NA Inter-computer Networking

[DAP14@chrysler.com]

Recently, Bill, WD0GVY posted a note to the reflector reporting that they
were having difficulty with inter-computer networking using the LOOP
configuration with NA10.  Last night, I tested a three computer LOOP
network using NA10 and everything worked fine.  I'm posting this message
to the entire reflector both to answer Bill's query, and to publish some
suggestions for getting NA inter-computer networking to function.

Hints:

1) EACH COMPUTER MUST HAVE A UNIQUE STATION NUMBER - In NA9, this was set
   in the Log File Information Sheet with each file to be used.  In NA10,
   this is set using the NA Configuration Editor (CONFIG.EXE) and only has
   to be done once.

2) USING LINK MODE, ALL COMPUTERS MUST HAVE THE SAME BAUD RATE.

3) An easy way to test an NA inter-computer network is using the GAB
   FUNCTION (Alt-G).  Send a gab message to "*" (i.e., all computers) and
   see where the message appears.  Remember you must use Ctrl-Return to
   actually send the gab.  Using LINK mode, its pretty easy to determine
   which computer did not pass on the gab.  Its the same in LOOP mode as
   long as you know the direction of the data flow.  Since LOOP requires
   special cabling, you might want to make a diagram showing the TXD-to-RXD
   directions for later reference.

These hints were developed as I tried to get my LOOP network running last
night.  First time, two computers had the same station number - fixed that,
but still nothing.  Then, remembered that I had to do Ctrl-Return to send
the gab.  Finally, discovered the big problem - computer # and # on 9600
baud and #2 on 1200 baud.  VOILA!  It works...

I hope this information is useful to somebody.

73, Dave/K8CC


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