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\section{FidoNet addressing and the IFNA kludge}
\lline{Tom Jennings}
\lline{25 Jan 88}
I believe Fido/FidoNet starting with 12f's addressing is spirit<69>
\& letter of the ``law''. It works as follows:
I am node 1:125/111. I enter a message to 2:500/1. Fido does<65>
this:\par
{\obeylines\parskip=0pt
1) Create the .MSG file as we all know it.
2) Since the destination is outside our own zone:
2a) Put the ifna kludge algorithmic address into the .MSG file<6C>
header: ``myzone/destzone''. This case, the message is marked<65>
``1/2'', ie. implied full address is ``1:1/2'', if the IFNA<4E>
Kludge ``zone gate''.
2b) Put the ``full'' address into the INTL line:
``Control-A)INTL 2:500/1 1:125/111''.
}
Programs that don't understand the INTL line just route according<6E>
to ancient tradition to 1/2, with no side effects. Programs that<61>
understand INTL lines do whatever it is they decide to do.
The only thing that Fido does that is different here is that it<69>
hides the ugliness. Fido has a pure three level addressing<6E>
scheme, and knows enough to how to treat what I call ``fully<6C>
addressed'' (INTL lines) messages properly.
By default, Fido treats the network as a true three level<65>
addressing scheme; a message addressed to ``2:500/1'' will go to<74>
mathematically correct ``2:0/0'', the host for that zone. (Zone<6E>
Host not Zone Gate.) I realize this isn't what is desired, IFNA<4E>
kludge or not, and am not trying to foist anything on anyone. The<68>
intent was a ``pure'' FidoNet three level mailer, and that's what<61>
I got.
The problem is solved by the router. There is a route file,<2C>
supplied with the FIDO.EXE program, called ROUTE.DEF. It only has<61>
to exist, and it is applied to *all* possible FidoNet routing<6E>
unless overridden. By default, Fido will do the Zone Host<73>
routing; all you do is specify a new host:
{\tty
Zone 2; ZoneGate 1:1/2
\dots
Zone N; ZoneGate 1:1/N
\dots
}
A ROUTE.DEF file is supplied with Fido. Instead of all mail for<6F>
zone 2 going to ``2:0/0'', the ``pure'' ZoneHost, it goes to (in<69>
this example) ``1:1/2''. It could all go to ``1:125/31'' and<6E>
drive Bob Kovach crazy. It could even go to ``3:1/1'' and waste<74>
everybodys time. For a Fido operated in Europe, in Zone 2, it<69>
would have a ROUTE.DEF that contained:
\lline{\tt Zone 1; ZoneGate 2:2/1}
My intent was to build a mailer devoid of all kludges, plus solve<76>
the stupid IFNA Kludge thing. Plus not force someone to use ``my<6D>
way''.
Zones are here to stay, and I do not like coding things twice.<2E>
Network addressing issues are very serious, and we have to live<76>
with them for years, and I want to do things ``right''. This is<69>
my solution; if anyone is interested in implementation details<6C>
just ask!