Introduction

Of potential interest to existing mailbox (GB7nnn) sysops, PZT BBS is a combined AX25 and TCP/IP mailbox "store and forward" system. It has all the features of standard AX25 BBS systems, such as FBB and NNA (including a file storage and retrieval system), but has additional TCP/IP functionality, similar to JNOS and certain Linux mail handling software - including a Web server, an FTP server, an SMTP server/client and a POP3 mail server. This means it can serve both the AX25 and IP-using communities.

It can be accessed by any of the following interfaces; keyboard/VDU, serial ports, telephone modem, and Ethernet cards. Users and sysops can access it using a dumb terminal, a Hayes-compatible modem, a tnc, a serial link (using TCP/IP over slip), with Ethernet or dialup, via TCP/IP over radio, or via AX25 (including netrom).
 

Computer requirements

Hardware requirements are modest. On the hardware side, the minimum would be an AT compatible PC, with 640k RAM, a mono VDU, and a fairly fast drive (the BBS runs on a minimum of 3MB, with typically 40MB of working space being used). Additionally at least one COM or Ethernet port will be required to talk to the outside world - with radio or telephone interface hardware as required.

Software requirements are also simple. The operating system must be DOS3.1 up, or a DOS window in Windows. A Ramdisk is optional but useful. For AX25 use, BPQ or XROUTER node software is needed. If Ethernet is used, appropriate drivers will be required.
 

Advantages for sysops

It has been designed with maximum compatibility in mind. For the sysop needing to link with other BBSs, it is fully compatible with other BBSs, is Y2K compliant, has a command set based on the W0RLI standard, uses a standard BPQHOST interface, and works with RFC822 mail compliance.

Furthermore for the BBS users, it supports a range of common packet practices, such as mail collection via unproto broadcasts, as well as the /ACK method of obtaining acknowledgements. Users will also find they can use any major AX25 programme (such as Sally, Winpack, etc) and even Windows TCP/IP client programmes to access the BBS.

It has been designed with an emphasis on stability. By using DOS rather than Windows - as well as using the base 640k memory (to avoid memory contention) - it runs most reliably. Inside the programme are a host of error checking routines which ensure appropriate configuration, installation and use.

Speed has also been a design objective, and the programme uses tight, optimised code. The use of indexes and a carefully designed directory structure minimise OS problems. By using the RAMdisk facility, even faster operation is obtainable.

A minimum of "Housekeeping" is also a feature of PZT BBS. No downtime is required for maintenance, since housekeeping can be performed as a background task. No expiry routines are required, as the BBS uses a fixed number of active messages, with a message number carousel, meaning that the oldest messages are eventually overwritten. The programme will also happily function on a fragmented hard disk.
 

Mail storage and retrieval

PZT BBS uses a system of mail storage which is a combination of two (common but less efficient) methods. It provides up to 20 message boards (mail areas), with single or multiple topics per area. Included in this are two areas for local, private mail and for mail in transit to other mailboxes. These areas are entirely configurable by the sysop (in name, contents and size). To enable access from automated packet programmes such as Winpack, there is also a single area compatibility mode.

Messages can be created in the standard ways, ie. by direct entry (SP, SB, SR) and by creating messages from files. Optional signatures are available. Additionally, use can be made of a web form when using the HTTP interface.

Listing and searching for messages can be done in the usual way. This can be forwards or backwards, as well as from and between certain points. The TO, AT, MID, and SUBJECT fields can be interrogated, and specific text can be sought. Exclusions can be incorporated, lists can be multi-parameter, as well as "all" or "recent". Again this can be done additionally via a browser interface.

Messages can be retrieved by being read at the command line, by using the HTTP interface, or by using POP3. When reading them, this can be with or without full headers, and requires the number of the message only. PZT BSS allows multiple reading, the reading of new mail only, as well as HTML to text translation, and pagination.
 

Mail forwarding

Messages can be forwarded between BBSs using a variety of formats. PZT BBS is capable of MBL forward-reverse and reverse-reverse, as well as FBB block and compressed forwarding. The programme has an SMTP server and client, which incorporates a bi-directional SMTP <>NTS gating facility. Mail can also be exchanged by telephone, or telnet. Mail prioritisation (smallest first, SP before SB, etc) is incorporated. Additionally, mail can be forwarded to file, for emailing or posting.

Network problems are fully catered for. In the event of a normal forwarding route failing, PZT BBS has a facility for route fallback. Repeatedly failing peers are blacklisted, with the conditions for the blacklisting being configurable. Sysops are also notified of ping-pong messages, unknown routes, and items of looped or rejected mail.

Various additional sysop controls of mail forwarding are: forward upon receipt, control of day, time, size, type, port, as well as separate BBS & PMS forwarding runs, configurable run intervals, transaction logging, R-line stripping, and 3rd-party to private mail conversion.

PZT BBS is also capable of generating targeted bulletins (for example SB RALLY @ 44.GBR or SB ALL @ JPN.AS, which would be forwarded to their destination, not using "flood" distribution). This method leaves no "snail trail" on PZT systems - the in-transit bulls being invisible - and requires no special setup. If adopted by other authors, it would make FBB's REDIST server redundant.
 

File storage and retrieval

Just as with messages, so also files can be stored and then accessed by various methods. From its W U and D commands, PZT BBS goes into a files mode - using file "areas", each of which can have sub-areas. The BBS has an integral filing system (PZTDOS) with DOS-like commands. The file transfer protocols supported are: ASCII, YAPP, XModem, Xmodem-1k, as well as real-time 7plus.

In line with its IP compatibility, PZT BBS allows FTP up/download. The FTP server permits both passworded and anonymous access, and the sysop can configure each users access rights individually (eg. root directory rights, read/write/execute rights). User groups can be set up, and the FTP server accepts / and \ in any combination. It has an extensive command set (35 commands), and is compatible with a large range of Windows FTP clients.

Additionally the HTTP interface can be used for file retrieval (ie. for download only).
 

Services and servers

PZT BBS has a cross between the WWW and TeleText, called "TextWeb". This facility offers users variable sized pages, numbered 1-999, which incorporate plain text ANSI or HTML. It offers freedom of layout, and users may read existing pages or upload new/updated pages of their own. It has an automatic page updating facility.

PZT BBS has an HTTP server, which is compatible with IE5, offering static and dynamic pages. It incorporates script commands for BBS interface, as well as transaction logging.

The programme has a comprehensive White Pages database, which includes users' email addresses. It features extensive data validation algorithms, with automatic refresh and update to next level, lockable records, a record editor, and comprehensive search facilities.

PZT BBS has several inbuilt servers, such as: ECHO, PING, REQBUL, REQDIR, REQFIL, REQCFG, WP. Additionally it works with various external servers, such as LSTBUL and LSTSRV, with some 3rd party servers (eg. AUTO7P) also being catered for.

The programme also features "Doors". These are external programmes designed to encourage user interactivity. Examples might be: an e-mail program, an adventure game, NGR <> QRA converter. Anybody can write suitable "doors".

PZT BBS also features a Gateway facility, by which users can connect from port to port, or from mode to mode. (Eg. a radio user could connect to a telephone port, or a TCP/IP user could switch to a netrom port). As in other areas, access to the gateway is controlled by the user privileges, which in turn are configured by the sysop.
 

Features for sysop usage

Sysops can offer users 4 prompt levels: novice, verbose, regular, and expert, each offering different levels of support. Users can choose to receive data which includes ANSI colour. There is a comprehensive help system. For security, there are optional passwords, and for ease of reading, there is optional pagination, with selectable lines per page. Users can be offered callsign aliasing, to enable those with two calls to collect both sets of mail at one session. There is also a Ping and telnet shell.

Sysops have at their disposal a comprehensive set of DOS-type commands, for file management. They can review held mail, and when doing so, are presented with the reason(s) why the message is being held. They can control forwarding runs, and kick off users.

For help and diagnostic purposes, there is an online sysop manual, a forwarding error log, facilities for session tracing or capturing, and (for testing) sysops can simulate a user login. They can import and export mail, open and close ports, and rescan mail. Depending on the level of changes made, they can re-initialise or restart the programme. They can even reboot the computer remotely, if desired.

Full editing facilities are available with PZT BBS. The sysop can make use of an online line editor for any text file. User records can be created / deleted / edited. There is also a message header editor, a WP record editor, and a password privilege editor. All aspects and fields of messages can be edited - type, status, to, from, at, subject, and message text.

PZT BBS has integral message filtering, which examines both subject and content. Depending on its configuration, it will hold locally entered mail, optionally allowing validated users to bypass local hold. Alternatively the sysop can configure the filter to auto-hold messages, depending on any of the fields (type, to, from, at). Holding can also be done manually. Held messages are flagged on the BBS status line and at the sysop prompt, inviting him to review, release or delete as appropriate. PZT BBS will also hold on R-lines - thus allowing the filtering of internet imports, out of date messages, etc.

Messages can be exported either automatically or manually. One message can be exported to many files, in overwrite or append modes, along with exporting in MBL or plain text mode. Exported mail can contain full, first or no R: lines, with wildcard matching on: type, to, from, at, MID, subject or content.

Messages can be imported either at startup or on request, or every so many minutes. Messages are accepted in MBL format (compatible with other BBS), and this importing is done as a background process, enabling the BBS to continue running without interruption.

PZT BBS has a versatile file management capability. Sysops can copy messages to file and make messages from files. With PZTDOS, all files can be listed, copied, created, moved, renamed, deleted, and viewed. Directories, too, can be created and deleted. For remote sysopping, there is a line editor, and at the BBS console, a full screen editor is available.

The BBS Console message editor is full-screen and fully multi-tasking (ie. operating entirely concurrently with the functioning BBS). It edits a copy of the file (for safety), using a Wordstar command sub-set, and has extensive cursor movement controls, allowing the sysop to block copy, move, delete, write to file, insert from file, and search.

The Console also enables the sysop to shell out to DOS from there, have terminal sessions, and chat with users. A bell sound is configurable to allow the console to relay sysop paging. Similarly it has an optional connect / disconnect bell. A simple message browser is also available.

The Console's main function, however, is to display BBS status information, which it does via its split screen layout. Every port has a window, for monitoring the activity of each connected user. Each window has configurable colours and positions, and there is an additional scroll-back facility on the sysop's window.

For remote operation, PZT BBS provides a "virtual console", offering an exact image of the main console, along with the same facilities. This can be enabled and disabled at will over an RS232, dialup or Ethernet connection, and requires only an ANSI terminal.

PZT BBS enables the sysop to feel in control of the mailbox. It is extensively customizable, with configurable texts, colours, information files, etc. It also offers highly configurable security levels and user privileges, with separate passwords for radio, telephone, POP3 and FTP access.
 

Benefits and limitations

The principal advantages of PZT BBS are: the multiple mail areas, which facilitates the selection of desired reading material; the integration of AX25, IP and PSTN, which encourages maximum participation in a BBS, and encourages network cooperation; the remote control and virtual console, which allow considerable ease of sysopping; the IP facilities (web browser interface, SMTP, POP3, FTP), which satisfy the IP enthusiasts as well as catering for users of native Windows applications; the stability and modest requirements of the programme, which reduce key burdens of sysopping; and finally its rapid development undertaken by a responsive local author, which generates confidence amongst its user base.

On the side of perceived disadvantages, WA8DED hostmode is not yet supported, it only runs under DOS (or in a DOS window only), Linux and 32 bit Windows versions not expected in the short term, there is no support for NNTP (although this may be addressed), and there is no support for PPP linking (to come). To quote the author, "It's a BBS - not a TCP/IP "hub".
 

Availability

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

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

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

Alternatively, those with internet access can download the programme from:

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

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