Automated Verification Algorithm
A true callback verification door for QBBS
(c) 1989 by Cat Miller
This program is supported by:
Cat Miller
Off-The-Wall Programming
13610 N. Scottsdale RD. STE 146
Scottsdale, Arizona 85254
A.V.A. which is an acronym for Automated Verification Algorithm is
a SysOp utility which will call back and automatically verify a bbs
user.
The following files were included in the .ZIP archive:
AVA.Exe..............................The Main Program
AVA.Doc..............................This documention text file
AVA.Cfg..............................A sample configuration file
To run A.V.A. you must use a TYPE 15 menu command and set an errorlevel.
Please refer to your QBBS documentation regarding menu setup. The
main program, the configuration file and Instruct.Txt must all be in
the same directory. It is prefered that you place AVA.Exe and
accompanying files in your QBBS root directory. This is because
A.V.A. utilizes PhoneDupe.Log and Phonenum.Ctl. Please refer to the
QBBS documentation regarding these two files QBBS. However, if you do
place AVA in its own directory then you must ensure that EXITINFO.BBS,
DORINFO1.DEF, PhoneDupe.Log and Phonenum.Ctl are copied into that
directory. You must also copy those files back into the QBBS main
directory before loading QuickBBS. QuickBBS uses the information
stored in EXITINFO.BBS to reinstate itself.
Batch File
----------
To add AVA to your QBBS batch file you must set an ErrorLevel with
your TYPE 15 menu option. Here is an example of a batch file:
Echo Off
Cls
Echo ***** Loading QBBS Now *****
:Start
QuickBBS
:After_Quick
If ErrorLevel 10 Goto AVA
If ErrorLevel 2 Goto RightHere
If ErrorLevel 1 Goto Somewhere
If ErrorLevel 0 Goto Quote
:AVA
AVA AVA.Cfg
Goto Restart
:RightHere
REM Doing something here
:Somewhere
REM Do something else here
:Quote
Ezquoted Quote.Cfg
Copy GoodBye.Asc+HitEnter.Asc
Copy GoodBye.Asc F:
Goto Start
:Restart
QuickBBS -r
Goto After_Quick
The above is a crude example. But you see that on an ErrorLevel 10
the batch file jumps to the label AVA and runs A.V.A. When A.V.A. is
completed the batch file jumps to the label Restart to reinstate the
bbs.
The following example shows what to expect if you place A.V.A. in its
own directory.
:AVA
cd c:\qbbs\Ava
Copy c:\qbbs\exitinfo.BBS
Copy c:\qbbs\dorinfo1.def
Copy c:\qbbs\phone*.*
AVA AVA.CFG
cd c:\qbbs
copy c:\qbbs\ava\exitinfo.bbs
copy c:\qbbs\ava\phone*.*
goto Restart
Whew! What a pain and it would cause somewhat of a lull if set up
this way. But, this is just an example.
A.V.A. Configuration file
-------------------------
A.V.A. requires a configuration file. The configuration file contains
information that A.V.A. will use during the course of verifying a
user. The syntax to invoke A.V.A. is as follows:
d:\> AVA AVA.Cfg
The configuration file consists of 13 lines and can be created with
your favorite word processor. Here is an explanation for each line.
Line 1:
Place the name of your BBS here.
Line 2:
This line tells A.V.A. whether or not to allow long distance or toll
calling.
Place a no here if you do not wish to run up your phone bill or place
a yes here to support this option.
Line 3:
Place a no here if you do not wish to grant minimum access or yes if
you do.
* Note *
If Line 2 is set to no then A.V.A. will look at line 3 and
act accordinly.
Line 4:
This line contains the security level granted to callers who
completed verification.
Line 5:
This line contains the download bytes granted after verification
has been completed.
* Note *
The download byte should match what you have defined in your
Limits.Ctl file.
Line 6:
This line contains the time limit granted after verification has
been completed.
* Note *
The time lime should match what you have defined in your
Limits.Ctl file.
Line 7:
This is the minimum security level granted to long distance or toll
callers.
This feature is active only if Line 3 is yes. However, it must still
be defined even if you do not support minimum access. A numeric value
is expected here.
Line 8:
This is the minimum download byte granted to long distance or toll
callers.
This feature is active only if Line 3 is yes. However, it must still
be defined even if you do not support minimum access. A numeric value
is expected here.
* Note *
The download byte should match what you have defined in your
Limits.Ctl file.
Line 9:
This is the minimum daily time limit granted to long distance or toll
callers.
This feature is active only if Line 3 is yes. However, it still must
be defined even if you do not support minimum access. The daily time
limit is expressed in minutes.
* Note *
The time limit should match what you have defined in your
Limits.Ctl file.
Line 10:
Place your area code here
Line 11:
If you want to allow callers to edit their phone numbers before
verification can begin then put a yes here.
Place a no here if you do not want to support this option.
Line 12:
Place a yes here to allow duplicate phone numbers or no to not allow
duplicate phone numbers.
Line 13:
Place the SysOp's security level here. This is so the SysOp will be
able to access A.V.A. for whatever reason.
Sample configuration file:
The Alternate Choice <--- BBS Name
no <--- Long distance or toll calls not allowed
yes <--- Grant minimum access to ld callers
20 <--- Verified security level
720 <--- Verified download bytes
45 <--- Verified time limit per day
10 <--- Minimum access level
320 <--- Minimum access download bytes
35 <--- Minimum access time limit per day
602 <--- My area code
no <--- Editing/changing numbers not allowed
no <--- Duplicate phone numbers are not allowed
100 <--- SysOp's security level
* I must state here that the configuration file consists of thirteen
lines. A.V.A. expects to find data in every line. *
What you the SysOp can expect from A.V.A.
-----------------------------------------
When a new caller uses AVA he will be presented with a screen of
information. This information explains what he can expect from AVA
and what AVA expects from him. His option here is to proceed with the
verification or return to the BBS.
The options available to the SysOp are:
[F6] Twit <--- Disconnect the caller completely
[F7] DOS <--- Shell to DOS
[F8] Return caller to bbs <--- Take caller out of the door
[F9] Display On/Off <--- Active only while the door is running
[F10] Chat <--- SysOp chat with caller
AVA retrieves the phone number(s) and caller's password from
EXITINFO.BBS. If you have elected to asked for both Data and Home
phone numbers then AVA will ask the caller which number it should
dial. It will then ask if the number is a long distance or toll call.
Depending on the answer and on the configuration file, AVA will act
accordingly. If the answer to this question was a NO then the program
proceeds to the actual verification process. The caller is presented
with a screen of last minute instructions and waits for the caller to
press [Enter] to proceed or Q to quit.
Upon pressing [Enter] AVA will hang up the phone. AVA will then
perform a master reset and reseed the baud rate generator with the
caller's baud rate. AVA will attempt to re-establish connection 3
times. If after the third call modem connection was not re-established
AVA will make a note of it in the log then terminate its run and pass
control back to the bbs.
Once connection is re-established AVA will clear its buffers, synchronize
the modems and announce itself to the caller. At this point the caller
is expected to answer 2 questions. The first question asks for his first
and last name and the second question asks for his password. The caller
will have 2 chances each to answer both questions. If either one of the
questions are not answered correctly, verification will fail.
If both questions are answered correctly then verification was
successful and the new information will be written to EXITINFO.BBS.
The caller is returned to the BBS verified and with a higher access
level.
AVA keeps a log of activities in AVA.LOG. This file keeps a
running record of what occured and did not occur during the
verification process. The log is appended to each time AVA is
accessed. Delete it when it gets too large.
Another data file generated and maintained by AVA is AVA.DAT. This
is a random access file which keeps callers' names, phone numbers and
the date they were verified. The same holds true for long distance
callers who are granted minimum access. Information of callers' who
failed verification are not stored in this file. This is so they may
have another chance to be verified at some later time.
In addition to these two files, AVA accesses PhoneDupe.Log and
Phonenum.Ctl. If for some reason a duplicate phone number was not
detected by QBBS it will not be written to PhoneDupe.Log. However,
because AVA keeps track of phone numbers it has already verified this
file is always checked for duplicate numbers.
----------------
Version 1.0 is a BETA version. However, every option discussed in
this documentation are fully functional.
AVA has been fully tested on a US Robotics MicroLink 2400. As a
result, the maximum baud rate supported is 2400. Faster baud rates
will be supported in a future release. The dip switches are set as
follows:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
OFF ON OFF ON ON OFF OFF ON OFF ON
Switch # Description
-------- -----------
1 Date terminal read overide
OFF = DTR Normal; Pin 20 controls modem
ON = DTR is always on
2 Verbal, numeric result codes
OFF = Verbal (word) messages
ON = Numeric result codes
3 Result code display
OFF = Quiet mode, no display
ON = Result codes displayed
4 Modem echo
OFF = Modem echoes commands sent from keyboard
ON = Modem does not echo
5 Auto Answer
OFF = Modem answrers on first ring
ON = Auto answer suppressed
6 RS-232 Carrier Detect Pin
OFF = Pin 8 controls carrier detect
ON = Carrier detect signal is always on
7 Single/Multi-line installation
OFF = Single phone
ON = Multiple phones
8 AT command set recognition
OFF = AT command set disabled
ON = Normal operations
9 Escape Code Operations
OFF = Modem disconnects when +++ is entered.
ON = Modem returns to command state when +++ is entered.
10 Volume control
OFF = Low volume
ON = High volume
AVA uses DTR to hang up the remote caller. The command string ATM1Q0X5
is sent to your modem before it attempts a call. Be sure that your
modem recognizes these commands.
AVA is also being BETA tested on The Alternate Choice. So far, so good.
Disclaimer
----------
You shall use this program and accompanying files at your own risk.
You accept these programs AS IS and there are no warranties written or
implied. I shall not be held liable for alleged damages real or
consequental including but not limited to, loss of time, lack of
sleep, financial responsibilities and improper use.
BBS Support
-----------
New releases can be downloaded from The Alternate Choice (602)788-0838
300/1200/2400 24 hours a day, PCPable.
Questions, gripes and suggestions may be left to Cat Miller in the
OTW Support message base.