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The BBS Corner
Virtual Modems & FOSSIL Drivers
for Legacy BBS Systems

Virtual Modems & FOSSIL Drivers are software packages that are the key for unlocking the problem of interfacing legacy BBS systems to the Internet. If you run an older DOS based BBS system or an early Windows based BBS system without a built-in Telnet server, you will need a Virtual Modem or FOSSIL Driver for Internet users to access your BBS. These are software systems that operate as a "go-between" between your BBS and the Internet. Here is a listing of available Virtual Modem packages for various operating systems.

Overview On Virtual Modems & FOSSIL Drivers

A "Virtual Modem" is just that, and does not physically exist - it is just a piece of software that acts like a modem to software that normally communicates with a COM port. What makes the Virtual Modem unique is that programs that normally connect to a modem via a computer COM port can communicate to a Virtual Modem. For example, if your computer normally has a COM 1 and a COM 2, set up the Virtual Modem on COM 3. It does not physically exist - it SIMULATES a modem and COM port for your computer and BBS. As long as the Virtual Modem software is installed and running in the background, software that communicates with COM ports will work.

Most Virtual Modems take standard AT modem command strings (like ATDT for example) and some have special AT parameters used for Telnet BBS purposes. Each one has its own set of rules but the more common AT commands are allowed in all of them.

Virtual Modems come in two flavors, true COM port emulation and FOSSIL driver. COM port emulation is just that - acts and reponds exactly like a physical COM port with a modem attached would. FOSSIL driver style Virtual Modems operate like a FOSSIL driver (like BNU, ADF, X00, WinFossil, etc) or other programs that perform communictions functions externally from the main BBS program. An example of a BBS package that requires a FOSSIL driver is Renegade and the latest versions of WWIV BBS (4.3 and 5.0). The disadvantage with FOSSIL Virtual Modems will ONLY work with those BBS programs that can work with a FOSSIL and not with a BBS package that needs to communicate directly with a COM port.

Virtual FOSSIL drivers, which are related to Virtual Modems, are programs that allow DOS based programs that can connect with FOSSIL drivers to provide Telnet connections. They are NOT virtual modems or provide virtual COM ports. They will work with a number of BBS programs and DOS based BBS doors to allow them to run via Telnet.


Virtual FOSSIL Drivers for Windows

NetFoss - PC Micro Systems

NetFoss is a freeware Telnet FOSSIL driver for Windows, that works with all DOS BBS software that is FOSSIL aware to be used across a Telnet aconnection. NetFoss is not a virtual modem or a virtual COM port. NetFoss will only work with DOS based programs which were designed to support a FOSSIL driver. (ie: BBS programs and doors). It can also be used with native Win32 BBS programs, to allow DOS based doors to be run via telnet. Designed for Windows 2003/XP/2000/NT4 workstations and servers. Supports up to 65000 nodes.
Written entirly in Assembly language for maximum speed. Very small in size.. under 10k per node! Allows DOS applications designed only for COM1-COM4 to run on any node. Changes FOSSIL-based applications to network-based without modifications to software.

Virtual Modem Software for Windows
 
COM/IP COM Port Redirector - Tactical Software

COM/IP is a commercially produced Virtual Modem produced by Tactical Software. Its a very robust system for Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP. It can provide both incoming and outgoing Telnet connections from a BBS (good for netmail transfers). Its both a COM port emulator as well as a FOSSIL port emulator. A very nice commercial package, but quite expensive (prices start at $100 for a single port). You can download a trial copy from their website.

NetSerial Virtual COM Port Redirection - PC Micro

NetSerial software creates Virtual COM ports on a Windows PC, which can redirect to remote Serial Servers, Modem Servers, and other serial devices located on any TCP/IP network or over the Internet. NetSerial's Virtual COM port allows application software to access remote devices as if they were connected to the local PC, without needing any changes to the application software. NetSerial can also be used to create a Virtual COM Port on both the client and the Server PC's, allowing the 2 computers to communicate over these ports just as if they were connected by a serial cable. In addition to standard Inbound and Outbound TCP connection modes, Netserial can also emulate a modem connected to its Virtual COM ports, allowing modem-based applications to redirect to TCP/Telnet servers instead of using a modem. NetSerial also supports Modem Server applications (such as BBS Software) designed to answer inbound modem calls, allowing them to be used as a Telnet server over a network or the Internet.

Sysop Discount -  The retail price for a 256 port version of NetSerial is $100. However, BBS Sysops can purchase NetSerial for $25. Free Trial - Download a 30 day free trial of NetSerial

GameSrv - R & M Software

GameSrv is a game server meant for people who want to run door games without setting up a full-fledged BBS system. It supports both modern 32bit Windows games (which there are few of) as well as old 16bit DOS games with the aid of either NetFoss or mSyncFos under WindowsNT, or mSyncFos under Windows9x.

GameSrv can also act as a telnet server to run as a front-end for a BBS software that doesnt have one of it's own (or a really sucky one). Again, this includes either 32bit Windows BBS software (Mystic/EleBBS), or old 16bit DOS BBS software (far too many to list) with the aid of either NetFoss or mSyncFos.

NetModem - Allen Software Technologies

(Note - NetModem is no longer available, but the description is here for those who care to know about the product. Shareware versions of this product are still available via the Internet.)

NetModem is a more affordable Virtual Modem for Windows. The Windows 3.1 package is known as NetModem/16 (16-bit) while the Windows 95/98 version is called NetModem/32 (32-bit). NetModem 1.0 only works with BBS systems that allow the use of an external FOSSIL communications driver, while the new NetModem 2.0 beta provides full COM port emulation. A very popular Virtual Modem package. Netmodem/16 is Freeware, NetModem/32 is Shareware.

Examples of Virtual Modem Software for OS/2
SIO/VMODEM - Ray Gwinn Software (no currently working link)

(Note - SIO & VMODEM are no longer available, but the description is here for those who care to know about the product. Shareware versions are still available via the Internet)

Ray Gwinn has developed a set of replacement COM port drivers for OS/2 Warp called SIO (Serial Input-Output). Included in the SIO package is a program called VMODEM that works as an excellent Virtual Modem that works with DOS, OS/2 and Windows 3.1 based programs. It provides true COM port emulation and FOSSIL driver support. It also provides both incoming and outgoing Telnet (good for netmail transfers). Available as Shareware.

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Site Created April 1996. Page last modified March 25, 2006
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