
                               FYI

(Note: The origin of this information may be internal or external to Novell.  Novell makes every effort within its means to verify this information.  However, the information provided in this document is FOR YOUR INFORMATION only.  Novell makes no explicit or implied claims to the validity of this information.)

          TITLE: Information on Novell DSG's Host System BBS          
   DOCUMENT ID#: FYI-M-1002
           DATE: 06/23/92
        PRODUCT: 
PRODUCT VERSION: 
     SUPERSEDES: 

This FYI will attempt to address some of the difficulties that end-users may face in trying to use the Novell Desktop Systems Group Host System. There is one thing that should be addressed from the start: Your individual software configuration will have more to do with getting into the Host System than just about anything else. Unfortunately, there are so many different software packages on the market that to give information on how to use a particular package becomes impossible. This document will only deal with generalities.

General Information 

Host System Main Numbers & Configuration
The Host System phone number is 408-649-3443. There are presently 7 lines connected in a hunt group. If a call is made to the main number and it is busy the call will automatically be routed to the next number in the hunt. 3443 and its' other 6 lines have Supra 2400 baud modems connected.  (Supra is the brand name.) These modems are AT compatible and more will be discussed on this topic later.The Host System software permits the modems to automatically respond to caller baud rate. In the case of the Supra modems this means that the Host System can answer calls at 2400, 1200 or 300 baud without any adjustment to the modem.

There is also a 9600 baud modem at 408-649-3696. This is a U.S. Robotics Courier V.32bis. 3696 is not connected in the hunt group and should only be used by users with a 9600 baud modem. This modem has not been set to force 9600 and will drop to the baud rate an enduser is calling with. This is because high speed modems require some type of error control. This error control is worked out by the two modems generally starting at 2400 baud and working up. Using error control, speeds as high as 14,400 baud are supported. Lower speed modems should not be used to call in on this modem because unexpected hangups can occur.

Word,Parity,Stop
These 8 modems are set for a protocol of 8,N,1. "8" refers to the word length. In this case the Host System is set for an 8 bit word length. "N" refers to parity. In the Host System the parity has been set to NONE or "N". "1" refers to the stop bit. The Host System uses 1 stop bit. No matter what baud rate used to call into the Host System the 8,N,1 word,parity,stop protocol combination needs to remain the same. This configuration is generally preset on the modem but AT compatible modems have the ability to alter this configuration. This is one of the areas where the users software determines how the protocol is set. Most communications software will indicate the protocols that are to be used prior to dialing. 

The majority of modems made today are listed as being AT compatible. This does not necessarily mean that the modems are exactly alike. There can be major differences in the way that the modems behave. The AT refers to the method of programming the modem. With the AT command set a modem can be instructed to change certain basic configurations. It can be something as simple as what number to dial or as complex as actually changing the hardware protocols of the modem permanently. Generally, most modems default setting are adequate for calling the Host System and the endusers communication software can handle reconfiguring the modem by issuing any AT commands that are required.

Troubleshooting
Indications of having the wrong protocol are the appearance of "garbage" characters on the screen or the inability to enter any text. Make sure that your word,parity,stop are set at 8,N,1. If these are set correctly, make sure that you are not trying to force some type of error correction control such as MNP. The modems on 3443 do not support MNP. The 9600 baud modem on 3696 can support MNP as well as V.42 and the U.S. Robotics HST error control.

Random lockups or a large number of retries on downloading a file are an indication of a possible noisy or bad phone line. Hang up and try again at a later time. 

Random lockups can also occur if you have some of the phone companies optional services such as Call Waiting. Call Waiting should definitely be disabled while communicating on the Host System. (additional information on Call Waiting is given later)

If there are problems just getting a connection with the Host System the modem may be timing out. Some communication software limits the time that the software waits for a carrier detect. Try extending this time. This can also happen intermittently if the phone line has noise at the same frequency as the carrier.

The Host System Software

The Host System uses the MajorBBS software from Galacticomm. On first calling the system a caller will be asked for a UserID. If a caller has never before called the Host System just type "new" (the Host System is not case sensitive) and the system will begin the registration process. Registration is required so that access to different levels of the system can be controlled and to also help determine the number of users that the system has. All information is considered confidential. 

If a caller has called before enter the UserID and Password used previously and the Host System will display the main menu. Users are only given 3 tries for correct UserID or password. After the third try the user is logged off the system. This is why it is very important to write down the UserID and password when first logging into the Host System. UserIDs remain active for 90 days. In other words, if more than 90 days have passed since the last time a user logged-in the Host System will purge that UserID. If a message is displayed that the UserID was not found it was probably purged. Just type "new" to enter a new UserID and continue.

After login the main system menu is presented:

I ... Information Center
S ... SIG
A ... Account display/edit
F ... File Library (Downloads)
P ... Polls & Questionnaires
X ... Exit (terminate session)

The Information Center is used to provide information on important phone numbers, Novell hours, product information, etc. It may also from time to time include instructions on new functions that are provided on the Host System. Note: Even though instructions on downloading may be in the Information Center it is not possible to download a file from the Information Center.

The SIG is one of the components of the Host System that has User Level restrictions. Most users will be able to enter the SIG but will not be able to obtain any information from it. 

Account display/edit allows users to change  or view the information that was originally given when the user first registered. When registering the Host System only asks for name and company. The Account display/edit menu allows users to provide additional information. As with registration this information is confidential and can only be viewed by the user and the Host System SYSOP.

The File Library is where all downloadable information and programs are stored. The File Library is the only place that a file may be downloaded. The File Library has a structure that is similar to the tree structure of a hard drive. A user is first placed in the Main Library. This is similar to a root directory. A listing of all available files throughout the Files Library can be viewed here. Other libraries are attached to the Main Library just like subdirectories. Two libraries that users would be most interested in are the DR DOS Library where all information on DR DOS is stored and the DR-MDOS Library where all DR Multiuser DOS information is stored. To change libraries type "S" followed by the name of the library you wish to change to (no spaces). 

There are 2 ways to download a file. Both begin with typing the letter "D". A message will appear asking for the file name, keyword, date, or days ago. An index of all downloadable files is kept by the Host System and files can be located by any of the previous criteria. 

1) If a file name is entered and the file is in the current library (the Host System will always display Current LIB) a message will appear asking for the type of download to perform. 

2) If the file name is not in the current library or a search is being conducted by keyword, date or days ago a list of 5 possible filenames will be shown. The user can then select one of the listed files by entering the number that is in the far left column or the search can be continued with new criteria.

When a file has been selected for download a screen will be displayed indicating the file name with a short description. The date, time, size and number of downloads of the file will be listed along with a time estimate on how long the file will take to download. A series of choices will also be listed on what type of protocol to use to download the file. 

The download protocol is not a random choice. A decision needs to be made based on the type of file being downloaded and the software the end-user is using to communicate with the Host System. For example, ASCII download protocols cannot be used on any files on the Host System that have the .ZIP extension (which are binary files). An option is given to view the contents of ZIP files. Multiple files can be downloaded, but this too is based on the type of protocol that the end-user is going to use. If multiple files are selected for download the number of protocol options will be reduced to only those that support multi-file downloads. The download protocols supported by the Host System are:

XMODEM
XMODEM-CRC
XMODEM-1K
YMODEM Batch
YMODEM-G
ZMODEM
KERMIT
If a user is not familiar with the type of download protocols their software supports then a check of their documentation is in order. The exact same protocol must be used by both the Host System and the users communications software. All protocols, except ZMODEM, also require that the download process be started manually on the endusers side. ZMODEM is also the only protocol that can recover an aborted download. All other protocols must start over on an aborted download. Once a user has selected a protocol and answered any questions that may appear (these depend on the protocol selected) the Host System will try to begin the file transfer. If problems are encountered in beginning a download, the enduser may have selected a protocol that is not supported by the software. The Host System will timeout if it does not receive a response from the endusers software after about 1 minute. If the download appears to begin and then suddenly aborts it may just be a bad phone line. The Host System will allow for a number of retries before giving up. 

If the abort logs the enduser off the Host System completely then the phone line may have been disconnected. This can occur if call waiting is active on the phone line that the enduser is communicating on. Call waiting disconnects the line for a short period of time. This is picked up by the Host System and it will automatically log off a user. Call waiting can be canceled for the duration of a call by dialing *70. (This is for touch-tone phones only and this may change depending on the calling area. Check the white pages in the phone book for additional information) If the endusers software uses automatic dialing the *70 needs to be added to the beginning of the dialing script. Once the download is complete or a download is aborted the Host System will wait 5 minutes for a keystroke before disconnecting. Automatic logoff after a downloads can be initiated by entering a "!" after selecting the download protocol.

Polls and Questionnaires is a polling forum where endusers can be queried on their opinions. Polling results are displayed when available. 

Exit will logoff the user from the Host System. The Host System will leave a message indicating how long the user was logged in.