BNET
BBS Single/Network Users Management System
Supports
Remote Access 2.x, PcBoard 15.2, ProBoard 2.16
User's Guide
&
Installation instructions
Published at September 1997
Version 2.0
About the program
=================
The program manages users of BBS.
The system does the same functions like the user management in the BBS,
plus many features like giving automatic passwords for every user, and
more.
The system designed for network of BBS, and this is the big advantage,
but it can be perfectly work in a single one.
Another advantage - if you decide to change your BBS software, the users
want be a problem anymore, you can freely moving BBS software as long as
it one of the 3 BBS which BNET supports.
The program divides into two parts:
1. The main program - BNETMGR - on the administrator's BBS.
2. The site program - RABNET, PCBBNET and PBBNET - that convert the
main program database to the BBS users database.
The users handled by BNET System are coming in addition to the BBS users
database.
Who needs it?
=============
For network usage:
------------------
BBS Network with DIFFERENT BBSes, which want to have the same users
database, in addition to their own users database, can now do it with
only ONE system. This system will manage the main users database that
will be added and updated in every BBS system. It can even manage
different user password for every BBS station.
For single station user:
------------------------
For single BBS station, BNET can be useful by giving an automatic
password for every user.
The 2000 Problem
================
Today, when we are moving into the 2000 year, we have a problem - "the
2000 problem". The problem is that all the programs, and also the BBS
programs, takes only the last two digits of the year, thus there will be
a calculation problem, for example 01 (2001) will be smaller than 97
(1997).
BNET is ready to handle the 2000 problem even that your BBS does not.
With BNET you solve this problem for good.
BBS Compatibility
=================
BNET supports 3 BBS systems - Remote Access, PCBoard and ProBoard.
BNET works with the same database for all those BBS systems, you do not
need deal with different databases, the only thing you need is to use
the correct program for your BBS.
NOTE: BNET was tested with Remote Access version 2.5, PCBoard 15.2 and
ProBoard 2.16, BUT BNET can work on other versions as long as the users
database is the same.
Features:
=========
* Ready to handle dates beyond year 2000 (Which BBS does not)
* Easy and friendly interface
* A small encrypted database
* Full control on the users data in all sites
* Manages different passwords in each site
* With FNTS Technology, to make encrypted database file much smaller.
* And much more...
FNTS Technology
===============
FNTS is a new technology for database files.
This new technology puts on the database file only the needed data. That
is means that the database file will be smaller, sometimes more than
50%.
Thanks to this new technology, developed at Logic Software, the
transferred encrypted file will be even smaller.
Installation instructions
=========================
To install BNET system, follow these instructions:
1. Create directory on your hard drive. For example: 'BNET'.
2. Extract all the files from the ZIP archive to the new directory.
3. Configure BNETMGR. (See BNETMGR Configuration File in the Manual).
4. If you are using Remote Access run RABNTCFG.EXE
If you are using PCBOARD run PCBNCFG.EXE
If you are using ProBOARD run PBNTCFG.EXE
5. You can convert your BBS users database into BNET users database. To
do this, use the conversion utility (RA2BNET - for Remote Access and
ProBoard, and PCB2BNET - for PCBoard).
---
NOTE: To run RABNET, PCBBNET or PBBNET you must define SET RA, SET PCB
or SET PB in the autoexec.bat. (For more information see RABNET/PCBBNET/
PBBNET in the manual)
BNETMGR Configuration file (BNETMGR.CFG)
========================================
This file is a simple text file. To edit, use a regular editor like
"Edit" of MS-DOS.
Level
-----
When you add a new user you have the option to choose a LEVEL number.
A LEVEL is a number, which is a combination of the length of the
registration period, and the security number of the user.
Each LEVEL is divided into two fields: The first is the security number,
and the second is the number of days of the registration period, from
the current date.
For example,
LEVEL35 = 65, 31;
In this example level number 35 is defined as security number 65 and 31
day's registration period.
Security values: 0-65535.
Day values: 0-32700
Pay attention to the syntax! You have to write the number of the level
with no space between and ";" at the end of the line.
You can add up to 30,000 different levels.
When you choose the LEVEL you want the subdate and the security fields
will automatically update.
The number of sites
BNETMGR requires defining the "BNUM" number. This number tells the
system how many passwords it needs to calculate.
For example:
BNUM = 10;
The program will give passwords for each site, from the first site to
the tenth.
Interface date format
---------------------
The interface support both dates format USA and European.
By default, the interface date format of the program is European but it
can be changed any time.
To change the interface date format you will change the value of the
'OUTPUT DATE FORMAT' field to one of the options:
0 = USA date format (MM-DD-YYYY)
1 = European date format (DD-MM-YYYY).
For example:
OUTPUT DATE FORMAT = 0;
The interface date format will be MM- DD-YYYY.
BNETMGR - The management program
================================
Introduction
------------
This program is the users management program.
The program starts with the main menu. You choose one of the options and
most of the times a dialog window will pop-up. Those windows are easy to
use, they contains fields with easy accessibility (up and down keys).
Each dialog window displays its active keys. Disabled fields willbe
dimmed and non-accessible.
Update/Save changes always by pressing F10.
Pressing ESC will always close the current window.
Massages and Confirmations:
---------------------------
You get massages or confirmations for every action that you make. For
example, when you update/save user information, a massage "Record
Updated" will pop up.
Last, for your convenience, in the bottom left corner side of the
screen, the date of the current day is shown.
Menu Options
------------
Main menu contains 3 options:
1. Add a new user to the database
2. User's Information
3. Compile the users database into RABNET, PCBBNET and PBBNET.
1. Adding a new user into the database
-------------------------------------------
When adding a new user:
1. Type the name of the user in the User Name field (Name can be up
to 25 characters).
2. Choose a level number, if needed, in the Level field (by pressing
F2; sub date and security will be updated).
For your convenience, pressing ENTER in the level window will give you a
list with the first 39 levels which you defined in the configuration
file.
Sub date and security fields can be updated any time at the User
Information.
Important: There is no meaning to capital letters in the 'User Name'
field.
System Operator switch:
A system operator, who wants that his name will be updated in all sites
except his own, uses this switch.
This switch updates a user (which is the system operator) in all sites
except in the site number, which filled in the "Site" field.
To turn on this switch you need to press F3 and a massage will be
returned.
The "Site" field can be filled only when the System Operator switch is
on. Otherwise it will be dimmed.
Attribute field: This field you can not change. It is always filled in
"1" or "2", which means update if not exist (the rest of the attributes
are mentioned in the "User Information" chapter).
When saving, passwords page will automatically be created and will send
to the printer ('PRN') - (See passwords printing)
2. User's Information
--------------------------
After you select "Change User Information" in the main menu, a user list
will be displayed.
To change user information, move the cursor to a specific name and press
Enter.
A dialog window with the user's information will be opened.
Fields and switches in the User Information dialog window:
Last Update: This field tells you when you last updated this record.
This field will automatically changed by the program.
Sub Date: This is the expiry date of the user. After this date RABNET,
PCBBNET and PBBNET will automatically change the user's security to the
Basic Security. (See RABNET, PCBBNET and PBBNET Chapter).
Note: an expired user is marked in the users list by a special sign (See
Users List Window).
Attribute: The attribute of the user can be changed to the following:
0 = Do not update user information
1 = Normal update (Sub date, security and if not exist).
2 = Normal update (Sub date, security and if not exist) {For registered
version only}.
3 = Renew user information (Sub date, security, passwords and if not
exist).
4 = Renew user information (Sub date, security, passwords and if not
exist) {For registered version only}.
5 = Delete user, if exist, from BBS users database.
Pressing ENTER will give you these options.
Those attributes are used with RABNET, PCBBNET and PBBNET only.
* NOTE: In case of different security - than it should be - at the BBS
database, BNET will automatically change the security AND the password.
Security: The security of the user in the BBS.
System Operator switch Press F3 to turn on the System Operator switch.
(For more information see section 1 - "adding a new user to the
database").
Site: This field can be filled only if System Operator switch is on.
(For more information see section 1 - "adding a new user to the
database").
Level: By pressing F2 a dialog box will be opened. Type the level number
(See section "Level") and press F10 to update (remember: the record will
not be updated until you save it again by F10 in the user information
window).
For your convenience, pressing ENTER in the level window will give you a
list with the first 39 levels which you defined in the configuration
file.
The Sub date will be calculated from the current date.
Sub date and security fields will be updated.
To save changes press F10.
3. Compile the Users Database into RABNET, PCBBNET, PBBNET
----------------------------------------------------------
In this option the program compiles the BNETMGR's users database to a
special file calls 'USERS.BNT'.
This file is encrypted and can be read only with RABNET, PCBBNET,
PBBNET.
It is important to compile the database after any change to the users
database.
This compiled file you shell give to all sites in order to update users
information.
(For more information see "The compiled file" chapter).
Sub Date
--------
It is very important to fill the sub-date field since BNET system is a
replacement for this function in the BBS users management program, and
more, only BNET can handle dates beyond year 2000.
Note that the sub-date field format will be as you defined it (see
BNETMGR Setup file). The default of the program is European date format:
DD/MM/YYYY
Users List window
-----------------
This window shows you a list of all users in database.
1. Few signs added to every user's line:
"" = User attribute is 3 (Renew user information).
"" = User attribute is 0 (Do not update user information).
"ð" = User registration period has expired.
Line with no signs means a normal active user in the system.
2. Name searching - you can search a specific name on the list by typing
the name characters.
There is no meaning to capital characters.
Managing Passwords
------------------
Calculation of password is for each site of the BBS network.
The password is a combination of 7 randomized characters.
Passwords Printing
------------------
Printing user password is from the User Information window by pressing
F4, or automatically when adding a new user.
You can always display the password list by pressing F5, where
available.
To print user passwords you need the file 'REPORT.TXT' in the program
directory.
This file is a simple text file and being used by the program to print
the passwords file. The program copies the file to a new text file and
put the data in the specified fields.
To build the file you need a text editor (you can use the example file
given with the program).
Fields used in 'REPORT.TXT' file:
A few fields are being used in the file: name, sub date, and passwords.
To use them you need to type in the place you want:
'{name}' = User Name
'{subdate}' = Sub Date
'{passwords}' = Passwords
Example of a line in Report.txt file is:
Dear {name},
The output of the password file for the user Doron Tal will be:
Dear Doron Tal,
The same is with the others fields.
When you ask to print password file for a user, the output file will be
in the current directory with name that composed from the six characters
of the name, and three characters of the last name. For example, Doron
Tal -> 'DORONTAL.TXT'.
Also, the passwords file will be automatically printed to the printer
('PRN').
Update a group of users
-----------------------
To update a group of users you must mark the users before you start
updating.
There are two options t o mark the users:
1. Mark users manually by pressing INS on the intended user.
2. Mark users automatically by values. To does that press F1 and put in
the fields the two values for every category: from and until; Press F10
to mark.
After you marked the intended users you can press F2 to update one field
or more to the marked users.
Fields you do not want to update leave them empty or if it is a date:
type '00/00/0000'.
Deleting user/s
---------------
To delete user: mark his name, with the INS button, press F3 and confirm
the deleting process.
Switches of the program
-----------------------
'/C': Compiles the database and exit.
This useful when you send every day the users compiled file to the sites
by event. So, the event can automatically compile database and send it.
RABNET Setup
============
RABNETCFG - Configuration program
---------------------------------
This program configures the RABNET program.
Fields in the setup program:
Log Path: The path of the log file created by RABNET, each time it runs.
BNET Database: The path of the compiled database created by BNETMGR
(USERS.BNT).
Basic Security: The Basic Security is the security number that RABNET
updates for the user when his registration period expired.
Site: The site is the site number of the BBS. (Shareware version only)
The next fields on the screen are commons with Remote Access:
Each time RABNET inserts user to Remote Access, it updates those fields.
Note about:
Date Format: '0' = MM-DD-YY
'1' = DD-MM-YY
Pressing ENTER will give you these options.
For more information see RA.DOC.
A, B, C, D Flags: By pressing F1 a box will pop up with 4 lines. Each
line is flag. To change flag you can use the delete or backspace keys
and the following keys:
'-' Key = FALSE
'x' key = TRUE
Flags: The same list as in Remote Access. Press F2 and a window will pop
up with all the options. Go up and down and press Enter to change.
Program requirements
--------------------
RABNET will run only if defined SET RA = [Remote Access directory] in
the Autoexec.bat.
As much as free memory.
RABNET - Convert BNETMGR Database to Remote Access 2.x
======================================================
This program will read the compiled database created by BNETMGR and
convert its information to Remote Access versions 2.x.
RABNET is a command line program with no user interface, to let the
program run fast and in required events.
Each time it runs it will check the BNETMGR's compiled database for
information like adding new users, update users etc.
When the program ends it will return few massages:
1. How many new users were added.
2. How many users were updated.
3. How many users were turned to Basic Security.
4. How many users were deleted.
Those are the only output from the program.
RABNET will output those massages to the Log file with related date and
time of execution.
RABNET runs depend on the free memory space available.
When RABNET starts, it will note about memory information and will exit
with a massage when there is not enough free memory.
If there is not enough memory it means that there are too much users to
handle in Remote Access users database. So, delete from Remote Access
users database users that are not important.
RA2BNET - Converts Remote Access 2.x users database and ProBoard 2.16
into BNET users database
=====================================================================
This utility will convert Remote Access and ProBoard users database
(USERS.BBS) into BNET users database (USERS.BDB).
* You can find these files in the BBS directory under MSGBASE.
The utility will order the records by name with no duplicates. In case
of duplicates the program will take the first name.
If you already have BNET users database, you can combine Remote Access
or ProBoard users database and BNET users database into one file.
PCBBNET Setup
=============
PCBNCFG - Configuration program
-------------------------------
This program configures the PCBBNET program.
Fields in the setup program:
Log Path: The path of the log file created by PCBBNET, each time it
runs.
BNET Database: The path of the compiled database created by BNETMGR
(USERS.BNT).
Basic Security: The Basic Security is the security number that PCBBNET
updates for the user when his registration period expired.
Site: The site is the site number of the BBS. (Shareware version only)
The next fields on the screen are commons with PcBoard:
Each time PCBBNET inserts user to PcBoard, it updates those fields.
Note about:
Flags: The same list as in PcBoard. Press F2 and a window will pop up
with all the options. Go up and down and press Enter to change.
Program requirements
--------------------
PCBBNET will run only if defined SET PCB= [PcBoard directory] in the
Autoexec.bat.
As much as free memory.
PCBBNET - Convert BNETMGR Database to PcBoard 15.2
==================================================
This program will read the compiled database created by BNETMGR and
convert its information to PcBoard versions 15.2.
PCBBNET is a command line program with no user interface, to let the
program run fast and in required events.
Each time it runs it will check the BNETMGR's compiled database for
information like adding new users, update users etc.
When the program ends it will return few massages:
1. How many new users were added.
2. How many users were updated.
3. How many users were turned to Basic Security.
4. How many users were deleted.
Those are the only output from the program.
PCBBNET will output those massages to the Log file with related date and
time of execution.
PCB2BNET - Converts PCBoard 15.2 users database into BNET users database
========================================================================
This utility will convert PCBoard users database (USERS) into BNET users
database (USERS.BDB).
* You can find these files in the BBS directory under MAIN.
The utility will order the records by name with no duplicates. In case
of duplicates the program will take the first name.
If you already have BNET users database, you can combine PCBoard users
database and BNET users database into one file.
NOTE: In case of expired user the program will convert the expired
security instead of the normal security.
PBBNET Setup
============
PBBNTCFG - Configuration program
--------------------------------
This program configures the PBBNET program.
Fields in the setup program:
Log Path: The path of the log file created by PBBNET, each time it runs.
BNET Database: The path of the compiled database created by BNETMGR
(USERS.BNT).
Basic Security: The Basic Security is the security number that PBBNET
updates for the user when his registration period expired.
Site: The site is the site number of the BBS. (Shareware version only)
The next fields on the screen are commons with ProBoard:
Each time PBBNET inserts user to ProBoard, it updates those fields.
Note about:
Date Format: '0' = MM-DD-YY
'1' = YY-MM-DD
'2' = DD-MM-YY
Pressing ENTER will give you these options.
For more information see PB216.DOC.
Log Level: '0' = Friend
'1' = Normal
'2' = Suspicious
'3' = Extensive
Pressing ENTER will give you these options.
For more information see PB216.DOC.
Flags, Exp Flags On, Exp Flags Off: By pressing F1 a box will pop up
with 3 lines. Each line is flag. To change flag you can use the
following keys: 'A'-'Z', '1'-'6' keys.
User Flags: The same list as in Remote Access. Press F2 and a window
will pop up with all the options. Go up and down and press Enter to
change.
Program requirements
--------------------
PBBNET will run only if defined SET PB = [ProBoard directory] in the
Autoexec.bat.
As much as free memory.
PBBNET - Convert BNETMGR Database to ProBoard 2.16
==================================================
This program will read the compiled database created by BNETMGR and
convert its information to ProBoard 2.16.
PBBNET is a command line program with no user interface, to let the
program run fast and in required events.
Each time it runs it will check the BNETMGR's compiled database for
information like adding new users, update users etc.
When the program ends it will return few massages:
1. How many new users were added.
2. How many users were updated.
3. How many users were turned to Basic Security.
4. How many users were deleted.
Those are the only output from the program.
PBBNET will output those massages to the Log file with related date and
time of execution.
PBBNET runs depend on the free memory space available.
When PBBNET starts, it will note about memory information and will exit
with a massage when there is not enough free memory.
If there is not enough memory it means that there are too much users to
handle in ProBoard users database. So, delete from Remote Access users
database users that are not important.
Shareware Version
=================
Shareware version limitations:
1. System can handle up to 80 sites.
2. System uses the same password calculation, thus if someone gets your
encrypted database (USERS.BNT) he can get the correct passwords and let
your users get into his BBS.
You can use this shareware version for 40 days!; after 40 days you are
requested to register or remove the software from your computer.
License agreement
=================
A licensed user gets a special calculation of passwords. Thus, only
registered users, which has their own password calculation can read the
correct encrypted database.
Your license is limited in the number of sites; you pay for each 15
sites.
Contacting us
=============
Since it is a new product we want to get your opinion.
For questions, requests or more information please contact directly to
the author by e-mail at doron-tal@focus.co.il,
Or send us a letter to:
Logic Software
P.O.BOX 913
Ramat-Gan 52108
ISRAEL
Or send a fax to: +972-3-677-88-70
Please visit our web site to stay updated
http://www.geocities.com/~logicsoft - Our official web site
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Lakes/4787 - Our official web site
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request.
