Linux Amateur Radio AX.25 HOWTO The Linux operating system is perhaps the only operating system in the world that can boast native and standard support for the AX.25 packet radio protocol utilized by Amateur Radio operators worldwide. This document describes how to install and configure this support.
Introduction Amateur radio is a non-profit, non-commercial activity enjoyed by hobbyists world-wide. Radio amateurs are licensed by government authorities to use portions of the radio spectrum allocated to them for non-commercial, non-profit activities including personal communication, public service, and technical experimentation. Packet Radio is a particular digital mode of communication that makes use of networking protocols to provide computer to computer communication. This document was originally an appendix to the HAM-HOWTO, but grew too large to be reasonably managed in that fashion. This document describes how to install and configure the native AX.25, NET/ROM and ROSE support for Linux. A few typical configurations are described that could be used as models to work from. The Linux implementation of the amateur radio protocols is very flexible. To people relatively unfamiliar with the Linux operating system the configuration process may look daunting and complicated. It will take you a little time to come to understand how the whole thing fits together. You will find configuration very difficult if you have not properly prepared yourself by learning about Linux in general. You cannot expect to switch from some other environment to Linux without learning about Linux itself.
UNIX This is a multitasking, multi-user operating system which was developed by AT&T Labs in the 1960s. There are many different variations of Unix available, including FreeBSD, Solaris, MacOSX and of course, Linux.
