Overview

The FarLinX X25 Gateway product range is the third generation of X.25 Gateway products from FarSite, providing a very flexible powerful gateway for your X.25 migration needs at a very affordable cost.  It incorporates all the popular features of the previous product ranges with an improved browser interface and new comprehensive set of online statistics, connection logging, active session display and status change alert functions to put you in control.

Key Features

• TCP to X.25 data translation with a very wide variety of modes including: RFC1006, Cisco RBP, header stripping and parity conversion and many others
• TCP <-> X.25 and TCP <-> XOT routing including: fixed routes, dynamic routing and PAD routing
• Optional software upgrade to support the POS protocols APACS, ISO 8583, HGEPOS and CTL (Card Tech Ltd)
• Routing of calls between XOT (X.25 over TCP/IP) and multiple X.25 lines
• X.25 to X.25 switching
• XOT to TCP/IP Data Routing
• X.25 line load balancing over XOT or X.25 network
• X.28 PAD option supporting Telnet access
• X.25 Host PAD emulation support
• Supports routing of OFTP/400 and protocols requiring ISO Transport such as FTAM and X.400 messaging
• Provides a bridge between X.25 and TCP for OFTP / OFTP2 communications commonly used in the automobile industry, compliant with RFC 2204 and RFC 5024
• 6 Models, equipped with XOT and between 1 to 8 X.25 lines with X.25 line speeds up to 2 Mbits/s
• Choice of X.25 Network interface connections E1, RS232 (V.24), V.35, RS530 (RS422) or X.21
• As well as NRZ line encoding there is support for FM0, FM1, Manchester Encoding and Conditioned Di-phase with the optional FarLinX S4 line card
• Optional support for end to end authentication and data security over TCP/IP ensured by use of IPSEC encryption
• High performance, non stop operation – over 3000 messages per second and over 4,000 SVC and PVC simultaneous connections
• Extensive operational health monitoring with rapid auto restart feature for minimal downtimes
• Dual Gateways with a shared IP address providing automatic switch over and backup for resilience
• Easy and intuitive Graphical Configuration from your Browser
• Current session activity display
• Critical event SNMP alerts
• Local or remote activity logs (syslog standard) with a configurable level of connection, operation issue and data tracing
• Local or remote Line Monitor application or use Wireshark to view and decode X.25 traffic for easy network problem diagnosis
• Real time statistics of line performance, errors, connections and much more
• Low power consumption, 1U high rack mountable all metal design
• Gateway firmware upgradeable in situ

The condition of the Gateway can be monitored from a browser with current line status, real time line and data statistics and real time active session activity available. There are also daily activity logs with a selectable level of detail, automatically archived on a daily basis or routed to a remote server using syslog. The SNMP support provides alerts for a number of different conditions including critical events such as line down and line up.

Dual Gateway support is available such that 2 Gateways can share a common IP address to provide automatic switch over support for a wide range of conditions including X.25 line down and Gateway failure. Any such failures and switchover events will generate SNMP alerts so the network operator can instantly know what’s happened.

The product support protocols where the X.25 Host system treats the incoming X.25 data as a character stream. It can also convert the data when a header is used to describe the message payload within the TCP connections and remove this header on the X.25 virtual circuits. Data types supported include: RFC1006, Cisco RBP and special character delimiting. Dynamic routing is supported where the Client TCP application determines the X.25 address and call parameters used at the time the connection is established. XOT is supported so that the X.25 network can run over the top of an IP network. The Gateway can provide connectivity to several different Host systems at the same time with each having different data conversion configurations.

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Watch our informative video about FarLinX X.25 Gateway’s and other X.25 products

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Some Typical Applications

• Replacing a complete X.25 and Triple-X PAD Network by using FarLinX X25 Gateways to manage the X.25 and X.28 connections over a TCP/IP network running XOT
• Reduce line costs by replacing expensive X.25 lines with a TCP/IP connection and conversion to X.25 at each terminating node
• Conversion of legacy X.25 connections and data for transfer over a TCP/IP network
• 4 or 8 port X.25 switch with Telnet and async line PAD support with migration and selective routing of X.25 traffic to TCP/IP networks
• ISO FTAM operation between TCP/IP and X.25, eg using Futjitsu OpenFT-FTAM
• POS Gateway to allow TCP/IP and X.25 based Point of Sale systems to interoperate
• Conversion of XOT traffic to TCP/IP connections eliminating the need for X.25 at that location
• OFTP/400 (Odette File Transfer Protocol) and OFTP2 conversion between TCP and X.25 used by automobile manufacturers, domestic appliance manufacturers, the chemical industry and many others
• Providing an X.25 Gateway to interface with X.400 Messaging Handling Servers

Functional Overview – XOT and X.25 Switching

The FarLinX X25 Gateway provides a reliable means of routing connections between X.25 and XOT (X.25 over TCP/IP). Connections can be routed between X.25 lines and over XOT which is treated as another connection path. The connection routing module supports default routes, hunt groups, X.25 address translation, and routing commands with NUA wildcards for maximum flexibility.

The XOT and X.25 support features particularly fast switching times, over 200 calls a second can be established. This is particularly useful where calls are frequent or the system is prone to bursts of calls.

A mix of over 4,000 SVC or PVC sessions can be handled simultaneously over XOT and X.25 lines.

Load Balancing and Resilient: X.25 lines on one or more Gateway’s can be rerouted to multiple end points depending on the network load, the resulting network both balances the load across Gateways and their X.25 lines on those Gateway’s and is also resilient to Gateway failures.

This configuration shows the FarLinX X25 Gateway acting as the link between IP network with PCs running XOT (FarSync XOT Runtime software) and an X.25 connected host.

This configuration shows a complete X.25 network simulated by FarLinX X25 Gateway’s running XOT over an IP network (4 X.25 lines in this example but could be hundreds or thousands). This allows complete X.25 networks to be replaced while leaving hosts connected by X.25 to that network undisturbed.

Functional Overview – data packetization and routing between TCP/IP and X.25 or XOT

The Gateway provides connection establishment and data packetization services for general protocols to allow applications sending data over TCP/IP to interface to X.25 or XOT connected hosts. The Gateway provides routing facilities to select the appropriate Host from those available and maintains X.25 or XOT sessions to the Host as required.

Over 4,000 SVC or PVC sessions can be handled simultaneously between TCP/IP and X.25 or XOT.

The Gateway listens on a number of TCP ports – one port per configured X.25 Host. When a client establishes a TCP connection to the Gateway, the Gateway sets up an X.25 virtual circuit to the appropriate Host. Once the end-to-end connection is complete, the messages can be transferred.

At the end of the transaction, if the terminal disconnects, the Gateway will clear the X.25 virtual circuit. Alternatively, if the Host clears the X.25 virtual circuit first, the Gateway will disconnect the TCP connection to the terminal.

An X.25 Switch function can switch X.25 calls between X.25 connections and permit selective filtering of calls to TCP.

TCP to X.25 data translation functions

The Gateway supports a wide range of TCP to X.25 data translation and connection functions, these include:

• Character stream
• ETX terminated messages
• Special character terminated messages (customisable)
• Message header conversion – types available 2 or 4 byte ASCII or Binary length representation
• Custom message header conversion
• RFC1006 – ISO Transport Class 0 protocol data units, using the RFC-1006 encapsulation on the TCP connection – used for FTAM and X.400
• OFTP / OFTP2 (RFC2204 and RFC5024)
• Cisco RBP – Record Boundary Preservation
• X.25 Parity conversion – the Gateway performs any required parity adjustments and removal on the X.25 / XOT connection
• POS Protocols APACS, ISO 8583, HGEPOS and CTL (Card Tech Ltd) – Requires the POS Option

Many of the functions can be configured for the same connection for maximum flexibility.

Connection Routing and Address Mapping

The FarLinX X25 Gateway can support routes to thousands of different X.25 / XOT hosts. Similarly, when using the called X.25 address as the routing key, incoming X.25 / XOT calls can be routed to thousands of different TCP/IP hosts.

When making connections to the X.25 network or XOT, the Gateway has the capability of mapping the source IP address to a calling X.25 address, thus allowing the destination X.25 / XOT host to identify the connection source uniquely.

The Dynamic routing options allow the X.25 address (NUA) and call parameters to be set by the remote application at the time each X.25 / XOT connection is established. These modes allow X.25 packetisation information to be passed to the application. Linux and Windows sample applications provided.
The main modes supported include:

• Statically defined routing
• XDRPD (eXtended Dynamic Routing Packetized Data) and DRPD – these formats allow TCP connected applications to dynamically setup and control the X.25 or XOT connection
• X.25 Data Switching – allows X.25 devices to be interconnected via an IP network without the overheads associated with XOT
• PAD Routing – PAD or Dynamic routing may be employed to allow the TCP client application to specify the X.25 call parameters

Functional Overview – PAD Features

X.28 Host Pad

The FarLinX X25 Gateway can be configured to act as an X.28 host PAD for remote terminals or applications connecting over X.25 and expecting a host that supports X.28. The host PAD sends X.28 PAD configuration commands over X.25 to the connecting terminals. The host PAD profile is configurable.

X.28 Triple-X PAD

Triple-X PAD (X.28, X.3 and X.29) support is included with the Gateway, accessible over TCP/IP via Telnet or using the single permanent async port. The connecting terminal is presented with a Triple-X PAD service and can be used to make X.25 connections over the physical X.25 line(s) or via XOT connections to remote hosts. The initial PAD profiles for the async port and for Telnet access are fully configurable.

Encryption over TCP/IP (IPSEC)

The FarLinX X25 Gateway supports the option of selecting IPSEC to provide communications security in IP networks. It can be especially important when public Internet connections are used for part of the communications path.

IPSEC operates between a pair of devices. Each must know details of the remote device in order to authenticate communications and successfully encrypt/decrypt data being sent and received. In the FarLinX X25 Gateway, the details of multiple partner Gateways can be configured. The pre-shared key used to authenticate is unique for each remote partner. Once authentication has completed an exchange of encryption keys takes place under the pre-shared key. The session key is used only for a single session.

FarLinX Gateway models without IPSEC can be supplied to any country. Models with IPSEC capability can be
exported without a special export licence to some countries. Where IPSEC is required and the destination country is
not on the pre-approved list, FarSite will apply for an export license for that customer. See Order Information for more details.

Resilience and Load Balancing Options

To permit network line redundancy, a FarLinX X25 Gateway may operate with two or more X.25 lines acting as a hunt group. Calls can optionally be routed over any active line connected to the Gateway so that if one line goes out of operation then the other lines can continue to be used automatically. Backup X.25 lines can also be configured.

Load Balancing and Resilience is achieved using multiple gateways on each side of an XOT or TCP network. The connection load from the X.25 lines is shared across multiple TCP connections on the IP network to spread the load across the multiple Gateway receiving the connections. Any failing Gateway is automatically excluded and the connection load balanced across the remainder.

Two Gateways can be used together as an Active and Standby pair sharing a single IP address. Should the active Gateway fail, the standby Gateway will automatically take over.

Configuration

The Gateway is configured from a Browser, IE 11. Access to the configuration is secured through a user name and password. The Gateway can be configured to use HTTPS

The Configuration Application allows all the features of the Gateway to be managed. The majority of configuration changes to the Gateway are made dynamically so continuous operation of the Gateway can be maintained. For example, where the configuration for one line is changed, only that line is restarted; other lines remain operational.

Configurations can be saved for later use.

The sample configuration screen on the right shows configuration of a TCP to X.25 Route.

Statistics, Event Logging and SNMP

Statistics

The gateway maintains a comprehensive set of statistics and activity counts. This information can be used to indicate the total loads on the Gateway and also to give early warning of line performance problems even misconfigured systems elsewhere in the network. See a sample screen of some of the stats available on the right.

Logging

All connections setup through the Gateway can be logged. The logs are automatically saved on a daily basis, old logs can be displayed as required. Log events can also be routed to syslog to allow logging centrally and remotely.

The connection status of active connections / most recent connections / disconnections are displayed in a browser window.

SNMP

The Gateway supports SNMP alerts with 3 configurable levels. Alerts can be issued for SVCs connecting and disconnecting, PVC errors, connection routing errors, line up and line down events and many more events.

Built in Line Monitor

The Gateway includes on the CD Line Monitor software installable on a PC that allow the X.25 traffic to be recorded and displayed in real time. Multiple channels from multiple Gateways can be monitored simultaneously. Support to allow the popular Wireshark line monitor to record and display the X.25, TCP/IP and XOT line traffic is also included.

Line Monitor showing a trace of an X.25 line

This very useful feature allows Network Managers and System Installers to locally or remotely analyse and rapidly diagnose problems that may occur on the X.25 lines without the need for expensive external line monitors.

The line traces can be saved and viewed later, for example in a customer support situation.

System Upgrades

Upgrades to the firmware can be remotely and securely uploaded to the device so that the latest revision levels can be used.

Maintenance Contract

FarSite recognises that this product is frequently used as a key component in networked systems and as such a guaranteed response to unexpected problems is required. Maintenance contracts are available for the FarLinX X25 Gateway for fast hardware swap out, firmware upgrades, priority service and rapid problem resolution.

Gateway Features
XOT <-> X.25 connection routing	PVCs and SVCs; SVC routing is flexible with support for wild-cards and address translation
TCP/IP <-> XOT connection routing	SVCs; SVC routing is flexible with support for wild-cards and address translation
X.25 switching	X.25 connection routing between up to 8 X.25 lines and XOT
Data packetization	Includes Customisable Message Header Conversion, Cisco RBP, RFC-1006 and packetisation of messages terminated by specific characters (ETX, Carriage Return etc), X.25 parity conversion, OFTP / OFTP2
POS Protocols	Optional software upgrade to support Point of Sale protocols APACS, ISO 8583, HGEPOS and CTL (Card Tech Ltd)
TCP <-> X.25 / XOT call routing modes	Statically defined routing, Dynamically configured routing, PAD Routing, X.25 data switching
X.28 PAD	X.28 Host PAD and X.28 PAD terminal support. PAD support is available through Telnet and the built in async port.
TCP/IP	IPv4 and IPv6
Secure connections over TCP/IP	IPSEC option selectable for support of authenticated and encrypted data connectivity over TCP/IP
Data packets per second	Over 3,000 messages per second
Calls per second	Over 200 calls per second in XOT and TCP to X.25 modes
Maximum simultaneous connections	Over 4,000, can be any mix of SVCs and PVCs
Logging key events	Events log maintained for events such as the connections and disconnections, X.25 call failures, X.25 line down, and X.25 line up. Log auto archived daily. The most recent events are displayed in real time on a scrolling display in the Browser. Can be routed to syslog for remote logging
Line Monitor	Line monitor application included for display of frames and packets on X.25 connections, can be run locally or remotely. Wireshark supported.
Configuration	Securely configured by a Browser and Java applets using XML, login required. Configurations can be saved.
SNMP Alerts	Configurable levels, generated for events such as X.25 line down, X.25 line up, connections established and disconnections and gateway failures (when in dual operation).
Statistics	Statistics provided for line activity, line errors, protocol problem, Gateway activity. Resetable on demand.
X.25 network connectors	Connections for E1 (G.703, G.704), RS232 (V.24), X.21, V.35, RS530 (RS422) and RS449 available. Line speeds up to 2 Mbits/s; internal and external generated line clocks. X.25 network cables are ordered separately, see the list of available cables
Types of X.25 connection	X.25 network, leased (fixed) line
Types of PAD connection	Async line, Telnet
X.25 feature summary	Data packet size up to 4096 bytes SVC and PVC logical connections X.25 CCITT Compliance 1980, 84, 88, 93 DCE and DTE operation Reverse charging, Closed User Groups (CUG), Network User Identification (NUI), Fast Select, Throughput Class Negotiation Hunt groups, backup lines Compatible with all known X.25 networks including for example: Datex-P, BT X.25 Direct, Eirpac, Austpac, Transpac, Iberpac and Itapac
XOT Specification	Complies with RFC 1613 – X.25 over TCP (XOT)
LAN	10/100 BaseT LAN port, RJ45.
Approvals	CE: EN55022:2006+A1:2007 Class B, EN55024:1998+A1:2001+A2:2003, EN61000-3-2:2006, EN61000-3-3:1995+A1:2001:A2:2005. FCC part 15 Class B. UL. Safety: EN 60950-1: 2006. RoHS2 compliant.
Power Requirements	100 to 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz 1 Amp, 60 Watts.
Physical	1U height all metal case, rack mounting ears supplied. Software selectable power down. Reset to factory defaults switch. Temperature controlled fan operation. Dimensions: metric – 430(W) x 234(D) x 43(H) mm – imperial – 16.9”(W) x 9.2”(D) x 1.7″(H) inches Weight: 3.4 kg (7.5 lbs). Operating Temperature range: 5 to 40°C (41 to 104°F), Humidity: 20% to 95% RH (non-condensing) Storage Temperature range: 0 to 70°C (32 to 158°F), Humidity: 5% to 95% RH (non-condensing)
MTBF	36,267 hours (FarLinX X25 Gateway-2)
Warranty period	1 year

Order Information
Product Name	Description		Product Code
FarLinX XOT Gateway	TCP/IP to XOT Gateway, over 4,000 sessions. 1U rack mountable appliance. 2 expansion slots free. +		FL2600N FL2600E
FarLinX X25 Gateway-1	1 X.25 line Gateway supporting X.25 to XOT and X.25 to TCP/IP, PAD support, over 4,000 sessions 1U rack mountable appliance. Includes: 1 async PAD port, low speed clock generation. 1 expansion slot free.+		FL2601N FL2601E
FarLinX X25 Gateway-2	2 X.25 line Gateway supporting X.25 to XOT and X.25 to TCP/IP, PAD support, over 4,000 sessions 1U rack mountable appliance. Includes: 1 async PAD port, low and high speed clock generation. 1 expansion slot free.+		FL2602N FL2602E
FarLinX X25 Gateway-4	4 X.25 line Gateway supporting X.25 to XOT and X.25 to TCP/IP, PAD support, over 4,000 sessions 1U rack mountable appliance. Includes: 1 async PAD port, low and high speed clock generation. 1 expansion slot free.+		FL2604N FL2604E
FarLinX X25 Gateway-8	8 X.25 line Gateway supporting X.25 to XOT, X.25 to TCP/IP, PAD support, over 4,000 sessions 1U rack mountable appliance. Includes: 1 async PAD port, low and high speed clock generation. All expansion slots used.+		FL2608N FL2608E
FarLinx X25 Gateway-E1	E1 X.25 line Gateway supporting X.25 to XOT and X.25 to TCP/IP over 4,000 sessions 1U rack mountable appliance. Includes 1 async PAD port. RJ48 cable included. 1 expansion slot free.+		FL2611N FL2611E
	+ This Gateway is available with or without IPSEC encryption over TCP/IP. Product codes ending in N indicate no encryption, those ending in E indicate with encryption. The Gateway when supplied with encryption requires an export license for some countries.

Expansion Card Options
FarLinX E1	1 port E1 card, presents a RJ48 (RJ45) or dual BNC connector. Requires 1 expansion slot. Factory fit. RJ48 cable included.		FL1011
FarLinX S4	4 port advanced X.25 card, supplied with a 4 port cable that presents 4 RS232/RS530 (DB25) connectors. Supports line encoding modes NRZ, FM0, FM1, Manchester Encoding, Conditioned Di-phase. Can additionally support X.21, RS449 and V.35 with adapter cables. Requires 1 expansion slot. Factory fit. See cable options for this card.		FL1044

Firmware Option
POS Gateway Upgrade	POS Software upgrade to the FarLinX X25 Gateway range. Enhances the Gateway with Point Of Sale protocol handling including ISO 8583, APACS, HGEPOS and CTL		FL2610

Cable Options
UCR1		Single RS232 DTE cable (V.24, X.21bis), male connector, 1.5 metres. Supports external or Gateway generated clocks. see pinouts	FS6061
UCR1-DCE		Single RS232 DCE cable (V.24, X.21bis), female connector, 2 metres. Supports Gateway generated or external clocks.	FS6071
UCX1		Single X.21 DTE cable (V.11), male connector, , 1.5 metres. Supports external or Gateway generated clocks. see pinouts	FS6062
UCX1-DCE		Single X.21 DCE cable (V.11), female connector, 2 metres. Supports Gateway generated or external clocks.	FS6075
UCV1		Single V.35 DTE cable, 1.5 metres, male connector. Supports external generated clocks. see pinouts	FS6063
UX35C		Single V.35 DCE cable, female connector, 1.5 metres. Supports Gateway generated clocks.	FS6095
U530		Single RS-530 DTE cable (EIA530, RS422), 1.5 metres, male connector. Supports external or Gateway generated clocks. see pinouts	FS6064
UXD1		Single cable to connect direct to a Nortel DMS100 (NTFX35AA), 1.5 metres	FS6069
Cable options for FarLinX S4 expansion card only
TCX1		TCX1, X.21 DTE (V.11) DB15M 1 port HCR4 cable to X.21 transition connector, see pinouts	FS6052
TCV1		TCV1, V.35 DTE M34M 1 port HCR4 cable to V.35 transition connector, see pinouts	FS6053
TC449		TC449, RS449 DTE DB37M 1 port HCR4 cable to RS449 transition connector, see pinouts	FS6054