SDN (SDN Project)
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An '''.SDN file''' is a compressed archive file associated with the ''SDN Project'' organization, and the ''SDNet/Works!'' software distribution network. ''SDN'' stands for ''Shareware Distribution Network''. SDN files are cryptographically authenticated. | An '''.SDN file''' is a compressed archive file associated with the ''SDN Project'' organization, and the ''SDNet/Works!'' software distribution network. ''SDN'' stands for ''Shareware Distribution Network''. SDN files are cryptographically authenticated. | ||
| − | An SDN file might be accompanied by an .SDA "abstract" file | + | An SDN file might be accompanied by, or might contain, an '''.SDA''' "abstract" file. This is apparently just a text file describing the software in the SDN file. |
== Discussion == | == Discussion == | ||
There are at least two or three different SDN formats. | There are at least two or three different SDN formats. | ||
| + | |||
| + | === PAK-based format === | ||
| + | |||
| + | The original format is a [[PAK (ARC extension)|PAK]] file with a special ''extended record''. PAK itself is a variant of [[ARC (compression format)|ARC]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | === SDNV format === | ||
The documentation for the ''SDNV'' utility says: | The documentation for the ''SDNV'' utility says: | ||
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must use a the SDNV utility SDNV.EXE. [...] | must use a the SDNV utility SDNV.EXE. [...] | ||
</pre> | </pre> | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
More research is needed, but it seems possible that the plan to switch to SDNV format was abandoned. | More research is needed, but it seems possible that the plan to switch to SDNV format was abandoned. | ||
| − | In 1993, it was announced<ref>[http://www.textfiles.com/fidonet-on-the-internet/939495/fido1004.txt fido1004.txt] | + | === ARJ-based format === |
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| + | In 1993, it was announced<ref>[http://www.textfiles.com/fidonet-on-the-internet/939495/fido1004.txt fido1004.txt] → "SDN Changing Compression and Security"</ref> that SDN files would switch to a format based on [[ARJ]], and [[FSecure (PaceSoft)|FSecure]] by PaceSoft. | ||
| − | ARJ v2. | + | ARJ v2.39c (early 1993) simultaneously changed ARJ's native "security envelope" format, and claimed to add "SDN support". This is confusing, because there are two different security features involved here: ARJ security envelopes, and the FSecure security seals associated with SDN. It is not clear what feature the claimed "SDN support" is referring to. ARJ does not do anything with FSecure security seals, though its documentation discusses them. |
== Software == | == Software == | ||
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ARJ format: | ARJ format: | ||
| − | * | + | * For extraction, see [[ARJ#Software]]. |
| + | * For validation, see [[FSecure (PaceSoft)#Software]]. | ||
== Sample files == | == Sample files == | ||
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ARJ format: | ARJ format: | ||
| − | * | + | * [https://archive.org/details/mediashare-08 MediaShare 8] → misc/storyv22.sdn |
| + | * [https://archive.org/details/aolfile-7500 AOL File Library - 7500 to 7599 series] → 7500/Bible Study Programs/Bible Slide Show/ISRAEL20.sdn | ||
| + | * [https://archive.org/details/aol-file-protocol-4400-5001-to-5044 aol file protocol 4400 5001-to-5044] → AOLDLs/Religion Graphics Library/Kids Color Book/SCOLOR33.sdn | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
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[[Category:Security]] | [[Category:Security]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Encryption]] | ||
Latest revision as of 20:17, 13 March 2023
An .SDN file is a compressed archive file associated with the SDN Project organization, and the SDNet/Works! software distribution network. SDN stands for Shareware Distribution Network. SDN files are cryptographically authenticated.
An SDN file might be accompanied by, or might contain, an .SDA "abstract" file. This is apparently just a text file describing the software in the SDN file.
Contents |
[edit] Discussion
There are at least two or three different SDN formats.
[edit] PAK-based format
The original format is a PAK file with a special extended record. PAK itself is a variant of ARC.
[edit] SDNV format
The documentation for the SDNV utility says:
SDN FILES BEFORE JUNE 15TH 1990......................................... Files with a .SDN extension that were packaged before June 15th 1990 were compressed using NoGate Consulting's PAK v2.10 utility. [...] SDN FILES AFTER JUNE 15TH 1990.......................................... All files and programs, released for distribution on SDNet/Works! after June 15th 1990 will be secured and compressed in SDNV format. Other archivers will not be able to read or uncompress these .SDN files. You must use a the SDNV utility SDNV.EXE. [...]
More research is needed, but it seems possible that the plan to switch to SDNV format was abandoned.
[edit] ARJ-based format
In 1993, it was announced[1] that SDN files would switch to a format based on ARJ, and FSecure by PaceSoft.
ARJ v2.39c (early 1993) simultaneously changed ARJ's native "security envelope" format, and claimed to add "SDN support". This is confusing, because there are two different security features involved here: ARJ security envelopes, and the FSecure security seals associated with SDN. It is not clear what feature the claimed "SDN support" is referring to. ARJ does not do anything with FSecure security seals, though its documentation discusses them.
[edit] Software
PAK format:
- PAK v2.51 (DOS binary)
- See also PAK (ARC extension)#Software.
SDNV format:
- SDNV v1.00 (DOS binary)
ARJ format:
- For extraction, see ARJ#Software.
- For validation, see FSecure (PaceSoft)#Software.
[edit] Sample files
PAK format:
ARJ format:
- MediaShare 8 → misc/storyv22.sdn
- AOL File Library - 7500 to 7599 series → 7500/Bible Study Programs/Bible Slide Show/ISRAEL20.sdn
- aol file protocol 4400 5001-to-5044 → AOLDLs/Religion Graphics Library/Kids Color Book/SCOLOR33.sdn
[edit] References
- ↑ fido1004.txt → "SDN Changing Compression and Security"
