I would like to setup either Win98 or XP Virtualbox VM and run Frontdoor/RA bbs like I ran in the 90's. Is it safe to run older Windows programs in a VM and allow telnet access to the boards? What program do you guys recommend for a fossil to allow the software to accept telnet connections rather than by modem? I run D'Bridge and Maximus under OS/2 in a VM using SIO2k vmodem to answer with vmodem and it works well. Only issue I have is RA is too slow picking up the call and times out. I am hoping that by running a Window VM I can get RA working correctly.
Thanks!

... If at first you don't succeed, blame your parents!

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/24 (Linux/64)
* Origin: The Lab BBS (21:3/105)

I would like to setup either Win98 or XP Virtualbox VM and run Frontdoor/RA bbs like I ran in the 90's. Is it safe to run older Windows programs in a VM and allow telnet access to the boards? What program do you guys recommend for a fossil to allow the software to accept telnet connections rather than by modem? I run D'Bridge and Maximus under OS/2
in a VM using SIO2k vmodem to answer with vmodem and it works well. Only issue I have is RA is too slow picking up the call and times out. I am hoping that by running a Window VM I can get RA working correctly.
Thanks!

I have Windows 7 with GameSrv running in a VM and it works well. I gate all connections to the VM through my actual BBS so that people can't hit the windows stuff directly.

One thing to consider is using Mystic as a sort of frontend in your host OS. This can help with things like country blocking, ip allow/denylists, and also provide SSH connections.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A48 2022/07/11 (Linux/64)
* Origin: m O N T E R E Y b B S . c O M (21:4/173)

Re: RA/FD VM
By: doctor wade to All on Fri Nov 25 2022 09:37 am

Howdy,

I would like to setup either Win98 or XP Virtualbox VM and run Frontdoor/RA bbs like I ran in the 90's. Is it safe to run older Windows programs in a VM and allow telnet access to the boards? What program do you guys recommend

Sure, many do.

and allow telnet access to the boards? What program do you guys recommend for a fossil to allow the software to accept telnet connections rather than by modem? I run D'Bridge and Maximus under OS/2 in a VM using SIO2k vmodem to answer with vmodem and it works well. Only issue I have is RA is too slow picking up the call and times out. I am hoping that by running a Window VM I can get RA working correctly.

Most folks complain about telnet boards messing up the fossil - but you might be able to control that a bit with something like haproxy in front, and rate limiting connections, etc.

For fossils, you could either use:
* RLFOSSIL
* SVDM
* Or a regular fossil with something like TCPSER in front.

If you want to feed directly to that Frontdoor mailer, I support EMSI on Hub 3, and if you are game, you could even feed from clrghouz (via EMSI) - I need to test it more...


...ëîåï
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Linux
* Origin: I'm playing with ANSI+videotex - wanna play too? (21:2/116)

Re: Re: RA/FD VM
By: doctor wade to deon on Fri Nov 25 2022 08:51 pm

Howdy,

Thanks deon! I was going to hit you up for a connection to the Frontdoor mailer if I ever get this working. I have been using Dbridge as a mailer on my OS/2 VM because I could not figure out how to use Frontdoor with Binkp.

Cool. If you end up using DBridge, then I cant use you as a tester to clrghouz :( Dbridge's EMSI is slightly different to the other mailers, and I need to code for that (just havent got around to it). But if you use FrontDoor, or Portal of Power then it works just fine. I havent tried BinkleyTerm, couldnt figure out how to get it to work (but I must admit I didnt spend much time on it).

Let me know when you are ready.


...ëîåï
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Linux
* Origin: I'm playing with ANSI+videotex - wanna play too? (21:2/116)

I have Windows 7 with GameSrv running in a VM and it works well. I gate all connections to the VM through my actual BBS so that people can't hit the windows stuff directly.

That sounds like how I have OS/2 setup now. The VM answers the calls so I guess there is no way to get to the Windows host OS? Am I understanding this correctly?

One thing to consider is using Mystic as a sort of frontend in your host OS. This can help with things like country blocking, ip allow/denylists, and also provide SSH connections.

Another good idea to research. I have SBBS running on the host machine now. Never thought about using it as a frontend that would pass a telnet or ssh connection to a Windows 95 VM and loading RA. Thanks for your input!

... Marriage is one of the chief causes of divorce

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/24 (Linux/64)
* Origin: The Lab BBS (21:3/105)

Most folks complain about telnet boards messing up the fossil - but you might be able to control that a bit with something like haproxy in
front, and rate limiting connections, etc.

For fossils, you could either use:
* RLFOSSIL
* SVDM
* Or a regular fossil with something like TCPSER in front.

If you want to feed directly to that Frontdoor mailer, I support EMSI on Hub 3, and if you are game, you could even feed from clrghouz (via EMSI)
- I need to test it more...

Thanks deon! I was going to hit you up for a connection to the Frontdoor mailer if I ever get this working. I have been using Dbridge as a mailer on my OS/2 VM because I could not figure out how to use Frontdoor with Binkp.

... I don't have the time for a hobby. I have a computer.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/24 (Linux/64)
* Origin: The Lab BBS (21:3/105)

If you want to feed directly to that Frontdoor mailer, I support EMSI on Hub 3 and if you are game, you could even feed from clrghouz (via EMSI) - I need to test it more...

I just polled with EMSI to your node and it looked successful. When I package and send this message that'll be a good test.. :)

If you like you can poll my EMSI node on port 2030.

--- BBBS/Li6 v4.10 Toy-6
* Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (21:4/106)

I just polled with EMSI to your node and it looked successful. When I package and send this message that'll be a good test.. :)

If you like you can poll my EMSI node on port 2030.

When I sent that message it connected OK but it seemed to send that file over and over again. I hope it didn't make a mess in your inbound.

I have toggled hydra mode off and will try again now.

--- BBBS/Li6 v4.10 Toy-6
* Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (21:4/106)

I have toggled hydra mode off and will try again now.

Zmodem also failed. Looking at the logs it might be a password failure.

I'll talk to you about that in netmail and maybe we can do some testing.

--- BBBS/Li6 v4.10 Toy-6
* Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (21:4/106)

That sounds like how I have OS/2 setup now. The VM answers the calls so
I guess there is no way to get to the Windows host OS? Am I
understanding this correctly?

Sorta - I have my actual BBS listening to the wider internet for incoming connections. It's hosted on linux. Separately, I run GameSrv in a Windows 7 VM and I gate connections to the Windows 7 VM through the BBS. It's seamless to users but it allows me to offer dos and windows doors on my BBS with 100% compatibility.

Another good idea to research. I have SBBS running on the host machine now. Never thought about using it as a frontend that would pass a telnet or ssh connection to a Windows 95 VM and loading RA. Thanks for your input!

Thanks - yeah, this has worked pretty well for me in the past. In fact, I used Mystic as a frontend for a Daydream BBS once upon a time, because Mystic did a good job at things like automatic IP blocking, country blocking, handling SSH, etc.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A48 2022/07/11 (Linux/64)
* Origin: m O N T E R E Y b B S . c O M (21:4/173)

Re: RA/FD VM
By: Al to deon on Fri Nov 25 2022 08:49 pm

Hey Al,

I just polled with EMSI to your node and it looked successful. When I package and send this message that'll be a good test.. :)

If you like you can poll my EMSI node on port 2030.

Ahh, you would have polled Hub 3 directly - so yes that should be working fine - Spectre feeds from it.

I'll poll you with clrghouz though on port 2030, and see how that goes :)

(I'll setup clrghouz to take external connections so that folks can break it for me - I'll announce that here when its ready ...)


...ëîåï
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Linux
* Origin: I'm playing with ANSI+videotex - wanna play too? (21:2/116)

I just polled with EMSI to your node and it looked successful. When I
package and send this message that'll be a good test.. :)

If you like you can poll my EMSI node on port 2030.

Ahh, you would have polled Hub 3 directly - so yes that should be working fine
- Spectre feeds from it.

That could be.. I didn't know there was a difference.. :)

I'll poll you with clrghouz though on port 2030, and see how that goes :)

Great, let me know.. :)

(I'll setup clrghouz to take external connections so that folks can break it for me - I'll announce that here when its ready ...)

BBBS will expect the same passwords and what not regardless if you poll binkp or EMSI..

--- BBBS/Li6 v4.10 Toy-6
* Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (21:4/106)

Re: RA/FD VM
By: Al to deon on Fri Nov 25 2022 08:56 pm

Howdy,

When I sent that message it connected OK but it seemed to send that file over and over again. I hope it didn't make a mess in your inbound.

I have toggled hydra mode off and will try again now.

No biggie - I'm not home either, so I'll check it when I get some time over the next day or so...

Probably a password thing. Hub 3 is using qico or ifcico, depending on which port you polled. (Which depends on whether it is raw or "telnet"...)


...ëîåï
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Linux
* Origin: I'm playing with ANSI+videotex - wanna play too? (21:2/116)

Hello deon,

26 Nov 22 09:10, you wrote to doctor wade:

I would like to setup either Win98 or XP Virtualbox VM and run
Frontdoor/RA bbs like I ran in the 90's. Is it safe to run older
Windows programs in a VM and allow telnet access to the boards?
What program do you guys recommend

Sure, many do.

and allow telnet access to the boards? What program do you guys
recommend for a fossil to allow the software to accept telnet
connections rather than by modem? I run D'Bridge and Maximus under
OS/2 in a VM using SIO2k vmodem to answer with vmodem and it works
well. Only issue I have is RA is too slow picking up the call and
times out. I am hoping that by running a Window VM I can get RA
working correctly.

why don't you run RA under OS/2 as well? it has great DOS :)

Most folks complain about telnet boards messing up the fossil - but
you might be able to control that a bit with something like haproxy in front, and rate limiting connections, etc.

For fossils, you could either use:
* RLFOSSIL
* SVDM
* Or a regular fossil with something like TCPSER in front.

If you want to feed directly to that Frontdoor mailer, I support EMSI
on Hub 3, and if you are game, you could even feed from clrghouz (via
EMSI) - I need to test it more...

i have EMSI as well on my telnet port (1212) :)

Regards,
--
dp

telnet://bbs.roonsbbs.hu:1212 <<=-

... 10:46pm up 9 days, 17:08:29, load: 83 processes, 287 threads.
--- GoldED/2 1.1.4.7+EMX
* Origin: Roon's BBS - Budapest, HUNGARY (21:4/148)

I would like to know more about how you accomplish this

Sorta - I have my actual BBS listening to the wider internet for incoming connections. It's hosted on linux. Separately, I run GameSrv in a
Windows 7 VM and I gate connections to the Windows 7 VM through the BBS. It's seamless to users but it allows me to offer dos and windows doors
on my BBS with 100% compatibility.

Thanks - yeah, this has worked pretty well for me in the past. In fact,
I used Mystic as a frontend for a Daydream BBS once upon a time, because Mystic did a good job at things like automatic IP blocking, country blocking, handling SSH, etc.

How do you use Mystic to pass the connection to your BBS? That would be a perfect solution for me.
Thanks!

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: The Lab BBS (21:3/105.9)

How do you use Mystic to pass the connection to your BBS? That would be a perfect solution for me.
Thanks!

Basically what I did was set up Mystic with a few "front-end" mods - country IP blocking mod, the "press escape twice to continue" mod, and then for the Mystic matrix menu I just had a command to telnet to the other BBS which was listening on another port.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A49 2023/02/26 (Linux/64)
* Origin: m O N T E R E Y b B S . c O M (21:4/173)

Basically what I did was set up Mystic with a few "front-end" mods -
then for the Mystic matrix menu I just had a command to telnet to the other BBS which was listening on another port.

That's a gret idea. You coud also use Mystic as a front-end for other things like an IRC server or FTP server.

... I'm not a complete idiot... Several parts are missing!

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A48 (Windows/64)
* Origin: The Unmarked Van - 21:1/130 - Mt. Healthy, Ohio (21:1/130)

Basically what I did was set up Mystic with a few "front-end" mods - country IP blocking mod, the "press escape twice to continue" mod, and then for the Mystic matrix menu I just had a command to telnet to the other BBS which was listening on another port.

Thanks!
I will see if i can Google how to make front end mods to Mystic. I agree
having the built in IP blocking feature would be a must! My vintage Lora BBS for OS/2 has the "escape for BBS" feature as it has a built in mailer. Never thought about that blocking most of the bots.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: The Lab BBS (21:3/105.9)

I will see if i can Google how to make front end mods to Mystic. I agree having the built in IP blocking feature would be a must! My vintage Lora BB for OS/2 has the "escape for BBS" feature as it has a built in mailer. Neve thought about that blocking most of the bots.

If you are using an OLD DOS BBS software with FOSSIL and want a "press esc twice", you can use my RGBOT (Renegade Bot Blocker) for any of that software.

--- Renegade vY2Ka2
* Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (21:1/176)

If you are using an OLD DOS BBS software with FOSSIL and want a "press
esc twice", you can use my RGBOT (Renegade Bot Blocker) for any of that software.

Thanks for the tip! I plan on using RA and some sort of mail program under win95 or 98. Back in the 80's I ran Binkley/Quickbbs then moved up to Frontdoor/Ra.

... "I am" is the shortest sentence in English. Is 'I do' the longest?

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/24 (Linux/64)
* Origin: The Lab BBS (21:3/105)

win95 or 98. Back in the 80's I ran Binkley/Quickbbs then moved up to Frontdoor/Ra.

I wrote it to resemble FD's <ESC> twice prompt. v0.01 is almost identical. 0.40 is a bit more colorfulnd has customizable ansi screens.

--- Renegade vY2Ka2
* Origin: Joey, do you like movies about gladiators? (21:1/176)