Introduction

XROUTER, written by Paula, G8PZT, is a piece of node software, comparable in many ways to BPQ, but with superior performance and many more facilities. It may be of interest to ordinary packet users, to those who wish to establish a node for use by other packeteers, and to BBS sysops who wish to try out an alternative, more flexible RF front end to their systems.

More correctly termed a "packet routing system", XROUTER incorporates L2/L3/L4 capabilities (ie. AX25, TCP/IP and NET/ROM) but has the additional features of - APRS functionality (with messaging shell), an inbuilt PMS for sysops, a chat server, and it even offers support for other packet applications such as WinPack, BBS programs, etc.
 

Improving on BPQ

XROUTER was developed because of dissatisfaction with existing node software. Many nodes and the vast majority of packet mailboxes use G8BPQ's Packet Switch, but "BPQ" is not without certain major shortcomings, and its author appears to have ceased supporting it:

BPQ's performance suffers from: stability problems, crashing on frames > 256 bytes, running out of buffers, poor load balancing / session flow control, limited nodes table / circuits / routes / sessions, static timings, and data / nodes / MH corruption.

For the user, BPQ has certain shortcomings: no proper help, limited info, no TCP/IP commnds, commands must be in one packet, and the command line is not robust (easily crashed).

Similarly for node operators, BPQ is not so user-friendly: you can't set time / date, the config file is compiled, there is no budlist, limited validcalls size, no watchdog, no screensaver, lack of remote control, poor console interface, single console session, no chat server, no PMS, single password, can't kill sessions, no domain resolution, no logging, no capture.

XROUTER was written by G8PZT to provide an improved alternative to BPQ, addressing each of the shortcomings listed above. The result is a piece of software which will fulfil the role of node (or router) and will offer many additional facilities to user and sysop alike.
 

Requirements for running XROUTER

XROUTER's hardware requirements are modest. Any PC from XT to Pentium, 640k memory, any video type (or run without VDU), an interface to the outside world (COMPORTs etc), and either a floppy, hard or RAM drive. It will run under DOS (3.3 onwards), DR-DOS, and Windows 95/98 (any version of Windows which has DOS emulation). It will also function with Desqview.

It will operate with the following hardware interfaces: COM ports (all UART chips), shared UART cards, 8530 SCC cards, ethernet cards, keyboard & VDU, and any hardware for which an external driver exists.

XROUTER supports the following COM port options. KISS (all modes) SLIP, PPP, Baycom modems, YAM, Maxpack, NETROM backend, telephone modems, ASCII (dumb terminals) hardware / software flow control options. Its support for SCC cards includes Baycom, DRSI, PA0HZP Thor RLC100, PaccComm PC100 / 120, and ITACARD.
 

XROUTER's general packet features

Concerning AX25, it is compatible with versions 1&2 and also with Modulo-128 (EAX25). It is capable of digipeating, digicasting, and makes intelligent adjustments of maxframe / paclen / frack, thus enhancing traffic throughput. Packet frames can be "piped" from port to port. Independent ID beacons can be set for each port, and per port budlist and validcalls can be configured. There is port interlocking, split port operation. It offers comprehensive MH lists, with adjustable MH list sizes.

XROUTER has special NETROM features: Unlimited nodes / routes tables, dynamic L4 parameters, statistical multiplexing, proxy connections, nodes broadcast data validation, routing loop avoidance, echo, route record INP3, and extended nodes / routes commands.

XROUTER also offers easily-configured TCP/IP features, as it incorporates an integral IP router, using datagram, VC, netrom, and encapsulation modes. Its TCP/IP commands are available to users, for telnet access and egress, with a DNS client and server, too. It is highly adaptable, supporting AXIP and AXUDP tunneling protocols, dialup networking, network address translation, IP masquerading, and Internet connection sharing, all respecting the RIP89 routing protocol.
 

APRS functionality in XROUTER

XROUTER's APRS features are considerable. It is capable of full "generic" digipeating, MIC-E encoding, and packet <> internet gating. It has a messaging shell for APRS and UI-VIEW. Its MH displays APRS position, distance and bearing. It maintains best DX information and its ports may be configured to function with APRS only. It responds to both APRS and UIVIEW queries.

XROUTER's digipeater is capable of full generic digipeating - relay, wide, trace, widen-n, tracen-n - and has selectable digipeat modes, as well as pre-emptive digipeating. ID beacons may be digipeated, and even NET/ROM digipeating is possible.

Its messaging shell allows non-APRS users to exchange messages with UIVIEW/APRS users, as well as reading bulletins and announcements. Message paths are selectable by the user, and duplicate prevention ensures appropriate use of bandwidth.

XROUTER also has an APRS IGATE. This allows bi-directional packet <> internet gating, comprehensive traffic filtering, and independent filtering per direction. Uni-directional gating is selectable, and the software honours NOGATE and RFONLY commands. It can connect to multiple servers, and offers automatic reconnection upon link failure, as well as blacklisting of dead servers.
 

Other additional features

XROUTER has an integral PMS, allowing the storage of messages to and from the sysop. This disk-based message store handles up to 65536 messages and allows concurrent users. An additional PMS callsign and alias is possible. The facility is accessed by PMS command, or by L2 connection to PMS call/alias, as well as by L4 connection.

XROUTER also has a CHAT server. This can be accessed from the sysop's console or via AX25, NETROM, & TCPIP. It offers 256 local "rooms" (channels), 32512 public (server-interlinked) rooms, unlimited users per room, unlimited rooms per user, anarchic peer-peer linking topology, all with minimal setting up, and transaction logging.

XROUTER's command interface will be familiar to any BPQ node user, as the user commands are entirely BPQ-compatible user commands. There is a comprehensive extended command set, with up to 16 command aliases, with built-in syntax help. It also offers hideable command aliases, a graduated help system, and an extendable INFO system.
 

Running an XROUTER node

An XROUTER node can be controlled by a sysop both locally and remotely. Most parameters are hot-configurable, the system time / date is adjustable, there are multitasking DOS comands, and even a line editor for text files. XROUTER allows simple programs / batch files to be run at the same time. Transmissions on any port may be disabled / enabled, and there are online manual pages, along with transaction logging.

Remote maintenance can be carried out via RS232 / ethernet / modem / radio links. XROUTER has a secure password system, offering individual sysop passwords. The node may be remotely restarted or rebooted. It even has an FTP server with secure login. For diagnosis purposes, trace display may be remotely viewed, and external hardware control / monitoring is also possible (via parallel port).

The sysop is offered a console interface. Its features are a screen saver - automatic and manual - up to 5 independent consoles, fully configurable display options, a review buffer on each console, and an editable command line. Each console is ANSI colour compatible. There is also a DOS shell facility. There is even a console-less option (eg. for memory saving in remote nodes).

XROUTER enables the sysop to trace packet traffic most comprehensively. All protocol layers are independently traceable. Ports, too, can be independently traced. Sent and received packets can be traced in different colours (the colours are configurable), and the whole traced activity can be captured to file.

More generally, XROUTER offers sysops the possibility of a "Message of the day". As a precaution against system lock-ups, there are two "watchdogs" - both software and hardware - as well as comprehensive statistics to enable sysops to check the health of their system. All this is offered in addition to the proven reliability of XROUTER.

Sysops can run other packet applications with XROUTER. The application support requires Windows or Desqview and a TSR, provides 8 and 16 bit BPQHOST API, and offers access via command line, AX25 and NET/ROM. It supports up to 8 applications, with up to 64 streams, and each application can have its own call / alias / name / L4QUAL. Access control is fully configurable, and applications can be in any order. There is also a comprehensive socket-style API available.
 

Summary - miscellaneous strengths and limitations

XROUTER has been designed for maximum useability by BPQ-familiar operators. It uses basic commands which follow the BPQ syntax, its configuration keywords are similar to BPQ, it can use BPQKISS TNC firmware, and its nodes / routes save file uses BPQ format.

XROUTER can be used in a wide range of applications. As well as being a qth-based front end router, it can be a remotely sited router, offering support to BBS / APRS / Cluster / PMS usage. It can act as an APRS digi / IGATE, internet connection sharing router, or even as a Windows <> packet radio interface.

XROUTER's limitations are as follows. It is not a TSR (which would make it too big and complex). It requires DOS or a DOS window (so it won't run in Windows XP, or other non-DOS environments). Its application support requires Windows or Desqview. Linux & 32 bit versions are not (yet) available.

Furthermore, it only supports 25 lines * 80 cols * 16 colours. It doesn't directly use expanded memory. Because it is a router, it has no SMTP, POP3, or BBS capability. It will not put a TNC into KISS mode. The source code is not available to the public. Its present incompatibility with WW Convers server, however, is being reviewed.
 

Availability

The author categorizes the software as "Conscience-ware", meaning it is free for amateur/hobby radio use only, but that donations are accepted.

XROUTER is obtainable by contacting the author (Paula) as follows:

Packet - G8PZT@GB7PZT.#24.GBR.EU

Alternatively, those with internet access can download XROUTER from:

Paula's website - http://www.g8pzt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
Support group - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/xrouter
 

Minutes by Mike Wager, G7RAZ @ GB7WIS.#24.GBR.EU