Board:   [fsxNet] BBS Software Development/Support
Subject: Re: Door Servers / Docker
From:    TheWebExpert(21:3/254)
Date:    Mon Sep 07, 2026 20:30

On September 2 2026, TheWebExpert wrote:
 TH> I have a problem with getting a door server to work.

 TH> What I wanted to do is to have a docker container running that accepts
 TH> rlogin
 TH> and spawns dosbox, and sends the game out.

 TH> It works pretty good, but does not workwith Tradewars and OO2, the
 TH> ansi
 TH> animation fails, the intro graphics to either glitch out

 TH> Does anyone have a working docker container to run dos doors via
 TH> rlogin?

 TH> I am trying to avoid spinning up a VM, anyone figure this out?

 TH> ... The Adventure BBS (HTTPS://BBS.OURBIRDHOUSE.CA)

BBS Door Server (Dockerized DOSBox Multi-Node RLogin Server)
https://github.com/thewebexpert/bbs-door-server

TLDR; one click door server that actually works and integrates with
BinkTerm/SBBS super easy!!!

You litterally pull it, run it, use it, that fast.

BBS Door Server (Dockerized DOSBox Multi-Node RLogin Server)
A modern, turnkey Docker container for running 16-bit DOS BBS door games (TradeWars 2002, Legend of the Red Dragon, Operation: Overkill II, DoorMUD, and more) on contemporary Linux and macOS systems with zero-latency socket inheritance and a web-based Sysop desktop via noVNC.

Features
Turnkey Docker Setup: Runs out of the box with docker compose up -d.
Zero-Latency Socket Inheritance: Direct file-descriptor handoff (-socket <fd>) with 100% byte-transparent binary I/O, completely eliminating TCP loopback overhead and ANSI escape-code corruption.
Web Management Desktop (noVNC): Access a full graphical X11 desktop directly in your web browser on port 6080 without installing VNC viewer software.
Right-Click Sysop Menu (Openbox): Right-click the desktop to instantly launch a standalone DOSBox prompt (C:\>), game setup utilities, or Linux shell terminals.
Pre-configured Classic Doors: Includes working setups and multi-node batch launchers for:
TradeWars 2002 v3.13
Legend of the Red Dragon (LORD) v4.07
Operation: Overkill II (OO2) v1.21
DoorMUD v0.99
FOSSIL Driver Integration: Bundled with tuned BNU 1.89h FOSSIL driver featuring a 32KB resident transmit buffer, locked 38400 baud, and CTS/watchdog bypass.
Multi-Node Operation: Supports simultaneous callers across independent node directories (C:\nodes\node1 through node6).
Popular Dropfile Formats: Generates DOOR.SYS, DORINFO1.DEF (through DORINFO6.DEF), and DOORFILE.SR.
Universal BBS Support: Connects seamlessly with Synchronet (sbbs), Binkterm PHP, MajorBBS / WorldGroup, Mystic BBS, and Enigma½ via standard RFC 1282 RLogin.
Quick Start
1. Clone & Start
git clone https://github.com/thewebexpert/bbs-door-server.git
cd bbs-door-server
docker compose up -d
2. Access the Ports
Service	Port	Description
Web Sysop Desktop (noVNC)	6080	Open http://localhost:6080/ in your browser
RLogin Server	513	Port for BBS connections (Synchronet, Binkterm, etc.)
Debug Test Console	1234	Connect via telnet (telnet localhost 1234) to test doors
Web Management Desktop (noVNC)
Open http://localhost:6080/ in any web browser. You will be greeted by an X11 desktop environment featuring an active green xterm Linux terminal.

Right-Click Sysop Menu
Right-click anywhere on the desktop background to open the Openbox Sysop Menu:

DOSBox Prompt (C:\>): Opens an interactive DOSBox session with C:\ pre-mounted to /app/dosbox/drive. Use this to run installers, create characters, or test executables.
Dynamic Door Management:
Uninstalled open-source doors show an Install option.
Once installed, the menu dynamically updates to replace the installer with Configure (launching its setup editor in DOSBox) and Run Locally!
List RLogin Entrypoints (BBS Info): Opens a formatted status dashboard showing all doors, installation status, ports, and copy-paste Synchronet / SyncTERM configuration strings.
Linux Terminal (xterm): Spawns an additional Linux terminal window for downloading archives, managing files, and checking logs.
Installing Open-Source BBS Doors
The door server comes pre-configured with launcher batch scripts and dropfile integrations for official open-source BBS doors. To avoid forcing unneeded software onto your system, these doors are not pre-installed, but can be added in seconds.

Supported Open-Source Doors
Usurper v0.20e (GNU General Public License v2)
Legendary fantasy RPG door by Jakob Dangarden, ported and maintained by Rick Parrish.
Features dungeon crawling, monster slaying, player combat, gods, and marriages.
Judge Dredd Door (MIT License)
Modern L.O.R.D.-style Mega-City One RPG door created by GrumpyGrendil with Scott Baker's DDPlus 7.1 DoorKit.
Fight perps, level up your Judge, patrol the sectors, and upgrade equipment.
Option A: 1-Click Installation from Web Desktop (noVNC)
Open the noVNC desktop at http://localhost:6080/.
Right-click anywhere on the desktop background.
Click Install Usurper (GPL) or Install Judge Dredd (MIT).
A terminal window will open, download the official release directly from GitHub, and set up all required directories.
Once complete, right-clicking the desktop will now show:
Usurper ➔ Configure Usurper (Editor) or Run Usurper Locally
Judge Dredd ➔ Edit Config (JUDGE.CFG) or Run Judge Dredd Locally
Option B: Command-Line Installation
You can also run the installer script directly on the host or inside the container:

# Install Usurper only:
../install-doors.sh usurper

# Install Judge Dredd only:
../install-doors.sh dredd

# Install all available open-source doors:
../install-doors.sh all
Viewing RLogin Entrypoints & BBS Configuration
To see all configured door games, their RLogin server names, installation status, and copy-paste BBS setup lines:

From the Web Desktop
Right-click the desktop and click List RLogin Entrypoints (BBS Info).
From the Terminal
Run the helper script:
../list-doors.sh
This displays a live dashboard and allows you to test any door instantly:

Internal RLogin: door-server:513
External RLogin: localhost:5130
Synchronet External Program Command: ?rlogin -p 513 door-server %u <DOOR_NAME>
SyncTERM: Host: localhost | Port: 5130 | User: <DOOR_NAME>
How to Add Custom DOS Door Games
Here is a complete, step-by-step guide to installing a new door game using the web interface:

Step 1: Download the Game Archive
Open the web desktop at http://localhost:6080/. In the open terminal window, navigate to the doors folder and curl the game:

cd /app/dosbox/drive/doors
curl -L -O http://www.example.com/downloads/mygame.zip
Step 2: Extract the Game Files
Extract the archive into its own folder:

mkdir MYGAME
unzip mygame.zip -d MYGAME
# Ensure lowercase permissions if needed:
chmod -R 775 MYGAME
(Note: You can also use DOS PKUNZIP from inside the DOSBox prompt: pkunzip mygame.zip C:\doors\MYGAME)

Step 3: Run the Game Setup in DOSBox
Right-click anywhere on the desktop and click DOSBox Prompt (C:\>).
In the DOSBox prompt, navigate to your game's directory and run its setup utility:
C:
CD \doors\MYGAME
SETUP.EXE
Configure the door settings:
Comm Type: Select FOSSIL (or COM1 / Standard IRQ 4).
Baud Rate: Set to 38,400 or Locked.
Drop File Type: Choose DOOR.SYS or DORINFO1.DEF.
Multi-node Paths: If the game supports multi-node, configure the dropfile path for each node:
Node 1: C:\nodes\node1
Node 2: C:\nodes\node2
(and so on)
Step 4: Create the Batch Launcher
Create a batch launcher in /app/dosbox/drive/doors/bin/<game>.bat. You can create this from the Linux terminal using nano:

nano /app/dosbox/drive/doors/bin/mygame.bat
Add your batch script (parameter %1 represents the node number):

@echo off
C:
CD \doors\MYGAME
REM Launch the game with node dropfile path:
MYGAME.EXE C:\nodes\node%1\DOOR.SYS
Make it executable:

chmod +x /app/dosbox/drive/doors/bin/mygame.bat
Step 5: Register the Door in config.js
Open /app/config.js in your editor (or on your host system):

  doors: [
    // ... existing doors ...
    {
      name: 'MYGAME',
      doorCmd: 'CALL mygame.bat',
      dropFileFormat: 'DoorSys',   // 'DoorSys', 'DorInfo', or 'DoorFile'
      multiNode: true
    }
  ]
Step 6: Test Locally via the Debug Port
Before wiring it up to your BBS, test it directly via the debug console:

telnet localhost 1234
You will be greeted with:

Welcome to the doornode debug server!
Available modules:
1) LORD
2) TW2002
3) OO2
4) DOORMUD
5) MYGAME
Select a module:
Type 5 or MYGAME and press Enter. DOSBox will launch immediately and stream the game directly into your terminal!

Connecting Your BBS to Door Server
Door Server speaks standard RFC 1282 RLogin on port 513.

1. Synchronet BBS (sbbs)
In Synchronet's configuration utility (scfg):

Navigate to External Programs
→
 Online Programs (Doors).
Select or create a section (e.g. External Games).
Add a new program:
Name: TradeWars 2002
Internal Code: TW2002
Execution Method: ?rlogin -p 513 door-server TW2002
Native Executable: No
Use Shell to Execute: No
2. Binkterm PHP
In Binkterm's door configuration (public_html/webdoors/rlogindoors/index.php or webdoor.json):

Host: door-server (or IP address)
Port: 513
RLogin User / Door Tag: TW2002, LORD, OO2, or DOORMUD
Architecture & Technical Deep-Dive
Why Socket Inheritance?
Traditional DOSBox BBS door setups run a local TCP nullmodem server (serial1=nullmodem server:10001) and use a TCP proxy process to route caller traffic. This introduces:

Significant latency and packet fragmentation.
Character dropping and ANSI screen corruption when users type fast.
Needing to open and manage individual TCP ports per node.
This container uses DOSBox Socket Inheritance:

Client (WebSocket/Telnet)
    │
    ▼
Node.js RLogin Server (port 513)
    │  - Performs RLogin handshake
    │  - Writes dropfile (DOOR.SYS / DORINFO)
    │  - Detaches client socket from Node.js event loop
    ▼
DOSBox Process (-socket <FD>)
    │  - Inherits raw file descriptor directly onto serial1 (COM1)
    ▼
BNU FOSSIL Driver (INT 14h)
    │
    ▼
16-bit DOS Door Game
Caller input flows directly into the emulated 16550 UART with zero intermediary buffering, providing an authentic 100% responsive dial-up experience.

Environment Variables & Custom Ports
You can customize port bindings by copying .env.example to .env:

cp .env.example .env
Variable	Default	Description
DOOR_PORT	513	Host port for RLogin BBS traffic
VNC_WEB_PORT	6080	Host port for the noVNC Sysop web interface
DEBUG_PORT	1234	Host port for the interactive debug test console
TZ	America/New_York	Container timezone
Credits & License
Original Prototype: Based on doornode (2019) by Tom Dinchak (dinchak/doornode).
Containerization & Enhancements: Architected by TheWebExpert with Docker containerization, DOSBox binary nullmodem patches, noVNC management desktop, and socket-inheritance pipeline.
License: Released under the GNU General Public License v3.0 (GPL-3.0). See LICENSE for details.

.... The Adventure BBS (HTTPS://BBS.OURBIRDHOUSE.CA)

--- The Adventure BBS http://bbs.ourbirdhouse.ca
 * Origin: The Adventure BBS (21:3/254.0)
.