Document: FTS-0006
Version: 002
Date: 30-Nov-1991
YOOHOO and YOOHOO/2U2
The netmail handshake used by Opus-CBCS
and other intelligent Fidonet mail handling packages
Vince Perriello
FidoNet 1:2343/491
Status of this document:
This FTS (FidoNet(r) Technical Standard) specifies an optional
standard for the FidoNet community. Implementation of the
protocols defined in this document is not mandatory, but all
implementations of these protocols are expected to adhere to this
standard. Distribution of this document is subject to the
restrictions listed below.
Fido and FidoNet are registered marks of Tom Jennings and Fido
Software
LEGAL STUFF
-----------
The original protocol and documentation are by Wynn Wagner III. Updates
have been made to this document by Vince Perriello, who also is
responsible for most of the sample routine included with this document.
They are released to the public for any use whatsoever as long as you
don't modify any transmitted structure or try to make money hawking
either the sample code or this document as if you owned them.
If you choose to use the method or the sample routines, you do so
entirely at your own risk. It is possible that the routines will cause
physical damage to your equipment, an invasion of fire ants, the plague,
or an extended visit from in-laws. If any of that stuff (or anything
else) happens, you accept the consequences totally.
CREDITS
-------
Fido and Fidonet are registered trademarks of Tom Jennings and Fido
Software.
ARCmail was originated by System Enhancement Associates.
The ZModem protocol was designed by Chuck Forsberg. The SEAlink / SEAlink
Overdrive protocols are copyrighted by System Enhancment Associates. The
TeLink protocol was designed and first implemented by Tom Jennings.
The state charts in this document were done by Vince Perriello.
Rick Huebner designed and implemented the basic WaZOO file request
method. Update request functionality was added by Vince Perriello. Bob
Hartman is responsible for the addition of Domain support.
FTS-0001, describing the base FidoNet protocol, was created by Randy Bush.
FTS-0007, describing enhancement to FTS-0001 using SEAlink and/or SEAlink
Overdrive, was created by Phil Becker.
YooHoo and YooHoo/2u2 Page 2
Overview
UPFRONT
-------
YOOHOO and YOOHOO/2U2 are the initial handshakes for the WaZOO e-mail
protocol. They are designed to let two systems establish a common ground
for a netmail session while making sure that non-WaZOO software doesn't
get upset by material it can't understand.
The YOOHOO procedure begins as a single byte (0xf1). If the system on
the other end doesn't reply to that byte, no further YOOHOO or WaZOO
transmissions are attempted. To a non-WaZOO netmail system, the YOOHOO
byte will simply seem like a byte of debris.
The calling system initiates the YOOHOO by sending the attention
character. If the receiving system seems interested, the calling system
sends a 128 byte packet containing such information as system and sysop
names as well as a "capability mask." A 16-bit CRC protects the integrity
of the 128-byte packet.
In response, the receiving system prepares a 128 byte packet to send
back. This is the YOOHOO/2U2 procedure.
FEATURES
--------
The features of YOOHOO and YOOHOO/2U2 include
* non-interference with systems that don't understand the
handshake
* almost foolproof method for identifying a remote system
and establishing a common ground for transmission
* built-in room to expand the capabilities of WaZOO without
having to resort to a kludge
USAGE
-----
A calling system simply uses a routine that transmits both YooHoo and
TSYNC handshake initiating characters to the called system. If the
called system responds with an XMODEM 'NAK', an FTS-0001 session will be
initiated. If an 'ENQ' is received, the `YooHoo_Sender()' routine will
be invoked to handle the session negotiation.
A receiving system can call a routine like `YooHoo_Receiver()' if it
detects the YOOHOO character, or just drop into the FTS-0001 logic if it
sees a TSYNC.
This simple method allows a mailer to take care of both the TSYNC and the
YOOHOO handshakes.
YooHoo and YooHoo/2u2 Page 3
WaZOO Protocols
PROTOCOLS
---------
Currently there are four WaZOO methods in use:
1. ZedZap
------
a Zmodem variant. The originator does a batch send then goes into a
receive batch mode. The called system does receive then send. In
the event of a file request (see description below) made by the
called system, one more turnaround is made to service the request.
* Unlike the "True" Zmodem protocol described by Chuck Forsberg,
ZedZap routines must be able to handle a batch mode that has no
actual files. In other words, it is possible for there to be a
init sequence followed immediately by a ZFIN.
* The maximum packet size is 8192. This is usually varied based on
the baud rate. For example, at 2400 it might be 2048 bytes, then
for 9600 baud and above the maximum of 8192 could apply. Note that
THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT VARIATION FROM STRICT ZMODEM IMPLEMENTATION.
(There's another WaZOO capability bit for those systems which
can not handle this block size)
* Netmail packets are transmitted as files with names in the form
"12345678.PKT". Because of this, multiple packets may be sent in
a single session.
* If the calling system transmits a .REQ file for file requests, the
receiving system can respond to it. See "WaZOO File Requests"
(below) for information on the .REQ file.
2. ZedZip
------
This capability is identical to ZedZap, but does not use buffers
greater than 1K in size (like "True" Zmodem). It is also
permissible to send a "null" packet in a ZedZip session. This
allows a system which must use a strict Zmodem implementation to
participate in a WaZOO session using Zmodem.
3. DietIFNA
--------
The session operates like FTS-0001/FTS-0007. The notable exceptions
are as follows:
* The same packet naming convention as ZedZap applies, allowing more
than one packet to be transmitted in a single session.
YooHoo and YooHoo/2u2 Page 4
WaZOO Protocols
* Telink file transfers don't even attempt to exchange file names
using modem7. The receiving system extracts the file name from the
Telink or SEAlink header block.
* If SEAlink is used, run-ahead (the number of blocks to slide) is
based on the baud rate: BlocksToSlide = BaudRate / 400, up to a
max of 24 blocks.
* When there is nothing to send, a system should remain quiet. In
other words, the end of a session can be determined by a timeout.
* Under no circumstances should "BARK" file request logic be active
during a DietIFNA session. File requests, if any, should be
transmitted using a .REQ file.
Many implementations of DietIfna have been accomplished by the mere
exchange of packets, followed by straight FTS-0001/0007 code. This
is incorrect but probably not easily remedied at this point. We have
made an effort to document this change in "reality" in this revision
of the document.
4. Janus
-----
Janus is a full-duplex simultaneous bidirectional file transfer
protocol. In other words, it can send and receive files at the same
time. It's very loosely derived from ZModem and HDLC/X.25 protocol
technology, in that it uses variable length data-typed packets, and
that transmission of file data does not require ACKs.
The protocol is documented elsewhere; it is beyond the scope of this
document to do so.
YooHoo and YooHoo/2u2 Page 5
Choosing WaZOO Methods
How to decide which WaZOO method to use
---------------------------------------
Since the called system has all the information necessary to decide what
WaZOO method to employ, the best way to implement the process is for the
calling system to send, in its capability mask, all the bits which
correspond to methods it can use (or wants to use) in communicating with
the called system. The called system then looks at these bits and sends
back only the bit which corresponds to the method it wants to use.
If the called system sends back a mask which contains more than one
capability of the calling system, it can create a problem situation if
one system arrives at its choice of methods differently from the other.
Thus, when the called system doesn't make the choice, both systems should
choose as follows:
1. Janus
2. ZedZap
3. ZedZip
4. DietIFNA
The capability highest on the list which both systems indicate ability to
execute should be the one employed.
YooHoo and YooHoo/2u2 Page 6
WaZOO Filename conventions
WaZOO FILENAMES
---------------
1. MESSAGE PACKETS ... xxxxxxxx.PKT
Normal (unarchived) messages are sent in a file name that has a tag
of .PKT. The "x" characters should be hex digits.
2. ARCmail ... xxxxxxxx.{MO|TU|WE|TH|FR|SA|SU}#
Message packets are often shipped in an archive that has been
compressed with some LZ utility.
The file name consists of a name with hex digits. The tag is one of
seven two-character prefixes ("MO", "TU", "WE", "TH", "FR", "SA" or
"SU") and a number (0-9).
This particular naming convention was established by ARCmail version
0.60, which is a defacto standard in FidoNet.
3. FILE REQUESTS ... xxxxxxxx.REQ
This is explained below.
In a nutshell, the file name consists of the receiving system's
Fidonet address expressed as two 4-digit hex numbers. The file tag
is .REQ.
In a Janus session, the .REQ file isn't actually sent. Janus has
a transaction system which sends the .REQ file one line at a time
and then accepts the file(s) which the request generates.
YooHoo and YooHoo/2u2 Page 7
Flow of a ZedZap or ZedZip Session
FLOW OF A ZEDZAP OR ZEDZIP SESSION
----------------------------------
The calling system:
* Send YooHoo
* Receive YooHoo/2u2
* In a single batch, send bundles, files, file request (.REQ) files
(in that order)
* In a single batch, receive bundles, files, file requests, and
requested files (in that order)
* If a file request (.REQ) file came in, send all requested files
in a single batch.
Receiving system:
* Receive YooHoo
* Send YooHoo/2u2
* In a single batch, receive bundles, files, file requests
* In a single batch, send bundles, files, our file requests, and
respond to file requests that arrived from the remote system.
* If we sent a .REQ file in the preceding step, receive all files
in a single batch.
YooHoo and YooHoo/2u2 Page 8
WaZOO File Requests
WAZOO FILE REQUESTS
-------------------
Rick Huebner, who adapted the ZModem routines for Opus, and the architect of
the Janus file transfer protocol, designed the ".REQ file"-based file request
system.
REQ FILE:
A WaZOO file request is based on a request file. The name of a request file
is similar to the .OUT and .FLO files used by Opus-CBCS and similar mail
products (such as BinkleyTerm).
TEMPLATE: netnode.REQ
EXAMPLE: 00010002.REQ ... a request being sent to 1/2
The .REQ file is simply a text file that contains the files we want from the
remote system. Those file names can include wildcards, but should not contain
a path. Optionally, there can be a password if the sending system requires one.
The "netnode" part of the file name is built from the remote systems net and
node numbers. Both numbers become 4-character hex numbers in the file name.
Let's say we're requesting THIS.ARC and all node lists from 12/2. The file
name would be 000C0002.REQ. The contents would look like this:
this.arc
nodelist.*
If the sysop of 12/2 requires a password of THAT to get the file THIS.ARC, the
REQ file contents would have to change:
this.arc !that
nodelist.*
Transaction-level passwords (of 6 or fewer characters) follow the file name:
!
YooHoo and YooHoo/2u2 Page 9
WaZOO File Requests
If the request is of the "update" genre, the type of update and the time,
expressed as a UNIX-style long decimal ASCII number, follows the name, or in
the event that there is a transaction-level password, the password. For
example, an update request for file NEWOPUS.*, where you already have a file
dated 1-January 1989, 00:00 and you live on the East Coast (GMT+06) would be:
NEWOPUS.* +599634000
The sign is required, it indicates the type of update request. A '+' means
that all files matching the filespec "NEWOPUS.*" newer than the shown time
will be sent, a '-' means that all matching files with dates up to and
including the indicated time will be sent.
The complete format of an action line in an REQ file is, then:
[!][<+/->