INTRODUCTION:

What is BBSNet?

        BBSNet provides real-time Internet connectivity to popular BBSs. 
        This includes incoming access from the Internet via the Telnet
        protocol, as well as Telnet, FTP, Archie and Gopher access to the
        Internet for dial-up users.

What is the Internet?

        The Internet is the world-wide "network of networks" that spans six
        continents, sixty countries, and thousands of institutions to make 
        the cumulative resources available to fifteen million users.  The
        resources available on the Internet include global electronic mail,
        news & messaging forums, software repositories, commercial
        software support archives, and more!

What will BBSNet do for my BBS?

        BBSNet will allow you to bring the vast resources of the Internet
        to your local users.  Additionally, by allowing incoming telnet,
        you can open up your system to a potential 15 million `callers',
        the majority of whom will be making a local telephone call to reach
        your BBS via the Internet.

What do I need to run BBSNet?

        In addition to your existing BBS setup, BBSNet requires Novell
        Netware 3.11 or 3.12 and a routed Internet connection.  For the
        Internet connection, you will need a minimum of a high-speed SLIP
        or PPP dial-up connection.  A dedicated 56K, fractional T1, or T1
        leased line may also be used. 

        BBSNet uses the TCP/IP stack included in Netware 3.1x, therefore
        Lantastic, Netware LITE, and Personal Netware are not supported.

Where can I find an Internet Provider?

        An excellent resource for finding an Internet provider is the book
        Connecting to the Internet.  See the bibliography for reference
        information.

What services do I need from my Internet provider?

        BBSNet requires your site to have at least two IP addresses.  One
        address will be assigned to your router, and the other to your
        Netware server.  Because you can not connect a SLIP/PPP line
        directly to a Netware server, the use of a secondary, routing
        machine is required.  This means that individual dial-up SLIP/PPP
        connections are not suitable, since they typically only offer one
        IP address.

        For ease of use and for full access to the Internet, your Internet
        provider must supply your domain with Domain Name System (DNS)
        service.  DNS is the services that translates cryptic IP addresses
        into easier to remember names.  Additionally, many Internet
        standard programs (such as Gopher) require DNS service for proper
        operation.