Chapter 7 - Commands and Messages
78
APPENDIX II
TCP/IP NETWORKING COMPATIBILITY
Introduction to TCP/IP
What is TCP/IP? TCP/IP is a suite (group) of protocols developed to allow the sharing of re-
sources by computers in a network. FTP, the file transfer protocol, is one in the suite; it provides
for the transfer of a file from one computer to another. TELNET is another protocol in the suite;
TELNET provides basically for a chit-chat channel. You could have a QSO using TELNET. Other pro-
tocols also exist within the suite. Actually TCP and IP are also protocols named the transmission
control protocol and internet protocol respectively. The group as a whole is generally referred to as
TCP/IP.
TCP/IP was developed by a set of researchers, many of whom were associated with the ARPA-
net, the Advanced Research Projects Agency (computer} network. The purpose of TCP/IP was
(and still is) to allow communication between networks with differing characteristics and protocols.
Hence the term INTERNET in the protocol name IP.
Since so much effort and research went into the development of TCP/IP networks and since
the suite of protocols provide for a number of successful computer networks today, it has occurred
to a number of amateurs that TCP/IP might be appropriate for packet radio networks. Indeed this
appears to be the case; a TCP/IP program has been developed for the IBM PC that interfaces with
any TNC that has what is called the KISS mode added. In effect, with TCP/IP running on your PC
or clone and your TNC, KPC, or KAM modified to allow the KISS mode, you can transfer files or
carry on a QSO.
For further details about TCP/IP, we refer you to a local or regional TCP/IP group. A detailed
explanation of TCP/IP is beyond the scope of this manual. The remainder of this chapter describes
the KISSMODE, the program that must be added to your KAM so that it is compatible with TCP/IP.
KISS mode
When in the KISS mode, your KAM acts only as a modem and packet assembler/disassembler
(PAD), leaving the networking and routing jobs to the TCP/IP program in your computer. Received
packets are passed along to the computer for control decisions, processing, and possibly digipeat-
ing. The packet unit gives up these traditional duties. As you can see, TCP/IP running on your PC
has a lot of work to do and further explanation is beyond the scope of this manual. However, three
commands in the KAM are required to run in the KISS mode, and an explanation of these follows.
KISS MODE COMMANDS
KISSMODE
ON|OFF
default off
When in the KISS mode, the KAM will use the KISS protocol which is used in conjunction with
the TCP/IP suite in your computer. There are two ways to enter the KISS mode. In both cases you
must first turn the
KISSMODE
parameter on by typing
KISSMODE ON
while in command mode.
Then any command which will cause a soft reset (e.g.
RESET
,
MAXUSER
,
PBBS
, etc) will put the
KAM in KISS mode. Turning the unit off and then on will cause it to return to command mode.
The other method of entering KISS mode is to first turn
KISSMODE ON
and then
PERM
the value
in EEPROM. Be sure to also
PERM ABAUD
to a nonzero value. Then when the unit is turned on it
will automatically be in KISS mode. If KISSMODE is permed on, the only way to leave the KISS
mode is to either reset all the EEPROM values using the TEST/NORM jumper or use the special
KISS
command in TOP/IP to get back into command mode. If the special
KISS
command is used,
the KAM would have its KISSMODE parameter turned off but the EEPROM parameter is still turned
on until KISSMODE is permed off by a non-TCP/IP terminal program in command mode.
PERSIST n
default 255
n can be any value from 0 to 255. When the KAM has a packet to send and the channel is
clear, it will begin transmitting with a probability of (n+1)/256. If it does not transmit, it waits one
