home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- W I N * N T * N E T
- Policy Document
-
- Version 1.00
- November 15, 1992
-
-
- 0 Contents
-
- 0 Contents
-
- 1 Overview
- 1.1 Purpose
- 1.2 Definitions
- 1.2.1 WIN*NT*NET Member(s)
- 1.2.2 Hatching Hub(s)
- 1.2.3 Windows NT Related File(s)
- 1.2.4 Downlink
- 1.2.5 Uplink
- 1.3 How Do We Operate?
- 1.3.1 WIN*NT*NET Topology
-
- 2 Memberships
- 2.1 Requirements to be a WIN*NT*NET Member
- 2.1.1 Familiarity with Policy
- 2.1.2 Equipment
- 2.1.3 Echoes
- 2.1.4 Costs
- 2.1.5 Polling
- 2.1.6 Files
- 2.2 Joining WIN*NT*NET (The Process)
- 2.2.1 Find a Feed
- 2.2.2 Request
- 2.2.3 Setting Up
- 2.2.4 Announcement
- 2.3 Leaving WIN*NT*NET
-
- 3 Hatching Hubs
- 3.0 Overview
- 3.1 Becoming a Hatching Hub
-
- 4 Files
- 4.0 Overview
- 4.0.1 New Files
- 4.0.2 File Checking
- 4.0.3 File Announcement
- 4.0.4 Time Lag
- 4.1 Distribution and Hatching
- 4.2 Files Requirements
- 4.3 Files Availability
- 4.4 Important Files related to WIN*NT*NET
- 4.4.1 WIN*NT*NET.ZIP
- 4.4.2 INFO$$??.ZIP
-
- 5 Conflicts and Problems
-
- 6 Future of WIN*NT*NET
- 6.1 FILE_REQ
- 6.2 FileBone
-
- 7 Contacting WIN*NT*NET
- 7.1 Snail Mail
- 7.2 Electronic Mail
- 7.3 Direct Call
-
- 8 Appendices
- 8.1 New Echoes
- 8.1.1 Echo Nametags
- 8.1.1.1 File Echoes
- 8.1.1.2 Message Echoes
- 8.2 Examples for Setup Configuration
-
-
- 1 Overview
-
- 1.1 Purpose
-
- The goal of WIN*NT*NET is to provide a free, fast and efficient way to
- distribute Windows NT related files. The scope of the software that
- distribute within WIN*NT*NET are mainly Microsoft Win32, Win32s, and
- Windows NT Operating System related. There is no cost for ANY WIN*NT*NET
- member to access the files distributed, except telephone fees if toll
- calls are needed to get the files.
-
- WIN*NT*NET is not affiliated with Microsoft Corporation.
-
- Note *** For those who are looking for Windows 3.x software:
- This network is not intended for distributing Microsoft Windows 3.x
- and Win16 software. And please notice the difference between
- Windows 3.x/Win16 and Windows NT/Win32/Win32s. Although Windows NT is
- capable to run Windows 3.x and Win16 programs, WIN*NT*NET will NOT
- distribute Windows 3.x and Win16 software. ***
-
- 1.2 Definitions
-
- 1.2.1 WIN*NT*NET Member(s)
-
- System that meets the requirements set forth in the latest WIN*NT*NET.POL
- policy file to be a member of WIN*NT*NET.
-
- 1.2.2 Hatching Hub(s)
-
- Pre-assigned WIN*NT*NET members who has the authority to hatch files into
- WIN*NT*NET. Refer to Section 3 for more information about Hatching Hubs.
-
- 1.2.3 Windows NT Related File(s)
-
- Win32 applications, Win32s applications, information files about Windows
- NT, plus any file that could be associated with Windows NT and NT
- applications.
-
- 1.2.4 Downlink
-
- System that receives file(s) from other systems.
-
- 1.2.5 Uplink
-
- System that sends file(s) to other system.
-
- 1.3 How Do We Operate?
-
- Unlike most of the other File Distribution Networks (FDN), the
- administration of WIN*NT*NET does not put a lot of restrictions on
- WIN*NT*NET members; so that the network is easier for expanding and future
- growth. System interested to join WIN*NT*NET can be able to become a
- member system in a short amount of time.
-
- 1.3.1 WIN*NT*NET Topology
-
- Files flow from Uplink to Downlink.
- Uplink should never receive files from Downlink members.
-
- Note: Hatching Hubs are always the uplink of other
- non-hatching hubs because hubs should never receive
- files from non-hatching hubs in file echoes.
-
- [more]
- |
- HUB1
- / \
- / \ * Hubs are closely connected
- / \ to ensure the integrity of
- / \ the files being distributed.
- [more]-HUB2 HUB3-[more]
- | | * Node 1 and Node 2 are the
- | | downlink of Hub 1 and Hub 2
- NODE1 NODE2 respectively.
- | / \
- | / \ * Node 3 is the downlink of Node
- NODE3 / \ 1 while Node 4 and Node 5 are
- NODE4 NODE5 the downlinks of Node 2.
-
-
- 2 Memberships
-
- 2.1 Requirements to be a WIN*NT*NET Member
-
- 2.1.1 Familiarity with Policy
-
- New nodes should familiarize themselves with policy before requesting
- membership.
-
- 2.1.2 Equipment
-
- The member should run a, but not limited to, Fidonet-compatible BBS
- system.
-
- 2.1.3 Echoes
-
- Among all the message echoes and file echoes, only message echo
- WINNTADM and file echo NT_ADM must be carried by every member. In
- other words, a system carries WINNTADM and NT_ADM is enough to be
- identified as a WIN*NT*NET member. We don't want every member to carry
- every single echo available on WIN*NT*NET like other FDNs do to ensure the
- flexibility.
-
- 2.1.4 Costs
-
- WIN*NT*NET member should be aware that long-distance calls may
- be necessary to obtain the files, if no local links are available.
- If calling is restricted to late night rates, long distance bills should
- not be added significantly.
-
- 2.1.5 Polling
-
- WIN*NT*NET member is recommended to poll his uplink once a week.
- Any member who does not pick up WIN*NT*NET traffic for a period
- exceeding 30 days, and not making suitable alternate arrangements
- with its uplink, shall be disconnected from uplink. It is also
- recommended that member who has downlink should poll more
- frequently to make sure the files are moving at a reasonable pace
- across systems.
-
- 2.1.6 Files
-
- WIN*NT*NET member should make WIN*NT*NET.ZIP (which consists of
- WIN*NT*NET.POL and WIN*NT*NET.INF) available for users to download or
- file requestable using the magic filename "WIN*NT*NET". See Section 4.4.1
- for more information on file WIN*NT*NET.ZIP.
-
- 2.2 Joining WIN*NT*NET (The Process)
-
- 2.2.1 Find a Feed
-
- After reading this Policy Document, look at the file WIN*NT*NET.INF
- which should come with this file. Locate a system under
- 'List of WIN*NT*NET members' as your uplink.
-
- 2.2.2 Request
-
- Net mail your uplink saying that you are interested to join WIN*NT*NET.
- Also tell your uplink what message echoes and file echoes you want to
- pick up. For lists of both message and file echoes, please refer to
- WIN*NT*NET.INF. Note that the message echo WINNTADM and file echo
- NT_ADM must be picked up by every WIN*NT*NET member.
-
- 2.2.3 Setting Up
-
- Your uplink should take care the rest of technical work to set you up
- while you setup your system ready to receive messages and files.
- Normally, you have to call your uplink to pick up the traffic instead
- of your uplink calls you unless you and your uplink have made a
- special arrangement.
-
- 2.2.4 Announcement
-
- After the link is established, please post a message in WINNTADM
- saying that you are now joining WIN*NT*NET. This is required because
- we use these postings to keep track who have joined WIN*NT*NET;
- and hence put your system in the 'List of WIN*NT*NET members' at
- the next release of information package.
-
- 2.3 Leaving WIN*NT*NET
-
- When a member leaves WIN*NT*NET, one of the following procedures
- should be taken place:
-
- . Prior to leave WIN*NT*NET, the member should post a message in
- WINNTADM saying that he/she is now leaving WIN*NT*NET, OR
-
- . The uplink of the leaving member posts a message in WINNTADM
- saying that such member has left WIN*NT*NET.
-
- This is necessary for us in order to keep an update 'List of WIN*NT*NET
- members' that appears in every month's information package.
-
-
- 3 Hatching Hubs
-
- 3.0 Overview
-
- Hatching hubs are pre-assigned WIN*NT*NET members who have the
- authority to hatch files into WIN*NT*NET. To gain such authority, the
- system must have a steady source for new Windows NT related files which
- is not currently available on WIN*NT*NET. To ensure the consistency of the
- files distributions, we hope to keep the number of hatching hubs as few
- as possible to prevent potential dupe files.
-
- 3.1 Become a Hatching Hub
-
- For more information about becoming a hatching hubs for WIN*NT*NET,
- please contact Chelsea Carlstedt @:
- Fidonet: 1:100/375
- Internet: Ucheswic@toadnet.org,
- Compuserve: 71553,1075
-
-
- 4 Files
-
- 4.0 Overview
-
- The following sections describe the basic "flow" of the files on
- WIN*NT*NET:
-
- 4.0.1 New Files
-
- Anyone, either WIN*NT*NET member or non member, finds a new Windows NT
- related file that he/she wants to hatch into WIN*NT*NET should send this
- file to one of the WIN*NT*NET hatching hubs which listed in WIN*NT*NET.INF
- for distribution.
-
- 4.0.2 File Checking
-
- The hatching hub who receives this new file would look at the
- current WIN*NT*NET file base to see if such a file exists. If such file
- exists, then it should be checked to see if the newly received file
- is a newer version than the existing one. If it is not a newer
- version, then this file will not be hatched and a notification
- should be made to the original sender about why such file is not
- hatched. Otherwise, this hatching hub would hatch the file if no
- other hatching hubs have the same file after asking them. If more
- than one hatching hub has the same new file, only ONE hatching hub
- will hatch the file.
-
- 4.0.3 File Announcement
-
- This hatched file should be put on hold on this hatching hub and
- waiting for others to pick it up. When it arrives the headquarters
- of WIN*NT*NET, Windows NT Network, Fidonet 1:100/375, a file
- announcement for this file will be generated and posted in message
- echo WINNTFA. A file announcement should be only made from WIN*NT*NET
- headquarters to ensure the accuracy and consistency.
-
- 4.0.4 Time Lag
-
- It takes about 2 to 3 weeks for a newly hatched file to reach all
- WIN*NT*NET members.
-
- 4.1 Distribution and Hatching
-
- To ensure consistency across the system, ONLY hatching hubs have the
- authority to hatch files. A "List of WIN*NT*NET Hatching Hubs" is always
- available updated in file WIN*NT*NET.INF.
-
- Non-hatching hubs members should never directly hatch
- files into WIN*NT*NET under any circumstance. NOTE: Any non-hatching
- hubs member violates this rule may result in immediate losing the
- status of being a WIN*NT*NET member. The reason for not letting non-
- hatching hubs members to have the authority hatching files is
- understandable. Files would be easily duplicated if every member
- wants to hatch files into WIN*NT*NET without pre-arrangement. Hatching
- hubs are working very closely together to ensure no files are
- duplicated.
-
- Instead of hatching files directly into WIN*NT*NET, non-hatching hubs
- should follow one of these procedures to distribute the files:
-
- 1) by direct mail addressed to:
-
- WIN*NT*NET
- 234 Couch Avenue
- St. Louis, MO 63122 USA
-
- 2) by file-attach, accompanied by a net message sending to any ONE of
- the hatching hubs listed in file WIN*NT*NET.INF with:
- a) a short description of the file
- b) a summary of how it was obtained by the person sending it
- (i.e., directly from the author, from CompuServe, etc.)
-
- These files will be put on "hold" for pickup by direct feeds.
- Files will be hatched in ".TIC" format.
-
- If you are interested to become a hatching hub, see Section 3.1.
-
- 4.2 Files Requirements
-
- Please test everything you want to distribute on WIN*NT*NET. If it is
- an application or program that suppose to run under Windows NT, test it
- on your machine first, and make sure that it works as intended, before
- sending it to hatching hubs.
-
- 4.3 Files Availability
-
- Obtaining the complete WIN*NT*NET files collections may be done in several
- ways.
-
- Mail sufficient FORMATTED 1.2 MB, 1.44 MB, 720 K or 360 K diskettes
- along with $5 for RETURN airmail postage to:
-
- Windows NT Network
- 234 Couch Avenue
- St. Louis, MO 63122 USA
-
- If you prefer, Windows NT Network can provide the files on
- generic diskettes any format. Prices are as follows:
-
- 1.44 MB $22.00 including postage
- 1.2 MB $22.00 including postage
- 720 K $24.00 including postage
- 360 K $24.00 including postage
-
- As an alternative, Windows NT Network BBS (314)965-5296 always
- has the whole collection of WIN*NT*NET files online. They are all
- available for File Request or download online. File Request using magic
- name "FILES" would get you a complete listing of the WIN*NT*NET
- Collections. The Windows NT Network BBS is Cheswick's International:
- @1:100/375 (314)965-5296 HST DS or (314)965-1385 14.4 v.32b
-
- 4.4 Important Files related to WIN*NT*NET
-
- The following files are the information and administration files for
- WIN*NT*NET that come down from file echo NT_ADM periodically:
-
- 4.4.1 WIN*NT*NET.ZIP
-
- WIN*NT*NET.ZIP (Hatch through NT_ADM whenever a new version of Policy
- Document is released) consists of the following files:
- . HISTORY.DOC: History of WIN*NT*NET Policy
- . README.DOC: Information about this file
- . WIN*NT*NET.POL: WIN*NT*NET Policy Document
- . WIN*NT*NET.INF: List of WIN*NT*NET File Echoes
- List of WIN*NT*NET Message Echoes
- List of WIN*NT*NET Members
- List of WIN*NT*NET Hatching Hubs
-
- 4.4.2 INFO$$??.ZIP
-
- INFO$$??.ZIP (Hatch through NT_ADM monthly) where $$ is the year and ??
- is the month. For example, INFO9209.ZIP would be the WIN*NT*NET
- information file for September 1992. This file consists of the following
- file:
- . README.DOC: Information about this file
- . WIN*NT*NET.FIL: List of all files that have been hatched into WIN*NT*NET
- up to that time
- . WIN*NT*NET.INF: List of WIN*NT*NET File Echoes
- List of WIN*NT*NET Message Echoes
- List of WIN*NT*NET Members
- List of WIN*NT*NET Hatching Hubs
-
-
- 5 Conflicts and Problems
-
- If there are any conflicts and problems between the uplink and the
- downlink that cannot be resolved, either party could send a netmail
- to WIN*NT*NET headquarters, Windows NT Network, which addresses are
- listed at the bottom of this file. By no means we want to get into
- too much politics, but just in case anyone has problem with his/her
- downlink or uplink, one can always ask for help from WIN*NT*NET
- headquarters.
-
-
- 6 Futures of WIN*NT*NET
-
- 6.1 FILE_REQ
-
- Access to message echo FILE_REQ which is a Fidonet Zone 1 backbone
- conference for posting file announcements. So that everyone would know
- what new files are coming out from WIN*NT*NET.
-
- 6.2 FileBone
-
- WIN*NT*NET is now available on the FileBone.
-
- The FileBone is functional equivalent to what Fidonet backbone does
- to message conference.
-
-
- 7 Contacting WIN*NT*NET
-
- 7.1 Snail Mail
-
- Windows NT Network
- 234 Couch Avenue
- St. Louis, MO 63122 USA
-
- 7.2 Electronic Mail
-
- CompuServe: 71553,1075
- Fidonet : WIN*NT*NET @ 1:100/375
- Internet : Ucheswic@cheswicks.toadnet.org
- Chelsea Carlstedt@f375.n100.z1.fidonet.org
-
- 7.3 Direct Call
-
- Voice : (314)965-7590
- Fax : (314)965-1783
- BBS/Data : (314)965-5296
- BBS/Data : (314)965-1385
-
-
- 8 Appendices
-
- 8.1 New Echoes
-
- Suggestions for possible new areas are always welcomed. Proposal should
- be posted in WINNTADM. Please refer 8.1.1 for suggested naming methods
- of the echoes. If responses for such possibly new area are reasonably
- good, then this area is created. It will first made available on
- hatching hubs and other members could then join in the new area.
-
- 8.1.1 Echo Nametags
-
- Please consider the following naming conventions, but not limited to,
- to ensure the consistency of the echo nametags.
-
- 8.1.1.1 File Echoes
-
- Use NT_* for file echoes while * is your choice.
-
- 8.1.1.2 Message Echoes
-
- Use WINNT* for message echoes while * is your choice.
-
- 8.2 Examples for Setup Configuration
-
- Here are some examples to setup program TICK which is used for
- controlling file echoes:
-
- A typical entry for a file echo in TIC.CFG would be something like:
-
- AREA c:\WINNTNET\ntadmin NT_ADM
- 1:123/456 PASSWORD * &
-
- This is saying that your system will have a file echo area named NT_ADM,
- and files in this echo are saved in C:\WIN*NT*NET\Ntadmin directory. Your
- link for this area is 1:123/456 and the password between your system and
- 1:123/456's system on this echo is set to "PASSWORD". "* &" means that
- your system will accept files from 1:123/456 but will NOT echo files to
- it. In other words, 1:123/456 is your uplink.
-
- If someone wants to be your downlink and asks you to feed him/her files,
- then you may add the following entry:
-
- (Assume this request system's node number is 1:456/789)
-
- AREA c:\WINNTNET\ntadmin NT_ADM
- 1:123/456 PASSWORD * &
- 1:456/789 HELLO H
-
- Now, 1:456/789 is participating in NT_ADM echo. The password between
- your system and 1:456/789's system for this echo is HELLO. Note that
- the same password must be set up in both system's setup in order to get
- things working. "H" means that your system will send files to 1:456/789
- and hold the files for it but your system will not accept files from it.
- This conforms the rule set out in section 1.3.1 that uplink members
- should never receive files from downlink members.
-
- The function REPLACE is recommended to use in TICK because updated files
- are distributed occasionally.
-
- Please refer to the TICK's manual for more information about how to set
- things up, it should be easy and straight forward. If you have any
- question about setting file echoes up, ask for help in WINNTADM
- conference.
-