UTL UNDERGROUND - RETRO SYSTEM CONNECTION GUIDE

CONNECTION DIRECTORY
BBS host: bbs.unixtechlab.dev
  SSH: 2222 (encrypted; preferred for compatible clients)
  Telnet: 23 (plaintext legacy access)
  Telnet over TLS: 992 (implicit TLS 1.2 or later)
  RLogin: 513 (plaintext; account password required)
IRC host: irc.unixtechlab.dev
  TLS: 6697 (encrypted; preferred)
  Plain IRC: 6667 (legacy access)
Browser: https://utlunderground.unixtechlab.dev/
Public ports verified: 23, 513, 992, 2222, 6667 and 6697.
TLS certificates verified for ports 992 and 6697.
All BBS connections share 250 nodes; all IRC clients share the IRC pool.
These ports connect to BBS/chat services, not a Linux administration shell.

CURRENT WINDOWS / LINUX / MACOS
Use a compatible SyncTERM release for BBS ANSI graphics and file transfers.
Official source: https://syncterm.bbsdev.net/
Set connection type SSH, host bbs.unixtechlab.dev, port 2222.
A console SSH client can also connect:
  ssh -p 2222 unixtech524@bbs.unixtechlab.dev
Use your own BBS username. Your BBS and IRC passwords are separate.
For IRC, use a compatible IRC client with TLS on port 6697.
Browser BBS and IRC clients require a modern browser.

WINDOWS 3.1 / DOS / WINDOWS 95-98 / OLDER LINUX
A TCP/IP stack, functioning network adapter and compatible terminal client
are needed. Windows 3.1 cannot run current 32/64-bit terminal installers.
Choose an OS-compatible Telnet client, ANSI or VT100, 80 columns, 24/25 rows.
Use host bbs.unixtechlab.dev and Telnet port 23.
On Linux with a Telnet client: telnet bbs.unixtechlab.dev 23
For IRC, an OS-compatible IRC client can use port 6667 without TLS.
Prefer an encrypted local gateway if the machine lacks current SSH/TLS.
Do not disable certificate verification or weaken modern SSH/TLS globally.
Old browsers are not the recommended way to access the current website.
Compatibility varies by specific client and TCP stack; hardware testing
on these historical OS versions has not yet been performed.

APPLE
Current macOS: compatible SyncTERM for BBS, IRC client with TLS for chat.
iPhone/iPad: use the modern browser terminal and browser IRC on our site.
Classic Mac OS: compatible TCP/IP terminal/IRC client, or local gateway.
Apple II/IIgs: serial terminal software plus serial/network hardware or
an attached modern gateway. A serial cable must match the interface;
there is no universal cable, baud rate or adapter configuration.
40-column screens need separate layouts; full 40-column compatibility
is not yet tested. Many ANSI games require an 80-column ANSI terminal.

TERMINAL DISPLAY
Start with 80 columns and 24 or 25 rows when available.
Use ANSI color + IBM CP437 for classic PC art where supported.
Choose plain ASCII / no ANSI for clients without those capabilities.
Synchronet supports terminal detection and user terminal preferences.
An ASCII welcome fallback is installed. Each door game can have stricter
requirements; do not assume all games support dumb or 40-column terminals.
If Backspace behaves incorrectly, adjust the client's BS/DEL setting.
Do not install an incompatible font or client merely to match screenshots.

LEGACY PASSWORDS
Telnet, RLogin and plain IRC do not encrypt passwords or conversation.
Use a dedicated password never reused for email, NAS, GitLab or banking.
Use ordinary accounts for legacy connections; use encrypted connections
for admin work. A modern nearby gateway can encrypt the internet leg.
RLogin is not trusted/passwordless login; no trusted rlogin IP bypass is set.

NO TELEPHONE DIAL-IN
Internet dial-up users can connect using suitable TCP/IP clients.
Calling a BBS phone number directly needs a modem/line; not configured.
Serial/network adapters are not the same as a telephone modem.

VERIFICATION
Modern public BBS SSH, IRC TLS and browser clients were checked.
Public legacy Telnet/TLS/RLogin/IRC checks passed and are documented.
RLogin still requires an account password; IRC registration was verified.
Real vintage hardware, every OS release, serial adapters, PETSCII/RIP
artwork and every door game have not all been tested. Report exact
machine, operating system, terminal client and adapter to staff.

RETRO WEBSITE
Modern browsers: https://utlundergroundretro.unixtechlab.dev/
Older HTTP clients: http://utlundergroundretro.unixtechlab.dev/
Modern browsers enforce HTTPS for .dev domains. Very old HTTP clients may
access the plaintext endpoint. No login forms or browser chat on this site.