Guide to Telecommunications: Difference between revisions

...But, in turn, presents new strategies for antagonists and offers the sandbox for some... [[NTSL_Scripts|very interesting shenanigans]].  

=Easy Guide to Fixing Telecomms=

The radio stopped working all of a sudden? Or did someone just blow up the tcomms again? Here's a quick checklist-guide to see what's wrong and how to fix it:

# '''Has it been partly blown up?'''

## Ensure that the room APC has power.

### And see that Signal Execution is set to ''[NEVER]'', so that there's no malicious NTSL script blocking information.

### Go back to main menu and repeat steps for all servers.

=Quick Guide to Telecommunications=

==The room==

Full of supercooled gas. Don't breathe it, don't stand in it without internals. It has its own SMES and APC. If the APC is destroyed, replace it immediately. If the APC has power temporarily cut, look at the PDA server; if its light is red, the APC probably has a remote signaller in it, because killing APC power turns off the PDA messaging server indefinitely.

==The tools==

All machines are accessed and controlled by a multitool. One is in telecomms at the round start. To link machines, you add a machine to the multitool buffer then use the multitool on the machine to link to and hit [Link] at the bottom. Most telecomms machines will also have FILTERS to determine which frequencies are sent through which pieces of machinery. Additionally, each machine has an IDENTIFICATION STRING, which is just its unique name, and a NETWORK, defaulted to tcommsat, which allows it to link to machines on the same network name only. IF YOU CHANGE THE NETWORK NAME IT'LL UNLINK EVERYTHING. CHANGING THE HUB'S NETWORK NAME IS A COMMON METHOD OF GHETTO SABOTAGE. WATCH FOR IT.

==The machines==

* Subspace Receiver: Intakes ;Radio signals

* Hub: Takes in ;Radio signals and sends them to appropriate machines.

* Relay: Connected to a Hub on another Z-level. Allows ;Radio signals on its Z level to be run through the telecomms infrastructure of its linked hub.

==Standard Structure==

Each step is sent through the HUB typically

Parts that are functionally non-optional:

* Processor. Why? You get this otherwise:

<font color=green>>/;v**r; [145.9] says, "*ok at a;<th$>/e >$s>*v p*is#$*& ot**ng tr#nsl%/****"</font color>

* 1x [[File:Subspace_Analyzer.png]] Subspace Wavelength Analyzer

* 1x [[File:Subspace_amplifier.png]] Subspace Amplifier

[[File:Simple_telecomms.png|thumb|286px|An extremely simple, but still functional version of telecommunications.]]

'''Machines you need to build or acquire:'''

* [[File:Gas_Injector.gif]] Gas Injector

* [[File:PortablePump.png]] Portable Pump

These should be built in a pressurized room with low amounts of traffic and usage. The Freezer, Gas Injector, and Pump should be set up to cool down the air in the room to below 150K at moderate traffic. More freezers can be built should one not be enough to sustain the comms traffic.

# Grab the Bus Mainframe and put it on your multitool buffer (down on the list, click "Multitool Buffer")

# Link it to the Broadcaster, Processor, and Receiver (click "Add Machine").

That's it. You're done. It'll process all telecomms signals with no lag, no static, no loss of functionality.

=A More Elaborate Guide to Telecommunications=

== The Central Compartment ==

A functional telecommunication central compartment (otherwise known as the "Server Room") contains several machines, each with its own isolated function. These machines make up a usually independent telecommunication network, with a pre-specified array of frequencies to process. Optionally, monitoring computers may be used to keep track of telecommunication activity and network integrity. It is important to notice that the machines, most dominantly the ''Processor Units'', generate a significant amount of heat. The central compartment is generally kept at a very low temperature to prevent the damage of the hardware infrastructure, so maintenance is usually not done without proper protective equipment.

A ''central'' communications compartment is not necessary for a functional telecommunications network. In fact, it may be more efficient to separate the network into sub-nets. Nanotrasen Tech Department, however, strongly suggests the centralization of the machinery for easier maintenance and bookkeeping. While a strong central compartment may be easier to maintain, it is also easier to sabotage or blow up. The only thing worse than explosive concussion damage and massive atmospheric de-stabilization is a downed communication grid. A central compartment should be well-fortified and stable, and fortunately for the crew, Nanotrasen cannot pinch for pennies in this department. The station will either receive a robust Communications Satellite or inner-station Server Room.

There are 5 different kinds of machines essential for a healthy telecommunication network. Without one or the other, the entire system would cease to function or would not function optimally. All telecommunication machines idle until they receive a signal, and all the machines are built with Hyperwave Filtering modules that allow for the scanning of signal's frequency regardless of intensity. This means each machine can selectively choose which signals to pay attention to, if there are any specified frequencies to tune into.

=== [[File:Sreceiver.gif]] Subspace Receivers ===

''Subspace Receivers'' are essential to a subspace telecommunication network. They have a long-term subspace window open at all times, and create the subspace-equivalent of a gravity well in its warped version of space-time. FTL signals traveling in subspace are going too "fast" to be sucked into the gravity well, but a carbon copy of the signal is produced whenever a signal passes through the pocket. This signal is then converted into a real radio wave by the Subspace Receiver and passed onto all immediately-linked machines. In a typical scenario only Bus Mainframes would receive the signal.  

=== [[File:Relay.gif]] Telecommunication Relays ===

''Telecommunication Relays'' are very essential creating a full network. They allow the network to expand by being able to send signals past Z levels. Meaning that when saying something in the radio, after the message is processed the HUB will locate all linked relays and add their Z level information to the signal data, which will then broadcast on the level when it reaches the broadcaster. It works by charging atoms for an almost faster than light signal. It then gets broadcasted to the hub, the only machine that can receive these almost-light speed signals and then sends them ideally to a Bus Mainframe.

=== [[File:Hub.gif]] Telecommunication Hub ===

''Telecommunication Hub'' is the main junction for the network. It is connected to many relays that are scattered along space, waiting to receive and send information to buses and relays. It uses a high level technology of circuits to send information as efficiently and as fast as possible.

[[File:SpessChart.png|640px|thumb|left|A simple visual synopsis of a basic radio telecommunication network. It shows the "route" a subspace transmission travels before it reaches its end destination(s).]]

=== [[File:Bus.gif]] Bus Mainframes ===

''Bus Mainframes'' regulate and handle the transfer of massive quantities of data at near instantaneous speeds. They are not essential to a network, but are required to keep data transfer instant. They usually transfer data back and forth between servers and processor units. If a Bus Mainframe is missing, network output may be unreliable or slow.

=== [[File:Server.gif]] Telecommunication Servers ===

''Telecommunication Servers'' log network statistics and signal traffic for easy maintenance. Each server represents a "channel" in the Nanotrasen default settings. They can listen in to multiple channels, however. For each signal that is sent to a server, a database entry is created and the signal's information is stored. The servers also help by sorting the order in which signals are transferred to subspace broadcasters, which is vital for instantaneous signal transferring.

''[[NT_Script|Learn more about NT Scripting (NTSL)]]''.

=== [[File:Broad.gif]] Subspace Broadcasters ===

''Subspace Broadcasters'' are impressive pieces of hardware that are capable of opening large enough subspace windows to transfer de-compressed data bursts, in encoded radio waves, through. They are necessary for any network that is expected to output information back to receiving radio devices. They operate by directing high-powered lasers into a small subspace window and fluctuating the amplitude of radio waves through subspace, allowing the large data packets easier entering and exiting of subspace.

Telecommunications machines are flexible and can adapt to structure changes, and they are otherwise immortal to mundane errors and crashes. However, in the event of a catastrophe such as an explosion, singularity, or anything of the like the default warranty becomes void and the machines will probably be destroyed or totaled. If one or more machines are destroyed, chances are the entire communication grid or at least part of it will be down. While intercoms and station bounced radios are capable of limited non-subspace communication it is most definitely not reliable. It should be maximum priority to get those machines up again.

If you suspect the machines aren't working properly (or at all), you should identify the cause first. Probably the most common issue is an exploded central compartment. Repair any structural damage and assess the machines. If they're still on (flashing/blinking lights, etc) then they are relatively functional. If there's been some atmospheric depressurization you're going to want to pump supercooled air into room; the machines need cold gas to survive or they will not be able to diffuse their heat into the environment, and will overheat.

[[File:Multitool-tcomm.png|thumb|274px|right|The multitool-telecomm interface.]]

=== Kentucky Fried Tcomms ===

*In cases where the server room is too hot to effectively cool with the freezer, consider venting the server room and adding pre-cooled gas back in

*High station population may overload tcomms despite the freezer, it is highly recommended that the freezer be upgraded to keep the temperature down

== Telecommunication Polymorphism ==

The machines can be retrofitted manually to work with other machines that normally would not be very common or wise. In the case of an emergency, however, it can be a life-saver. You can use a multitool to interface with telecommunication machines, which will allow you to modify some of the machines' properties. You can also link together machines with this interface, which is possibly the most important function.

In order to link two machines, access one of them with your multitool. Select [Add Machine] at the bottom of the window to store this machine in the buffer of the multitool. Now access the other machine with the same multitool. The machine previously buffered should still be in the buffer of the multitool. Select [Link] to add the machine currently buffered to the list of machine links of the machine currently accessed. This will establish a link between these two machines. (Note that it is possible to link a machine to itself; this is both harmless and pointless.)

=== Subspace Receivers ===

You can link Subspace Receivers to ''Processor Units'' if you are unable to link to a functional bus mainframe. This can and will create substantial network lag, because Bus Mainframes are needed for rapid information transferring and advanced port configurations.

=== Bus Mainframes ===

You can link Bus Mainframes to ''Subspace Broadcasters'' if you are unable to link to a functional server. This will not have much of an effect besides a very miniscule performance decrease.

If you do not link to a Processor Unit, signals' readability will suffer substantially. It will also make it impossible to directly link to broadcasters.

=== Processor Units ===

You can link Processor Units to ''Telecommunication Servers'' if you are unable to link to Bus Mainframes. This will naturally have a significant performance cost.

=== Telecommunication Relay ===

Relays must be connected to a HUB in order to add information to the signal about the Z level it is in, and which will broadcast in. It cannot be linked to any other machine usefully.

=== Telecommunication Hub ===

This machine is essential when creating relays that allow you to send the same signal to multiple broadcasters on different space levels.

It is ordinarily connected to Relays, Servers and Buses. When it receives information from Relays it sends it to all linked Buses. If it receives information from a machine that isn't a Relay, it assumes it's ready-to-transmit data and then sends it to all linked Relays. This data is ideally received from Servers but Buses and Processors can send this information too.

=== Telecommunication Servers ===

These cannot really be linked to anything else other than a broadcaster. They are only needed to store logs and maintain sane bookkeeping.

These are ESSENTIAL if you want an output. There is nothing you can do with these in terms of polymorphism.

= Being An Ass =

Now downing the radio may seem like something the captain does when he stubs his toe too hard, but downing the radios is something even the most [[Assistant|clueless trouble maker]] can do, provided they have the tools. Here are some easy ways to make nobody hear the screams of the station's inhabitants.

* Destroy the sub-space broadcaster. Those screams will be uttered, But not heard.

* Raise the temperature of the server room, by the time the screams are heard it will be too late.

[[Category:Guides]]