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This window contains VADV32's general configuration options:

• Starting Node - This is the node number you want to begin accepting telnet connections on. On an all telnet system, you would normally set this to "1". If you have dial-up lines, then you may want to set it to a higher value.
• No. of Telnet Nodes - This is the total number of telnet connections you want to allow. If you set this value higher than the maximum number of connections (in VConfig Main Configuration), then this value will be automatically scaled back. You must also have a valid registration for the number of connections you wish to allow. If you only have a 10 node registration and you set this value higher than 10, then any connections on node eleven or higher will be denied by the BBS.
• Telnet Port - This is the TCP port to listen for connections on.
• Node Windows - When a user connects, the BBS node is loaded into a DOS window. You can specify what state this window should be started in: Normal, Minimized or Hidden.
• Maximum Log Size - You can specify the maximum size of the VADV32.LOG (in bytes). Once the log has reached this size, the log will be saved as VADV32.OLD and then the log will be reset.
• Refresh Interval - You can set the number of minutes for VADV32 to update the BBS statistics, hard drive list and alert icons.

This window contains VADV32's node configuration options:

• Internal Node Handling - This determines whether VADV32 will load the BBS nodes, or if the LOADBBS.BAT will load the nodes. If enabled, then LOADBBS.BAT will NOT be used to load the BBS session. VADV32 will load NetFoss using the settings you specify. Generally you do not need to modify the values.
  
  If you use the internal node handling, then VADV32 will use the value for LOGOFF.BAT in VConfig to determine if LOGOFF.BAT should be executed after a user logs off. This option is in Virtual Advanced Main Configuration.
  
  Versions prior to 2.1 do not have this option and must use LOADBBS.BAT to load NetFoss and the BBS.
• NetFoss Sleep Time - The amount of time NetCom (NetFoss) should wait before releasing idle time to Windows. If your CPU usage is too high, then try lowering this value. Increasing the value will increase response time unless the CPU usage gets too high.
• NetFoss Write Delay Time - The maximum amount of time to wait before sending the buffered TCP/IP packet to Winsock.
• NetFoss Buffer - The maximum amount of outgoing data to buffer before sending the TCP/IP packet to Winsock.
• Automatic Node Configuration - If you enable this then when a user connects, the node's settings will automatically be changed to work with VADV32. This will prevent any channel configuration errors.
• Resolve User Hostname - If this is enabled, when a user connects, VADV32 will attempt to resolve the user's hostname. This may take a few seconds if the hostname cannot be resolved. The hostname is logged and is also accessible in the TCPIP.CFG file.
• Refuse Duplicate Connections - If enabled, VADV32 will check the IP address of an incoming connection to see if it is already online. If the IP is already using a node, a message will be displayed to the user and then be disconnected.

This window contains VADV32's audio configuration options:

• Beep When a User Connects - If enabled, VADV32 will emit a "beep" when a user connects.
• Logon WAV - A WAV file to be played when a user connects to the BBS.
• Logoff WAV - A WAV file to be played when a user disconnects from the BBS.
• Feedback WAV - A WAV file to be played when new SysOp email is detected.

This window contains VADV32's maintenance configuration options:

• Perform Daily Maintenance - On an all telnet system, normally this is enabled. Each night at midnight, the BBS statistics are reset and logs are rotated. This needs to occur each night. If you are running node one as a dial-up node or it is at the WFC screen for whatever reason, then this option should be disabled (node one does this maintenance).
• Perform Daily Diagnostics - Each night during daily maintenance, a diagnostic test will be performed searching for invalid paths and common networking errors. If any problems are found an email will be sent to the SysOp.
• Perform Daily Backup - Each night during daily maintenance, configuration and data files will be archived into a DAILYBAK directory.
• Daily BBS Config Repair - Each night during daily maintenance, various configuration files will be scanned for common errors and fixed if needed.
• Daily Network File Repair - Each night during daily maintenance, various network configuration files will be scanned for common errors and fixed if needed.
• Auto-Update TimeZone - If enabled, VADV32 will automatically update the timezone setting in VADV's main configuration. It checks for any changes at the program start and every 30 minutes. It is recommended that you keep this enabled since it is important that the timezone be accurate.

This window contains VADV32's options:

• Perform Message Tossing - If enabled, VADV32 will monitor the BBS for any network messages that need to be processed. If you are running node one at the WFC for whatever reason, you may want to turn this off since node one will perform this monitoring. If you are running an all telnet system, then enable it.
• Duplicate Msg Scan - This option determines what level of duplicate message scanning to perform before tossing messages:
  • Disabled - No scanning performed.
  • Loose - Check message headers only.
  • Moderate - Check message headers and message content. (Default)
  • Strict - Check message headers, message content and VADV system information.
• Optimize & Compile - This option controls what action to take after editing databases within VADV32:
  • Disabled - No action occurs.
  • Ask - VADV32 will ask if you want to optimize databases and compile network information.
  • Always - VADV32 will automatically optimize databases and compile network information. (Default)
• Execute VADV Events - If enabled, the scheduled events in VConfig will be executed. Multiple events scheduled at the same time will be run one after the other. "Hard" events are treated as "soft" events (no user booting).
• Enable VA32EVNT.BAT - If enabled, each night at 00:01, this batch file will be executed. You can use it for door maintenance, backing up or whatever else you desire. The batch file should be saved into your main VADV directory.

This window contains VADV32's RTBBSList configuration options:

• Enable RTBBSList - Allows Real-Time BBS List functionality and enables the fields below.
• RTBBSList URL - The full URL to the update page for the BBS List service.
• RTBBSList Username - Your username for the Real-Time BBS List service.
• RTBBSList Password - Your password for the Real-Time BBS List service.
• Enable Information Display - If enabled, the RTBBSList status will be shown on the main VADV32 window. If disabled, memory information will be shown.

This window contains VADV32's notification configuration options:

• Update Notification - You can choose to have VADV32 look for program updates on a regular basis. If a newer version is available, then you will be notified and provided a direct link to the update. This feature now uses the V32 Update application.
• Email Notifications - You can specify an email address and network to send a notification message when new SysOp feedback is received.

This window contains VADV32's miscellaneous configuration options:

• Save Window Position on Exit - If enabled, the window coordinates will be saved when VADV32 is exited. When VADV32 is loaded, it will use these coordinates to position the window. If disabled, then the window will always be centered on the screen when loaded.
• Minimize if Closed - If enabled then when you press the "X" to close the window, it will only minimize it instead of terminating the application.
• Minimize to Dashboard - VADV32 can be minimized to a very small window by using this option. This will keep VADV32 visible but out of the way.
• Minimize to Tray - You can minimize VADV32 to the system tray by enabling this option. This saves space on the taskbar and also allows you to right click the tray icon for quick options.
• Show Event Windows - If enabled, when daily maintenance and message tossing is performed, the windows that are processing these event will be visible and accessible. Occasionally there is a sharing violation and with the windows visible you are able to exit the event cleanly.

VADV32 has portions of the VConfig utility built-in to make it more convenient to configure your BBS. Each option is briefly explained below. For more detailed information about these options, consult the VConfig documentation file.

• Main Configuration - Contains the general options for your BBS.
• Channel Configuration - Configure the communications aspects of VADV. VADV32 can automatically handle this portion of your BBS, but you may choose to manually control it if you have special requirements such as dial-up nodes.
• Database Configuration - Configure the message base and file directories of your BBS.
  • Message Bases - The "message subs" or simply "subs" of your BBS.
  • File Directories - The file directories that contain the files your users download from your BBS.
  • Custom Databases - Special databases created to work with script-based applications.
  • Optimize & Compile - This will optimize databases and compile network information.
  • Optimize Database Configuration - This compresses and reorganizes the DATABASE.CFG file so that database groups and databases can be accessed most quickly.
  • Compile Network Information - Recompiles the data which establishes the "connection" between a database and a networked message area or file area.
  • Automatic QWK Numbering - Options to handle QWK numbering easier.
    • Auto-Number Message Bases - This will automatically assign all messages bases an unique QWK number. Existing QWK numbers will be reset and reassigned.
    • Reset (Turn Off) All QWK'd Message Bases - All databases' QWK number will be reset to zero.
  • Make NEWS.LST for NNTP - This creates the ASCII file NEWS.LST which is used by VISK's NNTP software. The file is created in your main VADV directory, but must be moved to your Windows directory in order for VISK to use it.
• Paths Configuration - Edit the path settings for your BBS.
• Download Protocols - Edit the transfer protocols used by your users to download files.
• Upload Protocols - Edit the transfer protocols used by your users to upload files.
• Network Configuration - Configure the networks used by your BBS.
  • VirtualNET - Allows you to configure VirtualNET (network #1) for your BBS.
  • VNET Networks (Type 1) - This will lists all available VirtualNET networks and allow you to configure them for your BBS.
  • Virtual LIVE (Type 2) - Install or uninstall Virtual LIVE for your BBS.
  • Internet (Type 3) - Configure the Internet (UUCP) for your BBS.
  • FIDOnet (Type 4) - Configure FIDOnet type networks for your BBS.
  • QWK Networks (Type 5) - This will list all available QWK networks and allow you to configure them for your BBS.
• Events Configuration - You can configure up to 48 timed events per day, such as your external daily maintenance routine and door maintenance.
• Doors Configuration - Configure the external programs listed in the BBS's door menu.
• Voting Booth - Configure survey's in which your users can vote.
• Random Messages - Configure VADV's "random messages" function, which can display one-, two-, or three-line messages right before the user initially sees the main menu.
• Text Sections - Configure text files available for your users to view. Common files include game scoreboards and rules for your BBS.
• Multi-Feedback Configuration - Configure the feedback capabilities of your BBS. This allows users to E-Mail you or any Co-SysOps quickly and easily.
• User Quick Validation - Configure the nine profiles that allow you to change users' security levels, time limits and access flags from the user editor.
• FIDOnet Text Configurations - Various text file configurations for FIDOnet.
  • AREAS.BBS
  • MAGIC.FID
  • PHONE.FID
  • TICS.BBS
• VADV Text Configurations - Various text file configurations.
  VADV32 uses the following:
  • All Nodes in Use (BUSY)
  • Duplicate Connection (DUPECONN)
  • Offline Message (OFFLINE)
  These are the various TXT files that VADV uses for certain features:
  • Call-Back Verifier (CBV)
  • Free Downloads (FREEDL)
  • Network-Only Message (NETONLY)
  • New User Email (NEWUMAIL)
  • New User Welcome (NEWUSER)
  • Restricted Uploads (EXCLUDE)
  • Restricted Usernames (TRASHCAN)
  • Zip Comment (ZIPCOMNT)
• Archive Configuration - Configure the file archivers used by the BBS. You must know the hex identifier for the archiver to add new ones.
• Autoresponder Configuration - Configure the autoresponder function of the BBS, which allows automated responses to be sent to those who email your BBS at a special address.
• IRC Servers - Configure the IRC servers your users can access while in teleconference. VISK is required.
• Teleconference Actions - Configure custom actions your users can perform while in teleconference.
• Teleconference Rooms - Configure the name and moderator of the different rooms available in teleconference.

You can configure VISK directly from VADV32. In order for this to appear in VADV32, you must have VISK installed.

You can make VADV32 block certain IP addresses from connecting, or you can only allow certain IP addresses to connect. The netmask can also be modified to allow or block a range of IP addresses.

If "Block" is chosen, then the IP addresses that are listed here will not be permitted to connect to the BBS. Their connection will be refused and no message displayed.

If "Allow" is chosen, then the IP addresses that are listed here will be the only connections that will be allowed to connect to the BBS. If there are no addresses listed, then EVERYONE will be blocked from connecting!

You can specify wildcard IP addresses by using an asterisk in the IP address. For example, if you block *.*.*.* then no one is allowed to connect. Note: If a wildcard is used, the netmask will automatically be set to 32.

You may restrict certain countries from connecting to your BBS. When a user connects, VADV32 will determine if the caller is from a blocked country by the connecting IP address.

You can filter certain messages from entering your system. This filtering takes place before message tossing is performed. You must have message dupe protection enabled in VADV32's configuration for filtering to work.

You do not need to enter information in all of the areas of the form. Just enter the minimum amount of information and leave the other fields blank.

You can configure up to nine VADV32 shortcuts. These are programs you wish to have easily accessible from within VADV32. They will appear in a new menu as well as each shortcut having its own hotkey.

VADV32 supports file triggering. What this means is that you can specify a certain file for VADV32 to keep a watch out for. If this file exists then VADV32 will execute an application that you configure. Examples of uses for this feature is to automatically run message tossing software after message packets are received. VADV32 checks for the existance of the trigger once each minute.

You can setup events that will be executed when VADV32 is loaded. These events will be executed everytime that VADV32 is loaded so you need to be careful what you configure. If you enable it, VADV32 will try to detect if the program is already running and if so it will not try to load another instance. This only works for Windows programs. Console or DOS programs will be executed everytime since they cannot be detected.

This is a very useful option when configuring VADV32. When you have changed VADV32's starting node number and/or the maximum number of telnet connections, then it is a good idea to use this. It starts from the starting node and changes each channel configuration to the optimum settings for VADV32. This saves you the work of editing each channel individually!

This is disabled if you have automatic node configuration enabled.