[X] My Assistant

[suoq]

It's confusing because there's a bunch of cyberware that talks about needing a seperate DNI system implanted. And yet, nowhere in the game is there an actual DNI system to implant.

SR4A pg 217

Direct Neural Interface (DNI): A connection between the brain’s neural impulses and a computer system, allowing a user to mentally interact with and control that system. DNI is conveyed by an implanted commlink, an implanted sim module, a datajack, or worn trodes.

[Yerameyahu]

Wow, that's… totally wrong. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Apparently you need trodes just to use your cyberarm! Better add that to the Broken Rules thread. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/frown.gif)

However, I think a reasonable interpretation is that that sentence is providing examples of ways of getting a DNI; i.e., 'to get a DNI, you may wear trodes'. Most other implants requiring control (e.g., cyberlimbs) also provide their own separate DNIs. Crisis averted! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[hobgoblin]

I suspect one could write a SR4 size book on the matrix rules alone and still people would be confused. The simple problem being the dense amount of info needed to be supplied in such a cramped space.

[DireRadiant]

It's confusing because there's a bunch of cyberware that talks about needing a seperate DNI system implanted. And yet, nowhere in the game is there an actual DNI system to implant.

p. 338 "In addition to wireless functionality, most cyberware devices are equipped with a direct
neural interface (DNI) that allows the user to mentally activate and control their functions."

Integral with cybernetic implants is the DNI.... you get DNI for free!

[DireRadiant]

How should a shadowrunner have their PAN configured? How many commlinks should he be using and what should they be doing.

There is no One True Way. Every systems is different. If there was One True Way, then either no one could be hacked, or everyone could be hacked.

In general there are two classes of approach.

Static. Hidden Pan, or Turned devices off, or skinlink everything so you have no wireless.

Active. Agent, Sprite, or friendly team TM or Hacker protecting your systems.

There is no single mechanical structure or network topology that wins.

[suoq]

There is no One True Way. Every systems is different.

Yes. But some ways suck less than others. A goal here is to find and understand some "Fairly Good Practices".

For example there is the "Run no wireless" method through a skinlink/implanted commlink, involving a separate commlink for broadcasting and matrix use micro-transceivers for verbal communication. No tacnet allowed, all rigger and hacking actions on a third hidden commlink. The goal here is stealth and security through quarantine.

There is also the secure tacnet method involving running the tacsoft on a System 6 Response 6 commlink along with the Three Musketeers Suite (71 unwired) and a level 6 firewall and making sure everyone's commlink has enough signal to stay in mutual range of that tacnet, slaving all the commlinks to the tacnet commlink, running firewalls on them and slaving all personal gear to your commlink and running encryption on everything. This is an expensive single point of failure that's about as obvious as the bat signal. The goal here is a moving fortress.

KarmaInferno is proposing a cross between the two, but while I get the concept, I'm having a hard time implementing it mentally. I dislike visual augmented reality coming in through two different sources. (Trying to picture it makes me start to feel motion sick.) And I keep getting confused as to what sensors are on the tacnet, what devices they run on, getting a bonus to hit from the tacnet when the smartlink isn't on the tacnet (rules wise it's legal, but it's simply not something I can believe in as a player), etc. I'd need to see a diagram and I think all that would do would be to lead people into attacking the diagram.

From these we can get some good practices:
1) High Response/System allows better IC (Unwired, pg 70) to be run.
2) High firewalls on all commlinks are a simple investment.
3) Skinlinks can be used to create a quarantined PAN that has no signal.
4) Have a public broascasting commlink quarantined from the rest of your PANs. Combining that practice with #1 and #2 is even better.
5) Run your matrix actions (hacking/rigging) through another secure quarantined PAN.
6) If using a Tacsoft, sit down and design your tacnet, all the way down to the AR devices, the sense feeds, and the signal paths and ratings.