Dial-up servers, sometimes known as Bulletin Board Systems (BBSes), were highly popular among technophiles in the 1980s and 1990s. These predecessors to the modern internet forums and chatrooms allowed users to dial a local system with a modulator/demodulator (modem) and connect to an online world of messaging, file exchange, games and communication. While the internet has largely superseded the local BBS, some system operators (SysOps) still operate successful local systems in a variety of markets. As broadband internet access rates have come down, many SysOps have chosen to provide internet access to dial-up users in addition to traditional services, making new BBSes a hybrid of local and internet functionality. This article will explain set up such a local system using some easily available computer hardware and software.
Instructions
Select and Obtain Your Server Software
1. Decide between commercial software or open-source/freeware.Although the BBS market has declined since the 1990s, there is still a fairly wide array of dial-up server software available. Some of this software, such as Santronics Software's WINServer, is solid and stable, offers tons of functionality and is available for a premium commercial charge. Other software, such as Synchronet, also supports a wide array of features, is acceptably stable and is free of charge. Since both systems offer similar functionality and stability, the most apparent difference between commercial software and freeware is support: Although freeware does have a vibrant user community capable of offering excellent support, commercial software comes with a dedicated team of support personnel ready to assist in cases of difficulty. If you prefer to run your server on a platform other than Microsoft Windows, your choices will be somewhat more limited and mostly confined to the open-source and freeware markets. Citadel, for example, is a very popular and nicely supported open-source package for Linux and Mac OS.
2. Obtain your software.If you plan to use open-source or freeware server software, you can generally find fully install-ready packages available for instant download on the internet. To download Synchronet for Windows, DOS and OS/2, for example, simply visit Synchro.net and follow the download instructions. Similarly, Citadel BBS can be obtained from the "Download" section at Citadel.org. (Follow the links in Resources.)For commercial software such as Santronic's Wildcat! Interactive Net Server (WINServer), you may be able to place your order online and receive the software in the mail (WINServer is shipped on several CDs in a professionally boxed distribution set). To order WINServer, visit Winserver.com or contact Santronics Software at (800) 845-6944.
3. Do not install your software yet.Many software-installation routines automatically detect the modems and internet connections on your computer, so you will want to follow the steps for preparing your machine before installing the software.
Order Telephone Lines for Your Server
4. Assess your needs.Depending on how much traffic you anticipate passing through your server, you may need only one or two telephone lines, or you may need dozens. Professional internet Service Providers (ISPs) often have large "phone banks" with hundreds of incoming lines. By contrast, BBS SysOps in the 1990s often operated with only one or two incoming lines. When considering how many lines you need, imagine how many people will be dialing in to your server at any one time, then consider how many separate lines (or "nodes") your selected software can support. If you believe you need more than three or four lines, you may want to consider a commercial server package.
5. Contact your local telephone-service provider.Dial your local telephone company's "business office" telephone number; in many communities, you can simply dial 611 from your local telephone (if your community does not offer 611 service, you may find your telephone company's number in your local phone book). If your telephone company has an interactive voice response (IVR) unit, select the option for "new service"; if a live person answers the phone, simply ask to speak with someone regarding new service.
6. Order new lines to be installed for your server.You will want to order basic telephone lines with no additional services such as Caller ID, as your server will likely not be able to utilize these advanced features. In addition, stay away from call-waiting service, since the audible beep can interfere with a modem's data connection. If you are running your server from your home, your telephone company may require you to order several separate lines, each with a separate number (you will need to provide all of these numbers to your dial-up customers, to use in case one or more lines are busy). If you are running your server from a business location, or if your telephone company offers commercial features for residential customers, you may be able to obtain a call "hunt group." This service provides several telephone lines set up to automatically roll over to one another in case the primary number is busy. This arrangement is ideal, since your dial-up customers will only have to remember one number, and the telephone network will automatically redirect their call if the primary number is busy.
7. Start getting your hardware ready.The telephone company will likely require several days to get your new telephone lines installed; this amount of time is perfect for preparing your computer and server hardware.
Prepare Your Computer/Server
8. Install modems.If your computer came with an internal modem and you wish to exclusively use that modem, you can skip Steps 1, 2 and 3 of this section.Each individual line ("node") on your server will connect to the telephone network through a modulator/demodulator (modem) device. These devices may either be internal to your computer or may be external devices connected to your machine, either through a serial or USB port. If your modem is internal, install the modems pursuant to the installation directions that came with the hardware. If your modem(s) are external, simply plug the USB connectors into your computer's USB ports. Please note that you may need an optional USB hub if the number of external modems exceeds the number of USB ports on your computer.
9. Turn on your computer and follow your normal boot-up routine. If your computer asks you to complete a "Found New Hardware Wizard," simply follow the on-screen instructions.
10. Run any installation software that may have come with your modem(s). Be sure to follow the vendor's recommendations for properly executing this software, as the stability of your dial-up server will depend on the proper operation of your modem(s).
11. Install the software you obtained in Section 1, being careful to precisely follow the software vendor's installation instructions. The software should automatically recognize your modems, though some software--such as WINServer--will ask you to manually configure how many nodes your server will have.
12. If you will not be providing internet services or connectivity to your dial-up customers, please skip ahead to Section 4. If you will be providing internet services (such as email, FTP, telnet or World Wide Web access) to users dialing in to your server, you will need to connect your server to the internet, preferably through a broadband connection. To connect your server to the internet, please refer to your Internet Service Provider's instructions or follow the detailed steps outlined on this site.
Connect Your Server to the Telephone Network
13. Confirm your telephone lines have been installed.Sections 1, 2 and 3 of this article have prepared your server for use, and all that is left is to connect it to the telephone network. You will be able to connect to the public switch telephone network (PSTN) once the telephone lines you ordered in Section 2 have been installed. The technician who installed your lines should advise you when installation is complete; if he does not, simply call the telephone company to verify that the lines are active.
14. Plug a telephone wire into the modem.Your modem should have come with a thin, flat wire with a plastic modular plug on each end. This wire is known as RJ-11 wire, or, more simply, telephone wire. Unpack the telephone wire and plug one of the plastic modular plugs into the port labeled "line" or "wall" on your modem. Push the plug firmly into the port until the plastic clip snaps into place. Repeat this step for each modem connected to your server.
15. Plug the telephone wire into the telephone jack.Each new line installed by the telephone company should include one telephone jack. If you worked with the telephone technician who installed the lines, he probably installed them near your server. If they are not located near your server, you may need to have the jacks moved by the telephone company or a professional technician. If the jacks are reasonably close to your server, take one telephone wire (plugged into a modem per Step 2 above) and plug the loose end into the telephone wall jack. Push the plug firmly into the port until the plastic clip snaps into place. Repeat this step for each modem connected to your server.
16. Inform users of your now-active dial-up server.If you are allowing users to establish their own accounts on your server, simply distribute the new telephone number(s) they can dial into with their modem. If you are controlling the user accounts on your system, follow your software's administration instructions to create new accounts for your users.
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