MS-DOS [TM] 6.0 users: MS-DOS [TM] 6.0 comes bundled with a powerful mini-Lan. In C:\DOS, you should observe these files: INTERLNK.EXE INTERSVR.EXE When used on two computers through a null modem, these files provide a Client-Server capability that attaches to the Client the disk drives and printers of the Server. Once you establish the Server's logical table in INTERSVR.EXE, those drives and printers are accessed from the Client as though they were resident in the Client. First, enter this command in CONFIG.SYS: DEVICE=C:\DOS\INTERLNK.EXE or DEVICEHIGH=C:\DOS\INTERLNK.EXE If you have the extra Expanded or Extended memory, you would use the second command; otherwise, use the first. In any case, install that command in both computers, then reboot them. Even though these routines come with MS-DOS [TM] 6.0, they appear to be functional in any other version of DOS. To understand the options of INTERSVR.EXE, enter this command in DOS: INTERSVR ? After you have entered that command, you will see this text: ============================================================================ Provides serial or parallel file transfer and printing capabilities via | redirected drives. | | intersvr [drive:[...]] [/X=drive:[...]] [/LPT[:][n | address]] [/COM[:][n | address]] [/baud:rate] [/b] drive: Specifies the drive(s) to redirect (by default, all drives are redirected). /X=drive: Specifies the drive(s) to exclude. /LPT[n] Specifies a port to scan. (/LPT scans all LPT ports). /LPT[address] Specifies a port address to scan. /COM[n] Specifies a port to scan. (/COM scans all COM ports). /COM[address] Specifies a port address to scan. /BAUD:rate Set a maximum serial baud rate. /B Displays the Interlnk server screen in black and white. /V Prevents conflicts with a computer's timer. Specify this switch if you have a serial connection between computers and one of them stops running when you use Interlnk. INTERSVR /RCOPY | Copies Interlnk files from one computer to another, provided that the | computer's serial ports are connected with a 7-wire null-modem cable. | ============================================================================ ===== Establishing the Server ===== In DOS, on the computer that you wish to operate as the Server, please enter: INTERSVR This command will bring in the defaults of INTERSVR.EXE. To see the list of its available options, you would enter: INTERSVR ? After that, you would enter at the command line your specific options. One example could be: INTERSVR /COM2 D: E: F: Once INTERSVR.EXE is successfully installed on the Server, you will see the menu for the Microsoft Interlnk Server, awaiting connection from the Client. ===== Establishing the Client ===== Once you have established the Server, then go to the other computer. On this second computer, please enter: INTERLNK The Client seeks acknowledgement from the Server through the Null Modem. Depending on how you established the Server, the Client would begin scanning for the Server, then report back to you the "virtual devices" it had created from the logical devices of the two computers. One possible Client response could be: ============================================================================ Scanning | | Port=COM1 | This Computer Other Computer (Client) (Server) ------------- ------------------------- G: equals D: (133Mb) MS-DOS_VOL2 H: equals E: (133Mb) MS-DOS_VOL3 I: equals F: (135Mb) MS-DOS_VOL4 | LPT2: equals LPT1: | LPT3: equals LPT2: | ============================================================================ Once you see this acknowledgement in the Client from the Server, you can then navigate in the Client as though you were in the Server. In this example if you enter virtual drive 'G:' in the Client, you would then be in the logical drive "D:" of the Server. Any DOS commands, such as "COPY" or "DIR", that you enter at this point in "G:" would work as before. Once in "G:", you can execute any programs within that virtual drive. ===== RS232 Null Modem Cable Pin Connections ===== 9 pin to 9 pin: 5 to 5 Ground 3 to 2 Receive data 2 to 3 Transmit data 8 to 7 Request to send 7 to 8 Clear to send 4 to 6 Data set ready 6 to 4 Data terminal ready 25 pin to 25 pin: 7 to 7 Ground 2 to 3 Receive data 3 to 2 Transmit data 5 to 4 Request to send 4 to 5 Clear to send 20 to 6 Data set ready 6 to 20 Data terminal ready 9 pin to 25 pin: 5 to 7 Ground 3 to 3 Receive data 2 to 2 Transmit data 8 to 4 Request to send 7 to 5 Clear to send 4 to 6 Data set ready 6 to 20 Data terminal ready ===== Bidirectional Parallel Cable Pin Connections ===== [DB25, both males] Client: Server: 2 to 15 3 to 13 4 to 12 5 to 10 6 to 11 15 to 2 13 to 3 12 to 4 10 to 5 11 to 6 25 to 25 Ground MS-DOS [TM], INTERLNK.EXE, INTERSVR.EXE, and Microsoft Interlnk Server are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Any cables that you create using the above Cable Pin Connections are used at your risk.