SCCo ARES/RACES Network: TCP/IP over LAN

Overview

Multi-megabit LAN connections to the Santa Clara County data network are available at a few sites which are co-located with a county backbone site. Depending on the location, the physical link may be Ethernet twisted-pair wire or fiber..

Accessible Services

TCP/IP over a LAN connection can be used to access the following SCCo ARES/RACES network services:

Packet BBS Service
- User Access: Users can log into the packet BBSs using the Telnet protocol. Outpost (client packet software) is configured for a telnet interface instead of a TNC interface. After that, functionality for sending and receiving messages is the same. This eliminates the need to have a separate radio/TNC for packet vs. e-mail access.
- BBS Forwarding: Other packet BBSs can connect to the SCCo BBS network using AX.25 over (i.e. inside of) an IP or UDP tunnel. The AMPRnet uses AXIP tunnels. Individual BBS-to-BBS forwarding links can use AXIP or AXUDP, depending on the capabilities of the two BBSs on the link.
Electronic Mail Service
- Standard e-mail client software can be used over the WiFi connection to access the e-mail service.
Intranet Access Service
- Access services within or connected to the SCCo ARES/RACES network
Internet Access Service
- Access the commercial Internet

How To Connect

Configuration

TCP/IP Subscriber Configuration Information

Connectivity

LAN connections are only available at a few locations which are co-located with the SCCo ARES/RACES network hub sites.

If your site is colocated with an SCCo ARES/RACES network hub site, submit your specific location information via e-mail to: site-info at scc-ares-races dot org
The SCCo ARES/RACES network team will review the site-specific info and available facilities to determine if twisted-pair or fiber cable is required/available.
Once the appropriate cable has been run, the SCCo ARES/RACES network team will connect it to the county network and provide network configuration details.
Install your local firewall and other network equipment.
Conduct training for your users.

Equipment and Software

TCPIP over LAN Station Diagram (PDF)
Consider the following when building your station:

City/Agency EOC/DOC Equipment
Cable - depending on the available facilities, either Ethernet twisted-pair copper or fiber optic cable will be used
Computer
Printer
Software
Network
Firewall
Power

Resources

Presentations

Amateur Radio Data Networking in Event/Incident Communications (PDF - 4.9 MB) Presented to SPECS on 01/31/2015, by Michael Fox, N6MEF

Support

User Group

A discussion/e-mail group is available for SCCo ARES/RACES members interested in TCP/IP networking.

To Join: Visit our Discussion Groups page to learn how to subscribe to our main Announce group. Once approved, you can subscribe to the TCPIP group.

Network Access using TCP/IP over LAN