This guide describes how to administer SyncServer 1000, a comprehensive hardware/software package used to provide X.25/LAPB protocol services. SyncServer 1000 is designed to connect to data networks. It can operate as either a DCE (i.e. network switch) or DTE (i.e. customer-provided equipment), allowing direct connection to another computer without an intervening network.
If you are installing this product for the first time you should read the SyncServer 1000 Installation Guide and keep it handy during installation.
Refer to Obtaining Technical Support when additional technical support is required.
As well as providing programmers with access to WAN protocol primitives (such as making calls, accepting calls, sending data, reading data, and so on), SyncServer 1000 integrates with the operating system to provide:
Applications can obtain full control over X.25 virtual circuits and LAPB links using a C function library.
This application interface allows processes to control all aspects of X.25 virtual circuit operation: per-call facilities on setup and clearing, Interrupt and Reset packets, and control of Q, D, and M bits in data packets.
Link Access Procedure-Balanced (LAPB) is a specific implementation protocol of HDLC, used for a single error-free data connection. LAPB is used on the data link layer (layer 2) of the OSI seven layer model of data communications. It functions the same as X.25 except there is no packet layer (no multiplexing of several virtual connections).
Connections may be made by using either a Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) dial-up network or a private (leased, dedicated) line. For dial-up connections, the software supports CCITT V.25bis to connect to a remote X.25 device, then treats the connection in much the same way as a dedicated X.25 link.
When Auto-dialer Control is used, the configured telephone number is automatically dialed whenever an X.25 virtual circuit needs to be established.
The supplied incoming call control daemon ( x25daemon) is a table-driven utility giving the system administrator full control over SVC calls arriving at your computer.
By manipulating the table, it is possible to screen calls by various criteria: address, call user data, higher-level protocol type, and per-call facilities. Based on the table entries, calls may be routed to particular applications or protocol handlers or cleared. The x25daemon maintains a log of its activities for use in determining network activity.
Incoming calls are tested against tables to determine the application to which they should be passed. Calls from the protocol stack are tested by the table in x25incalls and if a match occurs, the calls are handled according to the directions in the table entry. For more information, see Incoming Call Control.
Users can use the call accounting facilities to collect information on SVC calls. The account utility translates call accounting records to ASCII for use with billing services or traffic studies.
As well as collecting statistics for traffic studies, the software keeps track of protocol events at all levels. tsgstat displays statistics on link and network performance to make troubleshooting easier.
The tsgstat utility also has mechanisms for determining link parameters and the link state. For a running trace of the protocol, the tsgtrace utility can be used. It interprets frame and packet level protocols, so you don't need to know the protocol syntax to understand what is happening.
The SyncServer 1000 package consists of:
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