Possibilities - What is InterChange?

Contact:   eSoft, Inc. (Makers of TBBS)
           15200 E. Girard Ave., Suite 3000
           Aurora, CO  80014
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WHAT IS INTERCHANGE?
--------------------

*** From March 1993 Possibilities Newsletter ***
*** Copyright 1993 by eSoft, Inc.  All Rights Reserved ***

What is InterChange?
by eSoft Technical Staff

We receive questions nearly every day asking for information about next TBBS 
option module to be released -- InterChange.  These questions are usually of 
the form "will InterChange let me do..."  Part of the confusion arises 
because InterChange has three very different operating modes.

Mode 1: Local Console Terminal Program

In this mode (only available from the TBBS local console) InterChange allows 
you to connect the local console to any of the lines on the BBS.  This 
connection process is equivalent to "choosing your com port" in a terminal 
program and once InterChange is connected it becomes a normal terminal 
program using that line.  This mode enables you to call out on any idle line 
while your BBS otherwise continues to run normally.

InterChange has the "basics" of any terminal program -- dialing directory, 
upload/download protocols, keyboard macro keys, etc. and scripting.  The 
only limitation is imposed by TBBS itself, and that is that you cannot set 
bits and parity on the line you select (that is set in CEDIT for the line 
you connect to).

Mode 2:  Data Switch

In this mode InterChange allows you to connect any other TBBS line to your 
TBBS call-in line as a "software patch cord".  Once the connection is made, 
the two lines are connected together until the connection is "ended".  
InterChange may be invoked in the data switch mode either manually (i.e. the 
user selects and manages the connection process) or with a "startup script" 
that can supervise the initial connection.  Thus a menu selection in TBBS 
may be made to (for example) acquire an idle line from a selection group, 
either dial (if a modem) or connect (if hard wired) to the desired "other 
system" and do a logon before dropping out of the script and "throwing the 
switch" to cause the caller to be connected to the "other system".

Once the data switch is connected, TBBS is "out of the loop" and to the 
caller it looks as though the "other system" is directly connected until the 
"end of connection" criteria is met.  There are several options for what 
ends the connection, depending on how the connection was made.  A script can 
make the connection process either "visible" or "invisible" to the caller 
who invoked the menu selection.

It is the "data switch" mode of InterChange that seems to cause the most 
confusion.  It is very simple, but its uses are nearly endless.  They range 
from simple uses like allowing a hard wired terminal to grab a line to dial 
out, to connecting a menu item to another computer for access.  For example, 
let's say a company has big mainframe with complex protocols and thus for a 
PC to connect directly, it must use a specially written terminal program. 
The company wants to provide remote access via TBBS so that no special 
calling software is required.  They want to allow callers to TBBS to be able 
to select a menu item that will go out again via a serial port to the 
mainframe. In other words, Interchange allows TBBS to act like a transparent 
bridge (data switch) allowing modem callers with standard terminal software 
to access the mainframe.

Mode 3:  Ghost Mode Terminal Program

In this mode, InterChange is invoked (with a script specified) on a line as 
a ghost task and uses that line as a scripted terminal program.  In this 
mode it is equivalent to a traditional scripted terminal program that was 
invoked automatically in an unattended mode.  This mode will allow you to do 
those tasks that previously have been done with a scripted terminal program 
that was invoked from a batch file as an external event without taking TBBS 
down, such as calling out to pick up files at a pre-determined time.

What will it cost?

InterChange will cost $149.00, and one version will run on as many lines as 
your TBBS system supports.  At this time a firm release date has not been 
announced, but beta testing is beginning and barring any large problems 
release should occur in a few weeks.

- END -
PS0393-5
Rev. 3/93

Copyright (C) 1994 eSoft, Inc., All Rights Reserved.  Permission granted
to distribute this file in its entirety, without modification, to any
interested party.  Any other use requires the written permission of
eSoft, Inc.

IMPORTANT:  The information herein is subject to change without notice.
Please call or write to confirm factual information of importance to you
or your organization.

