I am trying to set up SEXPOTS for my synchronet BBS (time warp back to the 90s...). However, sexpots keeps returning "modem command failure". I am running Debian Bookworm and the U.S. Robotics modem is connected to /dev/ttyS0. The user sbbs is member of the group dialout and has access tot he modem. I can issue modem commands in mincom and I am able to connect to the only remaining dialup BBS in my city. So I confirm that the modem works. I was able to get SEXPOTS to run once yesterday, but since then fails to run (either manually started or via systemd). I rebooted, restarted the modem etc., not sure how I managed to get it to run once. After that only failures.

Any ideas?

Here is my sexpots.ini

LogLevel = INFO ; set display/log output level
Debug = TRUE ; enable debug logging (overrides LogLevel) PauseOnExit = FALSE ; wait for key-press on exit (non-service)
CLS = FALSE ; send a form feed (clear screen) before copyright banner
Prompt =
PromptTimeout = 60 ; seconds to wait for a remote character after sending prompt (0=infinite)

[COM]
Device = /dev/ttyS0 ; COM port device name (or port number)
BaudRate = 0 ; If non-zero, use this DTE rate (e.g. 115200) Hangup = TRUE ; Hang-up phone after call
IgnoreDCD = FALSE ; Set to TRUE to ignore state of DCD
DCDTimeout = 10 ; Seconds to wait for DCD to drop
DTRDelay = 100 ; Milliseconds to delay before hangup
NullModem = FALSE ; Set to TRUE to not send AT commands to modem Parity = FALSE ; Use parity (error detection/correction) bit ParityOdd = FALSE ; Use odd (not even) parity for parity calculations ByteSize = 8 ; Number of data bits per byte
StopBits = 1 ; Number of stop bits per byte

[Modem]
;Init = AT&F ; Modem initialization string
Init = AT&FML1 ; low volume
AutoAnswer = ATS0=1 ; Put modem into "auto-answer" mode
CleanUp = ATS0=0 ; When exiting, turn off auto-answer ;EnableCallerID = AT+VCID=1 ; Enable Caller-ID support (or try AT#CID=1) EnableCallerID = AT#CID=1
Timeout = 5 ; Seconds to wait for a response from modem
ReInit = 60 ; Minutes of inactivity while waiting for caller before re-initialization
Answer = ATA ; Answer command
Ring = RING ; Ring indication (from modem)
ManualAnswer = FALSE ; Set to TRUE to disable auto-answer and use ring detection/manual answer instead

[TCP]
Host = localhost ; Hostname or IP address of TCP server
Port = 23 ; TCP port number of TCP server
NoDelay = TRUE ; Set to TRUE to disable the Nagle Algorithm
Telnet = TRUE ; Set to FALSE to disable Telnet mode

[Telnet]
Debug = FALSE ; Set to TRUE to log Telnet commands sent/recv AdvertiseLocation = FALSE ; Set to TRUE to send "WILL SEND LOCATION"
TermType = SEXPOTS ; You shouldn't normally change this value TermSpeed = 28800,28800 ; Default terminal speed reported (tx, rx bps)

[Ident]
Enabled = FALSE ; Set to TRUE to enable Ident (RFC1413) server
Port = 113 ; TCP Port Ident server will listen on
Interface = 0 ; IP address of network interface (0=Any)
Response = CALLERID:SEXPOTS ; Resp-type and Add-info portions of response


I get this when I run SEXPOTS:

bbs@server:/opt/synchronet/exec$ /opt/synchronet/exec/sexpots /opt/synchronet/exec/sexpots.ini

Synchronet External POTS Support/Linux v2.0 Copyright 2024 Rob Swindell

8/12 10:46:48 Reading /opt/synchronet/exec/sexpots.ini
8/12 10:46:48 Reading /opt/synchronet/exec/sexpots.ini
8/12 10:46:48 Synchronet Communications I/O Library for Linux v1.19
8/12 10:46:48 Build Aug 10 2024 11:40:02 GCC 12.2.0
8/12 10:46:48 TCP Host: localhost
8/12 10:46:48 TCP Port: 23
8/12 10:46:48 Opening Communications Device (COM Port): /dev/ttyS0
8/12 10:46:48 COM Port device handle: 3
8/12 10:46:48 COM Port DTE rate: 0 bps
8/12 10:46:48 Initializing modem:
8/12 10:46:48 Modem Command: AT&FML1
8/12 10:46:48 Waiting for Modem Response ...
8/12 10:46:53 Modem Response TIMEOUT (5 seconds) on /dev/ttyS0
8/12 10:46:53 Retry #1: sending modem command (AT&FML1) on /dev/ttyS0
8/12 10:46:53 Dropping DTR on /dev/ttyS0
8/12 10:46:53 Raising DTR on /dev/ttyS0
8/12 10:46:53 Modem Command: AT&FML1
8/12 10:46:53 Waiting for Modem Response ...
8/12 10:46:58 Modem Response TIMEOUT (5 seconds) on /dev/ttyS0
8/12 10:46:58 Retry #2: sending modem command (AT&FML1) on /dev/ttyS0
8/12 10:46:58 Dropping DTR on /dev/ttyS0
8/12 10:46:58 Raising DTR on /dev/ttyS0
8/12 10:46:58 Modem Command: AT&FML1
8/12 10:46:58 Waiting for Modem Response ...
8/12 10:47:03 Modem Response TIMEOUT (5 seconds) on /dev/ttyS0
8/12 10:47:03 Modem command (AT&FML1) failure on /dev/ttyS0 (3 attempts)
8/12 10:47:03 Cleaning up ...
8/12 10:47:03 Done (handled 0 calls).


mincom output (I get TR and CS LEDs on after issuing the two commands):

sbbs@server:/opt/synchronet/exec$ cat minicom.txt
Willkommen zu minicom 2.8

Optionen: I18n
Port /dev/ttyS0, 10:31:20

Drücken Sie CTRL-A Z für Hilfe zu speziellen Tasten
AT&FML1
OK
AT#CID=1
OK

---
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On Sun, 11 Aug 2024 20:01:00 -0700
"HotblackDesiato" (VERT) <VERT!HotblackDesiato@endofthelinebbs.com>
wrote:

I am trying to set up SEXPOTS for my synchronet BBS (time warp back
to the 90s...). However, sexpots keeps returning "modem command
failure". I am running Debian Bookworm and the U.S. Robotics modem is connected to /dev/ttyS0. The user sbbs is member of the group dialout
and has access tot he modem. I can issue modem commands in mincom and
I am able to connect to the only remaining dialup BBS in my city. So
I confirm that the modem works. I was able to get SEXPOTS to run once yesterday, but since then fails to run (either manually started or
via systemd). I rebooted, restarted the modem etc., not sure how I
managed to get it to run once. After that only failures.

I'd make sure nothing else is using ttyS0

fuser /dev/ttyS0

Your modem config is pretty much the same as mine, and if it works in
minicom it should be working otherwise. Maybe double check permissions
maybe?
--
End Of The Line BBS - Plano, TX
telnet endofthelinebbs.com 23
---
� Synchronet � End Of The Line BBS - endofthelinebbs.com

Re: sexpots.ini - modem command failure (TIMEOUT)
By: HotblackDesiato to rswindell on Sun Aug 11 2024 08:01 pm

I am trying to set up SEXPOTS for my synchronet BBS (time warp back to the 90s...). However, sexpots keeps returning "modem command failure". I am running Debian Bookworm and the U.S. Robotics modem is connected to /dev/ttyS0. The user sbbs is member of the group dialout and has access tot he modem. I can issue modem commands in mincom and I am able to connect to the only remaining dialup BBS in my city. So I confirm that the modem works. I was able to get SEXPOTS to run once yesterday, but since then fails to run (either manually started or via systemd). I rebooted, restarted the modem etc., not sure how I managed to get it to run once. After that only failures.

Any ideas?

Here is my sexpots.ini

LogLevel = INFO ; set display/log output level
Debug = TRUE ; enable debug logging (overrides LogLevel) PauseOnExit = FALSE ; wait for key-press on exit (non-service)
CLS = FALSE ; send a form feed (clear screen) before copyright banner
Prompt =
PromptTimeout = 60 ; seconds to wait for a remote character after sending prompt (0=infinite)

[COM]
Device = /dev/ttyS0 ; COM port device name (or port number)
BaudRate = 0 ; If non-zero, use this DTE rate (e.g. 115200) Hangup = TRUE ; Hang-up phone after call
IgnoreDCD = FALSE ; Set to TRUE to ignore state of DCD
DCDTimeout = 10 ; Seconds to wait for DCD to drop
DTRDelay = 100 ; Milliseconds to delay before hangup
NullModem = FALSE ; Set to TRUE to not send AT commands to modem Parity = FALSE ; Use parity (error detection/correction) bit ParityOdd = FALSE ; Use odd (not even) parity for parity calculations ByteSize = 8 ; Number of data bits per byte StopBits = 1 ; Number of stop bits per byte

[Modem]
;Init = AT&F ; Modem initialization string
Init = AT&FML1 ; low volume

So this would be interpretted as
&F - factor defaults
M0 - disable modem speaker
L1 - set speaker volume to '1'

L1 and M0 contradict eachother. ATLx is not supported by all modems either.

Have you tried using a simpler modem init string, like just "ATZ" maybe?
--
digital man (rob)

Steven Wright quote #29:
To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research. Norco, CA WX: 88.1�F, 37.0% humidity, 11 mph WNW wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs ---
� Synchronet � Vertrauen � Home of Synchronet � [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

Thanks Rob.

I also tried AT&F as per your example ini file, but have the same issue.

I even tried an empty Init, no command. Same issue with ATS0=1. This command, as well as AT&F work in minicom.

Maybe I need a longer timeout?


I will try ATZ once I am back home.

---
￭ Synchronet ￭ Vertrauen ￭ Home of Synchronet ￭ [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

Thanks, I will try this once I am back home.

---
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Re: sexpots.ini - modem command failure (TIMEOUT)
By: HotblackDesiato to Digital Man on Mon Aug 12 2024 07:05 pm

Thanks Rob.

I also tried AT&F as per your example ini file, but have the same issue.

I even tried an empty Init, no command. Same issue with ATS0=1. This command, as well as AT&F work in minicom.

Maybe I need a longer timeout?

No, just sounds like a serial port/UART communication issue.
--
digital man (rob)

Sling Blade quote #21:
Karl: Coffee makes me nervous when I drink it. Mmm.
Norco, CA WX: 83.0�F, 42.0% humidity, 12 mph WNW wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs ---
� Synchronet � Vertrauen � Home of Synchronet � [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

Nothing is using /dev/ttyS0

root@server:/home/sbbs# fuser -a -v /dev/ttyS0
BEN. PID ZUGR. BEFEHL
/dev/ttyS0:

---
￭ Synchronet ￭ Vertrauen ￭ Home of Synchronet ￭ [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

I changed the Init command to "ATZ" and ran sexpots manually after boot. It seems to work (see below). I will test with systemd now.

sbbs@server:/opt/synchronet/exec$ /opt/synchronet/exec/sexpots /opt/synchronet/exec/sexpots.ini

Synchronet External POTS Support/Linux v2.0 Copyright 2024 Rob Swindell

8/13 14:14:44 Reading /opt/synchronet/exec/sexpots.ini
8/13 14:14:44 Reading /opt/synchronet/exec/sexpots.ini
8/13 14:14:44 Synchronet Communications I/O Library for Linux v1.19
8/13 14:14:44 Build Aug 10 2024 11:40:02 GCC 12.2.0
8/13 14:14:44 TCP Host: localhost
8/13 14:14:44 TCP Port: 23
8/13 14:14:44 Opening Communications Device (COM Port): /dev/ttyS0
8/13 14:14:44 COM Port device handle: 3
8/13 14:14:44 COM Port DTE rate: 0 bps
8/13 14:14:44 Initializing modem:
8/13 14:14:44 Modem Command: ATZ
8/13 14:14:44 Waiting for Modem Response ...
8/13 14:14:44 Modem Response: OK
8/13 14:14:44 Setting modem to auto-answer:
8/13 14:14:44 Modem Command: ATS0=1
8/13 14:14:44 Waiting for Modem Response ...
8/13 14:14:44 Modem Response: OK
8/13 14:14:44 Enabling modem Caller-ID:
8/13 14:14:44 Modem Command: AT#CID=1
8/13 14:14:44 Waiting for Modem Response ...
8/13 14:14:44 Modem Response: OK
8/13 14:14:44 Waiting for incoming call (Carrier Detect) ...

---
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I rebooted with "sexpots.service" enabled. The three LEDS AA, TR, CS were on, but after a few seconds TR went off. systemd gives me inactive status:

root@server:~# systemctl status sexpots.service
○ sexpots.service - SEXPOTS modem support for synchronet
Loaded: loaded (/lib/systemd/system/sexpots.service; enabled; preset: enabled)
Active: inactive (dead) since Tue 2024-08-13 14:21:43 +08; 38s ago
Duration: 15.104s
Process: 796 ExecStart=/opt/synchronet/exec/sexpots /opt/synchronet/exec/sexpots.ini (code=exited, status=0/SUCCESS)
Main PID: 796 (code=exited, status=0/SUCCESS)
CPU: 559ms

Aug 13 14:21:43 server sexpots[796]: 8/13 14:21:33 Raising DTR on /dev/ttyS0 Aug 13 14:21:43 server sexpots[796]: 8/13 14:21:33 Modem Command: ATZ
Aug 13 14:21:43 server sexpots[796]: 8/13 14:21:33 Waiting for Modem Response ...
Aug 13 14:21:43 server sexpots[796]: 8/13 14:21:38 Dropping DTR on /dev/ttyS0 Aug 13 14:21:43 server sexpots[796]: 8/13 14:21:38 Raising DTR on /dev/ttyS0 Aug 13 14:21:43 server sexpots[796]: 8/13 14:21:38 Modem Command: ATZ
Aug 13 14:21:43 server sexpots[796]: 8/13 14:21:38 Waiting for Modem Response ...
Aug 13 14:21:43 server sexpots[796]: 8/13 14:21:43 Cleaning up ...
Aug 13 14:21:43 server sexpots[796]: 8/13 14:21:43 Done (handled 0 calls).
Aug 13 14:21:43 server systemd[1]: sexpots.service: Deactivated successfully.

It seems I am making a mistake in my systemd config file.

[Unit]
Description=SEXPOTS modem support for synchronet
After=sbbs.service

[Service]
Type=simple
User=sbbs
Group=sbbs
WorkingDirectory=/home/sbbs
ExecStart=/opt/synchronet/exec/sexpots /opt/synchronet/exec/sexpots.ini ExecReload=/opt/synchronet/exec/sexpots /opt/synchronet/exec/sexpots.ini -live

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

---
￭ Synchronet ￭ Vertrauen ￭ Home of Synchronet ￭ [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

I think I have a success, as I was repeatedly able to successfully start it manually. The systemd service also doesn't die:

This post actually helped me: https://sestar.synchro.net/msgs/msg.ssjs?msg_sub=fido-synchron&message=19258

I increased the timeout to 15, changed the init string to AT&S1L1 and all baud rates to 57600. sexpots always connects on the 2nd or 3rd try.

systemctl status sexpots.service
● sexpots.service - SEXPOTS modem support for synchronet
Loaded: loaded (/lib/systemd/system/sexpots.service; enabled; preset: enabled)
Active: active (running) since Tue 2024-08-13 15:10:56 +08; 1min 43s ago
Main PID: 774 (sexpots)
Tasks: 1 (limit: 9281)
Memory: 724.0K
CPU: 5.615s
CGroup: /system.slice/sexpots.service
└─774 /opt/synchronet/exec/sexpots /opt/synchronet/exec/sexpots.ini

Aug 13 15:10:56 server systemd[1]: Started sexpots.service - SEXPOTS modem support for synchronet.
Aug 13 15:11:11 server sexpots[774]: 8/13 15:11:11 Modem Response TIMEOUT (15 seconds) on /dev/ttyS0
Aug 13 15:11:11 server sexpots[774]: 8/13 15:11:11 Retry #1: sending modem command (AT&S1L1) on /dev/ttyS0
Aug 13 15:11:26 server sexpots[774]: 8/13 15:11:26 Modem Response TIMEOUT (15 seconds) on /dev/ttyS0
Aug 13 15:11:26 server sexpots[774]: 8/13 15:11:26 Retry #2: sending modem command (AT&S1L1) on /dev/ttyS0

---
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Re: sexpots.ini - modem command failure (TIMEOUT)
By: HotblackDesiato to Digital Man on Mon Aug 12 2024 11:28 pm

ExecReload=/opt/synchronet/exec/sexpots /opt/synchronet/exec/sexpots.ini -live

This doesn't really make sense to me. The '-live' option requires an argument (the communication port handle/descriptor) and it's not used for any "reload" purpose.
--
digital man (rob)

Steven Wright quote #1:
I'd kill for a Nobel Peace Prize.
Norco, CA WX: 87.5�F, 38.0% humidity, 6 mph WNW wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs ---
� Synchronet � Vertrauen � Home of Synchronet � [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

Re: sexpots.ini - modem command failure (TIMEOUT)
By: echicken to HotblackDesiato on Tue Aug 13 2024 03:27 pm

Re: sexpots.ini - modem command failure (TIMEOUT)
By: HotblackDesiato to Digital Man on Mon Aug 12 2024 23:17:51

/opt/synchronet/exec/sexpots.ini

Weird place to keep a config file. Make friends with your ctrl directory.

sexpots doesn't require a Synchronet installation or know anything about the "ctrl" directory. So it's not so unusual. <shrug>
--
digital man (rob)

This Is Spinal Tap quote #13:
Nigel Tufnel: You can't really dust for vomit.
Norco, CA WX: 74.5�F, 56.0% humidity, 3 mph WNW wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs ---
� Synchronet � Vertrauen � Home of Synchronet � [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

On Tue, 13 Aug 2024 21:38:50 -0700
"Digital Man" (VERT) <VERT!Digital.Man@endofthelinebbs.com> wrote:

Re: sexpots.ini - modem command failure (TIMEOUT)
By: echicken to HotblackDesiato on Tue Aug 13 2024 03:27 pm

Re: sexpots.ini - modem command failure (TIMEOUT)
By: HotblackDesiato to Digital Man on Mon Aug 12 2024 23:17:51

/opt/synchronet/exec/sexpots.ini

Weird place to keep a config file. Make friends with your ctrl
directory.

sexpots doesn't require a Synchronet installation or know anything
about the "ctrl" directory. So it's not so unusual. <shrug>

Right, I have sexpots running out us /usr/local/bin and my config files
are in /usr/local/etc - it's all separate from my test sbbs
installation.
--
End Of The Line BBS - Plano, TX
telnet endofthelinebbs.com 23
---
� Synchronet � End Of The Line BBS - endofthelinebbs.com

Re: Re: sexpots.ini - modem command failure (TIMEOUT)
By: nelgin to All on Wed Aug 14 2024 01:10:07

Right, I have sexpots running out us /usr/local/bin and my config files are in /usr/local/etc - it's all separate from my test sbbs installation.

Yeah, I'm well aware it's a separate thing, it just struck me as odd that the config file was ostensibly in this person's exec directory. *SHRUG*

echicken
electronic chicken bbs - bbs.electronicchicken.com
---
� Synchronet � electronic chicken bbs - bbs.electronicchicken.com

I agree, it should be in the ctrl folder. I will change that.

---
￭ Synchronet ￭ Vertrauen ￭ Home of Synchronet ￭ [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

OK, thanks. What would be the correct "reload" command, please?

---
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Re: sexpots.ini - modem command failure (TIMEOUT)
By: HotblackDesiato to Digital Man on Thu Aug 15 2024 06:46 pm

OK, thanks. What would be the correct "reload" command, please?

You'd have to stop and restart sexpots for it to reload its .ini file.
--
digital man (rob)

Synchronet "Real Fact" #90:
Synchronet/DSZ "hack" of '93: http://wiki.synchro.net/history:hack93
Norco, CA WX: 92.9�F, 32.0% humidity, 9 mph NW wind, 0.00 inches rain/24hrs
---
� Synchronet � Vertrauen � Home of Synchronet � [vert/cvs/bbs].synchro.net

El 12/8/24 a las 00:01, HotblackDesiato escribió:

I am trying to set up SEXPOTS for my synchronet BBS (time warp back to the 90s...). However, sexpots keeps returning "modem command failure". I am running
Debian Bookworm and the U.S. Robotics modem is connected to /dev/ttyS0. The user sbbs is member of the group dialout and has access tot he modem. I can issue modem commands in mincom and I am able to connect to the only remaining dialup BBS in my city. So I confirm that the modem works. I was able to get SEXPOTS to run once yesterday, but since then fails to run (either manually started or via systemd). I rebooted, restarted the modem etc., not sure how I managed to get it to run once. After that only failures.

I have same behavior, under systemd the modem gots timeouts

If I use minicom its works whitout problem

No permissions issues (i run as root) no cable o hardware issues

can you try to run in a screen or tmux instead of systemd service?
---
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