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[WriteLog] WL in a M/M Station

To: <writelog@contesting.com>
Subject: [WriteLog] WL in a M/M Station
From: marcelo@alternex.com.br (Marcelo)
Date: Wed, 27 Nov 2002 20:30:11 -0200
Hello Gary

We have been using Writelog here in Brazil for some time, on M/M, M/S and 
M/2 setups, at ZW5B and ZX5J. The software works great in network, and 
crash recovery is impressive. So, to your questions:

1 - There is no central WL server. Each computer keeps a copy of the file 
in it´s local disk. If there is a network problem, the software keeps 
logging separately in each computer. When network is reconnected the 
software automatically synchronizes the logs on the fly.
A good advice is having a list of things to do in case of failure 
(procedures, internet passwords, etc).


2 - True, as said above, when network is on the logs are always in synch, 
so mult information is always updated.

3 - There is no WL server. We usually have one extra computer, not 
associated with a logging position for connecting to internet,  cluster, 
log browsing (and correction - changes are transmitted through the network 
to all logs, etc).

4 - The bandmap is not transmitted through the network. I think this is 
something that will appear in future versions. As for information recovery, 
I am not sure. I don´t remember having a total computer crash. Network 
disconnections are far more common.

5 - Yes. Aggregate rate (and graphs) is updated in every position.

6 - I was at PT5A for this CQWW CW where TR was used. I found TR great for 
stand alone CW, but the impression I had is that networking is not so good. 
The logs are not automatically synchronized, and at every network 
disconnection (we had quite a few) the difference between the logs became 
larger. That was specially troublesome for the spotting station (we had no 
packet / cluster), were we found many supposed multipliers that had already 
been worked, but were only in the log of the specific band computer. After 
the contest was finished, the logs had to be merged.
Another problem was the link between the spotting station - a bit apart 
from the main house - and the TR network. You can´t integrat the serial 
network with an ethernet network easily.
The plus side was the possibility of the spotting station to populate the 
bandmap of the stations. WL doesn´t do that yet.

7 - I believe ethernet is more RF resistant, but only from empiric 
observation. The great benefit of ethernet is the easy configuration and 
the possibility of easily linking a spotting station via optic cable. (I 
believe this is also great for DX-pedition with several working locations).

8 - I think this is no problem.

I hope this helps a little. Comments and different views are more than welcome.

73´s

Marcelo, PY1KN  / PY2KN



At 11:37 27/11/2002 -0500, you wrote:
>Dear WLers,
>
>I'm doing some investigation of various loggers that support a M/M
>configuration.  I've only used WL in a limited way so far, single op in SS,
>and I'm very impressed.  But I've thoroughly perused the excellent
>documentation available as it pertains to M/M operations and it raises a few
>questions.
>
>1.  The existence of a WL server.  I presume this is a requirement when
>running M/M?
>
>2.  Recovery after restart.  I am intrigued and pleased by the WL design
>that appears to (re)populate the local log when a position is (re)started.
>I believe the implication of this is that every position sees all QSOs/Mults
>even if one or more positions had to be restarted during the contest. True?
>
>3.  Recovery of the WL server.  Can someone please fill me in on how/if the
>server can be restarted and recovered?  I did not see any details on this.
>For example, if the server dies and needs to be restarted (let's say a
>simple Windoze hang, no hardware breakage)... Meanwhile the positions
>continue to be able to operate?  When the WL server is back up, does it
>resynch with the local positions like they can resynch with it after they
>die?  I'd appreciate a complete, clear explanation of this scenario.  If
>I've missed it in the doc, just stick my nose in it ;-)
>
>4.  When a local WL dies and gets restarted, does it come up with the band
>map it had when it died, a clean band map, or a band map that has been
>updated with the events that occurred on the other positions during its
>restart?
>
>5.  At any given local position can local rate and aggregate rate be
>displayed? Or is it just one or the other?
>
>6.  Can anyone relate operating a M/M or M/2 using WL to doing the same
>thing with another logger such as TRLog or CT?
>
>7.  Is the Ethernet any more/less susceptible to RFI than alternative such
>as a serial port daisy chain?
>
>8.  I see port choices of only COM1-4. My system has COM5 and COM6
>configured. Can WL access these COM ports somehow?
>
>Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving to all.
>
>73,
>
>Gary W2CS
>Apex, NC
>
>
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