MBBS 6.25 Free Edition - Network Setup

[slashzero]

Hello,

Sorry for the dumb question, but when running MBBS 6.25 Free Edition via DOSBOX-X, I am seeing TCP/IP Stack Not Installed when running the BBS. I've checked NE/2000, and it should use pcap by default. What am I missing? I'd like to get this accessible via telnet.

Thanks!

[BlaZ]

I had this working with DOSBox-x at one time. I'll have to see if I still have my setup saved somewhere so I can see how I did it. I think I just followed the setup instructions that came with it, though. I don't remember there being anything special that I had to do that wasn't there. I'll look for it in the next day or so and see what I can find.

[slashzero]

So, I've made progress since posting this. I got the network working in dosbox-x, and got a local IP assigned.

When I start MBBS now, I no longer see the message about the TCP/IP stack not being setup, and in the MBBS settings I have set the IP address to match the one that was assigned by my DHCP server.

Now the problem is, although I have group 1 set to TCP/IP, I can't telnet into the MBBS on port 23.

Feels like I'm pretty close to getting this working at least, but not sure what to try next.

[BlaZ]

Are you telnetting into the BBS from the same computer DOSBox-x is running on? Or completely externally? Perhaps your firewall is blocking port 23.

Also--is there a reason you're using 6.25 instead of MBBS10?

[pheller]

slashzero wrote:
> So, I've made progress since posting this. I got the network working in
> dosbox-x, and got a local IP assigned.
>
> When I start MBBS now, I no longer see the message about the TCP/IP stack
> not being setup, and in the MBBS settings I have set the IP address to
> match the one that was assigned by my DHCP server.
>
> Now the problem is, although I have group 1 set to TCP/IP, I can't telnet
> into the MBBS on port 23.
>
> Feels like I'm pretty close to getting this working at least, but not sure
> what to try next.

I have this working. At one time, I had it working with PCAP, but SLIRP is so much easier.

If you have the defaults otherwise, switch to the SLIRP backend, adjust your PIPER config to use the IP address 10.0.2.15 and configure dosbox-x with "tcp_port_forwards = 23" in the [ethernet, slirp] section. Add port forwards for FTP, etc, as desired.

I think the "GALICO" included in the 6.25 Free archive on the official site is specific to Worldgroup but mostly works with MajorBBS. You may find it helpful to set GPHDLR to yes in cnf level 1. Alternatively, perhaps the admins can confirm and maybe share the MajorBBS-specific ICO1, should it still be available.

Regards,

Phil

[BlaZ]

I don't think there was a Major BBS 6.25 "official" ICO. MajorTCP was a Vircom product and was the one most people used at the time. It's my understanding that Vircom still owns that and won't give up the source code, so we are stuck with the GALICO for now. Thanks for the additional information! I hope this helps anyone wanting to run the DOS version, although I'm still curious why you'd choose that option when the NT version is stable and still being developed.

BlaZ

[daniel_spain]

pheller wrote:
> slashzero wrote:
> > So, I've made progress since posting this. I got the network working in
> > dosbox-x, and got a local IP assigned.
> >
> > When I start MBBS now, I no longer see the message about the TCP/IP stack
> > not being setup, and in the MBBS settings I have set the IP address to
> > match the one that was assigned by my DHCP server.
> >
> > Now the problem is, although I have group 1 set to TCP/IP, I can't telnet
> > into the MBBS on port 23.
> >
> > Feels like I'm pretty close to getting this working at least, but not sure
> > what to try next.
>
> I have this working. At one time, I had it working with PCAP, but SLIRP is so much
> easier.
>
> If you have the defaults otherwise, switch to the SLIRP backend, adjust your PIPER
> config to use the IP address 10.0.2.15 and configure dosbox-x with
> "tcp_port_forwards = 23" in the [ethernet, slirp] section. Add port
> forwards for FTP, etc, as desired.
>
> I think the "GALICO" included in the 6.25 Free archive on the official site
> is specific to Worldgroup but mostly works with MajorBBS. You may find it helpful to
> set GPHDLR to yes in cnf level 1. Alternatively, perhaps the admins can confirm and
> maybe share the MajorBBS-specific ICO1, should it still be available.
>
> Regards,
>
> Phil

only one i ever came across with the source was ico2 which i used to implement alot of QOL additions.
i was going to do the same to the ico1 variant but the source was never around so i gave up.
ico2 "can" work with bbsv6 but just like with some versions of major tcp/ip you have to disable
some modules... biggest issue with backwards compatibility is addons compiled with bc45 wont work
with bbsv6 but addons compiled with bc31 will work with wg1/2
ever find ico1 full source lemme know.

[daniel_spain]

BlaZ wrote:
> I don't think there was a Major BBS 6.25 "official" ICO.
> MajorTCP was a Vircom product and was the one most people used at the time.
> It's my understanding that Vircom still owns that and won't give up the
> source code, so we are stuck with the GALICO for now. Thanks for the
> additional information! I hope this helps anyone wanting to run the DOS
> version, although I'm still curious why you'd choose that option when the
> NT version is stable and still being developed.
>
> BlaZ

correct. the original design lead who was also an owner retired and acquired
all the mbbs/wg ip i lucked out and got a full product line from him but he
is not supporting, selling or otherwise working on anything from the bbs era.

[daniel_spain]

slashzero wrote:
> So, I've made progress since posting this. I got the network working in
> dosbox-x, and got a local IP assigned.
>
> When I start MBBS now, I no longer see the message about the TCP/IP stack
> not being setup, and in the MBBS settings I have set the IP address to
> match the one that was assigned by my DHCP server.
>
> Now the problem is, although I have group 1 set to TCP/IP, I can't telnet
> into the MBBS on port 23.
>
> Feels like I'm pretty close to getting this working at least, but not sure
> what to try next.

you need to load the link support layer
you need to load odipkt
you need to load a packet driver

here is an example autoexec.bat setting from my original dos-based bbs which now operates under a vm

lsl.com
pcntnw.com
odipkt.com 0 96

under hardware config

channel group 1 TCP/IP (TELNET if major tcp)
interrupt number to use: 0
ip address: whatever you want
network mask: (usually 255.255.255.0)
gateway ip: your routers ip
primary domain: 8.8.8.8 (googles will work, this is important)
secondary dns: 8.8.4.4 (again googles will work)

boom you're online. open up p23 for outside traffic but local login will work
just fine

[pheller]

BlaZ wrote:
> I don't think there was a Major BBS 6.25 "official" ICO.
> MajorTCP was a Vircom product and was the one most people used at the time.
> It's my understanding that Vircom still owns that and won't give up the
> source code, so we are stuck with the GALICO for now.

The Internet Connectivity Option for MajorBBS was announced and demonstrated at ONE BBSCON 1994, as I recall and I think Boardwatch coverage from the era may confirm this.

> Thanks for the
> additional information! I hope this helps anyone wanting to run the DOS
> version,

Of course! Happy to help!

> although I'm still curious why you'd choose that option when the
> NT version is stable and still being developed.
>
> BlaZ

I am more about preservation of the tech and systems, so that’s my motivation at least.