enigma-bbs/docs/_docs/messageareas/ftn.md

---
layout: page
title: FidoNet-Style Networks (FTN)
---

## FidoNet-Style Networks (FTN)
[FidoNet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FidoNet) proper and other FidoNet-Style networks are supported by ENiGMA½. A bit of configuration and you'll be up and running in no time!

:scroll: Before proceeding you may wish to check [Setting up FTN-style message networks with ENiGMA½ BBS](https://medium.com/@alpha_11845/setting-up-ftn-style-message-networks-with-enigma%C2%BD-bbs-709b22a1ae0d) by Alpha. An excellent guide detailing some of the setup described here!

### Configuration
Getting a fully running FTN enabled system requires a few configuration points:

1. `messageNetworks.ftn.networks`: Declares available networks. That is, networks you wish to sync up with.
2. `messageNetworks.ftn.areas`: Establishes local area mappings (ENiGMA½ to/from FTN area tags) and per-area specific configurations.
3. `scannerTossers.ftn_bso`: General configuration for the scanner/tosser (import/export) process. This is also where we configure per-node (uplink) settings.

> :information_source: ENiGMA½'s `ftn_bso` module is **not a mailer** and makes **no attempts** to perform packet transport! An external utility such as Binkd is required for this task.

#### Networks
The `networks` block is a per-network configuration where each entry's ID (or "key") may be referenced elsewhere in `config.hjson`. For example, consider two networks: ArakNet (`araknet`) and fsxNet (`fsxnet`):

```hjson
{
  messageNetworks: {
    ftn: {
      networks: {
        // it is recommended to use lowercase network tags
        fsxnet: {
          defaultZone: 21
          localAddress: "21:1/121"
        }

        araknet: {
          defaultZone: 10
          localAddress: "10:101/9"
        }
      }
    }
  }
}
```

#### Areas
The `areas` section describes a mapping of local **area tags** configured in your `messageConferences` (see [Configuring a Message Area](configuring-a-message-area.md)) to a message network (described above), a FTN specific area tag, and remote uplink address(s). This section can be thought of similar to the *AREAS.BBS* file used by other BBS packages.

When ENiGMA½ imports messages, they will be placed in the local area that matches key under `areas` while exported messages will be sent to the relevant `network`.

| Config Item | Required | Description                                              |
|-------------|----------|----------------------------------------------------------|
| `network`   | :+1:     | Associated network from the `networks` section above |
| `tag`       | :+1:     | FTN area tag (ie: `FSX_GEN`) |
| `uplinks`   | :+1:     | An array of FTN address uplink(s) for this network |

Example:
```hjson
{
  messageNetworks: {
    ftn: {
      areas: {
        // it is recommended to use lowercase area tags
        fsx_general:        //  *local* tag found within messageConferences
          network: fsxnet   //  that we are mapping to this network
          tag: FSX_GEN      //  ...and this remote FTN-specific tag
          uplinks: [ "21:1/100" ] // a single string also allowed here
        }
      }
    }
  }
}
```

> :bulb: You can import `AREAS.BBS` or FTN style `.NA` files using [oputil](../admin/oputil.md)!

#### A More Complete Example
Below is a more complete *example* illustrating some of the concepts above:

```hjson
{
  messageNetworks: {
    ftn: {
      networks: {
        fsxnet: {
          defaultZone: 21
          localAddress: "21:1/121"
        }
      }

      areas: {
        fsx_general: {
          network: fsxnet

          //  ie as found in your info packs .NA file
          tag: FSX_GEN

          uplinks: [ "21:1/100" ]
        }
      }
    }
  }
}
```

> :information_source: Remember for a complete FTN experience, you'll probably also want to configure [FTN/BSO scanner/tosser](bso-import-export.md) settings.

#### FTN/BSO Scanner Tosser
Please see the [FTN/BSO Scanner/Tosser](bso-import-export.md) documentation for information on this area.