====== .cnf files ======

''.cnf'' files are proprietary binary configuration files located in the ''[[dir:ctrl]]'' directory and ''[[dir:node]]'' directories and are maintained using the [[util:SCFG]] utility before Synchronet v3.20.  

===== Auto-backup =====

[[util:SCFG:]] features an auto-backup system controlled with the [[util:SCFG]] ''-b#'' command-line option to specify the backup level. ''-b5'' is the default, providing for 5 backups of each file modified. ''-b0'' disables the auto-backup feature.

''.cnf'' files ending with ''.0.cnf'' represent the most recent backup of the ''.cnf'' file, ''.1.cnf'' the next to most recent backup, etc.

The oldest backup files (e.g. ''*.5.cnf'' when the backup level is 5) are automatically removed (deleted).

====== Individual files ======

The various .cnf files are:
  * ''chat.cnf'': This contains the [[util:scfg:Chat Features]] settings from [[util:SCFG]] specifically the Guru, Multinode chat actions and channels, and external sysop pages.  This is unused on most BBSs and may be removed from or integrated with the [[service:ircd]] in [[version 4]].
  * ''file.cnf'': Contains the file [[library]] and [[directory]] configuration from  [[util:scfg:File Areas]] and the file transfer configuration from [[util:scfg:File Options]]
  * ''main.cnf'': [[util:scfg:System]] settings and [[util:scfg:Command Shells]] are configrued via this file.
  * ''msgs.cnf'': Contains the message [[groups]] and [[sub-boards]] configured via [[util:scfg:Message Areas]], [[util:scfg:Message Options]], and [[util:scfg:Networks]]
  * ''xtrn.cnf'': Contains the [[util:scfg:External Programs]] configuration which includes [[events]], [[external editors]], [[hot-key events]] and [[doors]]
  * ''node.cnf'': Located in the [[dir:node|NODE Directories]], and configured via the [[util:scfg:Nodes]] menu, it is expected that only the node config which corresponds to the [[config:sbbs.ini#first node|FirstNode]] value (usually 1) in ''[[sbbs.ini]]'' is actually used, but there may be times with some tools that a different node config file is used.  Because of this, it is recommended that a sysop ensure that all ''node.cnf'' files for the same instance are configured identically.

====== Development Notes ======

These files were originally a text-based configuration (''*.cfg'' files in Synchronet version 1) but were converted to binary for efficiency reasons that no longer apply.  In version 3.20 of Synchronet, these files were converted to [[.ini files]]; see [[history:newcfgfiles]] for details.
===== See Also =====
  * [[:util:SCFG:]]
  * [[:config:|Configuration]]


{{tag>configuration file_type cnf}}