FarSync X25 M-Series PCMCIA adapter
The X.25 PC Card solution for Windows XP and 2000

Product Overview

The FarSync X.25 M1P v2 adapter has been developed to provide high performance X.25 connectivity for Windows XP and 2000. The 1 port PCMCIA card can utilise lines up to 512 Kbits/s with support for  RS232C, X.21, RS530 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 and ISO Transport

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 X.25 cards 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 FarSync Windows 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.
Applications developed in most programming languages including C++, Visual Basic, Delphi including .NET applications can use the Sockets API to the FarSync X.25 cards. Documentation and a wide variety of sample applications are provided.

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 X.25 cards. 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 not familiar with X.25. Full documentation and a sample application is provided.

NCB API - X.25 and ISO Transport

A very flexible and powerful API, allowing access to the low level features of X.25. The API is particularly suitable where close control over the X.25 layer is required. The comprehensive manual documents the function call definitions and provides helpful advice on the best way to utilise the API. As well as example applications in C the interface structures are also provided in Pascal to permit easy interfacing for applications developed in Delphi.
ISO transport is also available through the NCB interface to allow easy porting of legacy application previously developed for the X.PORT range of X.25 cards

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.

Developers Toolkit

The developers toolkit is included with the FarSync X25 products and features:

• Documented working C, Java, Visual Basic and Delphi source sample programs. 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 application developers

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 XP, and 2000. Configuration is performed using standard network configuration menus. Multiple connections over multiple X.25 sessions are supported. The IP over X.25 support complies with RFC 1356 (IP over X.25), RFC 1598 (PPP over X.25), RFC 1662 (Async format PPP over X.25). Higher level protocols that run over IP including TCP, UDP, HTTP and FTP are supported.

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 / RS422), V.35, EIA-530 (RS530) and RS232C (V.24 / X.21bis) network interfaces

Fast Installation and Configuration

The card features 'Plug and Play' support for Windows XP and 2000. 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 (RS422, 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 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.