
.TOPIC:
Interfacing with WWIV-type Networks

           ͻ
            CHAPTER 12 ANNEX C   INTERFACING WITH WWIV-TYPE NETWORKS 
           ͼ


           Requirements
           
           It should be pointed out that in order to interface VBBS
           with WWIVNet and WWIVLink (or other WWIVtype networks), you
           should register VBBS as soon as possible.  Multinet access in
           the demo version is limited to 60 days, after which time
           all network interface utilities with the exception of VNet,
           become inoperable.  By registering, you are guaranteed that
           network access will not be interrupted, so please do register
           VBBS as soon as possible to avoid any inconvenience.

           VWW4.EXE is the interface utility designed especially for
           VBBS which carries out the net interface function for every
           WWIV-type network, including WWIVNet, WWIVLink, and
           ICENet.  Before setting up the interface, however, you should be
           aware that many subs from these networks are now being gated to
           VirtualNET.  Thus, it may not even be necessary for you to carry
           out this interface at all if that is what you are after.

           Now, if you already have VWW4.EXE in hand and want to continue
           with the interface installation, be aware that you MUST also
           have a WWIVnet or WWIV-type node number in order to net.  You
           must also set up the appropriate WWIV network files according
           to instructions from your AC/GC.

           WWIVNet network policy requires registration of the WWIV
           network software within 60 days.  After this period ,
           unregistered sysops are automatically dropped from the WWIV
           bbslist.  The WWIV network files may be registered separately
           for $20, and we urge all sysops that wish to have access to
           all WWIV-type subs to register this software.  Contact your
           local WWIV AC for more information.  As for WWIVLink sysops,
           no such registration requirement currently exists and separate
           network software is available.


                                        VBBS 6.12 Documentation--12-C-2

         Installation
         
          Step 1 - Run option 7, Networks Configuration in VConfig
                   and choose the appropriate slot to configure.
                   Here you will see the following:

                   1. Node Number:
                   2. Data Directory:
                   3. Mode:
                   4. EXE Directory:
                   5. Dialout Init String:

                   U. Uninstall this Network

          Step 2 - Enter your WWIVnet node number in the first field.

          Step 3 - In the next field, enter the full path to the WWIVNet
                   DATA directory (e.g. c:\wwiv\data).

          Step 4 - For Mode, select NET for WWIVNet-type networks, or
                   LINK for WWIVLink-type networks.

          Step 5 - For the entry to the EXE (executeable) directory,
                   specify the complete path to where the WWIV network
                   executeable files are located  (e.g. c:\wwiv).

          Step 6 - For your Dialout Init String, leave this blank for now,
                   unless you are using a version of WWIV prior to WWIV
                   4.20.  Later on when testing your WWIV connect with the
                   multinet engine, it may be necessary for you to include
                   the WWIV modem init string in this space if you fail to
                   connect properly.  This string would be the same one
                   chosen from the WWIV modems.mdm file.  Again, make sure
                   you connect properly to your WWIV server independently
                   from VBBS before attempting the interface here.

          Step 7 - After Vconfiguring the NETWORK option above, unzip the
                   VWW4.exe file in your root VBBS directory and read the
                   technical information given in the VWW4.DOC . It should
                   be noted that the multinet engine in VBBS 6 is
                   automatic and requires no batch files, but batch files
                   may be used for convenience and flexibility depending
                   upon your setup.

          Step 8 - You must now create an ANSWER.NET file based on the
                   information provided in the MULTINET.DOC file.  This
                   should be placed in your VBBS DATA subdirectory.
                   For a VBBS that is on WWIVNet, the ANSWER.NET file
                   would look as follows:

                   !
                   ?78=2
                   ?32=2

                   For a VBBS on WWIVNet and WWIVLink, the ANSWER.NET
                   would contain:
                                        VBBS 6.12 Documentation--12-C-3



                   !
                   ?78=2
                   ?32=2
                   ?76=3

                   Please refer to other parts of the documentation for
                   more details.  Just as an explanation, the ?78 above
                   refers to the N N N sign that WWIVNet sends as an
                   incoming identifier.  The ?76 is an L L L that WWIVLink
                   uses.  These are ascii characters 78 and 76,
                   respectively.


          Step 9 - Copy NETWORKS.LST from the zip package to the VBBS NET
                   subdirectory.

          Step 10 - If you are interfacing with both WWIVnet and WWIVLink,
                    you MUST maintain separate directories for NET and
                    LINK as mentioned previously.  The same holds true for
                    any other WWIV-type networks you subscribe to.  In each
                    directory make sure that all of the WWIV network files
                    are in their proper places.  Make sure you have run
                    Vconfig's Network option and set the path correctly
                    to where the respective networkx.exe files are
                    located.

          NOTE :
    
          You will also have to maintain the DATA subdirectories in each
          of these to create the necessary NNxxxx.net and Nxxxx.net
          or NNALL.NET files needed later to subscribe and to host subs
          on WWIVNet.  If you are converting totally over to VBBS from WWIV
          and would like to delete unnecessary/unwanted WWIV files, a list
          of the required WWIV files is available from support sites. Erasure
          of unwanted files, however, should be the very last step you
          take in the conversion process after verifying successful
          net connections.  As an alternative to deletion, we suggest that
          you simply zip up the unnecessary files and keep them in a safe
          place in the event you need them to reconfigure something in
          WWIV itself later.
 
          Step 11- Run VConfig again and choose the Databases (option 3).
                   Choose Sort Databases to allow the program to set up.
                   Now choose the Compile Networks option.  It is important
                   to note than whenever ANY changes are made in the
                   Network option or in Database entries, this must be
                   followed by the Sorting and Compiling options above
                   for the changes to take effect.

          This complete the network installation procedure.

                                        VBBS 6.12 Documentation--12-C-4

          Installing Message Bases
          
          Assuming you have placed VWW4.exe in your main VBBS
          directory and vconfigured the networks properly,
          then installing a message base is a fairly simple process.
          Follow the instructions given in the main documentation
          regarding adding databases.

          In the database entry for a sub, note that option G is for
          Networks Configuration. Choosing this will bring up
          a screen which allows you to A)dd D)elete E)dit  a
          network.

          Pressing A) to add a network brings up a screen where you
          can choose the appropriate network.  For a sub carried on
          WWIVNet, you would choose entry 2, for example.

          Doing so will bring up another prompt as follows:

          WWIVNet Network Conference Identifier:_

          Simply enter the subtype number of the message base you
          want, and press enter.

          Exit out of the database to the main database menu and
          once again, choose Sort Databases and Compile Networks.

          Please note that if a message base is being gated to
          VirtualNET from any other network, you have the option
          of subscribing to it as a VirtualNET sub or as a sub
          from another network, but NOT both.  Doing so will result
          in duplicate posts.
          NOTE:
    
          If you are subscribing to a Net or Link sub for the first
          time, you must follow the normal procedure of requesting
          the sub from the host and setting up the appropriate
          NNxxx.NET files or NNALL.NET file in the proper data directory.
          In addition this version of VBBS also supports WWIV's auto
          request sub feature (req.exe) using the VREQ utility available.
          It also accepts type 20 messages (subs.pub) using the VWWIV
          utility.


          Hosting a WWIV Sub
          
          If you are currently hosting a WWIV message base, be assured
          that the same procedure above works for hosts.  Again, simply
          enter the appropriate subtype when asked for the Network
          Conference Identifier.  Don't forget that you must maintain your
          distribution list through you Nxxxx.NET file as usual.  Subs
          flagged for validation may be validated from the SysOp SubMenu.

                                        VBBS 6.12 Documentation--12-C-5

          Gating Subs to Other Networks
          
          If you are currently hosting a sub on WWIVNet or another
          network, you probably will be interested in 'gating' your sub
          into VirtualNET or other networks to expand your subscriber
          base.  This is easily accomplished by adding additional networks
          to your database entry.  Entering more than one network and
          respective Network Conference Identifier (subtype, sub number,
          echo,area,etc.) effectively 'gates' that database.

          NOTE:

          If you are running VBBS as a chain, we do not recommend that you
          attempt gating due to the mechanics of the multinet engine. If
          you wish to gate to multiple networks, we strongly recommend
          that you run VBBS as your main bbs software for simplicity's
          sake.

          Please refer to the network portion of the documentation for   
          how to set up a hosted VirtualNET sub, sub numbers,etc.

          Forcing a Callout
          
          Please note that the VWW4 software is fully automatic, and will
          callout and receive calls from your server depending upon your
          main settings for Threshold and Polling in Vconfig.  However, you
          most likely will wish to force callouts to your server from
          the WFC screen from time to time.  To do so, you should Type 'N'
          from the Control Panel.  First, this will bring up all the
          Networks you currently belong to. Select the appropriate network
          followed by the appropriate system (server).  This will force
          the system to call a particular node.
          NOTE:
          WWIVNet and WWIV-type callouts are completely automated if you
          are running VBBS as your main program.  Be sure to set your
          Threshold level and Polling frequency in Vconfig.  Note that the
          settings of these levels apply generically to all networks,
          (e.g. the same threshold and polling configurations apply to
          VirtualNET, WWIVNet, and WWIVLink packets).  Setting the
          threshold level to 0 effectively tells the software never to
          dial out automatically, so be sure to change this.  For different
          calling schedules, appropriate utilities such as POLLUTIL.ZIP
          and VWW4-CHK.ZIP are available to customize your setup.


          VWW4 Activity Log
          
          All net connections made by VWW4 are also listed in the VWW4.LOG
          file which can be found in your main WWIV directory.  We suggest
          setting up a function key to be able to view this from the VBBS
          WFC screen using the Control Panel option in Vconfig.  For
          example, a bat file called VWW4LOG.BAT could be created and
          placed in your VBBS directory with the following command line:

          CD\WWIV
          VLIST VWW4.LOG
          CD\VBBS
                                        VBBS 6.12 Documentation--12-C-6


          If you are interfacing with both WWIVNet and WWIVLink, then a
          second batch file similar to the above would need to be created
          pointing to your Link directory, and a second function key set
          up in the Control Panel.

          Viewing WWIV's  net logs may be done in the same fashion using
          the Control Panel.  Simple script mods are also available to view
          all pending lists from the internal Sysop Menu in VBBS.

          Analyzing the BBSList
          
          VBBS creates a listing of systems belonging to various networks
          that is used for routing mail.  You will need to compile this
          information for WWIV the first time you set up so that it may be
          viewed from inside of the board.  Subsequent updates are made
          automatically.  Note that when WWIV calls in with new bbslists,
          these will be compiled normally and no special maintenance is
          necessary.

          To make a new indexed list of WWIV boards for use by VBBS,
          please delete the existing BBSDATA.IDX file from your WWIV data
          subdirectory first.  Then, from the WWIV main directory type:
          NETWORK3 /Y  .  This will produce new a new idx file.

          Now, generate a new bbslist index for VBBS.  Change to the root
          VBBS directory where VWW4 is located and type:

          VWW4 B NETWORKID=2   for the WWIVNet list, or
          VWW4 B NETWORKID=3   for the WWIVLink index

          You should now have succesfully created the new bbslist index
          file that VBBS uses.  This is located in your VBBS Data
          subdirectory.

          The procedure is similar for generating bbs listings for other
          WWIV-type networks.  Be aware of the importance of specifying the
          correct Network Identifer Number in the above command line
          NETWORKID=  .  Refer to the list of networks available in
          VConfig's Network options if you need to refresh your memory on
          what network the appropriate network number is.
   
          VWW4 Command Line Switches
          
           The Virtual MultiNet Engine (VME) handles WWIVtype networks
           seamlessly.  However, VWW4 functions may be called up from batch
           files also, thus providing a flexible means for you to customize
           your setup.

           VME will run the VWW4 as needed automatically, providing the
           proper NETWORKID= and PORT= parameters. Running from a command
           line, however, you must specify the following three command
           line parameters:
                                        VBBS 6.12 Documentation--12-C-7


           VWW4 <command letter> NETWORKID=<net #> PORT=<COM port #>

           The command letter tells VWW4 what to do:
 
           Command Letters are:
  
           B      Bundle mail for WWIV (Update WWIV packets and bbslists)
           U      Unbundle mail from WWIV and store in VBBS databases
           D####  Dial WWIV System #, do transfer, and unbundle if
                  successful
           A      Answer WWIVnet call, do transfer, and unbundle if
                  successful.

           The NETWORKID= parameter tells VWW4 which network to process.
           WWIVnet is net #2, WWIVLink is net #3, ICEnet is net #6, and if
           new WWIVnet based nets appear, they will have net numbers
           assigned to them as well.  Check NETWORKS.LST for the current 
           network list.

           The PORT= parameter must be included when using VWW4 to answer,
           or dial a network call.  This specifies a COM port number.

           An example of forcing bundling from the command line would
           look like this:

           VWW4 B NETWORKID=2 PORT=2

           This would bundle the mail for WWIVNet for processing on comport
           2.

           Please refer to the extended VWW4 documentation included
           with the VWW4.EXE file itself for more detailed information
           about converting from WWIV to VBBS.


