FarSync X25 K2Ee
The FarSync X25 K2Ee PCIe card provides a very flexible 2 port PCI Express low profile X.25 communications platform for Linux and Windows systems
Overview
The FarSync X.25 K2Ee product is a high quality X.25 solution for business, government and military applications, it has been developed to provide high performance, versatile X.25 connectivity for Linux and Windows systems.
The PCI Express card will support 2 X.25 ports at speeds to over 2.048 Mbits/s. The highly flexible universal network connector supports RS232, X.21, RS530, RS449 and V.35 network interfaces.
Line signalling modes: NRZ, Manchester encoding, FM0, FM1 and Conditioned Diphase are handled by the onboard FarSite customisable communications controller as well as soft selectable line termination resistance.
The product is supplied with a free 5 year warranty.
- The FarSync adapters install easily under Windows 11, 10, Windows Server 2025, 2022, 2019, on single or multi-core 32 and 64 bit systems. The FarSync drivers are signed by Microsoft for easy installation. For use on earlier Windows versions contact FarSite.
- The X.25 software has a host of features including ISO Transport (classes 0 to 3), support for OpenFT FTAM, a WinSock2 compliant Sockets API and a Java API. The Sockets API is also accessible from .NET applications. Up to 4095 connections can be supported using the FarSync X25 High Capacity Pack or 254 per port as standard.
- IP over X.25 support is included permitting TCP/IP operation over an X.25 network.
- 32 and 64 bit applications supported.
A comprehensive Developers Toolkit for development using APIs to X.25 and ISO Transport is supplied with each X.25 product including many sample applications. A multi-port Line Monitor and a Line Statistics application are also supplied.
- The X.25 card installs seamlessly as a plug and play device. SMP (multi-processor) systems are supported.
FarSync adapters support Linux kernel versions from 2.6.12 onwards, in 32 and 64 bit formats, including the leading distributions supplied by Red Hat, SuSE, CentOS, Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Slackware and more.
FarSite is committed to supporting FarSync adapters on new versions of Linux and Linux kernels as they are released. Configuration is by a Java based GUI. - There are APIs to the X.25 layer, a Sockets based interface and a Java API. There is also an API to the ISO Transport layers (ISO 8073 - connection oriented).
- IP over X.25 support is included permitting TCP/IP operation over an X.25 network.
- XOT (X.25 over TCP/IP) support is available as an option, using the same API's as X.25. XOT can operate at the same time as X.25.
- Up to 254 connections per port are supported as standard or up to 4095 connections using the FarSync X25 High Capacity Pack.
- The source code for the driver and the libraries for the API are supplied with the product, allowing rebuilding by the end user for use with almost any of the current or future Linux variants.
A comprehensive Developers Toolkit for development using APIs to X.25 and ISO Transport is supplied with each X.25 product including many sample applications. A multi-port Line Monitor and a Line Statistics application are also supplied.
- Private X.25 networks such as Police, Customs, Military, Fishery, Financial, Government and Airline
- E-Commerce gateways for credit verification
- Mixed X.25 and IP networks
- SMS message gateways
- Billing and Mediation
- FTAM access
- ATM connections
- Lottery terminals
- X.400
- PC / Server based X.25 switch with XOT
Product details
The FarSync X25 K2Ee 2 port card runs an AMD processor with SRAM with a FarSite communications controller (customisable), connected to the Server/PC through a PCI Express bus.
Multiple Cards
The drivers supplied with Windows and Linux allow large numbers of ports to be supported by the installation of multiple FarSync cards in a Server. Typically 12 or more cards (24+ ports) can be supported; the card limit is only dependent on the resources available in the host Server and the total bandwidth of the PCIe/PCI/PMC bus.
Network Interfaces
The multi function line drivers available on all the ports support X.21 (V.11), V.35, RS232 (V.24, X.21bis), RS530 (EIA530, RS422) and RS449 network interfaces, all soft configurable and ESD protected from static charges.
Line Signalling Modes
NRZ plus the self clocking (clock for the data is decoded from the incoming data line) line signalling modes Manchester Encoding, Conditioned Diphase, FM0 and FM1. This means separate clock lines are not required, these line signalling modes are a soft configurable alternative to NRZ and a reliable way of handling long high speed cable runs.
Line termination is supported on all the balanced pair signals for X.21 (V.11), V.35, RS422, RS530 (EIA530) or RS449 operation. The line termination resistors may be soft selected to be selected on a port by port basis. The addition of line termination resistors helps improve signal quality on long high speed lines.
Terminal Timing
Terminal Timing is supported to enable system-wide clock synchronisation.
FarSync PCIe cards are suitable for systems with a PCIe bus, covering single and multi-processor systems. These cards are compliant with PCI Express Base specification revision 1.0a and above. The FarSync adapters are bus mastering, 1x (single lane) cards.
The IP over X.25 support is included as part of the FarSync X25 product and is integrated into Linux and Windows.
Linux Features: IP over X.25 support complies with RFC 1356 (IP over X.25). Higher level protocols that run over IP including TCP, UDP, HTTP and FTP are supported.
Windows Features: The IP over X.25 support complies with RFC 1356 (IP over X.25), for single and multiple X.25 destinations. Higher level protocols that run over IP including TCP, UDP, HTTP and FTP are supported.
Application developers have a choice of APIs for X.25 and ISO Transport. An API selector guide is provided to assist the developer in choosing the most appropriate interface.
The comprehensive Developers Toolkit is included with the product. For further information see: X.25 Developers Toolkit and API details
The XOT extension allows applications using the same API to transmit data over XOT (X.25 over TCP/IP). TCP/IP is normally routed over Ethernet on PCs and Servers. The XOT support is compatible with FarSite’s FarLinX Mini Gateway for X.25 and also other manufacturers XOT products. The XOT and X.25 interfaces can be used simultaneously.
The FarSync XOT Extension should be ordered at the same time that the FarSync X25 card is purchased, although a retrofit is possible.
Notes:
There is also FarSync XOT Runtime software for Linux available that allows XOT to run over the PCs standard TCP/IP connection such as an Ethernet card.
An optional high capacity pack is available for FarSync X25 adapters. The FarSync X.25 High Capacity Pack allows up to 4,095 simultaneous connections to be made; a huge increase from the standard 254 on each line. The expanded capacity applies to SVC, PVC and ISO Transport connections.
Customer applications developed to use the standard X.25 Sockets API are compatible with the FarSync X25 High Capacity Pack.
The FarSync X.25 High Capacity Pack is available for Windows and Linux, it should be ordered at the same time that the FarSync X25 adapter is purchased although a retrofit upgrade is possible. One FarSync X.25 High Capacity Pack is required per card. Further details are listed in the Order Information section.
For both Windows and Linux configuration is by a GUI configuration application, rapid installation and easy configuration are key features of the product. See the sample screens.
The X.25 line can be reconfigured and restarted without reloading the software.
Many of the parameters such as DTE / DCE selection are determined automatically. Selecting the line speed by default automatically sets suitable timer and retry values. An advanced tab permits users to exactly specify the configuration of the line if necessary.
The Configuration in Linux can also be optionally configured by a text file.
| Windows support | The FarSync adapters install easily under Windows 11, 10, Windows Server 2025, 2022, 2019, on single or multi-core 32 and 64 bit systems. The FarSync drivers are signed by Microsoft for easy installation. For use on earlier Windows versions contact FarSite. |
| Linux support | FarSync adapters support Linux kernel versions from 2.6.12 onwards, in 32 and 64 bit formats, including the leading distributions supplied by Red Hat, SuSE, CentOS, Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Slackware and more. |
| SMP (Multi-Processor Systems) | The software has been designed for and tested on SMP Servers |
| 32 and 64 bit systems | The FarSync X25 cards can be used on 32 and 64 bit systems using Intel/AMD X86/x64 type processors under Linux and Windows with 32 or 64 bit applications |
| X.25 Features | |
| X.25 CCITT compliance | 1980, 84 & 88 |
| DTE/DCE operation | Both and Automatic detection and selection |
| Maximum SVCs (all types) | 254 sessions on each line, any mix of bothway, incoming and outgoing. 4,095 sessions using the optional High Capacity Pack (see Order Information), any mix of bothway, incoming and outgoing |
| Maximum PVCs | 254 sessions on each line. 4,095 sessions using the optional High Capacity Pack (see Order Information) |
| Maximum simultaneous connections | 254 connections on each line. 4,095 connections with the optional High Capacity Pack (see Order Information) |
| Data Packet size range | 0 to 4,096 bytes |
| Data packets per second throughput | More than 2,000 pps |
| X25 facilities supported | Reverse charging, Closed User Group (CUG), Network User Identifier (NUI), Fast Select, Packet and Windows size negotiation, Extended sequence numbering (128), Throughput Class Negotiation. |
| Types of network connection | X.25 packet switch, leased line, dial up (X.32 and dial on DTR) |
| Accessible via API | Four APIs, a Sockets based interface, a Java API and a legacy NCB API. |
| IP over X.25 | Supported, complies with RFC 1356 on Linux and Windows |
| X.25 switch | X.25 Switch daemon available on Linux for free download for use with FarSync X25 adapters |
| XOT Option Features | |
| XOT Specification | Complies with RFC 1613 - X.25 over TCP (XOT) |
| Maximum XOT connections | 4,095 on Linux, |
| Maximum SVCs and PVCs | 4,095 on Linux,, any mix of SVCs and PVCs |
| Data packets size range | 0 to 4,096 bytes |
| OOB (Out of Band) data | Supported for Interrupts, Resets and the D bit |
| X25 facilities supported | Closed User Group (CUG), Network User Identifier (NUI), Fast Select, Packet and Windows size negotiation, Throughput Class Negotiation. |
| Accessible via API | Two APIs, a Sockets based interface, a Java API |
| ISO Transport Features | |
| Supplied with the X.25 software | Included with both the standard product and the High Capacity Pack |
| Standard supported | ISO 8073 (connection oriented) |
| Classes supported | Classes 0, 1, 2 and 3 |
| Negotiation between classes | Yes |
| Simultaneous transport connections | 254 sessions on each line. 4,095 sessions using the High Capacity Pack |
| TPDUs in a NSDU | 1 |
| Accessible via API | Yes |
| Developers Toolkit | |
| X.25 Developers Toolkit and API details | |
| Card type and PCIe specification | AMD Processor with embedded communications controller, PCIe bus compliant with PCI Express Base Specification Revision 1.0a, x1 (single lane), FarSite communications controller (customisable), HD44F connector for the 2 synchronous ports, Bus mastering card. |
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| Network connection type supported (with cables) | 2 synchronous ports, soft switchable line termination RS232 – DTE DB25M connector, DCE type cables are also available The connectors listed above are with the appropriate cable fitted, these cables can be found in the Cable Options section. |
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| Link speed range sync | RS232: up to 128 Kbits/s. |
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| Line Signal Modes | NRZ, Manchester Encoding, Conditioned Diphase (Differential Manchester), FM0 and FM1. |
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| ESD line protection | Littelfuse high speed ESD and over-voltage protection | ||
| Indicators | 2 LEDs, one per port showing line connection status. 2 LEDs, one per port showing line connection status. |
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| Maximum total bandwidth | 40 Mbits/s | ||
| Line clocking - internal | Internal clock range: over 160 different frequencies between 100 baud & 10 Mbits/s. No special cables are required to use internal clocks. Internal clocking is supported on RS530, RS422, RS232, X.21, V.35 and RS449 connections. |
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| Line clocking - external | External clocks received from a serial port and used to a drive serial communication port can be any frequency up to 10MHz. | ||
| Terminal timing | Terminal Timing is supported to enable system-wide clock synchronisation. |
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| Approvals | EN55022 class B, CE, FCC class B |
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| MTBF | 228,500 hours calculated using Bellcore Method 1 Case 3, 40 °C ambient, 15 °C case temperature rise above ambient. |
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| Power requirements | <500 mA @ +3.3V < 10 mA @ +3.3V Aux < 25 mA @ +12V total < 2 Watts |
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| Operating Temperature Range | 0–60°C ambient air temperature. |
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| Physical characteristics | Short card (height 69mm, length 125mm), standard & low profile PCIe brackets supplied. |
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| Cables | Cables are ordered separately see the cable details table. | ||
| Warranty | Free 5 year warranty. | ||
| Compliance | RoHS2, REACH. | ||
Order Information
The X.25 software firmware, drivers, utilities and the X.25 Developers Toolkit are all included with the FarSync adapter. Line cables are ordered separately.
The software and documentation is downloaded from this website using a code supplied with the FarSync X25 adapter, it includes:
- Drivers for Linux and Windows.
- Numerous example applications with source code
- Documentation for all the APIs in Adobe PDF format
- Source code for Linux drivers and API Libraries
- Network monitor and various useful utility programs
New releases of the software with enhancements and fixes are made available for free download from the Download page in the Support section of this web site.
| Product Name | Description | Product Code |
| FarSync X25 K2Ee | Intelligent 2 port X.25 PCI Express (PCIe) low profile card with X.25 Software and X.25 Developers Toolkit for Windows and Linux included. | FS6266 |
| Software Options | ||
| FarSync X.25 High Capacity Pack for Windows | Upgrade to the standard Windows FarSync X.25 software that allows up to 4095 simultaneous sessions | FS9504 |
| FarSync X.25 High Capacity Pack for Linux | Upgrade to the standard Linux FarSync X.25 software that allows up to 4095 simultaneous sessions | FS9505 |
| FarSync XOT Extension | An optional upgrade to add XOT (X.25 over TCP/IP) with FarSync X.25 cards on Linux. A FarSync X25 card must be purchased with this product. | FS9508 |
This two port adapter uses a single HD44F connector with the cable splitting out to two connectors. Two port cables are available for RS232, RS530, V.35, X.21 and RS449 operation. Details of the standard cables and DTE to DCE conversion cables available are listed below.
| Product Name | Description | Product Code |
| FCR1 | One port RS530 and RS232 DTE cable DB25M connector, 1.5 metres. Also supports adaptation to X.21, V.35 and RS449 interfaces with addition of conversion cables TCX1, TCV1 and TC449 respectively to allows mixed connection types. | FS6073 |
| FCR2 | Dual port RS530 and RS232 DTE cable DB25M connectors, 1.5 metres. Also supports adaptation to X.21, V.35 and RS449 interfaces with addition of conversion cables TCX1, TCV1 and TC449 respectively to allows mixed connection types. | FS6077 |
| FCX2 | Dual port X.21 (V.11) DTE cable, DB15M connectors, 2.0 metres. | FS6078 |
| FCV2 | Dual port V.35 DTE cable, M34M connectors, 2.0 metres. | FS6079 |
| FC449 | Dual port RS449 DTE cable, DB37M connectors, 3.0 metres. | FS6080 |
| TCX1 | X.21 DTE (V.11) DB15M 1 port FCR2 cable to X.21 transition connector, 0.5 metres, see pinouts | FS6052 |
| TCV1 | V.35 DTE M34M 1 port FCR2 cable to V.35 transition connector, 0.5 metres, see pinouts | FS6053 |
| TC449 | RS449 DTE DB37M 1 port FCR2 cable to RS449 transition connector, 1.5 metres, see pinouts | FS6054 |
| Test-F2 | Loopback connector - for T2Ee/K2Ee, communication ports testing | FS6027 |