Hey guys

I snagged an old Intel SC5650HCBRP server on eBay and am looking to build a
VM server to play around with various projects and stuff around the house. Thinking about also possibly migrating the BBS off the Raspberry pi and on to
a vm instance on the server or possibly just install it directly on the
server. So it brings up a few questions for me.

#1 Which OS is the best for running Mystic? Windows, linux?
#2 Can I copy the data files from the Raspberry pi into a different platform?

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A42 2018/12/27 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: Dave's BBS (21:1/140)

Hey bamageek...

On 10 Apr 2019, bamageek said the following...

Hey guys

I snagged an old Intel SC5650HCBRP server on eBay and am looking to
build a VM server to play around with various projects and stuff around the house. Thinking about also possibly migrating the BBS off the Raspberry pi and on to a vm instance on the server or possibly just install it directly on the server. So it brings up a few questions for
me.

#1 Which OS is the best for running Mystic? Windows, linux?
#2 Can I copy the data files from the Raspberry pi into a different platform?

Some good questions, and I can answer you with my opinion...

#1 - I use linux just fine with my bbs, and i run it in an lxc container on a proxmox VE server, works a treat

#2 you could just copy your entire /mystic folder to the container and it should just run... maybe installing cryplib and python in case you need those too.

Hope that's ok for you? I definitely recommend using something like Proxmox
VE and then creating containers or full VM's to run stuff.

---
|14Best regards,
|11Ch|03rist|11ia|15n |11a|03ka |11Me|03aTLoT|11io|15N

|07ÄÄ |08[|10eml|08] |15ml@erb.pw |07ÄÄ |08[|10web|08] |15www.erb.pw |07ÄÄÄ¿ |07ÄÄ |08[|09fsx|08] |1521:1/158 |07ÄÄ |08[|11tqw|08] |151337:1/101 |07ÂÄÄÙ |07ÄÄ |08[|12rtn|08] |1580:774/81 |07ÄÂ |08[|14fdn|08] |152:250/5 |07ÄÄÄÙ
|07ÄÄ |08[|10ark|08] |1510:104/2 |07ÄÙ

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A43 2019/03/02 (Linux/64)
* Origin: The Quantum Wormhole, Ramsgate, UK. bbs.erb.pw (21:1/158)

On 10 Apr 2019, bamageek said the following...

#1 Which OS is the best for running Mystic? Windows, linux?

I would run linux and docker (but then I'm a Linux/Docker biggot :). (And if you want help with that ping me ... :)

#2 Can I copy the data files from the Raspberry pi into a different platform?

I think so...

...deon

_--_|\ | Deon George
/ \ | Chinwag BBS - A BBS on a PI in Docker!
\_.__.*/ |
V | Coming from the 'burbs of Melbourne, Australia

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A43 2019/02/23 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: Chinwag | MysticBBS in Docker on a Pi! (21:2/116.1)

#1 Which OS is the best for running Mystic? Windows, linux?

My preference is linux, particularly if you plan to virtualize. You can run headless (probably much like your pi) and forget about the overhead of a GUI and all other random useless Microsoft stuff.

Per your second question, I have no idea how Mystic structures its data.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A43 2019/03/03 (Windows/32)
* Origin: Black Flag <ACiD Telnet HQ> blackflagbbs.com (21:1/112)

On 10 Apr 2019 at 05:32p, bamageek pondered and said...

#1 Which OS is the best for running Mystic? Windows, linux?

I think it's subjective, either will work..

#2 Can I copy the data files from the Raspberry pi into a different platform?

Yes, check the wiki FAQ for info on how to migrate, if you are using a linux style OS and have file paths set up in Mystic already for that it may pay to move from Pi to Linux to reduce some path changes?

Best, Paul

--- E:avon@bbs.nz ------ W:bbs.nz ---
--- K:keybase.io/avon --------------

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A43 2019/03/03 (Windows/32)
* Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)

On 04-10-19 17:32, bamageek wrote to All <=-

#1 Which OS is the best for running Mystic? Windows, linux?

Whichever you're more comfortable with, though migrating from a Pi to a Debian based x86 distro would likely be easier.

#2 Can I copy the data files from the Raspberry pi into a different platform?

Data files should be OK, I think there's a way of converting between Windows and Linux conventions with a tool, but it's not something I've looked into, because I do all my server type activity (including running BBSs) on some form of Linux, whether on a Pi or an Intel machine.


... Activity is the politician's substitute for achievement.
=== MultiMail/Win v0.51
--- SBBSecho 3.03-Linux
* Origin: Freeway BBS Bendigo,Australia freeway.apana.org.au (21:1/109)

Thanks guys for all the input. I am leaning to the linix/Ubuntu for the migration because of the paths and stuff, although, I was also strongly considering going to a Windows/DOS environment in hopes of getting some doors to work. Maybe I'll try both :)

Gotta finish getting the server ready first. Been doing some testing on
Windows server 2019 which seems to be working fine. Need to beef up the
memory a bit and order some hard drives so I can set up the RAID
configuration!

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A42 2018/12/27 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: Dave's BBS (21:1/140)

(but then I'm a Linux/Docker biggot :). (And if you want help with that

ping me ... :)

Sounds like YOU'RE the one in need of help :-)

Still haven't gotten back to playing with my Docker setup. :-/

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A43 2019/03/03 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: *HUMONGOUS* BBS (jenandcal.familyds.org:2323) (21:4/123)

My preference is linux, particularly if you plan to virtualize. You can

I'd second that. *HUMONGOUS* runs quite nicely on a headless Pi with Rasbian, which draws less power than an average light bulb. Running a Windows server just for Mystic seems ... well ... a bit excessive.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A43 2019/03/03 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: *HUMONGOUS* BBS (jenandcal.familyds.org:2323) (21:4/123)

considering going to a Windows/DOS environment in hopes of getting some doors to work. Maybe I'll try both :)

That's a point to consider. DOS doors are problematic on a Pi. OTOH, on Linux Mystic can run any terminal app as a door, which is quite useful.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A43 2019/03/03 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: *HUMONGOUS* BBS (jenandcal.familyds.org:2323) (21:4/123)

On 12 Apr 2019, nathanael said the following...

Sounds like YOU'RE the one in need of help :-)

You might be onto something... :)

...deon

_--_|\ | Deon George
/ \ | Chinwag BBS - A BBS on a PI in Docker!
\_.__.*/ |
V | Coming from the 'burbs of Melbourne, Australia

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A43 2019/02/23 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: Chinwag | MysticBBS in Docker on a Pi! (21:2/116.1)

That's a point to consider. DOS doors are problematic on a Pi. OTOH, on Linux Mystic can run any terminal app as a door, which is quite useful.

I'd caveat this by saying that if you want to truly run dos doors without issue, and you want to use linux, make sure you use a 32 bit flavor of linux. 64 bit linux doesn't allow for proper 16 bit instructions any more.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A43 2019/03/03 (Windows/32)
* Origin: Black Flag <ACiD Telnet HQ> blackflagbbs.com (21:1/112)

I'd caveat this by saying that if you want to truly run dos doors without issue, and you want to use linux, make sure you use a 32 bit flavor of linux. 64 bit linux doesn't allow for proper 16 bit instructions any
more.

May have been lucky and don't exactly remember how I did it but I run several DOS doors on 64 bit Linux under DOSEMU without any issues. But it will not
work on Pi.

Also, I don't run a whole lot, only those that show interests by my users,
for the rest there is always the different game platforms like DoorParty, BBSLink and such.

Cheers!

|15 ß Þ |15StackFault |08<|03.|11.|15P|11h|03EN|11o|15M|11.|03.|08>
|11 Ý ß |11The Bottomless Abyss BBS
|03 ß Ýß |03ssh|08.|072222 |08/ |03telnet|08.|072023 |08/ |03https
|08 ÜþÞ |08bbs|07.|08bottomlessabyss|07.|08net

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A43 2019/03/02 (Linux/64)
* Origin: The Bottomless Abyss BBS * bbs.bottomlessabyss.net (21:1/172)

issue, and you want to use linux, make sure you use a 32 bit flavor of

As StackFault said, the issue is the Pi, not so much the bits. But with
Exodus and DoorParty, I'm not really feeling the loss :-)

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A43 2019/03/03 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: *HUMONGOUS* BBS (jenandcal.familyds.org:2323) (21:4/123)

Re: VM BBS?
By: bamageek to All on Wed Apr 10 2019 05:32 pm

#2 Can I copy the data files from the Raspberry pi into a different platform?

Data files are inter-changable. I've 'played' around with moving Mystic/Linux to Mystic/Win, onluy issue are the file paths. since linux uses the "\" and Windows "/" .. it WAS a hassle having a ton of file and message areas. But I never fully switched over and stuck with Linux.
Regards,
KrUpTiOn
--- SBBSecho 3.07-Linux
* Origin: The New Frontier ][ BBS(frontierbbs.net) - [Ohio} (21:2/155)

#1 Which OS is the best for running Mystic? Windows, linux?
#2 Can I copy the data files from the Raspberry pi into a different

1 - depends on what you want to use (I run both Linux and Windows here)
2 - unfortunately, no. (You may be able to copy over some configs and screens and stuff, yes, but some other stuffs, I would have to yield to those running RPi versions).

Tim N
aka SirRonmit
admin@f4fbbs.com

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A39 2018/04/21 (Windows/32)
* Origin: Files 4 Fun BBS (21:2/120)

On 04-12-19 17:09, SirRonmit wrote to bamageek <=-

#1 Which OS is the best for running Mystic? Windows, linux?
#2 Can I copy the data files from the Raspberry pi into a different

1 - depends on what you want to use (I run both Linux and Windows here)
2 - unfortunately, no. (You may be able to copy over some configs and screens and stuff, yes, but some other stuffs, I would have to yield to those running RPi versions).

You have to replace the binaries with the correct ones for your new architecture, otherwise everything else can be used.


... NEW! John Bobbitt doll. Some disassembly required.
=== MultiMail/Win v0.51
--- SBBSecho 3.03-Linux
* Origin: Freeway BBS Bendigo,Australia freeway.apana.org.au (21:1/109)

May have been lucky and don't exactly remember how I did it but I run several DOS doors on 64 bit Linux under DOSEMU without any issues. But
it will not work on Pi.

Some doors flat out won't work (Tw2002) but most doors will work, but with non-obvious problems. So I opt to run 32 bit linux just to make sure
everything works exactly as expected.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A43 2019/03/03 (Windows/32)
* Origin: Black Flag <ACiD Telnet HQ> blackflagbbs.com (21:1/112)

I'd second that. *HUMONGOUS* runs quite nicely on a headless Pi with Rasbian, which draws less power than an average light bulb. Running a Windows server just for Mystic seems ... well ... a bit excessive.

Yeah I agree it would be if thats the only reason for setting up the VM
server. Truth is it was a pretty good deal for an old server and I've been wanting to set one up to be able to tinker around with different things. Kind of a big playground per say. Plus it might make for a pretty good gaming PC I'm told :)

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A42 2018/12/27 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: Dave's BBS (21:1/140)

That's a point to consider. DOS doors are problematic on a Pi. OTOH, on Linux Mystic can run any terminal app as a door, which is quite useful.

What terminal apps would work best for such an environment? I experimented
with qemu on the pi but just kept having all kinds of problems with it and never did get some of the doors to work. Maintenance got to be a big issue
with trying to run some of the BRE leagues and such also.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A42 2018/12/27 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: Dave's BBS (21:1/140)

Yeah I agree it would be if thats the only reason for setting up the VM server. Truth is it was a pretty good deal for an old server and I've

True, of course. If one's already got the server, I guess throwing a BBS on
it would be an option.

I guess I've spent way too many years in *nix for Windows servers to make any sense to me. Servers should run headless and remote. My entire home
automation and entertainment systems run on two Pis which collectively draw less electricity than a lightbulb, take up less space than my router,
generate zero heat or noise, and only require rebooting when I screw
something up (which is not infrequently).

The idea of having a GUI at all, let alone one welded to the server OS, is just bizarre. GUIs are for desktops. Servers are *meant* to be run from a terminal :-)

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A43 2019/03/03 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: *HUMONGOUS* BBS (jenandcal.familyds.org:2323) (21:4/123)