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, which is apparently just a text file describing the software in the SDN 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:
Line 25: Line 31:
 
must use a the  SDNV utility SDNV.EXE. [...]
 
must use a the  SDNV utility SDNV.EXE. [...]
 
</pre>
 
</pre>
 
The older format is a [[PAK (ARC extension)|PAK]] file with a special ''extended record''. PAK itself is a variant of [[ARC (compression format)|ARC]].
 
  
 
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] - "SDN Changing Compression and Security"</ref> that SDN files would switch to a format based on [[ARJ]].
+
=== ARJ-based format ===
 +
 
 +
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 v2.41 (early 1993) introduced "SDN support". We've seen some ARJ files that use the SDN "security envelope" feature, but they have a .ARJ file extension, not .SDN. It's unclear if the .SDN file extension was ever routinely used for the SDN-ARJ format, though the ARJ documentation suggests that it was.
+
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:
* See [[ARJ#Software]].
+
* For extraction, see [[ARJ#Software]].
 +
* For validation, see [[FSecure (PaceSoft)#Software]].
  
 
== Sample files ==
 
== Sample files ==
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ARJ format:
 
ARJ format:
* {{CdTextfilesURL|goldmedal/}} → .../*.ARJ
+
* [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 ==

Latest revision as of 20:17, 13 March 2023

File Format
Name SDN (SDN Project)
Ontology
Extension(s) .sdn, .sda
Released 1989

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:

SDNV format:

ARJ format:

[edit] Sample files

PAK format:

ARJ format:

[edit] References

  1. fido1004.txt → "SDN Changing Compression and Security"
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