A Winlink Glossary
AX.25
The signaling protocol used by Winlink 2000 for passing data on VHF/UHF Packet channels. Winlink 2000 uses the AX.25 Pactor protocol to carry its B2F Format.
CMS
The Common Message Servers (CMS) are the common coordinating engines central to the Winlink 2000 "star" Network configuration. They coordinate the traffic between network radio server stations (PMBOs, RMS stations) provide the e-mail, bulletin and position reporting interface. All this is done over the Internet for speed, and to make the amateur radio spectrum more efficient. We get the synergistic best of both the internet and radio spectrum without suffering connectivity failures or crowding the amateur bands. Each of the existing Common Message Servers is a mirror image of the other, providing continual redundancy should one of these servers become inoperative.
HF
High Frequency - Frequencies between 3 and 30 megahertz.
MID
A message identification number that uniquely identifies each message that flows into and out of the Winlink 2000 system.
MBO
An abbreviation for 'mailbox'. It applies specifically to radio-based mailboxes operated by amateurs.
Modem
See TNC below.
Pactor 1, 2, 3
The signaling protocols used by Winlink 2000 to carry its B2F format on HF radio channels. Pactor is the invention of SCS GmbH & Co. KG.
Paclink AGW & Paclink Postoffice
A Winlink 2000 client/server email application that enables the use of a single or multiple computers with email programs such as MS Outlook, MS Outlook Express, Netscape, Eudora, etc. to exchange email via Telnet or VHF/UHF Packet. Paclink utilizes the AGW Packet Engine to drive Packet modems, including computer sound cards. With one single Paclink installation on a LAN, multiple computers running standard email programs may be enabled with radio email when used with the Winlink 2000 network system.
PMBO
A Winlink 2000 participating network MBO. This term normally applies to the first generation of Winlink 2000 radio mail server software. PMBOs or Radio Message Servers, exchange messages with each other through the CMS's in a "star" network configuration via the Internet, and with the end-users over radio, over the Internet using Telnet, or WebMail via this site.
RMS Packet
A second-generation Winlink 2000 software application that generally duplicates the functions of Telpac with numerous improvements.
RMS Pactor
A second-generation Winlink 2000 software application that provides a gateway for HF Pactor 1, 2, or 3 stations to the Winlink system. RMS stations include a computer-controlled HF transceiver, a Pactor modem, and a TCP/IP connection to Winlink CMS servers. Second-generation stations running RMS Pactor are referred to as RMS stations and not PMBOs.
SYSOP
A system operator - the amateur control operator who operates a Radio Mail Server (RMS) or PMBO.
Telpac
A Winlink 2000 software application that acts as a gateway between packet radio and the Winlink System via Telnet over any TCP/IP connection, including the Internet and high-speed TCP/IP radio. A Telpac station contains a VHF/UHF transceiver, a radio modem (TNC) and a connection by TCP/IP to a CMS or PMBO.