Winlink 2000 (WL2K) Introduction and Overview

Prepared by WL2K authors:Vic Poor, W5SMM / AAA9WL

Rick Muething, KN6KB and

Presenter: Rick Pemble AAR4WJ / W4RP10/13/07 Melbourne Hamfest

What is Winlink 2000 (aka WL2K)What were the design Goals for Winlink 2000Winlink Today…Winlink 2000 and MARSAlphabet soup…

What are a CMS, PMBO, RMS and Telpac?What are AirMail and Paclink?Winlink Web services…system info via the web WL2K Emergency UseWhat you need to get started with WL2KAdditional ResourcesQuestions

Overview:

What is Winlink 2000 (aka WL2K)?

It is a volunteer designed and operated communications system that provides reliable E-mail service over MARS and amateur radio Frequencies regardless of the user’s physical location.

In english: It lets you send and receive email to/from the internet via radio: HF Pactor, VHF Packet, or via Telnet on your computer.

• PMBO Participating Mail Box Office• RMS Radio Messaging System• CMS Common Message Servers• Telpac Telnet Packet• AirMail An WL2K Client (program) a user runs on his computer to access (send and receive) e-mail on his computer• PaclinkMP A new WL2K Client (replacement for AirMail)

The Acronyms:

Advantages over ‘classic’ BBS / Node / and other Radio Messing Systems

• Seamless message communications between Internet and all supported radio modes– A single domain for E-mail (@winlink.org)– No H-routing, No ‘home’ BBS, etc

• Compatibility with existing packet networks• Multiple-destination Addressing of Messages

(Amateur, MARS, and internet E-mail)

• Transparent File Attachments• Reduce HF Radio Airtime

– Use a fast user client program– Inter-MBO forwarding on Internet– User Time Limits and Lockouts– Minimize/eliminate “keyboard” connections

• Worldwide Access Via HF for Mobile Users• Local Access Via UHF/VHF for Fixed Users and

for Packet Interconnection

Advantages over ‘classic’ BBS / Node / and other Radio Messing Systems

Served Agency LAN

Winlink Today

Internet

Existing Ham/MARS Radio Networks

VHF/UHF Packet

Paclink at Served Agency

Telpac

Telnet, D-Star,Telnet, VHF/UHF

Packet, HF PactorWiFi, Etc.

Individual Users (AirMail, Paclink)

PMBO/RMS

VHF/UHF Packet

Three mirrored CMS sites inWashington, San Diego, and Perth

User’s standard Email ClientOutlook, Thunderbird, etc.

WL2K ‘LAND’

Radio Domain

• Demonstrated > 99.9% system availability since implementing mirrored servers

• 3 Full-time Redundant Common Message Servers (CMS) in Washington, San Diego and Perth, all in hardened “caged” sites, with power backup, provide excellent reliability

• 102 total PMBO/RMS sites, worldwide, in 4 service classes: Public, ARES, Army/Air Force MARS, and UK Cadet Forces

• Approximately 10,000 Radio users, 100,000 Email recipients, currently running an average of 150,000 messages monthly and growing.

• Average monthly HF connection time of 280,000 minutes with an average duration of 3.3 Minutes and 3,600 bytes/per message.

• Typical message latency sender to recipient delivery 4 to 5 minutes, less locally

• In the ARES Service Class, there over 400 Active VHF/UHF Telpac Gateways with many more on standby for emergency operation

Winlink 2000 Today By The Numbers

MARS WL2K: Current Status

• The formal Agreement between Army MARS & the WDT now complete.

• DHS HQ Common Message Server/PMBO now in place (CMS Washington).

• Secure FTP site to be moved to Fort Huachuca.• Proposed Fort Huachuca CMS/PMBO in process.• The Network is fully operational. It is very robust. • MARS WL2K is being reviewed, proposed, and used, by

an ever-increasing number of Agencies.(This is dated – someone in This audience can update us)

What is a CMS (Central Message Server) ?

• Routes all messages between PMBO/RMS sites and messages to and from the Internet

• Sends all outbound Internet mail messages to their addressees (no relays)

• Receives and routes all messages addressed to <callsign>@Winlink.org

• Automatically registers all users and tracks their locations and PMBO/RMS usage

• Provides additional services . . .

IT IS A SYSTEM LEVEL DATA BASE THAT HOLD ALL E-MAIL UNTIL THE INTENDED USER RECIEVES IT. FOR REDUNDANCY, THERE ARESEVERAL OF THEM (3) DISPERSED GEOGRAPHICALLY AND PERIODICALLY SYNCHRONIZE SO THEY ALL HOLD THE SAME MESSAGES/INFO.

What is a PMBO or RMS?(Participating Mail Box Operator)

(Radio Message Server)

• Routes messages between users sharing the same PMBO or RMS site

• Receives messages for local users from CMS sites• Forwards all radio messages to a CMS site for further

handling (internet or radio destinations)• Forwards all message and connection status data to a

CMS site for further handling• Maintains a local user directory

What is TELPAC (TELnet PACket) ?

• Connects one or more VHF packet users and channels directly to a PMBO/RMS site using telnet

• Works over hardwired, D-Star, WiFi, or any channel capable of supporting TCP/IP

• Reports QTH to APRS and Status to CMS• Simple transparent, no-maintenance

installation and operation

TELPAC for Win 98 – Win XP

Simple Setup: Computer, Packet TNC, FM VHF Radio, Antenna, Internet connection

What is AirMail?

• AS A USER: This is the program YOU load on YOUR computer and send/receive e-mail via WL2K – (HF Pactor, VHF/UHF Packet, Internet, etc)

• Acts as a personal E-mail client for a radio user• Supports Pactor, packet, and telnet connections to a PMBO or RMS

site – directly or via a Telpac gateway• Optionally provides propagation forecasting for picking optimum HF

radio channels• Provides a catalog of PMBO/RMS locations and frequencies • Provides extensive bulletin catalog

Using AirMail…

You tell AirMail your TNC, and Radio Configuration.

Then compose and send your message just as with any Email Client

AirMail Screens (cont)

AirMail Screens (cont)

What is Paclink MP?

• Provides an SMTP/POP3 port into Winlink for served agencies so they can use Winlink services with their existing LAN and Internet email client.

• Works over VHF/UHF packet, HF Pactor, D-Star, WiFi, or telnet.

• Supports automatic multiple prioritized channels for message delivery

• Minimizes training of served agency personnel

PACLINK is the next-generation AirMail – it integrates WL2K intoyour Outlook/Outlook Express / Thunderbird / Etc., email client

When you have Airmail ‘down’ you might want to try Paclink MPas a replacement or adjunct to Airmail – (it is still under development)

Using Paclink MP…

You pre Configure Prioritized Pactor, Packet Or Telnet “Channels”

Each “Channel” becomes a way to connect to WL2K

Once configured Paclink needs no user interaction…simply send email From your existing Mail Client (Outlook, Thunderbird, etc.) and Paclink MP automatically routes it through the best “channel” to WL2K and your destination!

Emergency Use

               

 

WL2K’s mission is to provide our users and agencies with

the value-added services they want. Today, that includes

digital messaging in the form of de facto e-mail extendibility.

The network is in place, proven and fully operational. It is

now up to us to be organized and trained with the proper

tools to respond to any casualty event.

What you need to get Started with Winlink 2000

As a User to send/receive Radio Email:

Valid MARS or Ham Radio license

Paclink MP or AirMail user client and Windows computer.

VHF/UHF Radio and TNC (packet radio) (local access)

Pactor TNC and HF SSB radio for Long distance

As a part of the WL2K/MARS System Infrastructure:

Valid MARS or Ham Radio license

VHF/UHF Radio and TNC (Telpac or RMS Packet gateway)

SCS PTC II model TNC (Pactor 1, 2, 3) & HF SSB Radio

Full time internet connection

Win 2000 or later OS and modern computer.

• What Programs Do I NEED???– AIRMAIL

• Use on HF (Pactor I or II)• Use on VHF / UHF (Packet)• Use on Internet (Telnet)

• Where to get the programs / Tutorials / Info– http://www.winlink.org/Emergency.htm#Emerg_Pres– http://www.winlink.org/Client.htm

Additional Resources

• System details and downloads: www.winlink.org

• Join the 1400+ member EmComm reflector: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wl2kemcomm/

• Join the Mars_WL2K reflector

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/mars_wl2k/

• Take the on-line course for using WL2K modules for EmComm: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/loading_wl2k_user_programs/

• Keep up with the latest news about Winlink 2000: http://www.winlink.org/news.htm

• http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2006/03/02/5/?nc=1

• Review the presentations and examples of EmComm use: http://www.winlink.org/emergency.htm

AirMail/Winlink Demos

Paclink MP, PTC II, TS-480

WL2K Demo RV 30 M Pactor II, III

Distant HFPMBOs

Paclink MP, PK96, KDK VHF

AAR4WJMLB Hamfest

FPAC Switch Trinity Towers, Melbourne

To the WORLDVIA INTERNET

This Presentation can be found on the web at my web site (W4RP)

At: www.w4rp.com follow the links for MARS

Last But NOT LEAST

• Say Hello to Our Audience VIP’s– WL2K Authors:

• Vick Poor W5SMM / AAA9WL• Rick Muething KN6KB

• Ask them about WL2K !!