The FarSync X.25 T-Series range of adapters has been developed to provide very high performance X.25 connectivity for Windows XP, 2000, Server 2003 and Linux ( see X.25 support on Linux). The competitively priced 1, 2 and 4 port PCI / PCI-X cards in the range are capable of driving each line at speeds of up to 8.448 Mbits/s (E2) with support for RS232C, X.21, RS530 and V.35 network interfaces.

The X.25 software has a host of features including ISO Transport (classes 0 to 3), IP over X.25, support for OpenFT FTAM, a WinSock2 compliant Sockets API, a Java API, a COM Port API, a low level NCB API and a LAP-B layer 2 (HDLC) that is also directly accessible by its own API. The Sockets API is also accessible from .NET applications.

Up to 4095 connections per line can be supported using the FarSync X25 High Capacity Pack or 254 per line as standard.

The FarSync X25 cards and software are well proven and very reliable making them ideal for non stop applications.

A comprehensive Developers Toolkit is included with each product together with a GUI multi-port Line Monitor and a Line Statistics application.

The FarSync X25 T-Series PCI adapters are suitable for connection to all types of X.25 network, including access via the ISDN D channel, Dialup X.25 and leased lines. Many thousands of FarSync X.25 cards are in use today in a wide variety of applications, including:

• Private X.25 networks such as Lottery, Police, Customs, Military, Fishery, Financial, Government and Airline
• E-Commerce gateways for credit verification
• Mixed X.25 and IP networks
• SMS message gateways
• Billing and Mediation
• FTAM access
• Control applications requiring a HDLC link
• Low cost PC / Server based X.25 Switches
• High speed Stock Exchange data feeds

The card is compatible with all public X.25 networks, including: Datex-P, BT X.25 Direct, Eirpac, Austpac, Transpac, Iberpac and Itapac and many more.

Application developers have a choice of APIs for X.25, ISO Transport and accessing HDLC. An API selector guide is provided to assist the developer in choosing the most appropriate interface. The comprehensive Developers Toolkit is included with the product.

Sockets API - X.25 and ISO Transport

The Sockets API is extremely popular as a simple, easy to use API to access TCP/IP communications networks. The Sockets support for the FarSync X.25 cards retains this ease of use and also allows the special features of X.25 and ISO Transport classes 0 to 3 to be accessed.

The FarSync Windows Sockets interface is WinSock2 compliant, it supports standard AF_ISO / ISOPROTO_X25 sockets used by a number of applications, such as MS-Exchange. It also supports an alternative address family, AF_X25, to allow easy porting of applications between Windows and Linux.

Applications developed in most programming languages including Visual Basic, Delphi, C++ including .NET applications can use the Sockets API to the FarSync X.25 cards. Documentation and a wide variety of sample applications are provided.

Java API - X.25

The Java API allows applications written in Core Java Software (J2SE) and Enterprise Java Software (J2EE) easy access to the functions and features of X.25 offered by the FarSync X.25 cards. Full documentation and sample applications are provided.

COM Port API - X.25

The COM Port API provides a very quick and easy to use interface to X.25. Each X.25 session is represented by a COM Port controlled by AT commands. The COM Port API is particularly suitable for applications developed in Visual Basic and similar languages or for those who would prefer to address the adapter as if it were a modem type device. Full documentation and a sample application is provided.

NCB API - X.25 and ISO Transport

A very flexible and powerful API, allowing access to the low level features of X.25. The API is particularly suitable where close control over the X.25 layer is required. The comprehensive manual documents the function call definitions and provides helpful advice on the best way to utilise the API. As well as example applications in C the interface structures are also provided in Pascal to permit easy interfacing for applications developed in Delphi.

ISO transport is also available through the NCB interface to allow easy porting of legacy application previously developed for the X.PORT range of X.25 cards

HDLC API - LAPB

Easy to use API to access Lapb layer 2 (HDLC). This interface allows X.25 layer 3 to be completely bypassed. An example application in C is provided.

Developers Toolkit

The developers toolkit is included with the FarSync X25 products and features:

• Documented working C, Java, Visual Basic and Delphi source sample programs. Source code from these samples can be used to fast-track your development process
• Comprehensive set of API manuals with function call definitions and helpful advice on the best way to utilise the various interfaces
• Free email and telephone assistance to application developers

TCP/IP over X.25
The IP over X.25 support is included as part of the FarSync X25 product and is fully integrated into Windows XP, Server 2003 and 2000. Configuration is performed using standard network configuration menus. Multiple connections over multiple X.25 sessions are supported. The IP over X.25 support complies with RFC 1356 (IP over X.25), RFC 1598 (PPP over X.25), RFC 1662 (Async format PPP over X.25). Higher level protocols that run over IP including TCP, UDP, HTTP and FTP are supported.

The intelligent FarSync T-Series cards have been designed with performance in mind. The cards are driven by 50 MHz AMD Am186 series processors with 1Mbyte of on board zero state SRAM memory mapped to the PC. There are 5 cards on the T-Series range offering from 1 to 4 ports. The software supports a full set of X.25 features whilst still providing very high data packet throughput.

• Up to 254 simultaneous SVC and PVC virtual connections per line, or 4095 per line with the FarSync X25 High Capacity Pack for Windows
• Well over 2000 pps (data packets per second)
• PCI Bus mastering DMA interface on the FarSync T1U, T2U and T4U
• X.21 (V.11 / RS422), V.35, RS232C (V.24 / X.21bis) and RS530
• Line speeds of up to 8.448 Mbits/s
• Up to 4 cards (T2U and T4P) can be installed providing up to 16 ports

PC / Server PCI / PCI-X Bus Compatibility - Which card do I need

A wide range of PCI bus specifications can be catered for using the cards in the FarSync T-Series range. The guidelines below should help you decide which card is right for your system.

Single processor PCs with a basic 32 bit PCI bus

The FarSync T1U, T2U and T4U cards are also suitable for single processor PCs with a basic 32 bit PCI bus as long the PCI bus is PCI revision 2.1 (or greater) compliant. With the introduction of PCI revision 2.1 it became mandatory to provide a 3.3 volt power supply to the PCI bus. The T1U, T2U and T4U cards take their power from this 3.3 volt supply. The PCI 2.1 standard was introduced in 1995 so most PCs produced since that date will be compliant. Suitable PCs will also be fitted with an ATX type power supply which provides a 3.3 volt supply to the mainboard.

Single processor systems with a PCI-X bus or Multiprocessor systems

The FarSync T1U, T2U and T4U cards are suitable for single processor systems with a PCI-X bus and all Multiprocessor systems. These cards are PCI revision 2.2 compliant and support both 3.3 and 5 volt signaling, with the power for the adapter derived from the 3.3 volt supply rail. The FarSync T1U, T2U and T4U cards may be fitted in either 32-bit PCI bus slots or 64-bit PCI-X bus slots as these are Universal PCI cards and will work perfectly well in both.

Systems featuring Intel processors with HyperThreading

The FarSync T1U, T2U and T4U cards are suitable for systems with Intel processors featuring HyperThreading technology, including Pentium 4, Xeon and Xeon-MP CPUs. These cards are PCI revision 2.2 compliant and support both 3.3 and 5 volt signaling, with the power for the adapter derived from the 3.3 volt supply rail. The FarSync T1U, T2U and T4U cards may be fitted in either 32-bit PCI bus slots or 64-bit PCI-X bus slots as these are Universal PCI cards and will work perfectly well in both. Note: HyperThreading was introduced in the Xeon-MP in March 2002 it appeared on other more mainstream Intel processors in early 2003.

In general, unless the card is required to be fitted in a particularly old PC or possibly certain Military or industrial PCs which have just a 5 volt power supply to the mainboard, then we recommend using the FarSync T1U, T2U and T4U cards. If you are not sure about your particular system, contact us and we can provide advice on the card that is most suitable for your System.

All cards support 'Plug and Play'. Fast installation and easy configuration are key features of the products.

There is context sensitive help and an on-line manual should it be required. Many of the parameters such as DTE / DCE selection are determined automatically. Selecting the line speed by default automatically sets suitable timer and retry values. An advanced tab permits users to exactly specify the configuration of the line if necessary.

An optional high capacity pack is available for the FarSync X25 T1U, T2U and T4U products. The FarSync X.25 High Capacity Pack allows up to 4,095 simultaneous connections to be made per port, a huge increase from the standard 254.  The expanded capacity applies to SVC, PVC and ISO Transport connections.

Customer applications developed to use the standard X.25 Sockets API are compatible with the FarSync X25 High Capacity Pack.

The FarSync X.25 High Capacity Pack is available under product code FS9504, it should be ordered at the same time that the FarSync X.25 card is purchased although a retrofit upgrade is possible. One FarSync X.25 High Capacity Pack is required per X.25 card.

The product includes a multi-port line monitor, an invaluable tool when testing new applications and commissioning new systems. Line traces can be displayed in real time, recorded and reviewed with full protocol decoding, comments can even be inserted in the trace to assist later analysis.

A connection status and statistics utility is also provided. It's functions include the display of the channel connection status and statistics of user data, packet and frame types passed over the X.25 lines.

The cable and connector configurations available for each card type are described here.  Crossover cables, sometimes referred to as null modem cables are also detailed.

FarSync X25 T1U	This one port card has a single high density D type connector on the card. Cables supporting RS232C (V.24, X.21bis), X.21 (V.11, RS422), RS530 and V.35 are available.
FarSync X25 T2U	This two port card has two high density D type connectors on the card. Cables supporting RS232C (V.24, X.21bis), X.21 (V.11, RS422), RS530 and V.35 are available.
FarSync X25 T4U	This four port Universal PCI card uses a single large high density D type connector on the card, all four lines are available though this connector. The quad port cables splits out the four network interfaces into separate network connectors. Cables supporting RS232C (V.24, X.21bis), X.21 (V.11, RS422) and V.35 are available. Cabling is compatible with the FarSync X25 T4P.

Packaging

The X.25 software, Utilities, IP over X.25 support and the Developers Toolkit are all included on the CD-ROM supplied with the FarSync communications adapter. Cables are ordered separately.

An optional X.25 connection expansion pack is available, this must be ordered at the same time as the X.25 card.