So, someone left a comment on an old YouTube video of mine today. The question: "Can you show me how to set up a Renegade BBS that people can access over telnet"? Why.. YES... I totally can. Let's have some fun and explore how to do it in a 🧵here! Let's go!
So, step 1, we need three pieces of software! First is Renegade itself, and someone has packaged it up nicely. Second, we need a special fossil driver called rlfossil. And third, we need a packet driver for our network card. And, yes, this all runs under DOS!
There is a great resource online that talks all about Renegade BBS and setting it up! It does try to link to some Renegade setups that people have done, but the links are broken. However, I'll list it anyway since it is a great Sysop resource! renegadebbs.info
Anyway, so for that first software item, I found the file here. Basically, download it and unzip it to a directory called "RG" on your retro PC! renegadebbs.info/files/2021%20R…
As for the RLFOSSIL driver, I found it here: dcee.net/Files/Mailer/. This driver basically provides a bridge between Renegade and a local telnet server that it runs for you. Download it and put it in your RG directory on the retro computer.
For the packet driver, that will be specific to your network card. For the IBM LAN ADAPTER/A in my PS/2 Model 70 386, there's no packet driver, but we can simulate one using an NDIS driver. If your card has a packet driver, it's much simpler: load and set it to interrupt 0x60.
And if you don't have a packet driver like me, you can use this previous post I did as a reference on how to "shim" the NDIS driver like I mentioned above!
Replying to @RetroTechChris
So, next up, I wanted to set up a packet driver to support programs such as mTCP. Well.. guess what... the IBM LAN Adapter/A doesn't have a packet driver! However, we can use the Protocol Manager from MS LAN Manager and the dis_pkt shim driver to make it work. Configs below!
Okay, so next we get to configure our TCP/IP settings. The RLFOSSIL driver uses WatTCP, so we get to edit WATTCP.CFG that we copied to the RG directory earlier (it comes bundled with the RLFOSSIL zip file). You can put in details for your network, and choose an IP address.
Next up, we are going to modify the RGFOSSIL.BAT file that came with our Renegade download. I want to add one line at the end of the file to "unload" the ADF application when we are done with a given session. Not sure why they didn't have this in there!
So with that out of the way, let's fire up Renegade. We do this by loading the RLFOSSIL driver. First param is saying "emulate COM2" (it's zero based for ports). Second says "allocate 1 port". Third is the name of the program to run, which is RGFOSSIL.BAT (to start Renegade)
It's also worth noting: you should choose a COM port (or range of COM ports) that doesn't exist in your computer to prevent any confusion or conflicts!
Okay, we are launched! I did need to tell Renegade to use COM2, so I hit "S" for System Config, then "2" for port number, and then "2" to change it to COM2! I should have grabbed one more screenshot to show the update, but you get the idea.
Let's dial into the BBS using the Compaq LTE 5400. I configured mTCP on this device, and from there, it is as simple as typing "telnet 192.168.1.205"
Awesome stuff! I remember running Telegard and TAG BBSes, tried Renegade near the end. Really felt it was a souped up Telegard, but they both came from WWiV
Did someone say … cookies?
X and its partners use cookies to provide you with a better, safer and faster service and to support our business. Some cookies are necessary to use our services, improve our services, and make sure they work properly.
