COM/IP Telnet Server
By: David Stumpf

Recently I went in search of a Telnet server for use with Windows 95
and Telegard.  I reviewed one which I found to be extremely stable,
reliable, fast and easy to use.  The Telnet server in question is
written by Tactical Software and is called COM/IP.  On the technical
side, it is a "Virtual Comport Re-Director".  In other words, it
creates Windows "Virtual" com ports.  These ports can be used as
inbound or outbound ports and may be connected to a DOS fossil
application using a Windows based fossil driver, such as WinFossil.

With the tests that I have performed, using COM/IP v1.2.3 and
WinFossil 1.12 over a BNC TCP/IP network, I have gotten upwards
of an 8,000cps rate when transferring files between Telegard
(using CEXYZ v1.0) and HyperTerminal v3.0 (Private Edition).
Although I have tried similar tests with the more popular
NetModem32, I never could get it to transfer files without
error and only at about a 300cps rate, this is possibly due
to configuration problems or the fact that NetModem was not
registered.

Tactical Software allows a 30 day free preview of their software,
and will also extend the trial period if reasonable cause is givin.
At present, both the preview and the full registered versions of
COM/IP only support one connection per TCP/IP port (ie: the Telnet
port), although I have received word from Tactical Software that
this is going to change, possibly as soon as the end of this year.

At current, I have had COM/IP running on my BBS for roughly 20 days,
without a single problem nor needing a re-boot.  I must also note,
I've had some discussions with Tactical Software and we have worked
out a deal for Non-Profit BBS SysOps to receive a 20% discount when
paying by check or credit card.  This discount is subject to change
slightly and you should email Tactical Software to find out the most
current pricing discount.

At the time of this article, I do not know exactly what verification
Tactical Software is going to require for BBS licenses, you should
ask them this as well if you decide to purchase their product.

Current pricing for COM/IP is as follows;

COM/IP is licensed "per seat", that is, a license is required for
each PC on which COM/IP is installed.

     Number of Users                Price per License
          1                               59.95
         2-4                              50.00
         5-9                              46.00
        10-24                             42.00
        25-49                             38.00
        50-99                             34.00
       100-249                            30.00
         250+                             26.00

For more information about Tactical Software and COM/IP, or to
download the trial version check out their web site at
http://www.tactical-sw.com/.

My setting for COM/IP, WinFossil and Telegard are as follows;

COM/IP

Redirect to port that is not used (IE: com3 on my machine)
Init String: AT &F &C1 &D2 S1000="terminal" S1001=2 S1002=1
             S1008=23 s1009=23



WinFossil

Set port to redirected port, just like normal fossil, com1
is port 0, etc.

Turn "Auto Detect Use" to off and "Open in MS-DOS" to on.
Set your locked rate to the same as you use for other nodes
on the BBS.  I use 57600 on all nodes.


Telegard

Totally remove your INIT string, but leave the answer and
hangup strings the way they are.

--- Fringe BBS