sbbs3faq.txt

Answers to frequently asked questions regarding Synchronet Version 3.0 by Rob Swindell (digital man), December 1999 (updated June 2000) * Updated February 2002 Q: Is Synchronet going to continue to be freeware? A: Yes, I'm just doing this for fun (what a sicko!). * See http://synchro.net/copyright.html for details. Q: What operating system does Synchronet Version 3.0 run on? A: Synchronet v3 is currently a Win32 application designed for use on Windows 95/98/NT4/2000. * Windows XP is supported too. * Synchronet v3.10 also runs on Linux and FreeBSD operating systems. Q: Is v3 multi-user/multi-threaded? A: Yes, all nodes are (typically) run in the same process/window. External programs, however, run in their own processes/windows. Version 2.3 for OS/2 was also multi-threaded, but not multi-user: each node ran in its own process/window. Q: Is there going to be a DOS version of v3? A: No, but I did release an update to v2 for DOS/OS2 (2.30c). This update included some of the Y2K fixes I've made in v3 and some other minor additions, fixes, and features. Q: Is there going to be an OS/2 version of v3? A: Possible, but not probable. Q: Is there going to be a Linux version of v3? A: Definitely. * The Linux version is currently distributed in source code form only, see http://synchro.net/source.html for details. Q: Can I mix v2 and v3 nodes on the same BBS? A: Yes, all of the configuration and data files were purposely kept backwards compatible. * As of v3.10, there are additional "issues" that must be addressed when mixing v2 and v3.1 nodes (mainly in regards to the TEXT.DAT and exec/*.BIN files). Q: Can I mix v2 and v3 nodes on the same computer? A: Yes. Q: Does v3 still support traditional dial-in users? A: No, v3 is a telnet-only BBS program. Use v2 nodes for your dial-in users. Q: Do I need a Telnet/FOSSIL application (e.g. NetModem or COM/IP) for v3 nodes? A: No, Synchronet v3 includes a DOS/FOSSIL interrupt driver (dynamically loaded VXD for Windows 95/98 and VDD for Windows NT/2000). Q: Is v3 Y2K compatible? A: Yes. Q: Is the source code for Synchronet v3 available? A: * The source code has been available since October, 2000. See http://synchro.net/source.html for details. Q: How many v3 nodes can I run on one machine? A: Theoretically, 250. If your BBS uses external DOS programs for file transfers and/or doors, then the realistic number is much lower depending on bandwidth and horsepower (DOS programs consume more system resources than native 32-bit programs). Q: Can I spread my nodes across two or more machines? A: Yes, v3 includes a configuration dialog that lets you specify a range of nodes to support in that instance. Q: Are there limitations to v3? A: Yes: o No direct dial-in support (Telnet only) o Only externals programs that use DOS interrupts (XSDK/WWIV doors) or FOSSIL for I/O will work with v3. * 32-bit doors that use TCP Sockets or Standard I/O are also supported. o Relative paths (e.g. "..\XTRN\BLA.EXE") are no-longer supported in command lines (the current directory cannot be assumed to be the current NODE directory). Relative paths ARE still supported in data directories and other paths in SCFG. Q: Are there benefits to v3? A: Yes: o Speed, speed, speed * Separate I/O threads dynamically created for each node in use * Direct socket communications (except when running dos externals) * No DOS context-switching (except when running dos externals) * Idle nodes (WFC) consume no resources, bandwidth, or CPU time * System events run in their own dedicated thread o Reliability * A crashed door shoudn't crash the entire system, or in most cases, even the current node o Functionality * User IP address and host name are logged and stored in user record * Optional AutoLogon via IP address * IP/Host name trashcan * Users can be ;INTERrupted while running ANY external program * Non-exclusive events do not take any nodes off-line * No memory limitations (for configuration items, message lengths, etc) * Integrated FTP Server: seemlessly integrated with the BBS file database with long filename support and QWK transfers * Integrated Mail (POP3/SMTP) server supports MX-record lookups, aliases, SPAM filters, are more o Simplicity * No third-party Telnet/FOSSIL driver (NetModem or COM/IP) necessary * Simple COM port configuration (all nodes can use COM1, for example) * No more hassling with baud rates and initialization strings (they're not used) * As many nodes as you want to run, all in the same window! * Eliminates all those short-cut icons and taskbar buttons! * DCDWATCH no longer necessary to support WWIV externals Q: When will v3 be available? A: It is available now. Logon to vert.synchro.net via FTP or Telnet.