
                        -= NetFoss Internet FOSSIL =-
                                for Windows

                              Version 1.0  final
                              September 16, 2007
                       Copyright (c) 2001-2007 PC Micro
____________________________________________________________________________


 NetFoss is a FOSSIL driver for Telnet or Modem communications under
 Windows XP, Vista, 2003, 2000, and NT4. NetFoss supports the revision 5
 FOSSIL specifications plus the extended FOSSIL functions defined in X00.

 A FOSSIL [Fido Opus Seadog Standard Interface Layer] is a driver which
 allows DOS based modem communication software to communicate through an
 interface that directs to the actual hardware (such as a dialup Modem).
 
 Originally FOSSIL drivers were only designed for serial communications.
 NetFoss communicates with dialup Modems, Virtual Modems, or with TCP/IP
 using its own Network Telnet Communication engine, NetCom.


 Requirements
 ------------

        * Windows XP, Vista, 2003, 2000, or NT4 (any 32-bit version).

        * DOS application(s) designed to communicate with a FOSSIL driver.
          For example: BBS software, BBS external door, a Terminal, etc.

 Options
 -------

        * A Third party Telnet Server can be used instead of Net2BBS.

        * A Virtual Modem such as NetSerial can be used instead of
          Net2BBS and NetCom.

        * A Command Prompt Shell such as Doorway can be used for
          remotely executing Console or DOS applications from a
          FOSSIL. (This should only be done by IT professionals aware
          of the security concerns in doing so).

 Features
 --------

        * Extremely fast, written entirely in ASM (MASM/32).
        * Small footprint, uses under 16k RAM per node.
        * Supports up to 65535 nodes.
        * Includes a 5K Telnet Server (Net2BBS) supporting 256 nodes.
        * Internal Telnet and COM port/Modem support.
        * Acts as a DOS TSR (Terminate and Stay Resident) driver.
        * Compatible with nearly all DOS BBS and door software.
        * DESQview emulation: redirects DV timeslice release
           functions to NT.
        * CPU Usage detection / optimization for DOS applications.
        * Enhances Zmodem transfer performance for BBS downloads.

 Table of Contents
 -----------------

        Introduction
        Installing NetFoss
        - Door32.sys Mode
        - Non-Door32.sys Mode
        Installing Net2BBS Telnet Server
        GameSrv Usage
        MysticBBS Usage
        EleBBS Usage
        Synchronet Usage
        PcBoard Usage
        ProBoard Usage
        RemoteAccess Usage
        Telegard/Renegade Usage
        Virtual Advanced Usage
        Doorway Usage
        Door Game Usage
        X00 Function 02 Kluge
        COM Port Mode
        COM Port Locking
        COM Port Release
        Compatibility Issues
        Zmodem File Transfers       
        Frequently Asked Questions
        NETFOSS.COM Error Messages
        NETCOM.EXE Error Messages
        FOSSIL Function Reference
        License and Disclaimer        
        Credits
        What's New

____________________________________________________________________________

 Introduction
 ------------

 NetFoss is a Windows based FOSSIL driver for DOS based applications.

 NetFoss is compatible with COM ports and Modems (either real or virtual),
 or NetFoss can be passed active Telnet connections from a Telnet Server.
 NetFoss includes a simple Telnet Server called Net2BBS, and several third
 party Telnet Servers can be used as well.

 NetFoss is freeware, provided without warranty. We encourage any bug
 reports and  suggestions which can be emailed to support@pcmicro.com.



 Installing NetFoss
 ------------------

 Place the following files into a directory:

 NF.BAT        The batch file used to load/unload NetFoss.
 NET2BBS.EXE   The Net2BBS miniture Telnet Server.
 NET2BBS.INI   The Net2BBS .INI configuration file.
 NET2BBS.TXT   The Net2BBS documentation.
 NETFOSS.COM   The NetFoss FOSSIL TSR Interrupt handler.
 NETFOSS.DLL   The NetFoss FOSSIL Virtual Device Driver.
 NETFOSS.TXT   The NetFoss documentation (You are reading it now).
 NFELEBBS.TXT  The NetFoss under EleBBS door guide.
 NETCOM.EXE    The NetCom Telnet Communication Engine for NetFoss.
 FOSSIL.TXT    Technical Reference: FOSSIL implementation and use.
 FOSSIL.CHT    Technical Reference: FOSSIL command chart.

 If this directory is not in the Windows Path, then you must copy
 NETFOSS.DLL to a directory which is in the Windows Path.
 To view what directories are in the Windows Path, go to the Control
 Panel System Properties > System > Advanced > Environment Variables
 and view the "Value" assigined to the System Variable named Path.

 *******************************************************************
 *  NETFOSS.DLL is _required_ to be located in the Windows %Path%. *
 *******************************************************************
 Windows Vista will require NETFOSS.DLL is placed in \windows\system32\

 Edit your NF.BAT batch file and change any of the paths as needed.
 Do not add any "CD\" commands to the batch file to change directories,
 or it may not be able to find a DOOR32.SYS file which it expects in
 the current directory if no /n{node} parameter was passed on the
 command line. (See section below for details on this).

 If your BBS does not support the DOOR32.SYS drop file, you will need
 to make an additional change to your NF.BAT file as shown in the
 Non-DOOR32.SYS mode section below.

 Up to 65535 nodes can be created by NetFoss, depending on system
 resources and the software being used. Most BBS software supports up
 to 256 nodes, and the Net2BBS Telnet Server also supports up to 256
 nodes.

 A "node" is a separate process of the BBS software, run in its own
 Virtual DOS Machine (NTVDM), commonly known as a "Command Prompt".
 Each node accepts a single user to login and access the BBS using
 either a modem connection or a Telnet connection.

 When used in Telnet mode, NetFoss accepts any COM port value up to
 4096, and the same COM port value can be used on all nodes, allowing
 BBS programs and doors to work on any node, even if they are limited
 to functioning on only COM1 thru COM4. To take advantage of this,
 set all nodes to use the same FOSSIL port, such as COM1. NetFoss will
 ignore the COM port number that it is passed withing an INT 14h call.

 When used in Telnet mode, NetFoss requires that each node use a
 unique WinSock handle. When used in COM port mode, NetFoss requires
 that each node use a unique COM port value (or COM port handle).

 If You are using DOS based BBS software, skip the next chapter and
 continue at the Non-Door32.SYS Section farther below.

____________________________________________________________________________

 DOOR32.SYS Mode
 ---------------

 DOOR32.SYS is a drop file format for 32-bit BBS software.
 A drop file is created by BBS software to pass information about the
 active connection to an external program.

 If you are using NetFoss with a 32-bit Windows BBS package (such as
 EleBBS or WWIV BBS for example) which can create both a DOOR32.SYS and
 a standard dropfile such as DOOR.SYS then you do not need to pass the
 node number, or the telnet socket handle to either NetFoss or NetCom.
 Instead these BBS programs can place this information in a DOOR32.SYS
 dropfile before passing control of an external application to NetFoss,
 and when NetFoss sees that the DOOR32.SYS dropfile exists it will
 automatically use its settings.

 Some Windows BBS programs which support DOOR32.SYS dropfiles can not
 create a standard drop file at the same time (i.e.: MysticBBS 1.07.03
 and Synchronet 3.10). In this case DOOR32.SYS mode should not be used.
 See further below for detaled info on configuring Mystic or Synchronet
 in non-DOOR32.SYS mode.

 If your Windows BBS software does not automatically start an external
 door or batch file in the BBS's "current nodes directory" then you
 could add a CD\ command to your NF.BAT file to change to the nodes
 directory before loading the NETFOSS.COM TSR. This is not required for
 most BBS programs.

 You will need to edit the door command line for each of your doors.
 A typical type-7 command line in EleBBS would look like this:

 C:\BBS\NF.BAT c:\bbs\lord\start.bat *N
 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    |                     |
 This loads NetFoss.     This is the batch file that runs a door.

 Note that in this example NF.BAT is not passed any information on which
 node or TCP socket handle to use. That is because both NETFOSS.COM and
 NETCOM.EXE will find this information by reading the DOOR32.SYS from the
 current directory.

 In the above example EleBBS is passing the *N macro to the doors batch
 file, and the *N is replaced with the current node number by EleBBS.

____________________________________________________________________________

 Non-DOOR32.SYS Mode
 -------------------

 To run a DOS based BBS under Windows in Telnet mode, you also need to
 install either of the following software applications:

 A. A Windows compatible Telnet Server, such as the included Net2BBS.
    Or choose one of several other freeware Telnet Servers for Windows.
    
  or

 B. A Virtual Modem designed for Windows, such as NetSerial, which can
    emulate up to 256 virtual COM ports and supports Modem AT Commands.


 There is a list of free Telnet Servers compatible with NetFoss below.

 NetSerial is a commercial Virual Modem and COM port redirector which
 creates up to 256 Virtual Modems under Windows. Each Virtual Modem can
 be assigned to a BBS node which answers the next incoming Telnet
 connection as if it was communicating with a real dialup Modem.

 NetSerial also allows outbound telnet connections to redirect to your
 application software such as a FidoNet Mailer or a Terminal program by
 "dialing" an IP address and making a Telnet or RAW TCP/IP connection as
 if it was a phone number. NetSerial includes advanced features like
 SSL Encryption, and realtime COM port tracing/logging of all data flow
 and Virtual Modem AT commands and responses.

 NetSerial is available to BBS Sysops at a discounted price of $25 USD.
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 Contact sales@pcmicro.com to request the Sysop discount offer.

 NetSerial is available for download at http://pcmicro.com/netserial

 NetSerial is designed to work with NetFoss - and also works with DOS
 based FOSSIL drivers running under Windows, such as ADF and BNU.
 NetSerial can also work without a FOSSIL, by allowing DOS applications
 to access it's Virtual COM ports directly.

 Please refer to the "Using NetFoss with a COM port" section of this
 guide for details on configuring NetFoss to work with NetSerial.


 The following freeware Telnet servers have been tested with NetFoss:

 * Net2BBS by PC Micro. This Telnet Server is included with NetFoss.
   About 5k in size, it runs as a console application. Supports log
   files, WAV player, IP blocking, Semaphore checking, and more.
   Freeware. http://net2bbs.net

 * TelSrv by Mannsoft. A simple yet elegent GUI Win32 BBS Telnet Server.
   This is the original and simpler version of GameSrv in which the
   Telnet Server is seperate from the included mini-bbs. Freeware and
   open-source. http://pcmicro.com/netfoss/telsv412.zip

 * GameSrv by R & M software. A telnet server with an internal mini-BBS.
   Freeware in active development. http://gamesrv.ca

 * Argus by Ritlabs. A complete front-end mailer. Freeware, open-source.
   http://www.ritlabs.com/argus

 * Radius. An enhanced mailer based on Argus. Freeware, open-source.
   http://radius.cphost.ru/cgi/en/index.php

 * Taurus. More advanced mailer based on Radius. Freeware, open-source.
   http://taurus.rinet.ru or
   http://web.archive.org/web/20050408223156/http://taurus.rinet.ru/

 * Dumple BBS & Telnet Server (in Python) by SWT. Freeware, open-source.
   http://dumple.thebbs.org

 * zTelnet Server by Zoob. Freeware.
   http://grouty.org/bbs/ztelsrv.php

 * EleBBS Telnet Server, (Telserv/EleServ) Freeware, open-source.
   http://elebbs.com and http://pcmicro.com/elebbs/faq

 * VADV32 Telnet Server for Virtual Advanced BBS. Freeware.
   http://vadv32.at2k.org

 * Mystic Telnet Server for Mystic BBS Win32. Freeware.
   http://www.safesite.com/product.php[id]38283
   (new site now under construction at http://mysticbbs.org)

 * WWIV Win32 Telnet Server (Works with any BBS). Freeware, open-source.
   http://wwiv.sourceforge.net

 * Tornado Win32 Telnet Server. Freeware and open source.
   http://tornado.thebbs.org



 For Non-DOOR32.SYS mode, you will need to change one line of the NF.BAT
 file, to pass the node number to NETFOSS.COM. This is only needed if you
 are running either A) DOS based BBS software, or B) Win32 BBS which does
 not create a DOOR32.SYS drop file when it runs a DOS door.

 NetFoss is distributed with a default NF.BAT which is configured to run
 in DOOR32.SYS mode with 32-bit Windows BBS Software. It looks like this:

               @echo off
               c:\bbs\netfoss.com
               if errorlevel 1 goto end
               c:\bbs\netcom.exe %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9
               c:\bbs\netfoss.com /u
               :end

 In order for NetFoss to work in a Non-DOOR32.SYS environment, you will
 need  to change the second line to "c:\bbs\netfoss %1" in order to pass
 the node number to NETFOSS.COM.

 Next you will need to configure your telnet server (or a Win32 BBS) to
 pass both the node number, and the WinSock handle to the NF.BAT file,
 as parameters %1 and %2  These will need to be prefixed with the "/n"
 and "/h" switches, respectively. Here is an example:

    C:\BBS\NF.BAT /N{node} /H{handle} c:\bbs\bbsname.exe -C1 -B38400

 In which {node} and {handle} are positive numeric values representing
 the node number to use and the telnet "socket handle" to use.

 For example, Argus uses &n to pass the node number, and &h to pass the
 Winsock handle to an external program. So your Argus external command
 line (Config >Externals >Doors >Door Parameters) would look like:


  c:\path\nf.bat /n&n /h&h c:\path\bbs.bat -N&n -C1 -B38400
      |            |    |       |           |    |   |
  NetFoss-loader   node handle  bbs-loader  parameters sent to bbs.bat


 In this example, we assume the BBS software uses -C1 to pass the
 current com port, -B38400 to pass the baud rate, and -N1 to pass a node
 number to the BBS software.

 Almost all DOS BBS software allows an active call to be passed from a
 front-end mailer to the BBS in this fashion, though the BBS parameters
 such as -C -N -B will differ slightly from one BBS program to another.
 Please consult your BBS documentation on the proper parameters needed
 to pass a connected caller from a front-end mailer to the BBS.

____________________________________________________________________________

 Installing Net2BBS Telnet Server
 --------------------------------

 Net2BBS is a Windows Telnet Server included with NetFoss.
 It has the following features:

   * Very small footprint, Net2BBS.EXE is about 5K in size.
   * Configurable Node support, up to 256 nodes.
   * Logs all IP's & hostname connections to screen and file.
   * Multimedia support, plays login.wav and logoff.wav if found.
   * Semaphore support, refuses connections when semaphore file exists.
   * IP and hostname blocking, supporting wildcards.
   * A classic Console mode text interface.


 Net2BBS needs to be configured before you can run it. You can copy
 the NET2BBS.INI.SAMPLE to NET2BBS.INI, and then edit the file as needed
 using a text editor such as NotePad.

 The sample Net2BBS .INI file uses these settings:

     [Settings]
     Command=c:\netfoss\nf.bat /n*N /h*H c:\pcb\pcboard.bat *N
     StartPath=c:\pcb\
     Port=23
     Nodes=256
     StartNode=1
     Debug=1
     View=Normal
     Log=telnet.log
     Semaphore=wait.sem
     KillList=kill.txt
     KillMsg=You are not welcome here.
     KillMsgFile=goaway.ans
     Editor=notepad.exe
     Resolve=1
     ResolveMsg=Resolving your IP Address, One moment...

 A Full description of each of these settings is listed in NET2BBS.TXT.
 The only line you need to adjust in Net2BBS.INI is the "Command="
 line. This needs to run NetFoss and your BBS software, passing the
 Node Number using the *N macro, and passing the Socket Handle using
 the *H macro. The *I macro can be used to pass the callers IP Address.

 Refer to the following BBS configurations listed below for examples
 of how the "Command=" line should appear.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 GameSrv Usage
 -------------

 If you wish to install GameSrv as your Telnet Server (or mini-bbs)
 then please refer to the documentation included with GameSrv.
 Different versions of GameSrv have unique configuration settings.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


 Mystic BBS Win32 Usage
 ----------------------


 The Win32 version of Mystic BBS comes with its own telnet server named
 TSERVER.EXE. In our testings in 2001, Mystic BBS version 1.07.3 would
 crash with an exception error when attempting to create a DOOR32.SYS.

 Mystic was not designed to create both a DOOR32.SYS and a standard drop
 file at the same time. However there are scripts for Mystic avilable that
 overcome this by creating both DOOR32.SYS and DOOR.SYS, allowings NetFoss
 to be used in DOOR32.SYS mode. Another solution is to run NetFoss without
 using a DOOR32.SYS file, as described below:


 1) If you have problems using Mystic's TSERVER.EXE you can use an
    alternative telnet server such as Net2BBS.EXE included with NetFoss.
    The commandline the new telnet server should use to start the Win32
    version of Mystic is:
         C:\MYSTIC\MYSTIC.EXE -N{node} -TID{socket handle}

    If you are using Net2BBS, edit your Net2BBS.INI file to include
    the following:  Command=c:\mystic\mystic.exe -N*N -TID*H


 2) Modify one line of your NF.BAT, to pass the node number to NETFOSS.COM.
    Change the line that loads NETFOSS.COM to have a " %1" at the end.  
    (this is explained in detail in the DOS BBS section above.)

 3) Add the door to Mystic.  Tell it to create whatever dropfile you want
    to use with the door (ie DOOR.SYS, DORINFO1.DEF, but not DOOR32.SYS)
    and use this commandline as a template:
         C:\NetFoss\NF.BAT /N%3 /H%0 C:\LORD\START.BAT %3

    Subsitute "C:\LORD\START.BAT" with the actual path/filename of the
    batch file that runs door.

    Mystic will replace "%3" with the node number, and will replace "%0"
    with the socket handle.  Note that %3 is actually used twice in the
    above example, first to pass the node number to netfoss.com and
    netcom.exe in the NF.BAT, and then again to pass the node number to the
    doors own batch file.

____________________________________________________________________________


 EleBBS Win32 Usage
 ------------------

 NetFoss was originally developed for use with both the Windows and DOS
 verions of EleBBS, which is a RemoteAccess compatible BBS package for
 Windows, Linux, DOS, and OS/2.  The Windows version of EleBBS includes
 a Telnet Server.

 There are detailed instructions on how to configure NetFoss with EleBBS
 included in a separate file in the NetFoss archive named NFELEBBS.TXT


____________________________________________________________________________

 Synchronet BBS 3.1x USAGE
 --------------------------

 Synchronet already has its own FOSSIL support, but using NetFoss in place
 of the internal FOSSIL can allow DOS doors to run considerably faster,
 often by a factor of 2 or more times faster then the internal speed, with
 lower CPU usage. You can use NetFoss to run all or just some or all of
 your door programs, and run others using the internal FOSSIL.

 Synchronet can create a DOOR32.SYS file, but we do not suggest running
 NetFoss in DOOR32.SYS mode because Synchronet is unable to create both a
 DOOR32.SYS and a standard drop file at the same time. For this reason the
 DOOR32.SYS mode should not be used at the time this guide was written.
 
 Here is how to configure the "Legend Of The Red Dragon" door in Synchronet
 3.10j using the Non-DOOR32.SYS mode:


  Name                       LORD
  Internal Code              LORD
  Start-up Directory         C:\SBBS\XTRN\LORD
  Command Line               c:\sbbs\nf.bat /N%# /H%H start.bat %#
  Clean-up Command Line
  Execution Cost             None
  Access Requirements
  Execution Requirements
  Multiple Concurrent Users  Yes
  Intercept Standard I/O     No
  Native (32-bit) Executable Yes
  Use Shell to Execute       No
  Modify User Data           No
  Execute on Event           No
  Pause After Execution      No
  BBS Drop File Type         GAP             DOOR.SYS
  Place Drop File In         Node Directory
  Time Options...

 Notice that the Native (32-Bit) Executable option is enabled. This needs
 to be turned on in order for Synchronet to not enable its own internal
 FOSSIL driver. REPEAT - even though you are not using DOOR32.SYS as your
 dropfile, Native (32-Bit) Executable must be enabled.  Additionally, make
 sure to change the command line to reflect the directory that you
 installed NetFoss and the Start-up directory should either reflect where
 your door is located if you dont use a batch file to start the door, or
 could have the startup directory point to your current node directory
 where the dropfiles are created. (If you do the later, you should launch
 the door with a batch file that first uses the CD\ command to Change the
 Directory to where the door is located.

 When using the Non-DOOR32.SYS mode, you must edit your NF.BAT file to add
 the " %1" at the end of the second line, as explained earlier in this
 document. Instructions can also be found in the NF.BAT.

 Make sure to change the Command line in NF.BAT to reflect the directory
 that you installed NetFoss in, and the Start-up directory should reflect
 where your door is installed.

 In the LORD door example above, the start.bat is the batch file located
 in the Start-up Directory which actually runs this door game.
____________________________________________________________________________


 PCBoard BBS Usage
 -----------------

 NetFoss has been tested with PCBoard version 15.3 & 15.4beta for DOS.
 Here is how to configure it in Telnet mode:

 1) Install either Net2BBS or any of the other Win32 Telnet Servers listed
    in the non-DOOR32.SYS mode section above.

 2) Edit your NF.BAT file as described in the non-DOOR32.SYS mode section.

 3) Install PCBoard in the c:\pcb directory, and create a separate directory
    for each node, such as c:\pcb\node1 and c:\pcb\node2 etc.

 4) Run PCBSETUP.EXE > Modem Information> Modem Setup.
    Set the COMM Driver to use as "F=FOSSIL, set the COM port to any
    non zero value. Setting it to "1" will work even if you have a real
    COM1 port already. Set the Opening Baud Rate to 115200, and select
    Lock in Opening Baud Rate = Yes.

 5) Create a PCBOARD.BAT in the PCBoard directory which looks like this:

        @ECHO OFF
        CLS
        SET PCB=/NODE:%1 /PORT1F:
        SET PCBDRIVE=C:
        SET PCBDIR=\PCB\NODE%1
        SET PCBDAT=C:\PCB\PCBOARD.DAT
        SET NODE=%1
        :top
        %pcbdrive%
        cd %pcbdir%
        if exist remote.bat REN remote.bat remote.sys
        if exist door.bat   DEL door.bat
        if exist endpcb     DEL endpcb
        c:\pcb\pcboardm /file:%pcbdat% /C:115200
        if exist remote.bat CALL remote.bat
        if exist door.bat   CALL door.bat
        if exist event.bat  CALL event.bat
        if NOT exist endpcb GOTO top
        :end

        Note that each %1 will be replaced with the node number
        when this batch file is run. The line that actually runs PCBoard
        is the "c:\pcb\pcboardm /file%pcbdat% /C:115200". The /C:115200
        tells PCB that the user is already connected at that baud rate.
        The "/PORT1F" setting tells PCBoard to use FOSSIL port COM1,
        and it is preferable to set the same FOSSIL port for all nodes.

  6) Unzip the NetFoss files into a directory, and copy NETFOSS.DLL
     to a directory located in your Windows PATH.

  7) Configure a Telnet Server to run the NF.BAT and the PCBOARD.BAT
     batch files. If you are using the included Net2BBS Telnet Server,
     then edit your Net2BBS.INI file to use a command line like this:

          Command=c:\netfoss\nf.bat /n*N /h*H c:\pcb\pcboard.bat *N


     If you are using the Mannsoft TelSrv, configure it like this:

      Working Directory:

             c:\pcb


      External Program Command Line:

             c:\telsrv\nf.bat /n*N /h*H c:\pcb\pcboard.bat *N

      [ ] Enable NetFoss Support (Disabled)


    Note: If you check the "Enable NetFoss" box, and the "/NetFoss" directory
    containing your nf.bat is located within the TelSrv directory, then you
    can (and must) enter a simpler form of External Command Line:

          c:\pcb\pcboard.bat *N

    Then TelSrv will automatically add "NetFoss\nf.bat /n*N /h*H " to
    the actual command line.


  8) For maximum file transfer speed, install Public Domain Zmodem
     (PD ZModem) as an external protocol in PCBoard. This runs several
     times faster then the PCBoard internal Zmodem or FDSZ.
 
    This is done by editing the following batch files located in the
    main PCBoard directory:

          pcbsz.bat (to send files from the bbs)
          pcbrz.bat (to receive files to the bbs)

    Replace the PCBoard protocols ZMRECV.EXE and ZMSEND.EXE with the
    proper SZ/RZ commands as described in the PD Zmodem section below.

____________________________________________________________________________


 ProBoard BBS Usage
 ------------------
    
 NetFoss was tested with ProBoard BBS for DOS version 2.17 (freeware).
 Here is how to configure it:

 1) Install ProBoard in c:\pb and create directories for each node
    such as c:\pb\node1 and c:\pb\node2 etc.

 2) Create a RUNPB.BAT in the ProBoard Directory, which looks like this:

            set proboard=c:\pb
            cd\pb\node%1
            \pb\proboard.exe -B115200 -N%1


    The -B115200 switch tells ProBoard to assume that the caller is
    already connected to the modem at that speed.
    The -N%1 passes the node number, since %1 is replaced with the
    node number when the batch file is run.

  3) Unzip the NetFoss files into a directory, and copy NETFOSS.DLL
     to a directory located in your PATH. (Under Vista, you will need
     to copy NETFOSS.DLL to c:\windows\system32\ using an administrator
     command prompt).


  4) Configure a Telnet Server to run the NF.BAT and the RUNPB.BAT
     batch files. If you are using the included Net2BBS Telnet Server,
     then edit your Net2BBS.INI file to use a command line like this:

             Command=c:\netfoss\nf.bat /n*N /h*H c:\pb\runpb.bat *N



     If you are using Mannsofts TelSrv it should look like this:

      Working Directory:

             c:\pb\node*N


      External Program Command Line:

             c:\telsrv\nf.bat /n*N /h*H c:\pb\runpb.bat *N

      [ ] Enable NetFoss Support (Disabled)


     Note: If you check the "Enable NetFoss" box, and the "/NetFoss"
     directory containing your nf.bat is located within the TelSrv
     directory, then you must enter a simpler form of External Command
     Line:

          c:\ra\runpb.bat *N

     This is because the rest is automatically added by TelSrv.

  5) For maximum file transfer speed, install Public Domain Zmodem
     (PD ZModem) as an external protocol in ProBoard. This runs several
     times faster then the ProBoard internal Zmodem or FDSZ.

____________________________________________________________________________


 RemoteAccess BBS Usage
 ----------------------
    
 NetFoss was tested with RemoteAccess BBS for DOS version 2.62.1
 Here is how to configure it:

 1) Install RemoteAccess in c:\ra and create directories for each node
    such as c:\ra\node1 and c:\ra\node2 etc.

 2) Create a RUNRA.BAT in the RemoteAccess Directory, which looks like this:

            set RA=c:\ra
            cd\ra\node%1
            \ra\ra.exe -B115200 -N%1


    The -B115200 switch tells RemoteAccess to assume that the caller is
    already connected to the modem at that speed.
    The -N%1 passes the node number, since %1 is replaced with the
    node number when the batch file is run.

  3) Unzip the NetFoss files into a directory, and copy NETFOSS.DLL
     to a directory located in your PATH.


  4) Configure a Telnet Server to run the NF.BAT and the RUNRA.BAT
     batch files. If you are using the included Net2BBS Telnet Server,
     then edit your Net2BBS.INI file to use a command line like this:

             Command=c:\netfoss\nf.bat /n*N /h*H c:\ra\runra.bat *N


     If you are using Mannsofts TelSrv it should look like this:

      Working Directory:

             c:\ra\node*N


      External Program Command Line:

             c:\telsrv\nf.bat /n*N /h*H c:\ra\runra.bat *N

      [ ] Enable NetFoss Support (Disabled)


     Note: If you check the "Enable NetFoss" box, and the "/NetFoss"
     directory containing your nf.bat is located within the TelSrv
     directory, then you must enter a simpler form of External Command
     Line:

          c:\ra\runra.bat *N

     This is because the rest is automatically added by TelSrv.

  5) For maximum file transfer speed, install Public Domain Zmodem
     (PD ZModem) as an external protocol in PCBoard. This runs several
     times faster then the RemoteAccess internal Zmodem or FDSZ.



____________________________________________________________________________


 Telegard BBS Usage
 ------------------
    
 NetFoss was tested with Telegard BBS for DOS version 3.09G2 and SP4.

 The same method can also be used to install Renegade (Which was a
 similar BBS based on an older version of Telegard source).

 Here is how to install NetFoss with Telegard:

 1) Install Telegard, and optionally install the service pack4 for it.
    The official site is http://telegard.net

 2) Create a seperate node directory for each node, such as \tg\node1

 3) Create a TG.BAT in the Telegard Directory, which looks like this:

            cd\tg\node%1
            \tg\telegard.exe -B115200 -Q -N%1

    The cd command changes to the current node directory.
    The -B115200 switch tells Telegard to assume that the caller is
    already connected to the modem at that speed.
    The -Q switch tells Telegard to exit after the caller logs off.
    The -N%1 passes the node number, since %1 is replaced with the
    node number when the batch file is run.


 4) Unzip the NetFoss files into a directory, and copy NETFOSS.DLL
    to a directory located in your Windows PATH. Restart any DOS
    Windows to see the new path.

 5) Edit the NF.BAT to add a " %1" to the end of the netfoss.com
    command line, as described in the "Non-DOOR32.SYS mode" above.

 6) Configure a Telnet Server to run the NF.BAT and the TG.BAT batch
    files. If you are using the included Net2BBS Telnet Server, then
    edit your Net2BBS.INI file to use a command line like this:

           Command=c:\netfoss\nf.bat /n*N /h*H c:\tg\tg.bat *N


    If you are using Mannsofts TelSrv it should be configured as follows:

     Working Directory:

            c:\tg\node*N

     External Program Command Line:

            c:\telsrv\nf.bat /n*N /h*H c:\tg\tg.bat *N

     [ ] Enable NetFoss Support (Disabled)


    Note: If you check the "Enable NetFoss" box, and the "/NetFoss"
    directory containing your nf.bat is located within the TelSrv
    directory, then you must enter a simpler form of External Command
    Line:

          c:\tg\tg.bat *N

    This is because the rest is automatically added by TelSrv.


 7) For maximum file transfer speed, install Public Domain Zmodem
    (PD ZModem) as an external protocol in PCBoard. This runs several
    times faster then FDSZ.


____________________________________________________________________________


 Virtual Advanced BBS Usage
 --------------------------

 NetFoss is included with Virtual Advanced BBS, as part of the VADV32
 package available from http://vadvbbs.com

 VADV32 also includes its own Win32 Telnet Server, which is preconfigured
 to use NetFoss as its FOSSIL driver.

____________________________________________________________________________


 Doorway Usage
 -------------

 Doorway allows remote control of a computer's Command Prompt via a
 modem or a telnet connection. Doorway was developed by Marshall Dudley
 from 1987-1996, and in 2006 PC Micro aquired the source code and rights
 to Doorway, in an effort to revive this excellent product.
 Doorway can be downloaded from http://pcmicro.com/doorway

 To install doorway as a door in your BBS software, configure your BBS
 to create a DOOR.SYS drop file, and to run a DOORWAY.BAT batch file.
 The DOORWAY.BAT could contain this line:

 DOORWAY.EXE SYSF /V:D^U /O:T /B:M /P:C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\COMMAND.COM

 If DOORWAY.EXE is not in the PATH, you should add the full path to it's
 location in, such as c:\bbs\doorway\doorway.exe {other paramenters here}

 Doorway has several different options for how the bottom display line is
 handled. If you have issues, try changing /B:M to /B:MZ which moves text
 on 25 to line 24. Read DOORWAY.DOC for details on other /B: settings.

____________________________________________________________________________


 Door Game Usage
 ---------------

 It's suggested to set up all nodes of a door to use the same COM port
 value, such as COM1. When NetFoss is functioning in "Telnet Mode" it
 ignores the COM port value. This is because many FOSSIL aware doors
 only work on COM1 thru COM4, while some doors support up to COM9.
 There are a few doors that support higher COM port values, for example
 TradeWars supports up to COM255.

 Here are some notes on specific doors:

 * The Pit 

       Version 4.17 (as well as 4.16 and 4.15) has a bug which
       prevents it from functioning with a FOSSIL driver if a COM
       port UART is not found at startup. Previous versions 4.05 and
       below do not have this issue, and will work fine with NetFoss.
       If your PC has a real COM port, or a PCI modem card you can
       avoid the issue by setting all the nodes of The Pit 4.17 to
       use that COM port.
       At the time of this writing, an older version of the source
       code to The Pit was recovered and is being updated by "Deuce".

 * Lunatix

       Version 4.3a is considerably slower then some older versions
       (such as 4.0), but all versions are functional with NetFoss.

 * BBS Crash

       Version 5.50 and 5.60 do not support a FOSSIL driver even though
       they claim to. Version 5.10 does support a FOSSIL driver perfectly.
       The author broke FOSSIL support in the 5.50 release which was the
       following public release after 5.10.

 * Battle of the Arts

       Version 2.0 runs fine under NetFoss, but version 2.20 has broken
       FOSSIL support and never even attempts to communicate with one.


 If you notice any other doors that claim to support a FOSSIL driver
 but are not working, please email support@pcmicro.com.

____________________________________________________________________________

 X00 Function 02h Kluge
 ----------------------

 While all versions of NetFoss included support for the extended X00
 FOSSIL commands above AH=1Bh, a new parameter was added to NetFoss
 version 0.9.2 and above, which controls how the FOSSIL command 02h
 (Receive character with wait) returns. The official FOSSIL rev 5 specs
 states that this command will always return with AH=0, but X00 returns
 with AH=status (the same status returned by command 03h).

 Most FOSSIL aware programs ignore the results returned in AH after a
 command 02h (Receive character with wait), but a small number of door
 games have been found to expect either 00, or a valid status.
 To provide maximum compatibility, NETFOSS.COM can be passed a command
 line parameter /x which forces it to return from command 02 with the
 status in AH, rather then zero.

 To enable this X00 compatibility kluge, you can edit your NF.BAT file
 to add an /x parameter, like this:

   @echo off
   c:\bbs\netfoss.com /x
   if errorlevel 1 goto end
   c:\bbs\netcom.exe %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9
   c:\bbs\netfoss.com /u
   :end

 The above NF.BAT is for door32.sys mode only. For non-door32.sys
 mode it would look like this:

   @echo off
   c:\bbs\netfoss.com %1 /x
   if errorlevel 1 goto end
   c:\bbs\netcom.exe %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9
   c:\bbs\netfoss.com /u
   :end

 When /x is not present on the netfoss.com command line, then
 Command 02h always returns with AH=00.

 When /x is present on the netfoss.com command line, then
 Command 02h always returns with AH={Status}

 Hint: If you run a Win32 BBS, you can create a second batch file
 which includes /x such as NFX.BAT which makes it simple to allow
 only certain doors to use this mode.

 For most door games, /x is not needed and should not be used
 as it can cause some other doors to fail.


____________________________________________________________________________


 COM port Mode
 -------------

 NetFoss can be used either in Telnet mode, or in COM port mode.

 COM port mode allows NetFoss to be used with real Modems for a legacy
 Dialup BBS, or it can be used with Virtual Modems such as NetSerial.
 PC Micro no longer supports COM/IP and if you purchased COM/IP from us
 between January 2000 and September 2004 then we can provide you with
 an upgrade to NetSerial at no charge. (contact support@pcmicro.com).
 BBS Sysops can purchase NetSerial at a special sysop price of $25. 

 Currently the COM port mode does not support colescing data, so software
 which only writes one character to the fossil at a time will be slightly 
 slower when used on a COM port compared to running NetFoss in Telnet mode.
 Well designed BBS software will send large blocks of characters or data
 to to the FOSSIL driver at a time, which is considerably faster.

 When using NetFoss in COM port mode, there is no need to use the NF.BAT
 file, because NetCom (The Telnet Communication Engine) is not neeeded.
 Simply run NETFOSS.COM as a TSR, by loading it with the node number and
 COM port number like this:

       NETFOSS.COM /N1 /C1

 This will install the NetFoss TSR (Terminate and Stay Resident)) code
 by binding it to the current Command Prompt (Virtual DOS Machine).
 The above example uses Node 1, COM1.

 Once the TSR is installed in the current Command Prompt, you can simply
 run your BBS application or Front End Mailer from that Command Prompt,
 and it will see NetFoss is operating on INT 14h.

 When your application is finished running, you can uninstall the
 NetFoss TSR from the current Command Prompt by running:

       NETFOSS.COM /U
 
 When the Command Prompt is closed, NetFoss is automatically uninstalled
 from it.

 ----

 It is also possible (but not suggested) to use the NF.BAT file when
 using NetFoss in COM port mode, but you would need to make some changes
 to your NF.BAT as shown below.

 To use the /C parameter to pass the COM port number, you could make the
 following changes to your NF.BAT:

 1. The line that runs netfoss.com will need both /c{value} and
    /n{value} parameters, which each need to be a value from 1 to 4096.
    i.e.: /N1 /C1
 2. The line that runs netcom.exe can optionally be removed and replaced
    with the following line:
    call %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9
 3. Any batch files that NF.BAT executes (via the call command),
    may not contain an "Exit" command. This is because the call
    command is used to run one batch file from another one, but
    the exit command will prevent the original batch file from
    regaining control. This will result in nf.bat never uninstalling
    netfoss afterwards.

 The second step (#2) is optional, as NETCOM.EXE is not required for
 COM port mode. If NETCOM.EXE is passed a /C{value} or detects the
 DOOR32.SYS is set for COM port mode, it will run in local mode, simply
 spawning the given command line.

 NETFOSS.COM will also enable COM port mode if it finds a DOOR32.SYS
 drop file which is configured for COM port mode, if a DOOR.SYS drop
 file also exists in the same directory.

 Please note that if the /C  parameter is passed to NETFOSS.COM, this
 effectivly disables Telnet mode (Unless you use a virtual modem such
 as NetSerial for your telnet engine).
 Do *NOT* pass a /C  parameter to NETFOSS.COM if using a Telnet Server.

 ---

 Here is how to run NetFoss as a TSR, so a NF.BAT is not needed.
 This will *ONLY* work in COM port mode:

 Load NETFOSS.COM into memory by passing it the node number and
 the COM port number to use, like this:

 NETFOSS.COM /N1 /C1

 This will Install NetFoss into the current "Command Prompt" (NTVDM)
 Window, running as a TSR. 

 If you install NetFoss in multiple "Command Prompt" windows using the
 COM port mode, they will each need to use a unique Node number and a
 unique COM port number.

 ---

 When using NetFoss with NetSerial'S Virtual Modems, you should configure
 NetSerial like this:

 Connection type: Telnet
 [  ] Request Remote Telnet Echo
 [X] Accept Local Telnet Echo
 [X] Request Binary Connection
 Port Mode: Virtual Modem
 Inbound TCP Port: 23
 [X] Accept inbound connections

 The suggested BBS Init string for NetSerial is AT&D2
 This forces the virtual modem to disconnect when the BBS software
 lowers the DTR line on the virtual COM port.

 NetSerial can create up to 256 Virtal Modems.
 Each Virtual Modem can be controlled by NetFoss in a seperate node.
 Virtual Modems do not require Windows modem drivers to work with NetFoss
 and DOS based applications including BBS programs.

____________________________________________________________________________


 Locked COM Port Baud Rate
 -------------------------

 NETFOSS.COM allows the /L{value} parameter to be specified when using
 a COM port, to define a Locked baud rate to set the COM port to.
 If no locked value is given, the COM port will default to being locked
 at 115200 baud.

 Some BBS Software, such as EzyCom, requires using a slower baud rate of
 57600, 38400 or even 19200 baud in order to function.

 The /L{value parameter can only be used along with the /C{value}
 parameter, which sets NetFoss to use a COM port.

 An example command line is:
 NETFOSS.COM /N1 /C1 /L57600

 This sets Node 1, COM port mode using COM1, locked at 57600 baud.

____________________________________________________________________________


 COM Port Release
 ----------------

 NETFOSS.COM allows the /R parameter to be specified when using COM port
 mode, which causes NetFoss to release the COM port after it receives a
 "Deinitialize Port" FOSSIL command from the application.

 By default, NetFoss will open a COM port when it receives an "Initialize
 Port" FOSSIL command, and it will hold that COM port open until NetFoss
 is told to uninstall itself from memory (using the /U parameter), or
 until the Command Prompt window it was loaded in is closed.

 While NetFoss is holding a COM port open, it is not possible for any
 other applications to access the COM port directly.

____________________________________________________________________________


 Compatibility Issues
 --------------------

 Some "security" software (anti-virus and firewalls) will interfere with
 a socket being passed from a Telnet Server to another process such as
 NetFoss. This process is known as Socket inheritance.

 NOD32 anti-virus must be configured to allow the Telnet Server to do this,
 by doing the following:

 1. Click on IMON from the NOD32 control center.
 2. Click on Setup, and then click the "Miscellaneous" tab.
 3. Under the Exclusion section, click the "Edit" button and add the
    path/name of your telnet server .exe file.


 ZoneAlarm Security Suite will not allow exclusions to be defined, so it
 must be uninstalled.

 Windows Server 2003 or 2008 will fail to allow socket inheritance if a
 policy to enforce QoS on created TCP sockets is enabled.
  
____________________________________________________________________________


 Zmodem File Transfers
 ---------------------

 The following FOSSIL aware Zmodem File Transfer Protocols have been
 successfully tested with NetFoss in BBS Download mode:

 PD Zmodem 1.2.6     - Peter Mandrella, Daisy Data & Information Systems
 SynZM 1.00          - Synopsis, Edge of Honor
 PDrive 2.10         - Larry Athey, Max Graphics
 FDSZ (5/20/97)      - Chuck Forsberg, Omen Technology
 AnDan Zmodem 1.04   - Anders Dannielsson, Andan Softare
 SDPF                - Thomas Thayer, Streamline Design
 CEXYZ 1.0 DOS       - George Hatchew, Cutting Edge Computing

 ZSX 3.10 was also tested, which claims to be FOSSIL compatible, but it
 failed to transfer any files.


 Zmodem benchmark results
 ------------------------

 The following Zmodem benchmarks were performed on a Celeron 1.5Ghz CPU
 with 256 megs RAM running Windows 2000 Professional. Your results may
 differ under other environments.

 The Zmodem protocols were used to send files to an Mtelnet terminal
 program (version beta 12 by Dink available at http://ozone.eesc.com)
 Mtelnet was located on the same LAN to avoid any internet lag.

 Only the default block size of 1K was used in this test, because
 Mtelnet does not support the larger 8K blocks.

 The benchmark results for sending files to an Mtelnet terminal are:


 PD Zmodem    -  350,000 CPS < The Winner! >
 SynZM        -   28,500 CPS
 PDrive       -   28,500 CPS
 FDSZ         -   28,500 CPS
 SDPF         -   21,900 CPS
 AnDan Zmodem -   19,000 CPS
 CEXYZ        -    9,065 CPS
 ZSX          -   Failed


 These are speeds which Mtelnet can receive/download the files being sent
 by a BBS using the listed protocols. Mtelnet has its own internal Zmodem
 implementation, so the protocols are only installed on the BBS end.

 The result is that "Public Domain" Zmodem is by far the fastest FOSSIL
 compatible Zmodem protocol tested, by over 12 times the speed of others.

 When Mtelnet is used to send/upload files to a BBS running these Zmodem
 protocols, Mtelnet can only send at a maximum of around 200,000 CPS.
 This is because Mtelnet sends data in smaller packets causing the data
 to become buffered while the receiving protocol eventually recieves the
 data (at its fastest speed).

 This presents a problem in which Mtelnet will finish sending a large file
 long before the BBS is finished receiving the file. Mtelnet will wait
 several minutes for a conformation from the BBS end acknoleging that the
 transfer was completed sucessfully. If it does not see this within a few
 minutes, the transfer will fail. The only protocol which can keep up with
 high speed transfers of large files being sent from mtelnet is "Public
 Domain" Zmodem.

 To allow a BBS to accept large Zmodem uploads using NetFoss, you *MUST*
 use the "Public Domain" Zmodem (also known as PD Zmodem) protocol.
 The "Public Domain" Zmodem protocol is freeware, and is available from
 http://netfoss.com

 You can download other file transfer protocols at the BBS Archives:
 http://archives.thebbs.org/ra90a.htm


 Configuring PD Zmodem for use with a BBS
 ----------------------------------------

 Most BBS software allows external protocol drivers to be defined for
 Zmodem and other file transfer protocols. The following example
 command lines can be used:

 Download from BBS:

   ZM -f -ldDSZ.LOG sz <filename or @batch list>

 Upload to BBS:

   ZM -f -ldDSZ.LOG -r rz <path to receive>


 The "-ldDSZ.LOG" parameter is not needed if you define a system environment
 variable in Windows as follows:

 DSZLOG=DSZ.LOG

 When using PD Zmodem with NetFoss, the COM port parameter does not need
 to be specified. COM1 is assumed by default, and NetFoss ignores the COM
 port value anyways). The baud rate also does not need to be specified,
 since the existing baud rate is used by default.

____________________________________________________________________________



 Frequently Asked Questions:
 ---------------------------

  Q:  Does NetFoss run under Windows Vista?
  A:  NetFoss is compatible with all Vista 32-bit editions, but you will
      need top copy NETFOSS.DLL to c:\windows\system32\
      Vista 64-bit editions do not support DOS driver hooks.

  Q:  Does NetFoss run under Windows 2003, XP, 2000, or NT4?
  A:  Yes.

  Q:  Does NetFoss run under Windows 95, 98, or ME?
  A:  No.

  Q:  Does NetFoss allow all MS-DOS-based BBS programs and doors to
      redirect to a telnet connection?
  A:  Yes, as long as the application supports FOSSIL or INT 14h
      communications NetFoss can be used. For other applications that
      communicate directly with serial UART hardware, the NetSerial
      redirector can be used instead.      

  Q:  Does NetFoss work with Windows-based BBS programs?
  A:  Yes and No. Windows-based programs don't use a FOSSIL themselves,
      so a FOSSIL is only needed to allow the BBS to shell to external
      MS-DOS-based applications (called doors). This is done by the BBS
      handing over the telnet socket (or COM port) to NetFoss when a door
      is run, and after the door application exits, NetFoss releases the
      socket (or COM port) and returns control to the BBS program.

  Q:  Do I need a Telnet Server to use NetFoss?
  A:  NetFoss includes a Telnet Server (Net2BBS), and it can also be used
      with several other Windows Telnet Servers. NetFoss is compatible
      with modems, (real or virtual) which do not require a telnet server.

  Q:  Does NetFoss work as a FOSSIL for physical com ports?
  A:  Yes. 

  Q:  Does NetFoss work as a FOSSIL for NetSerial and other Virtual Com
      ports or Virtual Modems redirectors under Windows?
  A:  Yes. 

  Q:  Does NetFoss work as a FOSSIL for direct Telnet?
  A:  Yes. NetFoss includes the NetCom Telnet Communication engine
      which takes over an active TCP/IP connection from the Telnet Server.

  Q:  Why do I get a "Node is already in use" message from NetFoss?
  A:  See the NETCOM.EXE error messages section below.

  Q:  How can I improve Zmodem transfer speeds?
  A:  By installing PDZmodem as an external protocol in the BBS.

  Q:  Do I need to use Net2BBS to use NetFoss?
      No, you can use other Telnet Servers instead, or you can use
      NetFoss with NetSerial which does not require a Telnet Server. 

  Q:  Can Net2BBS be run from the System Tray?
  A:  Yes, by installing the freeware TrayIt Utility downloadable from
      http://www.teamcti.com/TrayIt

  Q:  When a client is downloading from my BBS using Zmodem, I see
      FDSZ occasionally stall for 12 seconds, then continue. Why?
  A:  NetFoss sees that the TCP write buffer is being filled, because
      FDSZ is generating too many almost-empty packets, causing the
      client to receive no more then 25K-35K CPS, while FDSZ transfers
      faster on the BBS end. Each time the buffer fills, NetFoss pauses
      for 12 seconds to allow the client some time to catch up. Using
      PD Zmodem instead of FDSZ can avoid the issue.

  Q:  Can I donate to NetFoss development?
  A:  Sure, Paypal donations are accepted at sales@pcmicro.com.
      However NetFoss is freeware, so please don't feel obligated to pay.

____________________________________________________________________________

 NETFOSS.COM Error Messages
 --------------------------

  Usage:
   /N{value}  Set node
   /C{value}  Set COM port mode   (this disables Telnet mode)
   /L{value}  Set Locked Baud     (only use if COM port mode is set)
   /R         Allow COM Release   (when FOSSIL is told to Deinitialize)
   /X         Use X00 status kluge
   /U         Uninstall

       This helpscreen is displayed when any unknown parameter is passed
       on the NETFOSS.COM command line.


  Node is already in use

       This indicates that either the current or another DOS Window
       already has the NETFOSS.DLL file activated with the same node
       number assigned.
       The node number was either passed on the command line, or read
       from the DOOR32.SYS file.

       If you see this, try closing any DOS windows (Command Prompts)
       that are open, in case you inadvertently had installed NetFoss
       to the same node number from another window.

       Another possibility is that you loaded NetFoss before you loaded
       your Win32 BBS from the same window, in which case the BBS is
       attempting to open another instance of NetFoss from that window.

  Can't find netfoss.dll


       This means that netfoss.dll was not located in any of the directories
       listed in the Windows environment variable called "Path".
       
       You can change the path (a system environment variable) by going to
       the Windows Control Panel, click on "System Properties", Click on
       the "Advanced" Tab, Click on "Environment Variables" and edit the
       value for the System variable named "Path".

  Bad netfoss.dll [0x]

        This indicates netfoss.dll was found, but it was unable to load.
        The error code in the brackets should be sent to support@pcmicro.com.
 

  DOOR32.SYS not found

       This indicates there was no /n{node number} switch passed from
       the command line, so NetFoss was expecting to find a DOOR32.SYS
       in the current directory where it would obtain the node # from.

       a DOOR32.SYS file is a "drop file". Most BBS programs create one
       or more "drop files" before running an external program (door).
       Drop files can then be read by the external program to determine
       information about connection and user, such as speed, terminal
       type, number of minutes remaining, etc.

       On most BBS packages, Drop Files are typically created in the nodes
       default directory, which is usually the directory that the BBS node
       was started from.
       When a BBS runs an external program (known as a door), it starts
       the door (or its batch file) from this directory, and typically a
       doors batch file will then change the directory to where the door
       is actually located.
       By default this is not the case with Synchronet BBS, but Synchronet
       allows the sysop to define which directory the door starts out in.

  DOOR.SYS not found

       This indicates there was no /n{node number} switch passed from
       the command line, and when NetFoss read the DOOR32.SYS it found
       that Serial (COM Port Mode) is requested. NetFoss then looked
       for a 16-bit style DOOR.SYS in the same directory in order to
       determine the COM port number to use, read the COM port, but this
       file was not found.

  Low memory
        
       This means there was not enough RAM for NetFoss to install itself.
       Netfoss requires approximately 2k of conventional memory to install
       itself, (conventional is memory below 640k) but once installed it
       uses less then 1k of conventional memory. It also requires about 8k
       of extended memory to operate.
 
  Needs NT

       This means an inferior version of Windows has been detected. ;)
       NetFoss requires NT4, 2000, XP, 2003, or Vista 32bit.

  Can't uninstall

       This means that NetFoss was told to uninstall itself from memory
       (after being run with the /u parameter), but it was either not
       previously loaded in the current NTVDM (Command Prompt) window or
       it was unable to uninstall itself for some other reason.


____________________________________________________________________________

 NETCOM.EXE Error Messages
 --------------------------


  Error: No command line given. Aborting.

      This means that NETCOM was not given the path\filename.exe of
      a DOS application to execute (such as a BBS or a door) or a
      Batch file (either .BAT or .CMD) to process.
      The command line given must include the extension.


  Error: No node/handle passed, and no DOOR32.SYS found.

      This means that NETCOM was not passed a /n{node number}
      and a /h{telnet socket handle} value on the command line, and
      there was also no DOOR32.SYS file found in the current directory.
 
  Error: This Node is already in use

      This means that another NetCom is already communicating with
      NETFOSS.DLL on the node number that was either passed on the
      command line or read from the DOOR32.SYS file. 
 

  Error: External application failed to execute.

       This means that the command line that netcom was told to
       execute failed to work. Usually this indicates the path
       or filename you specified did not exist, though there could
       be other reasons.


  Error reading DOOR32.SYS

      The DOOR32.SYS file was not readable, or was in the wrong
      format.


  COM Port Mode - TCP/IP disabled.

      This occurs if the DOOR32.SYS is configured for COM Port mode,
      or if a /C{value} parameter was passed to NETFOSS.COM, which
      causes NetCom to run the external program without a TCP/IP
      interface.


  Local Mode - TCP/IP disabled.

      This occurs if the DOOR32.SYS is configured for local mode,
      or if the socket handle listed in DOOR32.SYS or passed on the
      command line was -1, which causes Netcom to run the external
      application without a tcp/ip interface.

 
____________________________________________________________________________

 FOSSIL Functions Reference
 --------------------------

    Common Functions:
               Function 00h - Set communications parameters
               Function 01h - Transmit character and wait
               Function 02h - Get received character with wait
               Function 03h - Return Serial Port Status
               Function 04h - Activate Port
               Function 05h - Deactivate Port
               Function 06h - Raise/lower DTR
               Function 07h - Return timer tick information
               Function 08h - Flush output buffer
               Function 09h - Purge output buffer
               Function 0Ah - Purge input buffer
               Function 0Bh - Transmit no wait
               Function 0Ch - Non-destructive read-ahead (Peek)
               Function 0Dh - Keyboard read without wait
               Function 0Eh - Keyboard read with wait
               Function 0Fh - Enable / Disable Flow Control
               Function 10h - Control-C / Control-K checking
               Function 11h - Set cursor location
               Function 12h - Read cursor location
               Function 13h - Single character ANSI write to screen
               Function 14h - Enable or disable the DCD watchdog
               Function 15h - Write character to screen using BIOS
               Function 16h - Add / Delete a routine from the timer tick
               Function 17h - Reboot system (not supported by NetFoss)
               Function 18h - Block Read
               Function 19h - Block Write
               Function 1Ah - Break begin or end
               Function 1Bh - Get FOSSIL Driver information

      X00 Enhanced Functions:
               Function 1Ch - Activate Port
               Function 1Dh - Deactivate Port
               Function 1Eh - Extended line control initialization
               Function 1Fh - Extended serial port status/control
               Function 20h - Read with no wait (destructive)
               Function 21h - Stuff/Poke the receive buffer

       Layered Application Functions:
               Function 7Eh  - Install an "external application"
               Function 7Fh  - Remove an "external application"
 
 For detailed information on using these functions, refer to the
 FOSSIL.TXT and FOSSIL.CHT files included in the NetFoss archive.
 Additional information can be found in the X00 package.
  
____________________________________________________________________________


 License and Disclaimer
 ----------------------

 NetFoss is provided free of charge, without any warranty whatsoever.

 Use NetFoss entirely at your own risk. In no event will PC Micro Systems,
 or its agents be liable for any damages, including loss of profits or
 other consequential damages arising from the use or inability to use
 NetFoss.

 You may copy and distribute verbatim copies of NetFoss, in any medium,
 provided that none of the files in the archive are tampered with and no
 files are added or removed.

 You may bundle NetFoss with your own BBS software or telnet server, if
 you do not charge a fee for the product, and as long as all the files in
 the original NetFoss archive are placed in a seperate sub directory, with
 no changes except for the NF.BAT file which may be customized as needed.

 NetFoss is a trademark of PC Micro Systems, Inc.
 Net2BBS is a trademark of PC Micro Systems, Inc.
 NetSerial is a trademark of PC Micro Systems, Inc.
 Doorway is a trademark of PC Micro Systems, Inc.
 PC Micro is a trademark of PC Micro Systems, Inc.
 DESQview is a trademark of Symantec Corporation.
 FrontDoor is a trademark of Definite Solutions.
 X00 is a trademark of Raymond L. Gwinn.
 Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
 Other products mentioned are properties of their respected authors.
___________________________________________________________________________


 Credits
 -------

 A big thanks goes to Maarten Bekers for answering many Winsock related
 questions during the original NetCom development in 2001. Maarten is the
 author of EleBBS and EleCom. NetFoss began as a side project while beta
 testing Maarten's SyncFos interface and encountering issues with door
 compatibility and performance, so NetFoss was created to redirect DOS
 INT 14h calls to our experimental NetCom communication driver. NetFoss
 would never have become a reality without Maartens initial support.

 Another big thanks go to `Hutch' for developing MASM32, the ultimate
 Macro Assembler package for designing Windows software in ASM, and to
 Rob Swindell for info on the C++ Virtual DOS Driver 'BOP' hooks.

 And finally, thanks to the following beta testers who reported problems
 and/or offered suggestions on improving previous versions of NetFoss:

 Andrew Grimsby       aka Andrew
 Maarten Bekers       aka Ele
 Mark Netzel          aka Kram
 Rick Parrish         aka Ree
 Marty Kazmaier       aka Surato
 Brian Zohu           aka Zoob
 Matthew Sullivan
 Louis Northmore
 Jani Sirpoma         aka Dragon
 Mike Dillon          aka GSValore
 Michael Preslar      aka Z
 Christopher Evans    aka Teknopup
 Jimmy Rose           aka BlueWizard
 Loginius             aka Loginius
 Daryl Hunt           aka DeadMeat
 Chris Costakis
 Charles Ren de Cotret
 Michael Everett, III aka Bobo
 George A. Roberts IV aka Sirtwist
 Eric Schwimmer       aka Uber
 Bud Younke           aka Raptor
 Doug Rhee            aka BBSFiles
 Tom Jackson          aka ACTION
 Darryl Dynnaway
 Steve Winn
 Deathr0w             aka Deathr0w
 Ioram Sette
 Minh Van Le
 Brian Taylor
 Rich Ringer          aka Pony
 T.J. McMillian       aka Exodus
 Alexey Fayans        aka Burning Shadow
 Michael Montague     aka Tarix
____________________________________________________________________________


 Whats new:
 ----------
                      
           0.2wb      Added support for /n{node} in NetFoss.com
                      and both /n{node} and /h{handle} in netcom.exe.

           0.3wb      Optimized code, fixed win2k command line bug.

           0.4wb      Redesigned buffering routines, and in the process
                      fixed the FOSSIL peek/poke (0CH &21H) commands,
                      so now Scrabble, Axe & Fang, and any other doors
                      which previously didnt work should now be fine.
                      Fixed random input buffer garbage on first run.

           0.5        Reoptimized code for additional speed. Improved
                      status returned when reading a character to allow
                      T&J software's doors to run. Check for carrier drop
                      during a function 2 (read character /w wait)
                      command. Set function 2 timeout to 30 seconds.

           0.6        After a long pause in NetFoss development, this
                      is a minor update which adds support for NT 4.0.
                      The error messages are now always returned to the
                      DOS window rather then to a pop-up window. Fixed a
                      bug in FOSSIL Function 1B (return info in FOSSIL)
                      which was not returning everything it should.

           0.7        Forced Echo off for non Win32 BBS software.
                      Fixed the block-read function, which was not
                      compatible with PCBoard.

           0.7.1      Fixed buffer output bug on slower computers or
                      slow connections, thanks to Charles Ren de Cotret
                      for reporting the issue and testing the fix.

           0.7.2      Added work around to fix CR/LF telnet bug in L.O.R.D.

           0.8        Added DESQview emulation, to release DV timeslices
                      to NT. Added detection and optimizations for poorly
                      designed doorkits. Enhanced carrier detection
                      routine to work around EasyDoor kit bugs
                      (Reported by Mark Netzel). Force non responding
                      doors to terminate 10 seconds after carrier drops.
                      Improved timeslicing release for local mode doors
                      (requested by Marty Kazmaier). Fixed INT1C Timer
                      Chain handling to work around the Fresh Water Fishing
                      door (reported by Mark Netzel). Optimized base memory
                      usage in netfoss.com. Updated docs. Added a pause to
                      all error messages.

           0.8.1      Minor Update. Fixed ANSI detection problem introduced
                      in v0.8 in which Renegade BBS and some doors created
                      using doorframe were unable to detect ANSI.
                      (Reported by Cory Snow and Marty Kazmaier).

           0.8.2b     These were private beta versions of a rewritten Netcom
            thru      released only to the beta team. They included command
           0.8.5b     line paremeters to configure the timer settings.
                      Removed the L.O.R.D. CR/LF work around since its fixed
                      in the beta version of L.O.R.D. 4.07.

           0.8.5wb    An "experimental" Wide beta of NetCom, to be used with
                      NetFoss 0.8.1. It now responds to AIC "Are you there"
                      requests, and turns on binary mode by default, although
                      binary transfers may not be fully functional. Please
                      read the BETANOTE.TXT file for details on this release.

           0.8.6      The Return of NetFoss! After a year and a half pause,
                      development has now resumed. Thanks to Doug Reah for
                      testing hundreds of doors with NetFoss on his BBS, and
                      reporting which ones didn't run. It turned out that
                      several doors by "William Rountree" did not follow the
                      level 5 FOSSIL specs correctly, so a work around was
                      added. Also some doors such as Death Masters could
                      generate a blank remote display, fixed. Adjusted the
                      timing to slow down during Zmodem transfers, preventing
                      the BBS end from finishing first and timing out.
 
           0.8.7      Fixed issue that could cause version 0.8.6 to crash
                      PCBoard, reported today by Darryl Dynnaway.
                      Restored a small delay at startup after setting the
                      telnet options, as Mtel (and terminals running under
                      COM/IP) would sometimes expereince garbage input
                      chars without this. Reported by Doug Rhee and Mark
                      Netzel.

           0.9        Adjusted block-read command to support FOSSIL Zmodems
                      (other then FDSZ) that transfer in blocks rather
                      then a character at a time.

           0.9.1      Prevented VADV BBS from hanging after a portscan is
                      done on port 23, reported by Steve Winn.

           0.9.2      It's been just over 2 years since the last update.
                      It turns out that one of the changes made to version
                      0.8.6 to allow a some doors to work which don't follow
                      the FOSSIL rev.5 specs causes certain other doors to
                      fail. The problem was that the X00 Specifications go
                      against the official FOSSIL level 5 specifications in
                      regards to what command 02 (Receive character with
                      wait) returns in AH. The Specs require AH=0, but X00
                      returns the status in AH instead. To resolve this,
                      NetFoss now follows the official specs unless the
                      netfoss.com is given the /X parameter on its command
                      line (within nf.bat) in which case it follows the X00
                      method. Both methods support extended X00 functions.
                      Worked around an issue with a certain PCBoard PPE
                      that sends invalid commands to the FOSSIL. Reported
                      by Deathr0w.
                      Improved timeslice releasing to allow certain doors
                      (BRE,FE,FH,TAL), to run at close to 0% CPU usage.
                      Slowed down binary transfers to avoid upload timeouts.

           0.9.3      Improved binary tranfer speed by redesigning the
                      timeslice release handler to optimize for both FDSZ
                      and PD Zmodem transfer modes (byte or block). BBS
                      uploads should never timeout when using PD Zmodem.
                      Fixed minor NetCom issue introduced in 0.9.2 causing
                      a C/R to not be seen by the L.O.R.D. door with some
                      terminals, reported by Ioram Sette.

           0.9.4      Experimental support for COM ports added, allowing
                      NetFoss to be used with dialup Modems, and Virtual
                      Modems such as NetSerial.

           0.9.5      NetFoss now allows DOS based FTN (FidoNet Technology)
                      Mailers such as FrontDoor and D'Bridge to run over a
                      Telnet connection using NetSerial. Fixed some issues
                      introduced in 0.9.4 with status and COM port DTR
                      signals, reported by Rich Ringer. Fixed zero byte
                      write issue also issue introduced in 0.9.4, reported
                      by Ioram Sette. Added keepalive feature for unstable
                      networks and DialUp ISP connections, requested by
                      Minh Van Le.

           0.9.6      NetFoss now includes a miniture Telnet Server called
                      Net2BBS, which logs IP's, plays wav files and supports
                      semaphore file event triggers. NetFoss now runs the
                      "Kannons & Katapults" door game at lower CPU usage -
                      http://x-bit.org/k-n-k/ Thanks xbit. NetCom was
                      ajusted to avoid a Windows Vista Issue, reported by
                      Steve Winn.

           0.9.7      Fixed issue preventing PCBoard from running with
                      NetSerial in wait-for-call mode, reported by DeathR0w.
                      When the DOOR32.SYS dropfile is configured for serial
                      communications, NetFoss now looks for the COM port
                      value by also reading DOOR.SYS. Added /R switch to
                      release a COM port during a Deinitialize Port command.
                      Net2BBS includes view-minimized and view-hidden
                      options when launching BBS sessions. Net2BBS bug fix:
                      The wrong IP could be logged during a disconnect
                      from Net2BBS, reported by Alexey Fayans.

           0.9.8      Fixed an issue introduced in version 0.9.7, which
                      did not allow the FDSZ file transfer program to be
                      shelled to from a Win32 BBS (because FDSZ never sends
                      a FOSSIL "Initialize" command) reported by Ioram
                      Sette. Added delay to telnet echo negotiation.
                      Removed internal Keepalive which should not be needed.

           0.9.9      Optimized NetCom engine uses seperate Read and Write
                      Threads to minimize CPU usage while idle, and uses
                      larger buffers. NetCom now uses Windows TCP keepalive.
                      Net2BBS now displays the BBS node number in the
                      TitleBar of each Console window. Net2BBS disconnects
                      all active BBS nodes when told to exit. NetFoss now
                      allows a COM port to be passed a locked baud rate on
                      the command line, requested by Robert Wolfe.

           1.0        Optimized all EXE/DLL for Pentium-4 and later CPU's.
                      Previous builds were optimized for Pentium-3.
                      Worked around an issue with NetFoss running with
                      NetSerial and FrontDoor, reported by T.J. McMillian.
                      Net2BBS now supports wildcard blocking of IP addresses
                      and hostnames, improved logging, View=Maximize mode,
                      and other .INI configuration options were added.

