Hey folks!

I'm thinking of moving my BBS to the cloud or a VPS provider. I've used a AWS 32-bit micro instance years ago for a VADV board and it worked well. But I'm thinking of moving my Synchronet board to the cloud again.

Who out there still supports 32-bit windows VPS these days? Does even Amazon support such a thing? (I ran on Win 2008 server).

And prices - who is reasonable yet reliable?

We all know that a BBS is small and requries next to nothing to run. I'm thinking $10 or less a month?

Thanks! :)

*** Diamond Dave ***


---
þ Synchronet þ Diamond Mine Online - bbs.dmine.net - Fredericksburg, VA USA
* Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)

Re: Looking for a good cloud/VPS provider for a BBS
By: Diamond Dave to All on Fri Mar 22 2019 08:02 pm

I'm thinking of moving my BBS to the cloud or a VPS provider. I've used a AWS 32-bit micro instance years ago for a VADV board and it worked well. But I'm thinking of moving my Synchronet board to the cloud again.

I'm in the same place -- I have a Linux VPS from woothosting.com that I'm playing with.

One thing to think about if you have any familiarity with Linux is to port your
BBS over to Linux. There are a lot more options for Linux BBSes and porting Sync over to a different platform looks pretty easy.

With tickit and binkit, you have file management and a Fido mailer built-in to Synchronet, two less packages to port over/manage.

---
þ Synchronet þ realitycheckBBS -- http://realitycheckBBS.org
* Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)

Re: Looking for a good cloud/VPS provider for a BBS
By: poindexter FORTRAN to Diamond Dave on Fri Mar 22 2019 11:38 pm

One thing to think about if you have any familiarity with Linux is to port BBS over to Linux. There are a lot more options for Linux BBSes and porting Sync over to a different platform looks pretty easy.

With tickit and binkit, you have file management and a Fido mailer built-in Synchronet, two less packages to port over/manage.

I have *some* familiarity with Linux (REHL/CentOS) from work. But how do you get those good ole DOS doors work in Linux?

*** Diamond Dave ***

---
þ Synchronet þ Diamond Mine Online - bbs.dmine.net - Fredericksburg, VA USA
* Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)

On 2019 Mar 23 08:50:04, you wrote to poindexter FORTRAN:

I have *some* familiarity with Linux (REHL/CentOS) from work. But how
do you get those good ole DOS doors work in Linux?

DOSEMU! ;)

it works on 32bit and 64bit... i have several DOS doors running over here on SESTAR which is 64bit ubuntu server 18.04... it took a minute to figure it out but once it was working everything basically fell into place...

)\/(ark

Always Mount a Scratch Monkey
Do you manage your own servers? If you are not running an IDS/IPS yer doin' it wrong...
... Integrated Circuit (n): a device used to protect fuses.
---
* Origin: (1:3634/12.73)

Re: Looking for a good cloud/VPS provider for a BBS
By: Diamond Dave to poindexter FORTRAN on Sat Mar 23 2019 08:50 am

I have *some* familiarity with Linux (REHL/CentOS) from work. But how do you get those good ole DOS doors work in Linux?

dosemu does work with a little tweaking. I don't have a lot of local gaming on my BBS, so my games are either javascript games that run within Synchronet or they're hosted elsewhere to pool users together.

---
þ Synchronet þ realitycheckBBS -- http://realitycheckBBS.org
* Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)

On 03-23-19 08:50, Diamond Dave wrote to poindexter FORTRAN <=-

I have *some* familiarity with Linux (REHL/CentOS) from work. But how
do you get those good ole DOS doors work in Linux?

DOSemu. :)


... Copper wire was invented by two Ferengi fighting over a penny.
=== MultiMail/Linux v0.51
--- SBBSecho 3.03-Linux
* Origin: Freeway BBS Bendigo,Australia freeway.apana.org.au (3:633/410)

Re: Looking for a good cloud/VPS provider for a BBS
By: mark lewis to Diamond Dave on Sat Mar 23 2019 12:18 pm

On 2019 Mar 23 08:50:04, you wrote to poindexter FORTRAN:

I have *some* familiarity with Linux (REHL/CentOS) from work. But how do you get those good ole DOS doors work in Linux?

DOSEMU! ;)

it works on 32bit and 64bit... i have several DOS doors running over here

on

SESTAR which is 64bit ubuntu server 18.04... it took a minute to figure it but once it was working everything basically fell into place...

Can you post examples or send me some info in E-mail on how to set it up? Or is
it on the web somewhere now?

*** Diamond Dave ***

---
þ Synchronet þ Diamond Mine Online - bbs.dmine.net - Fredericksburg, VA USA
* Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)

Re: Looking for a good cloud/VPS provider for a BBS
By: Diamond Dave to poindexter FORTRAN on Sat Mar 23 2019 08:50:04

I have *some* familiarity with Linux (REHL/CentOS) from work. But how do

you

get those good ole DOS doors work in Linux?

Use dosemu...

Marisa
--- https://AmigaCity.xyz - Portal for the Amiga - More than 3,500 free DLs
--- https://amigacity.xyz/index.php/downloads/ourtorrents - Amiga Torrents
--- https://BBSlist.SynchronetBBS.org - Active BBS List for all BBS types
--- https://SynchronetBBS.org/OurServers - A list of all our websites
--- https://gamenet.SynchronetBBS.org - GameNet BBS Network
--- https://PocketGames.online - Handheld gaming emaulation players
--- https://SynchronetBBS.org/HostSplash - SBBS hosting for $14/month
þ Synchronet þ Amiga City - The BBS for the Amiga - more than 3,500+ files
* Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)

On 2019 Mar 24 07:51:06, you wrote to me:

DOSEMU! ;)

it works on 32bit and 64bit... i have several DOS doors running over
here on SESTAR which is 64bit ubuntu server 18.04... it took a minute
to figure it o but once it was working everything basically fell into
place...

Can you post examples or send me some info in E-mail on how to set it up? Or is it on the web somewhere now?

it was actually pretty easy once i figured out why there was a .dosemu directory in sbbs/ctrl... i run debian based systems so the process might be a little different on redhat based stuff... my method does not need or use sbbs/ctrl/emusetup.bat at all... also make sure you have the latest sbbs code in place... v3.17c should be fine but i know there are some changes in the code to execute dosemu doors... mainly to do with the generated external.bat and how it sets up drives E:, F:, G:, and H: in a clean manner...

let me have some time to get something written up and posted somewhere... please remind me if i haven't gotten back to you within a few days...

)\/(ark

Always Mount a Scratch Monkey
Do you manage your own servers? If you are not running an IDS/IPS yer doin' it wrong...
... We bought the effect, we're gonna use it.
---
* Origin: (1:3634/12.73)

Diamond Dave wrote to mark lewis <=-

DOSEMU! ;)

it works on 32bit and 64bit... i have several DOS doors running over here

on

SESTAR which is 64bit ubuntu server 18.04... it took a minute to figure it but once it was working everything basically fell into place...

Can you post examples or send me some info in E-mail on how to
set it up? Or is it on the web somewhere now?

http://wiki.synchro.net/howto:dosemu

There are many other pages there on the Wiki regarding running
SBBS on Linux... The Wiki is your Friend! :)



... A day without sunshine is like night.
--- MultiMail/Linux v0.51
þ Synchronet þ Palantir BBS * palantirbbs.ddns.net * Pensacola, FL
* Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)

On 2019 Mar 24 15:23:04, I wrote to you:

let me have some time to get something written up and posted somewhere...

i'm just going to post it here... it could probably go on the wiki but i'm not sure where to place it...


==== Begin "sbbs-dosemu.txt" ====

i run debian based systems so the process might be a little different on redhat based stuff...

my method does not need or use sbbs/ctrl/emusetup.bat at all...


1. make sure your sbbs is compiled to use DOSemu

2. install the dosemu package
sudo aptitude install dosemu

3. run it as a normal user to make sure it works
you should get a working DOS environment
this is only a test at this point
the default environment is not the same as what sbbs sets up
exitemu to leave

4. set up an external door to command.com
DOSEmu command.com
=============================================
Name DOSEmu command.com
Internal Code DOSEMUCO
Start-up Directory ../xtrn
Command Line command.com
Clean-up Command Line
Execution Cost None
Access Requirements SYSOP
Execution Requirements
Multiple Concurrent Users Yes
Intercept I/O Standard
Native Executable No
Use Shell to Execute No
Modify User Data No
Execute on Event No
Pause After Execution No
BBS Drop File Type None
Place Drop File In Node Directory
Time Options...

5. log into the bbs with your sysop account

6. execute the above ""door""
this is only to set up the initial sbbs environment in DOSemu
don't do anything
just exitemu to quit back to the bbs

7. now from the *nix side:
a. cd sbbs/ctrl/.dosemu/drive_c
b. cp config.sys config.org
c. edit config.sys to add the following line below
the cdrom.sys line so ansi works on local terminal

devicehigh=d:\bin\nansi.sys

d. cp autoexec.bat autoexec.org
e. edit autoexec.bat so it looks like the following

@echo off
rem autoexec.bat for DOSEMU + FreeDOS
path z:\bin;z:\gnu;z:\dosemu
set HELPPATH=z:\help
set TEMP=c:\tmp
rem blaster
share
rem *************************
rem * load one of: *
rem * dosemu's fossil.exe *
rem * bnu.com *
rem * x00.exe *
rem *************************
rem fossil
bnu /P:1 /L:0=38400 /F+ /Z0 /M+ /T:4096 /R:4096
rem x00 eliminate
prompt $p $g
unix -s DOSDRIVE_D
if "%DOSDRIVE_D%" == "" goto nodrived
lredir del d: > nul
lredir d: linux\fs%DOSDRIVE_D%
:nodrived
rem uncomment to load another bitmap font
rem loadhi display con=(vga,437,2)
rem mode con codepage prepare=((850) z:\cpi\ega.cpx)
rem mode con codepage select 850
rem chcp 850
lredir e: linux\fs/media/cdrom c
unix -s DOSEMU_VERSION
echo "Welcome to dosemu %DOSEMU_VERSION%!"
unix -e

f. put a copy of bnu.com and x00.exe in this directory
so you can easily change the above autoexec.bat to
use whichever one works best for you. bnu is currently
loaded in the above autoexec.bat

that should do it for the initial setup... there may be an edit or two needed in the dosemu config files... i generally have to make one change to use the bottom of memory and i think another change to set the keyboard...

if there are questions, please ask...

==== End "sbbs-dosemu.txt" ====

)\/(ark

Always Mount a Scratch Monkey
Do you manage your own servers? If you are not running an IDS/IPS yer doin' it wrong...
... The hardback you just paid $29 for will be out in paper tomorrow at $7.
---
* Origin: (1:3634/12.73)

Re: Looking for a good cloud/
By: Dan Clough to Diamond Dave on Sun Mar 24 2019 04:32 pm

Thanks! I'll check it out this weekend.

Diamond Dave wrote to mark lewis <=-

DOSEMU! ;)

it works on 32bit and 64bit... i have several DOS doors running over

here

SESTAR which is 64bit ubuntu server 18.04... it took a minute to figure but once it was working everything basically fell into place...

Can you post examples or send me some info in E-mail on how to
set it up? Or is it on the web somewhere now?

http://wiki.synchro.net/howto:dosemu

There are many other pages there on the Wiki regarding running
SBBS on Linux... The Wiki is your Friend! :)

... A day without sunshine is like night.

---
þ Synchronet þ Diamond Mine Online - bbs.dmine.net - Fredericksburg, VA USA
* Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)

Re: Looking for a good cloud/VPS provider for a BBS
By: mark lewis to Diamond Dave on Mon Mar 25 2019 11:23 am

Thank you Mark! :)

*** Diamond Dave ***

On 2019 Mar 24 15:23:04, I wrote to you:

let me have some time to get something written up and posted

somewhere.

i'm just going to post it here... it could probably go on the wiki but i'm sure where to place it...

==== Begin "sbbs-dosemu.txt" ====

i run debian based systems so the process might be a little different on redhat based stuff...

my method does not need or use sbbs/ctrl/emusetup.bat at all...

1. make sure your sbbs is compiled to use DOSemu

2. install the dosemu package
sudo aptitude install dosemu

3. run it as a normal user to make sure it works
you should get a working DOS environment
this is only a test at this point
the default environment is not the same as what sbbs sets up
exitemu to leave

4. set up an external door to command.com
DOSEmu command.com
=============================================
Name DOSEmu command.com
Internal Code DOSEMUCO
Start-up Directory ../xtrn
Command Line command.com
Clean-up Command Line
Execution Cost None
Access Requirements SYSOP
Execution Requirements
Multiple Concurrent Users Yes
Intercept I/O Standard
Native Executable No
Use Shell to Execute No
Modify User Data No
Execute on Event No
Pause After Execution No
BBS Drop File Type None
Place Drop File In Node Directory
Time Options...

5. log into the bbs with your sysop account

6. execute the above ""door""
this is only to set up the initial sbbs environment in DOSemu
don't do anything
just exitemu to quit back to the bbs

7. now from the *nix side:
a. cd sbbs/ctrl/.dosemu/drive_c
b. cp config.sys config.org
c. edit config.sys to add the following line below
the cdrom.sys line so ansi works on local terminal

devicehigh=d:\bin\nansi.sys

d. cp autoexec.bat autoexec.org
e. edit autoexec.bat so it looks like the following

@echo off
rem autoexec.bat for DOSEMU + FreeDOS
path z:\bin;z:\gnu;z:\dosemu
set HELPPATH=z:\help
set TEMP=c:\tmp
rem blaster
share
rem *************************
rem * load one of: *
rem * dosemu's fossil.exe *
rem * bnu.com *
rem * x00.exe *
rem *************************
rem fossil
bnu /P:1 /L:0=38400 /F+ /Z0 /M+ /T:4096 /R:4096
rem x00 eliminate
prompt $p $g
unix -s DOSDRIVE_D
if "%DOSDRIVE_D%" == "" goto nodrived
lredir del d: > nul
lredir d: linux\fs%DOSDRIVE_D%
:nodrived
rem uncomment to load another bitmap font
rem loadhi display con=(vga,437,2)
rem mode con codepage prepare=((850) z:\cpi\ega.cpx)
rem mode con codepage select 850
rem chcp 850
lredir e: linux\fs/media/cdrom c
unix -s DOSEMU_VERSION
echo "Welcome to dosemu %DOSEMU_VERSION%!"
unix -e

f. put a copy of bnu.com and x00.exe in this directory
so you can easily change the above autoexec.bat to
use whichever one works best for you. bnu is currently
loaded in the above autoexec.bat

that should do it for the initial setup... there may be an edit or two

neede

in the dosemu config files... i generally have to make one change to use

the

bottom of memory and i think another change to set the keyboard...

if there are questions, please ask...

==== End "sbbs-dosemu.txt" ====

)\/(ark

Always Mount a Scratch Monkey
Do you manage your own servers? If you are not running an IDS/IPS yer doin' wrong...
... The hardback you just paid $29 for will be out in paper tomorrow at $7.

---
þ Synchronet þ Diamond Mine Online - bbs.dmine.net - Fredericksburg, VA USA
* Origin: Vertrauen - [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net (1:103/705)