
A PacketCluster like software package has been developed by DJ0ZY and
myself. Today, version 1.06 has been released. The software is available
on the Internet at two different sites.
 
Here is a short description of CLX's features:
 

Name
	clx

Authors
	Franta Bendl, DJ0ZY
	Bernhard ("Ben") Buettner, DL6RAI (root@dl6rai.muc.de)

Description
	A PacketCluster like system running on Linux.

Status
	Released in March 1995.

System Requirements
	Linux Kernel > 1.1.50 with Alan Cox's AX.25 
        (Version 025) driver, TCP/IP networking, SysV IPC. 
        Needs Perl and TNC hardware on tty with KISS 
        capabilities or digipeater software which acts
	like a KISS TNC (RMNC/BayCom).

Detail
	PacketCluster nodes have been available for about
	six years. The original software was written by Dick
	Newell, AK1A, and is running under DOS. clx is a 
	system which clones a PacketCluster node. To the
	outside user, commands and features are mostly
	identical, remote PacketCluster nodes, which can be 
	networked, don't see the difference between a generic
	PacketCluster node and clx. So it fits well into an
	established network of PacketCluster nodes.

	clx is not an user application, it is a network node 
	software. As such it is not of much use for the 
	individual amateur. SysOPs of PacketCluster nodes
	with some experience on both PacketCluster and
	Linux will find this application interesting.

	Here are some of the features of CLX
	
	-- It is fully compatible with the internal PCxx
	   protocol and from a users' point of view. It
	   allows multitasking and different priorities
	   for different things.
	
	-- The software detects looping DX spots without
	   generating endless messages. clx filters out such
	   duplicate information. We have implemented a
	   concept which allows us to connect the network
	   at multiple points, which would formerly have
	   been called a "Cluster Loop". clx knows of
	   so-called "active" and "passive" links. The
	   outcome is that more DX information is seen by
	   clx.
	
	-- An interface to call your external programs 
	   (even dialog programs).
	
	-- CLX uses modern programming concepts like
	   shared memory for common data, lex & yacc to
	   implement command language, shared libraries to
	   keep binaries small (this is still on our wish
	   list), remote procedure calls for inter process
	   communication. It is strictly modularized with
	   its own dedicated process for every major task.
	
	-- Here is a definition for each particular module
	
	      con_ctl interfaces AX.25 kernel code and 
	        provides a socket for local users.
		
	      rcv_ctl manages receive spooling.

	      snd_ctl manages transmit spooling.
		
	      rm_disp receive message dispatcher, forwards
		messages to other processes.
		
	      usr_req user database requests, forks a 
	        process for every database task to make it 
	        run in the background. The background process 
	        later sends the results directly to send_ctl.
		
	      mb_ctl mailbox control. The mailbox keeps 
		messages in a file system, header information 
	        is stored in the database.
		
	      usr_ctl user administration (logins, logouts, 
	        logbook).
		
	      usc_mng manages external user commands and 
                command extensions.

	      iu_com inter user communication (talk, conference).
		
	      send_ctl transmit spooling, handling priorities.
		
	      icl_com inter node communication (processing and
		generating PCxx messages).
		
	      clx_ctl system administration, installing shared 
	        memory pages.

	      int_com manages clx system communications.
	

	--    The following is the only application program which
	      can be run on the console:

	      loc_usr allows console operator(s) to log in 
	        like a normal user.
		
	
	--    Hardware requirements: PC 386-40 with 8 MB
	      memory. About 12 MB disk space are needed 
	      for a minimal operating system. 10 MB for CLX 
	      and another 3 MB for Postgres. The rest is free
	      for data. External TNC-2 or digipeater on
	      serial port which runs KISS Mode protocol.
	
	--    The future: 
	      + A console monitor to watch ongoing activities
	      + Speed optimization
	      + An internal clx protocol
	      + An additional command shell for experienced users.
	
	First on-air experiments started in late May 1994 under the
	callsign DB0PV-6, later to become DB0CLX. At this time, most
	of the commands of the traditional PacketCluster software 
	have been implemented and the software has been tested
	by many local DXers of the Munich area.
	
	Here is an overview of the currently implemented commands:
	
	     a[nnounce] <text>
	     a[nnounce]/f[ull] <text>
	     b[ye]
	     clear/qsl <dx> <mgr>
	     clear/profile
	     confer[ence]
	     confer[ence]/<name>
	     dir[ectory]
	     dir[ectory]/<n>
	     dir[ectory] <call>
	     dir[ectory]/own
	     h[elp]
	     del[ete] <nr> 
	     dx <call> <freq> [<rmx>]
	     r[ead] <nr>
	     rep[ly] <nr>
	     rep[ly]/del[ete] <nr>
	     s[end] <call> <titel>
	     se[t]/ex[it]
	     se[t]/name <name>
	     sh[ow]/ann[ouncements]
	     sh[ow]/ann[ouncements]/<n>
	     sh[ow]/conf[iguration]
	     sh[ow]/conf[iguration]/n[odes]
	     sh[ow]/conf[iguration] <call>
	     sh[ow]/confer[ence]
	     sh[ow]/dx
	     sh[ow]/dx/<n>
	     sh[ow]/dx <band>
	     sh[ow]/dx <fragment>
	     sh[ow]/dx #<mode>
	     sh[ow]/dxf[rom] <call>
	     sh[ow]/ex[it]
	     sh[ow]/lo[g]
	     sh[ow]/lo[g] <call>
	     sh[ow]/manag[er] <call>
	     sh[ow]/qsl <call>
	     sh[ow]/u[sers]
	     sh[ow]/ve[rsion]
	     t[alk] <call> <text>
	     talk <call>
	     upd[ate]/qsl <dx> <mgr> [<cmt>]
	     upd[ate]/profile
	
	CLX is based on data base system called Postgres.
	It currently runs on Linux Version 1.1.73 and Alan
	Cox's (GW4PTS) AX.25KRNL 0.27. Today, the CLX
	code consists of about 25,000 lines of C++ code.

Where and how to obtain it
	The software is now available on Internet in a
	binary dirtribution: 

	gonzo.rrze.uni-erlangen.de:
	/pds/freeware/hamradio/packet/packclus/clx

	ftp.funet.fi
	/pub/ham/unix/Linux/cluster

	There are five files:
	00index
	clx_105.tgz
	install.clx
        README_1.06
        upd_106.tgz

	The software comes with a pseudo callsign "xx0xx".
	This will allow you to install and test the software
	locally but you cannot put it on the air. The callsign
	is encrypted and read from the configuration file.
	To use clx on the air, you will have to ask for 
	an encrypted callsign string to be put into the
	config file. Please contact clx_us@dl6rai.muc.de for
	this.

	Generally, the software will be given out for free.
	However, we want to keep an oversight who is using
	our software. This is why we are playing the encryption
	game.

Licensing/Copyright
	clx is Copyright (c) by Franta Bendl (DJ0ZY). You may
	use this software for non-commercial purposes.

