Last modified: Mon Dec 28 23:13:24 GMT 1998

Introduction

What is a DX Cluster?

To quote what is probably the most comprenhsive source of DX Cluster related information, the DX PacketCluster WebNet, a Cluster is:-

One station is set up with PacketCluster and is linked to one or more other stations who have installed the software. These nodes when connected are called a cluster. Clusters are connected to clusters, expanding the network. Individual users connect to the nodes on a frequency different from what the node stations are linked on. Users are capable of announcing DX spots and related announcements, send personal talk messages, send and receive mail messages, search and retrive archived data, and access data from information databases among its many features.

It's a rather specialised (and not as robust) form of IRC really.

The original package runs under DOS and was created by Dick Newell AK1A but is no longer under active development. Most replacements also run under DOS and/or are closed source. I wanted something in open source (so I don't have to do all the work) and for Linux.

This document will contain all the instructions for its installation and use - eventually...

Contents

1. Installation of the main cluster software.
2. Installing the lastest version of CPAN.
3. Explaining the client.pl program.
4. Connecting to other clusters.
5. Periodic jobs, e.g. starting connection to other clusters.
6. Hop control, network isolation etc.
7. Programming new commands or altering existing ones.
8. Local customisation of the cluster daemon.
9. Download the software and any patches.