FarSync X25 M-Series PCMCIA adapter
The X.25 PC Card solution for Windows

Product Overview

The FarSync X.25 M1P v2 adapter has been developed to provide high performance X.25 connectivity for Windows XP and Server 2003. The 1 port PCMCIA card can utilise lines up to 512 Kbits/s with support for  RS232C, X.21, RS530 (RS422) and V.35 network interfaces.

The X.25 software has a host of features including ISO Transport (classes 0 to 3), IP over X.25, support for OpenFT FTAM, a WinSock2 compliant Sockets API, a Java API, a COM Port API, a low level NCB API and a LAPB layer 2 (HDLC) that is also directly accessible by its own API. The Sockets API is also accessible from .NET applications.

The FarSync X25 cards and software are well proven and very reliable making them ideal for non stop applications.

When used in conjunction with a low profile PCI to PCMCIA adapter the FarSync X25 M1P v2 card provides an economic X.25 solution for low profile servers with PCI slots.

A comprehensive Developers Toolkit is included with each product together with a GUI multi-port Line Monitor and a Line Statistics application.

Typical Applications

The FarSync X25 M-Series PCMCIA cards are suitable for connection to all types of X.25 networks, X.25 over the ISDN D channel, Dialup X.25 and leased lines. Example applications include:

• Private X.25 networks such as Lottery, Police, Customs, Military, Fishery, Financial, Government and Airline
• E-Commerce gateways for credit verification
• Mixed X.25 and IP networks
• FTAM access
• Billing and Mediation
• X.25 connections to Laptops including military Laptops
• Control applications requiring a HDLC link
• X.25 solution for low profile PCI Servers (in conjunction with a low profile PCI to PCMCIA adapter)

The card is compatible with all public X.25 networks, including: Datex-P, BT X.25 Direct, Eirpac, Austpac, Transpac, Iberpac and Itapac and many more.

Application Development

Application developers have a choice of APIs for X.25, ISO Transport and accessing HDLC. An API selector guide is provided to assist the developer in choosing the most appropriate interface. The comprehensive Developers Toolkit is included with the product.

 

Sockets API - X.25

The Sockets API is extremely popular as a simple, easy to use API to access TCP/IP communications networks. The Sockets support for the FarSync X25 M1P retains this ease of use and also allows the special features of X.25 and ISO Transport classes 0 to 3 to be accessed.

The Sockets interface is WinSock2 compliant, it supports standard AF_ISO / ISOPROTO_X25 sockets used by a number of applications, such as MS-Exchange. It also supports an alternative address family, AF_X25, to allow easy porting of applications between Windows and Linux.

The FarSync Sockets API is compatible with the Microsoft defined X.25 Sockets API. Applications written to use the Microsoft X.25 Sockets API will work with the FarSync product.

Applications developed in most programming languages including Visual Basic, Delphi, C++ and .NET applications can use the Sockets API to the FarSync X25 M1Pv2.

More details on the X.25 Sockets API.

Java API - X.25

The Java API allows applications written in Core Java Software (J2SE) and Enterprise Java Software (J2EE) easy access to the functions and features of X.25 offered by the FarSync X25 M1P card. Full documentation and sample applications are provided.

COM Port API - X.25

The COM Port API provides a very quick and easy to use interface to X.25. Each X.25 session is represented by a COM Port controlled by AT commands. The COM Port API is particularly suitable for applications developed in Visual Basic and similar languages or for those who would prefer to address the card as if it were a modem type device. Full documentation and a sample application is provided.

HDLC API - LAPB

Easy to use HDLC API provides a programming interface into LAPB (X.25 Layer 2). In addition, an alternative API is provided to raw HDLC frames, with the API just providing the CRC generation and the framing. The FarSync X.25 driver is bypassed, with layer 2 being provided by the HDLC API DLL, which takes over completed control of the port being addressed. An example application in C is provided.

NCB API - X.25 and ISO Transport

A legacy API is supplied to maintain compliance with older X.25 cards, access to ISO Transport and X.25 is provided.

Developers Toolkit

The X.25 Developers Toolkit is included with the FarSync X25 products and features:

• Documented working sample programs for Linux and Windows, including in C, Java, Visual Basic and Delphi. Source code from these samples can be used to fast-track your development process
  
  
• Comprehensive set of API manuals with function call definitions and helpful advice on the best way to utilise the various interfaces
  
  
• Free email and telephone assistance to the application developer using the APIs

Download the X.25 Developers Toolkit.

 

TCP/IP over X.25   The IP over X.25 support is included as part of the FarSync X25 M1P product, it is fully integrated into Windows Configuration is performed using standard network configuration menus. Windows Features: The IP over X.25 support complies with RFC 1356 (IP over X.25), for single and multiple X.25 destinations. Higher level protocols that run over IP including TCP, UDP, HTTP and FTP are supported. RFC 1598 (PPP over X.25) and RFC 1662 (Async format PPP over X.25) are also supported on 32 bit systems. See further details about how IP over X.25 works

Card Performance

The intelligent FarSync M-Series card offers high performance in a small package. The software supports a full set of X.25 features whilst still providing high data packet throughput.

• Up to 254 simultaneous virtual connections
• up to 500 pps (data packets per second)
• Line speeds up to 512 Kbits/s
• X.21 (V.11), V.35, EIA-530 (RS530, RS422) and RS232C (V.24 / X.21bis) network interfaces

Fast Installation and Configuration

The card features 'Plug and Play' support for Windows XP and Server 2003. Fast installation and easy configuration are a feature of the product.

There is context sensitive help and an on-line manual. Many of the parameters such as DTE / DCE selection are determined automatically. Selecting the line speed by default automatically sets suitable timer and retry values. An advanced tab permits users to exactly specify the configuration of the line should it be required (click here for example).

Line Monitor and Network Statistics Utilities The product includes a multi-port line monitor, an invaluable tool when testing new applications and commissioning new systems. Line traces can be displayed in real time, recorded and reviewed with full protocol decoding, comments can even be inserted in the trace to assist later analysis. Click here for a sample screen. A connection status and statistics utility is also provided. Its functions include the display of the channel connection status and statistics of user data, packet and frame types passed over the X.25 lines.

Packaging

The X.25 software, utilities, IP over X.25 support and the development tool kit are all included on the CD-ROM supplied with the FarSync communications adapter. Cables are ordered separately. New releases of X.25 software for FarSync cards are made available for download from the Support section X.25 download page.

Cables

Cables are available for the adapter with X.21 (V.11 -15 pin male D type), RS232C (V.24 - 25 pin male D type), V.35 (MRAC-34 male 'brick' type) and EIA-530 (RS530/RS422 25 pin male D type) connectors.

The FarSync X25 T and M Series product range and compatible cables table lists the cables available by card type. Crossover cables, sometimes referred to as null modem cables are also detailed.