From: clairew@pluto.njcc.com (Claire Walters)Newsgroups: alt.bbs, alt.bbs.allsysop, alt.allsysop, comp.bbs.misc, comp.answers, news.answersSubject: BBS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), Part 4/6Followup-To: posterReply-To: clairew@pluto.njcc.com (Claire Walters)Summary: This posting contains Frequently Asked Questions (andtheir answers) including information to help those wanting tosetup an Online Service/BBS.Archive-name: ftp.njcc.com              pub/bbsfaq/bbsfaq03.004Last-modified: 02/23/95Version: v3.0URL: http://pluto.njcc.com/~clairew/**********************************************************************                     Chapter 5 - PC HARDWARE**********************************************************************[5.1.01] - What basic hardware do I need to start a BBS?[5.1.02] - What hardware is needed to add more phone lines?----------------------------------------------------------------------=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=5.2 - NETWORKING YOUR  PC BBS=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=[5.2.01] - INTRODUCTIONThis section (Networking you PC BBS) is designed to give thebasics on how to make a networked BBS. There are a lot of FAQ'sout there that can be more helpful than what can be writtenhere, especially with the networking and using individual BBSsoftware, but this will give you a place to work from.---------------------------------------------------------------------[5.2.02] - WHAT IS A NETWORK?A networked BBS is one that has multiple computers 'hardwired'through some non-phone connection to each other, and they cansend information to each other. If this is in a corporateenvironment, there might be just one computer with modems, withnot only people calling in, but calling out as well, fortelecommuting and the like. For most private use BBS's outthere, however, all the machines on the network have modems onthem taking calls. We'll look mainly at that aspect.---------------------------------------------------------------------[5.2.03] - WHAT DO I NEED FOR A NETWORK?Assuming that your BBS software can handle multiple computerswith multiple modems, all you need to make a network is anNetwork Interface Card (NIC), the wires going to each computer,the 'topology' of the network, and a Network Operating System(NOS).---------------------------------------------------------------------[5.2.04] - THE TOPOLOGYThis is a fancy term for how the wiring will be laid. This ismainly dependent on the wiring used. There's two main types:The Bus and the Star.---------------------------------------------------------------------[5.2.05] - HOP ON THE BUSThe bus is a series connection of computers. One to the otherto the other to the other, with resistors at the end of thecable to tell the network you've hit the edge. It's probablythe cheapest way to get into networking. However, if you areworried about one node (a computer on the network) going down,this is a bad way to go. The wire breaks in any way, shape orform, and the whole net comes crashing down.----------------------------------------------------------------------[5.2.06] - HITCH YOUR DREAMS TO A STARThe other way to connect them is in a star configuration. Allcomputers talking to one central hub. It's more expensivebecause you have to buy that hub. That costs from about $150 toeasily over $1000. Unless this network will also support a fewhundred other users, stick with the cheap, non-SNMP, nonmanageable hubs.----------------------------------------------------------------------[5.2.07] - THE NICThis is a card that will be installed into the computer and isdedicated to network transmission. There are a lot of them outthere. You can easily pay from $30 to over $400. However,sometimes, you do get what you pay for. It is suggested to finda big company that will stand behind their product, both withdriver updates and tech support when things don't work. You cando 3Com, Intel, Allied Telesis, SMC, Eagle, or others.----------------------------------------------------------------------[5.2.08] - THE NOS & NETWORK TYPENow this one is a very good problem. A lot of people arelooking into this, not just for a BBS setup but for a varietyof other applications too. The following is a list and briefdescription of some of the more popular networking software.----------------------------------------------------------------------[5.2.09] - NOVELL NETWARENetware, by Novell, has to be by far the most popular NOS. Alotof companies run Netware, and there's all sorts of addons andsupport for it. It's a good, reliable, robust operating system.There's version 3.x and 4.x, with 3.x being more for small tomedium companies and 4.x for Wide Area Networks and largecompanies. You'll be looking (as of 1 July 1994) at Netware3.12 for your setup. 3.11 is also acceptable. Now, there's onemajor drawback to Netware: It has to be installed on onededicated server. Dedicated means you can't do anything elsewith that machine but run it as a server. Netware 3.12 will runon a 386.---------------------------------------------------------------------[5.2.10] - LANTASTICLantastic, by Artisoft, is a peer-to-peer NOS. What does thatmean to you? No dedicated server machine. So you don't have allsorts of money tied up in a machine that does nothing butmanage your network. Before Windows for WorkGroups came along,this was the ONLY reliable and cheap peer-to-peer setup. Itstill is extremely popular, for one very important reason: itruns in DOS. Windows for WorkGroups is great as long as you'rein Windows. As of 1 July 1994, Lantastic 6.0 has just hit thestreets, and the price is very reasonable.---------------------------------------------------------------------[5.2.11] - Windows for WorkGroupsAs mentioned in the Lantastic section, this is Windows only.---------------------------------------------------------------------[5.2.12 ] - The New Kid In Town: CoActiveI'll quickly glance over CoActive, because there's one majorproblem with it: speed. The idea is simple enough: Giveeveryone an adapter to hang off the parallel port of yourcomputer, run regular phone line between the machines, and runa peer to peer network with the greatest of ease. Each nodetakes about 10 mintues to set up, and that's pretty darn good.The price makes it even more attractive. However, it is notrecommended if speed is a factor, it has an extremely slowtransfer rate. It runs as a serial port, so the max it can dois 115K/second, where standard Ethernet pulls about 10 timesthat. If you have small files, or run a message-only board, youcould get away with CoActive, but for anyone else it is notrecommended.---------------------------------------------------------------------[5.2.13] - EtherWaveThis is another new one, very fresh on the market. It's fromFarallon, and it's called Etherwave. Main claim to fame: Youcan 'daisy chain' machines on Ethernet. big problem: The onesnear the end of the chain are very slow, and you still need aNOS to run this thing.---------------------------------------------------------------------[5.2.14] - Timbuktu Pro for WindowsFrom: amy@farallon.com (Amy Roberts)Newsgroups: comp.newprodSubject: Timbuktu(r) Pro for WindowsDate: 8 May 1995 20:37:26 -0400Sender: zorch@ftp.UU.NETApproved: zorch@uunet.UU.NETDistribution: worldMessage-ID: <n1412239645.17331@waygate.farallon.com>NNTP-Posting-Host: ftp.uu.netKeywords: Farallon; Timbuktu Pro for Windows; LAN, WAN, Internet, network management, novell, pc, software, windowsTimbuktu(r) Pro for WindowsAccess anything or anyone on your network, from anywhere.Farallon's Timbuktu Pro for Windows is networked remote controlwith integrated remote node software for workgroups, remoteworkers, and help desk administrators. Timbuktu Pro works overyour LAN, WAN, the Internet, or over dial-up or ISDN lines togive you total LAN access. You can remotely control not onlyyour own PC, but any PC on your network. Provide instant usersupport to anyone, wherever they are. Retrieve and transferfiles. Read e-mail. Update client/server databases andworkgroup applications like Lotus Notes from afar. For thebusiness user, Timbuktu Pro for Windows lets you stay in touchfrom home or on the road. For the network manager and help deskadministrator, Timbuktu Pro is ideal for troubleshooting auser's computer, updating software, and training--all fromwhere you are.System Requirements* One license required per computer* Novell IPX v2.12 (or higher) and/or a Windows Sockets-compatible  TCP/IP-based network such as:        + Microsoft TCP/IP-32        + NetManage Chameleon v4.01        + Novell LAN Workplace v4.2        +  Trumpet Winsock v2.0        + Network TeleSystems TCP Pro v1.0        + For an updated list call Farallon   * 386 or higher with 4MB RAM (8MB highly recommended)   * Approximately 3MB hard disk space required for installation   * Windows 3.1 or Windows for Workgroups 3.11   * DOS 5.0 or higher   * Optional: For remote dial-in, you will need a Shiva LanRover, Windows     NT 3.5 Remote Access server, Windows 95 Dial-UP Server, or any other     PPP-compliant remote access server.Timbuktu Pro for Windows version 1.0 is now shipping. Theproduct is available in twin-pack, 10-pack, 30-pack and100-pack configurations. US street prices range from $70 peruser for a twin pack to $42 per user for a 100-pack. Farallonalso offers volume purchase pricing. All of Farallon's productsare available from resellers worldwide.For more information,URL: http://www.farallon.comAnonymous ftp: ftp.farallon.com/pubCustomer Service: info@farallon.com1-510-814-5000-----------------------------------------------------------[5.2.15] - How does all this hardware help me?Well, suddenly you can share your BBS files over your wholesetup. In the Netware setup, you have one central location forall your files, for easy backup and maintenance options. In3.12, you can hang a CDROM or two off the server, to give evenmore storage capability and value to your BBS. Suddenly, yournodes can be 'light' nodes, doing nothing but answering calls,with an 80 MB or so HD, and all the file storage is kept on theserver. For the Peer-to-peer, each machine can have one specialsection for each file area, like games or utilities, and allthe other people look to that area for the files. Still easy tomaintain. Also, a network is a heck of a lot faster thanstandard serial ports, and easier to send big files from onemachine to the other.---------------------------------------------------------------------=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=5.3 - CD-ROMS & YOUR PC BBS=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=[5.3.01] - How do I add a CD-rom to my BBS?---------------------------------------------------------------------[5.3.02] - Can I have more than one CD-Rom for my users to access?---------------------------------------------------------------------[5.3.03] - Do I need any special software to run a CD-rom(s)?---------------------------------------------------------------------[5.3.04] - Books & other resources when using a Cd-rom on your BBSFrom: FZDX57A@prodigy.com (Karen Thomas)Newsgroups: alt.bbs.allsysopSubject: PUT YOUR FILES ON CD-ROM!!!Date: 2 May 1995 04:08:39 GMTC U S T O M    C DDescription:--------------Utilizing the latest in CD-ROM technology, CUSTOM CD willcreate an IBM compatible DOS or Windows CD-ROM according toyour specifications, using your source material, on a highquality compact disc of your choice, in about a week.*  It'sthat simple.  CD-ROMs can hold up to 650 MB of data.+ Each customized CD-ROM is carefully mastered, produced, andtested, to assure error-free duplications.  Satisfaction isguaranteed!+ Customized CD-ROMs are ideal for system back-ups and datastorage.Source Material accepted:--------------------------CD-ROM5.25" floppy3.5" floppyDC-2120 (QIC-80)Ordering Info:---------------You specify HOW you would like the data to be "set-up" on theCD-ROM. You specify what directories and sub-directories youwould like created, and were files should be placed. (Themastering technician will be happy to answer and questions orto help you do this.)We offer three brands of compact discs, Maxell, Sony, and TDK.These are ALL high-quality "gold" discs.Pricing information:--------------------540 MB disc   $28650 MB disc   $35additional   $17*turn-around time averages one 3-5 days plus shipping time on asingle disc order.If you would like to receive more information and an orderform, send your US mail address to:CUSTOM CDS@AOL.COMSASE to:CUSTOM CD3870 Central Ave, #202Ft. Myers, FL  33901-8241**********************************************************************            CHAPTER 6 - Add-ons & Utilities for PC BBSes**********************************************************************