Multi User Support

It is possible to use N1MM logger in Multi-User Multi-Transmitter operation. For this to work you need at least two networked computers with a maximum of 15. These computers need to have network interface cards. The networking protocol used is TCP/IP. The network needs a so called "Master" station. The "Master" station is the one that sets the time, connects to packet/telnet, etc. The Master station has number 0.

Features

Configuration

Assumed is that the network is setup and working correctly so every computer can ping each other. There is no need to 'see' all the other computers in the 'Networking environment' (My Network Places etc.) but it's easy when sharing/copying/updating files. You must be able to ping every computer from every other computer before proceeding with these instructions. It is not important if the network uses twisted-pair or coax cable etc.
A network connected using the computers serial ports as being used in older DOS programs is not supported.

When using the 10.x.x.x range and using Windows XP/SP2 the subnet mask 255.255.255.0, as can be used with other Windows versions, could give a problem. Windows XP/SP2 doesn't like this subnet mask, if that is the case use as subnet mask: 255.0.0.0
Multi-2 support: You need to identify which station is run1 and which is run 2. There is a large blue number in the info window to remind you what you have set for that station.
Set up Run radio 2 in the Multi-User Tools menu as: Set station as Run 2.
In the configurer under Setup Run radio 1 to use Port 1 and Run radio 2 to use Port 2 (so not both to Both, 1 or 2)

Multi-User Tools menu

Adding and deleting QSOs all works automatically. Also that the bandmaps are filled with spots from the packet/telnet connection from the "Master" station. Below are some tools which you may use.

Go to 'Config | Multi-User Tools'

Information

The picture below shows the bottom part of the Info window where multi user information is displayed. Right clicking on the green/red icons will show a menu. See the Info window for more information.

Rules

The following 'smart' rules for run/pass frequency are implemented.

Displaying rules

Running - Show the run frequency

Not running - Show the pass frequency if non-zero, if no pass frequency then show last CQ frequency if non-zero.

Macro keys

Macro key substitution is supported by most programmable buttons in the program. For Multi-User mode there are a few specific macros which can be found on the macros chapter .

Features

Where to place the database files

Do NOT share the log on a server, place it locally on your hard disk.

There is no harm in using a server to aid in copying files.  The mdb files are simply files. They may be moved around.  It is best to close the program before moving them, as with any program writing to an open file.

Other info

Example Multi User setup

The example below uses file sharing and Netbios lookup for computer (you can see them in the Networking environment). This is not necessary for N1MM logger to work in Multi-User. When the computers can be 'pinged' from both sides this is enough to work. All lines with a * are not necessary to work but are nice to have for other purposes like updating of files etc. This does not mean that the action mentioned should not be done. It can also be done via other media (CD / diskettes). In that case the Windows network is not used, as the N1MM network is using the TCP/IP stack only.

Before the contest

Master computer:

Non-master computers:

All computers:

Always:

During the contest

After the contest

Multi-user log synchronization

Log synchronization is something you should run very infrequently. Each station has its own copy of the log, so syncing them is only necessary to keep track of mults. They will get out of sync when one of the stations goes off line. Generally, you should only need to resync the last hour, if you were disconnected for less time than that. If a new station comes on line, then one of the stations should email him their database, and he can resync the log when he gets it, for the few minutes he missed. Where it would take a long time is when a station was off for many hours, and you want to preserve any contacts that may be in his log, but not in the others.

Multi-Multi Distributed - Multi User via the Internet

It is possible to setup some or all of the other stations outside your LAN on the internet. A use for that might be for one station away from the contest station to connect the contest station, and spot stations on a band privately so that only his operators could see them.  This was done in years past with spotting nets, and then packet nets. It is not done so much today.  Much more than this would violate the spirit, if not the letter of the rules.

There are some caveats when trying this. You need more than basic computer knowledge for this. You need to know about IP-addresses, firewall's, routers, port settings, NAT etc.

You need to know your computer (external) IP-address. When directly connected to the web this can be obtained using the program ipconfig.exe (NT, 2000, XP) or winipcfg.exe (98, ME). This command 'Ipconfig' should be entered in a DOS window to see the output. When your computer is in a LAN your connection to the internet will probably be made via a router. All computers will use internal IP-addresses, the router uses the external IP-address. This link will give your (external) ip-address in both cases: http://megawx.aws.com/support/faq/software/ip.asp

When a Multi-User connection connection is not working anymore check the IP-addresses. This address changes from time-to time (when dynamic). Mostly after a reboot from the PC when directly connected or a reboot from your router when in a lan.

The router should be setup to route incoming traffic to your PC IP-address. No port transformation should be done. Instructions for this will not be given in detail. With the many different kind of routers this can not be done. Remember, this is a specialist job!

The used incoming port is equal to 12070 + Station Nr (0-15) to allow port forwarding in routers. 12070 is used for the first PC in the list, 12071 for the second etc.

Firewall - Open port 12070 + Station Nr (0-15) for incoming traffic.

Router - You probably should use NAT to route incoming traffic on port 12070 + Station Nr (0-15) to your PC IP-address.

'Config | Edit Station Computer Names'

The latencies when we tested were in the 100 mSec range.

The list of IP addresses needs to be different on each machine.
Make sure the remote machine has its external IP address, and
the local machine(s) has its internal address.		 Example at PA1M:

0:N1MM 64.252.138.65
1:PA1M 192.168.0.1 		Example at N1MM:

0:N1MM 192.168.0.1
1:PA1M 63.133.11.55

Is this ethical?

A good legal use for this within todays rules would be for remote spotting stations that could check for your station needs before stacking a spot for you. This could give guys stuck at home without much of a station some way to contribute to a multi-op.

The purpose of this is to support IARU HQ stations, and to perhaps inspire a new entry class like "multi-multi distributed". I think it would add a lot to the experience of smaller stations to be able to participate in a Multi-Multi-Distributed effort and get some of the comraderie that comes with Multi-Multi operation. Maybe not, but without trying, how will we ever know? And anyway it interests me, and I do this for fun...

It is a neat idea to have the 10m station in OA, 15m in 6W, 160m in TF etc.

Do we need a new category like Multi-Multi Distributed?

Most rules have provisions that the stations need to be on the same property, and be connected by wires, or be separated by no more the 500m? I think the IARU HQ is the only contest where they look the other way in that regards. In most other contests this will probably be illegal unless of course you create your own contest category (MMD). Maybe only as a demonstration one year (and send in as check log) just to test the technology.