🐶 Join FidoNet

There are several message and file networks that use FidoNet technology - these are referred to as Fido Technology Networks or FTNs.

This article is about joining the original Fido technology network known as FidoNet (or Fidonet).

Synchronet comes with all the software you'll likely need to join FidoNet.

If you've recently installed Synchronet, you should have several methods available to you to perform the initial setup, choose one:

1. Logon to the BBS's terminal server and under External Programs, invoke the Operator->Initial FidoNet Setup program
2. From a system command prompt, run: jsexec init-fidonet.js
3. From Synchronet Control Panel (for Windows), click File->Run->Initial FidoNet Setup

******************************************************************************
*                            init-fidonet.js v2.1                            *
*                 Initializing FidoNet support in Synchronet                 *
*                 Use Ctrl-C to abort the process if desired                 *
******************************************************************************
   <1> FidoNet (North America)
       http://fido-z1.darkrealms.ca/
   <2> FidoNet (Europe, Former Soviet Union countries, and Israel)
   <3> FidoNet (Australasia)
   <4> FidoNet (Latin America (except Puerto Rico))
   ...
Which or [Q]uit:   

• Choose the appropriate FidoNet Zone (1-4)¹⁾ based on your geographical location.

Network name: FidoNet
Network zone: 1
Network info: http://fido-z1.darkrealms.ca/
Network domain: fidonet
Network coordinator: Nick Andre <nandre@net229.org> 1:229/426
EchoList: BACKBONE.NA
Reading Message Area configuration file: msgs.ini
Your hub's address (zone:net/node):

• At this point, you will need to provide the node address of your hub. If you are unsure, it's best to contact the network/zone coordinator to find out what that address should be before you proceed.

Your node address is 1:229/9999 (Y/n)?

• A */9999 is a temporary node address. If you have been assigned a permanent node address, answer 'N' and enter that address when prompted. It is normally fine to proceed with a temporary node address, but you will need to either re-run this setup script later or change your configuration manually when your permanent node address has been assigned.

Your AreaFix (a.k.a. Area Manager) Password (case in-sensitive):

• You will need to specify a password to use for remote area manager operations (commands sent via NetMail to your hub/uplink).

Your BinkP Session Password (case sensitive):

• You will need to specify a password to use for authenticated (secured) communication between your mailer and your hub's mailer using the “BinkD protocol” (a.k.a. BinkP).
• If unsure what to answer at any prompt, choose the default answer by hitting the Enter key.
• If you wish to communicate with the network coordinator on your hub/uplink via Internet email, it is very important that you enter a valid/known-working Internet email address when prompted.

Send a node number application to nandre@net229.org (Y/n)?

• At this stage you may have the option to send an automated Internet email to the network coordinator requesting your link be configured on their end and perhaps to have a permanent address assigned.
• Continuing on, you will be prompted to:
  • Customize your Origin Line
  • Create a “FidoNet” message group
  • Download and import an EchoList (list of FidoNet message areas) in SCFG->Message Areas
  • Save changes to your sbbsecho.ini file
  • Install BinkIT, the Synchronet FidoNet mailer
  • Send a node number application to the network coordinator's FidoNet address

Be patient. It may take up to 2 weeks for your request to be fully processed and your node to appear in the FidoNet Nodelist. Remember that your NC (network coordinator) may not be able to contact you at all until your permanent node address becomes official.

Links to external (non-Synchronet-specific) information about how to join FidoNet:

• www.fidonet.ca/how-to-join.html
• http://www.fidonet.us/joinfido.htm
• http://www.fidonet.org/joinfido.html

• FidoNet Glossary
• FidoNet Mailer Programs
• SBBSecho (FidoNet tosser, included with Synchronet)
• BinkIT (FidoNet mailer, included with Synchronet)
• TickIT (FidoNet TIC processor, included with Synchronet)
• BinkD (FidoNet mailer, 3rd party, open source)
• TinyTIC (FidoNet TIC processor, 3rd party, open source)