kernel code and provides a socket for local users.
manages receive spooling.
manages transmit spooling.
receive message dispatcher, forwards messages to other processes.
user database requests, forks a process for every database task to make it run in the background. The background process later sends the results directly to send_ctl.
mailbox control. The mailbox keeps messages in a file system, header information is stored in the database.
user administration (logins, logouts, logbook).
manages external user commands and command extensions.
inter user communication (talk, conference).
transmit spooling, handling priorities.
inter node communication (processing and generating PCxx messages).
system administration, installing shared memory pages.
manages internal program communications.
allows console operator(s) to log in like a normal user.
Future enhance planned are:
There are five files that make up the package:
clx (c) by Franta Bendl (DJ0ZY) and is available for
non-commercial use, but the authors want to keep track of who is using their
product, so before you can actually use the software you have to ask for an
encrypted callsign string to be placed in the configuration file. You must
send mail to <clx_us@dl6rai.muc.de> to organise this.
Bernhard ("Ben") Buettner, DL6RAI
Alan Cox, GW4PTS, iialan@iifeak.swan.ac.uk
A single floppy disk version of linux with enough software to allow a PC to act as an AX.25/IP router.
Development, not yet released.
As for any Linux system a 386SX class PC or better.
No detail yet.
Not yet available.
Unknown/Undecided.
Mark Wahl, DL4YBG, DL4YBG @ DB0BLO.#.DEU.EU, wahlm@zelator.de
A Hostmode terminal program for TNC's that support the WA8DED hostmode protocol.
Version 0.8 is reportedly stable.
TNC supporting WA8DED hostmode protocol, serial line.
TNT is a full featured hostmode terminal program. Compiling it on Linux is as difficult as untarring the source and typing `make'. It provides both a `dumb' terminal and X11 version. It comes with some comprehensive documentation which describes its features in some detail. Its main features are:
TNT supports multiple packet radio connections on virtual screens that you can switch between. Each session window provides split screen (seperate transmit and receive text) operation with a status line. Commands can be entered in either a command session, or in any terminal session using a command key. Each of the virtual screens can be larger than the physical screen and can be scrolled around.
A number of options are available for logging received text to files. You can log transmit, receive or both to a log file. You can overwrite or append received data to existing files. You can use the `autobin' protocol to transmit or receive binary files.
You can provide a shell to remote users so that they can access other programs on your computer. You can also run a program and direct its input/output to a channel so that users can use it.
TNT allows you to redirect input/output from a channel to a device, a modem for example.
TNT provides umlaut conversion if necessary.
Remote users can issue command themselves if allowed to do so.
You can configure tnt so that it opens a socket for users to telnet to that allows them operation just as you have from the console. This is useful where your linux machine is on an ethernet and you want other terminal on the net to have use of your radio.
The software is available by anonymous ftp from: ftp.funet.fi. This site is mirrored at a number of places so you will probably find it at other places as well.
GNU Public License. Freely redistributable, no warranty.
Steffen Weinreich, DL5ZBG.
Mike Westerhof's IPIP encapsulation daemon.
Mike Westerhof KA9WSB (original code), then Bdale Garbee N3EUA (port to BSD), then Ron Atkinson N8FOW and John Paul Morrison (port to Linux), then Bdale rolled it all back together again.
A daemon that will allow you to use your linux machine as an IPIP encapsulating gateway.
Ron is running this code himself, and the other version have been run quite successfully.
KISS TNC, any version of Linux supporting RAW sockets.
If you've ever used an internet gateway from your amateur packet radio you have probably been connected by an encapsulation gateway of some descpription. Most run KA9Q's NOS and DOS, but others run Unix and this daemon. It allows you to encapsulate IP within IP, so that you can 'tunnel' IP connections over the Internet. The software allows you to connect a KISS TNC to your linux machine and to have all datagrams received on it carried across the Internet to a similar gateway. Bdale has installation instructions in the package.
This software is available from the col.hp.com ftp site.
Freely distributable, though Bdale asks that if you use the code and like it you might send him a QSL card or a postcard.
Ron Atkinson, N8FOW, and Bdale Garbee, N3EUA
Mike Westerhof's AXIP encapsulation daemon.
Mike Westerhof KA9WSB, ported to Linux by Ron Atkinson N8FOW.
A daemon that will allow you to use your linux machine as an AXIP encapsul ating gateway.
Not properly tested, but assumed to work ok.
KISS TNC, any version of Linux supporting RAW sockets.
This daemon is the partner to the IPIP encapsulation daemon. It allows you to encapsulate AX.25 frames in IP to carry them across the Internet. This is useful for linking AX.25 networks in remote areas. Ron has supplied a Makefile for linux, and with it the software compiled without errors on my system running a recent version kernel. Ron has also written some README files which give you the detail necessary to compile the system and the original documentation describes how to configure it.
This software is available in the sunsite.unc.edu ham apps directory.
Freely distributable so long as the original copyright notice is not removed.
Ron Atkinson, N8FOW
Fred Baumgartens Convers Server for Linux.
Fred Baumgarten, DC6IQ, <dc6iq@insu1.etec.uni-karlsruhe.de>
This is a version of the convers server that allows multiple users to simultaneously chat with each other in a round-table style conversation. It is compatible with the NOS convers servers, but provides extra facilities such as saving/restoring of Personal Text and Chanel Topics.
In use of a number of popular convers servers, appears very stable.
Linux, GNU make, C compiler.
Complete installation instructions are included in the INSTALL
file that is included in the distribution.
A distribution of this software is available at sunsite.unc.edu. The home of the software is at insu1.etec.uni-karlsruhe.de ftp server
Presumably copyright Fred Baumgarten (not specifically stated), but some portions appear to be free for non-commercial use and copying provided the copyright notices stay intact.
axdigi
Craig Small vk2xlz <csmall@acacia.itd.uts.edu.au>
Allows Linux to digipeat across different ax.25 ports
Beta release
Requires Alan Cox AX.25 kernel support
Allows frames to come in one port and out another using normal ax.25 digipeater methods. Changes the digipeater callsign to the correct one for the correct return port.
GNU GPL
Craig Small vk2xlz <csmall@acacia.itd.uts.edu.au>
Gracilis PacketTwin kernel driver
Craig Small vk2xlz <csmall@acacia.itd.uts.edu.au>
Device driver for Gracilis PackeTwin cards.
Alpha - needs testing and bug reports.
Gracilis PackeTwin card, Linux AX.25 kernel software.
Provides kernel based driver support for the Gracilis PackeTwin card using the kernel AX.25 code.
The current version can be obtained from sunsite.unc.edu
GNU GPL.
Craig Small vk2xlz <csmall@acacia.itd.uts.edu.au>
RSPF - Radio Shortest Path First routing daemon for Linux
Craig Small vk2xlz <csmall@acacia.itd.uts.edu.au>
An implementation of the Radio Shortest path First routing protocol for linux. The daemon supports version 2.2 of the protocol which corrects a lot of bugs and problems that were present in version 2.1.
Alpha - running, needs testing and bug reports. Current version is 0.05
Requires Alan Cox's kernel based AX.25 code.
This program will allow Linux to become an RSPF router. It addresses some of the quirks of RSPF v2.1, the version in NOS which means that it is incompatible with the NOS version. It will also allows remote/local queries via a tcp session for debugging and diagnostic purposes.
Current versions are always available from sunsite.unc.edu or from the author.
Will be covered by the GPL when formally released.
Craig Small vk2xlz <csmall@acacia.itd.uts.edu.au>
generic Z8530 SCC device driver.
Joerg Reuter, <DL1BKE@melaten.ihf.rwth-aachen.de>
A device driver to allow you to use a range of 8530 based SCC cards under Linux.
stable
a modern Linux kernel
The Zilog Z8530 SCC provides Synchronous/Asynchronous, HDLC, NRZI
encoding and other capabilities. There are a number of peripheral cards that
use the Z850 as the basis of their design. The driver is generic enough to be
pushed into service for just about any sort of 8530 card. The README
file that comes with the package provides detail on installation and
configuration.
The driver can be obtained from: ftp.ucsd.edu for kernel versions older than 1.3.*. Kernel version 1.3.* supports the driver in the standard distribution.
GNU Public License.
mkiss
Kevin Uhlir, <kevinu@cricket.vware.mn.org>
a program that will allow you to make use of the feature of multidrop kiss mode tncs.
stable, released.
A modern linux kernel and AX.25 kernel support.
The existing KISS support in the linux kernel is designed for simple single channel KISS TNC's. A number of TNC's support what is called multidrop mode where a single TNC may support a number of modems, each being controllable via an individual KISS port across the same serial interface. Kevin has overcome the lack of multidrop support by writing a program that takes two seperate kiss feeds from the kernel and combining them into a single multidrop feed which it passes to the tnc. The reverse process also takes place where it splits the single multidrop feed into the appropriate individuals feeds.
Instructions on how to compile, install and use the software come in the package.
The program is available from sunsite.unc.edu.
GNU GPL
Kevin Uhlir, <kevinu@cricket.vware.mn.org>