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1991-11-21
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B U X T E R M
by
Buck Rogers, K4ABT
AN "EASY TO USE" TERMINAL PROGRAM DESIGNED FOR THE ROSE SYSOP AND USER
BUXTERM began as a terminal program to upload configuration files
from disk to the new ROSE Switches that are so popular around the
world. For my application I needed a complete terminal package which
would allow me to Create, Edit, Cut, Copy, Move, Paste, Print, Append,
Send, and Receive files for the ROSE switches.
As Network Manager to many of these ROSE Switches, the task of adding
a new switch to the network meant booting the word-processor, editing
an old file or building a completely new ".CNF" file from scratch.
Having completed the building task, I would next run the CONFIGUR.EXE
file to convert the ASCII configuration (.CNF) file to HEX so the CPU
in the ROSE switch could understand and accept the new code. Finally,
I would need to boot the appropriate terminal software (most terminal
software will not upload the configuration files to the ROSE switch in
the correct order) to upload the new configuration file to the switch.
CONFIGURATION CONTROL:
Tom Moulton (W2VY) and Gordon Beattie (N2DSY) along with other members
of the Radio Amateur Telecommunications Society (RATS) has done their
networking homework well. Tom gave us the mechanism to configure the
EPROM for the ROSE through the use of the MAKEPROM.EXE and the (C.EXE)
CONFIGUR.EXE programs. The remainder of the setup and configuration
control becomes the responsibility of the SYSOP and/or Network Manager.
This is where BUXTERM.EXE comes into play. I am a sincere believer in
the axiom that states: "From necessity, comes invention".
NOTICE * NOTICE * NOTICE * NOTICE
If you are reading this documentation using an editor, or the "TYPE"
command; you may print this document to a connected printer by issuing
the following command:
COPY BUXTERM.DOC PRN
Because I have "PRINTED" BUXTERM.DOC to the disk with all margins, and
headers preserved, the printout will be spaced accordingly. The page
length is also set to sixty-six lines. Be sure the top of the paper is
set to the correct starting point, and then issue the above command.
USING BUXTERM.EXE:
BUXTERM.EXE enables the user to send and receive text and ASCII files
in a very easy, and user friendly approach. In short, this software
was written to provide an effortless and versatile method of operating
and controlling your ROSE switch, or even your TNC. I've exercised
considerable effort to make your ROSE Switch configuration easy. We've
extended that same effort to ensure the operating procedures and
commands of BUXTERM.EXE are logical, and comfortable to remember.
Hard disk users should copy the master disk that contains the ROSE
files to a sub-directory called "ROSECNF" or a title that lets you
know what files are in the directory. I've copied the files from my
ROSE master disk into my ROSECNF sub-directory:
BUXTERM.EXE CONFIG.LOD
CONFIGUR.EXE (REName to "C.EXE") INFO.LOD
TNC2.OVR HEARD.LOD
DR200.OVR USERS.LOD
PK88.OVR MEMSIZ.LOD
MAKEPROM.EXE
RZ.BIN Etc.....
I M P O R T A N T !!!
"CONFIGUR.EXE" MUST BE RENAMED to "C.EXE" !
After copying all the related files to the new sub-directory, RENAME
the CONFIGUR.EXE to this exact title: C.EXE . Make sure that you have
C.EXE in the same (new) sub-directory as BUXTERM.EXE, then use this
method to RENAME the file:
REN CONFIGUR.EXE C.EXE <Enter>
USING A FLOPPY DISK SYSTEM:
If you are familiar with the FORMAT /S command, you may wish to
make this a "bootable" disk. Insert the new formatted disk into drive
B: Copy the ROSE and BUXTERM.EXE Master disk files by using Copy
*.* command onto your new formatted work copy disk. With master disk
in Drive A: and formatted disk in drive B: eg; A>copy *.* b:
INSTALLING (Booting) BUXTERM.EXE for the first time.
BUXTERM.EXE defaults to:
COMPORT 1
BAUDRATE 9600
DATABITS 8 (WORD LENGTH)
PARITY NONE (0)
If you are using a comport other than COM 1, it is imperative that
you press F3 and set the software for that comport before pressing
any other key! TO PRESS A KEY BEFORE SETTING THE (F3) COMPORT COULD
LOCK THE PC, AND REQUIRE A "SOFT BOOT" (Ctrl, Alt, Del).
Under normal usage, the TNC parameters should be set as follows:
AX25 ON XFLOW OFF FLOW OFF ECHO OFF
BK OFF AUTOLF OFF MCOM ON MCON OFF
8BITCONV ON SCREENL 0 CMDTIME 1 HE OFF
TERMINAL MODE
Features and Commands;
A Guide to KEY functions and definitions.
The manner in which the Alt and Ctrl Keys are used is simple. To
enable a feature that requires the use of either the Alt or the Ctrl
key, simply press and hold the Alt (or Ctrl) key and momentarily press
the command key that is associated with the desired feature.
F1 Sends control C (03 HEX) to TNC. Returns CMD: prompt from
TNC. (Press F1 three times in succession if returning to cmd:
from the transparent mode).
F2 Puts TNC into converse mode by sending the <CONV> command.
F3 Displays setup MENU and allows the user to set baud rate, parity,
stop bit, wordlength, and com port. This is for the "Abaud".
ABAUD is often used to define the baud rate between computer
and TNC. Each time the number is pressed the baudrate changes.
F4 Opens the SCREEN COLOR SET menu so foreground and background screen
colors may be adjusted to accommodate the user. This feature can
be enabled with CGA, EGA, or VGA Color Monitors.
F9 Use with the ROSE "CONFIGUR.EXE". This function automatically
executes the C.EXE program to convert any selected ".CNF" file into
a .TBL file. "CONFIGUR.EXE" MUST BE RENAMED, "C.EXE", and must be
on the same disk, in the same sub-directory as the .CNF files that
are to be converted to .TBL.
ALT C Clears the terminal mode screen so the number of "OK's" returned
from the ROSE upload may be correctly counted.
ALT P This feature will become your favorite command because it
enables the printer while incoming data is being displayed on
the screen. Execution of the ALT P command is a "TOGGLE"
feature. This means the first time you perform an ALT P the
printer will be activated (ON), and any incoming text will be
sent to the printer while being displayed on the screen. If the
ALT P is executed a second time, the printer will stop printing.
The screen display will continue without interruption.
ALT R Activates the SEND-FROM-DISK feature. This feature has a
wide variety of uses, and may be used to send ASCII and HEX
files directly from the disk. The primary use of the ALT R
feature is to up-load the "TBL" files that are used to setup
and configure the ROSE switch. You will find the ALT R feature
valuable when sending long files directly from the disk to other
connected stations.
The ALT R feature is most useful when making the final setup of a ROSE
Switch. When connecting to a station, using BUXTERM, we immediately
notice the CALLSIGN, of the connected station appear in the status line
near the bottom of the screen. To the right of the callsign, we will
also see the ADDRESS of the ROSE Switch which we are using at the
connected station. This is a very important point to remember!
When connecting to one of the ROSE features such as "LOADER", "USERS",
HEARD or "CONFIG;" we notice they too are displayed in the same status-
line location as the callsign had appeared. This is the key to the
next, very attractive feature that we will discuss.
As Sysop, or Network Manager, we may have more than one ROSE Switch.
This means we will be sending configuration files to more than one
switch. There is always that remote chance that a configuration file
belonging to another switch could be uploaded to a different switch.
This can be a problem, since the routing is included in the
configuration TABLES. We have designed into BUXTERM.EXE, a safe-guard
to prevent this kind of mistake.
Let's imagine we are going to configure the distant ROSE switch;
N4XZV-5,404922. We connect to it from the local K4ABT-5,404804
switch. As soon as we connect to CONFIG, the "Status-Line" will
present the following display:
CONFIG --- 404922 ------- BUXTERM --Version-#.#----------OK=0--------
As soon as we connect to CONFIG, an internal trap string was triggered
that set a blockade a protective cloak to prevent our sending the
incorrect "TBL" file to the ROSE Switch. When we executed the ALT R in
preparation for the upload of the "######.TBL" file, the string sent a
prompt to our screen. The prompt appears something like this:
SEND 404922.TBL
TO SWITCH Y / N
As quick as we press the "Y", BUXTERM begins an automatic search of the
disk or sub-directory to locate and send a file named "404922.TBL".
NOTE: When building the "CNF" files, be sure to end the CNF
file with the WRITE command that will name the "TBL"
file to that matching the ADDRESS of the target ROSE
Switch. This is covered in greater detail in the ROSE
SYSOPS manual that is included on the ROSE disk.
The instant we execute the ALT R, and highlite a file, BUXTERM.EXE
begins sending a file from the disk. The file title is displayed at
the top of the screen. This allows the operator to confirm that the
correct file is being sent to the target Switch, or station.
ALT X Immediate, short and graceful EXIT of BUXTERM.EXE !
F10 Opens the Text Editor feature of BUXTERM.EXE. This powerful
feature enables the user to manipulate text files in the
following ways:
APPEND CAPTURE CUT CREATE COPY EDIT
PRINT MOVE PASTE SAVE RECEIVE SEND
The user can EDIT in excess of 25,000 bytes of data in the editor.
There are no restrictions to the size of an action taken as each
feature of the Text Editor can be performed on one character, or
the entire text buffer. More about the Text Editor in the next
section of this document.
THE "BUXTERM.EXE" TEXT EDITOR
F10 Enters the Text Editor mode:
To enter the TEXT EDITOR mode press F10. If you are entering the Text
Editor for the purpose of editing a file that is in the current drive
you need only to high-light the name of the file, press <Enter> and the
file will be loaded into the Text Editor.
Files may be edited and saved to the same drive, and with the same
title. This is an easy step also. While holding the Alt key, press
the S key, and a "Title line" will appear near the top of the
screen. The original title that was highlighted to load the file
will be visible in the "TITLE LINE". Press the <Enter> key, and the
file will be saved to the same drive/directory that it was taken from.
If you prefer to save the file with another title or to another
drive/directory, the new title and drive/path can be typed in when the
Alt/S command is activated, and the "Title line" appears at the top of
the screen.
A special feature of BUXTERM, is the "automatic" selection of files.
The directories are arranged in alphabetical order. When it becomes
necessary to select a filename buried deep in the directory, simply
press the letter representing the first letter of the needed file, and
the highlight cursor will move to that section of the directory.
TEXT EDITOR COMMANDS and FEATURES
F1 MARKS THE BEGINNING of text to be DELETED, COPIED, EDITED,
PRINTED, MOVED, PASTED, SAVE, or SENT.
F2 MARKS THE END of text to be DELETED, COPIED, EDITED, PRINTED,
MOVED, PASTED, SAVE, or SENT.
Ctrl F1 DELETES/CUTS removes marked text.
Ctrl F2 PRINTS selected or marked text to printer.
F8 APPENDS another text file to any file(s) already in the EDITOR.
Pressing F8 while in the TEXT EDITOR will display the current
selected directory. By high-lighting a "text" file in the
directory listing and pressing <Enter>, the file will be added
at the end of any file(s) already loaded in the text EDITOR.
F9 SENDS marked text to the TNC or TRANSMITS if in the Connected or
Convers state; CONFIGURE TNC if the TNC is in the Command state
Ctrl G RINGS Bell or Ctrl G character to the text being edited.
ALT B DUMPS text from the TERMINAL Buffer into the TEXT EDITOR.
Alt L LOADS file from the current selected DIRECTORY, for the user
selection of file to be loaded, for editing, sending, or
printing.
Alt N NAMES Allows renaming any file while the Alt L directory is
displayed. The Alt N command may be used to rename file(s).
Alt S SAVE all, or only marked text from the EDITOR to the selected
path/drive.
Alt C CHANGES the DIRECTORY format, and displays the file sizes.
Alt H HELP A separate "HELP" screen is available in the TEXT EDITOR
mode defining the additional features of the editor. More HELP
appears in the bottom portion of the Text Editor screen. In the
case of the Text Editor "HELP" menu, when you finished with it,
press the "Esc" key to return to the Text Editor.
Ctrl M MOVES any selected (F1/F2) portion of the text in the EDITOR to
the present location of the cursor.
Ctrl C COPIES any selected (F1/F2) portion of the text in the EDITOR to
the present location of the cursor.
A quick way to make a "CONFIG.TNC" file is to set your TNC parameters
to the settings which are used in normal day to day usage. Once you
have these parameters set into the TNC, type DISP <Enter>. This dumps
the current parameters of the TNC to the screen buffer. Move to the
Text Editor from the Terminal mode by pressing F10. Dump the Screen
buffer to the editor buffer by executing an Alt B. With the DISPlay
from the TNC now loaded into the Text Editor, you may edit any
commands to the current TNC setup.
Use the F1 key to mark the beginning of the text to be saved. Use the
PgUp, PgDn, Up, & Dn arrow keys to move the cursor to the end of the
text to be saved, and press F2. The marked text will become
highlighted. At this point we can CUT, COPY, MOVE, PASTE, PRINT, SEND,
or SAVE the marked text. Since we are building a CONFIG.TNC file, we
elect to SAVE the highlighted text. We SAVE the text by pressing Alt
S, and entering a name for the file. The TITLE Prompt appears at the
top of the screen. To name the file we type CONFIG.TNC, and press
<Enter>.
N O T I C E !
THIS TERMINAL PROGRAM IS FREE ! It is not to be sold, or bartered. It
is not to be used in conjunction with any commercial advertisement, and
it is NOT to be distributed as a commercial enticement or attraction
to, or with, any device, equipment, or software. This terminal program
may be distributed with the current version of the ROSE data disk.
**********************************************************************
This software uses hardware handshaking and must have the RTS and CTS
lines connected. PINS 2 Txd, 3 Rxd, 4 RTS, 5 CTS, and 7 SigGnd must
be wired end to end and pin to pin. No lines are rolled or inverted.
**********************************************************************
ROSE SWITCH CONFIGURATION GUIDELINES
By Buck Rogers K4ABT
After the new switch is installed at the site where it is to remain,
turn the TNC ON, and observe that both the STA, and CON LEDs are
cycling at one second interval(s).
FOLLOW THIS FINAL CONFIGURATION SETUP TO THE LETTER !
Return to the QTH and perform the final setup using the following
procedure. It will be necessary to upload all the .LOD files since the
battery backed RAM maintains only the routing tables that are in the
.TBL file. The .LOD files are NOT supported by the nonvolatile,
battery backed RAM.
I recommend sending the BOOTER.LOD to reset all internal pointers
before proceeding with the overall configuration of the switch(s).
Thereafter, use BOOTER.LOD only when there is reason to believe the
switch is locked up, or if changes are being made to the callsign, or
routing tables.
Connect to "LOADER" and send BOOTER.LOD to the switch. Shortly after
sending BOOTER.LOD to the switch, you should receive an automatic
disconnect.
Again, connect to LOADER.
cmd: C LOADER V KC4NEH-3,615666 <Enter>
and once more we receive the connect sequence as before;
cmd:*** CONNECTED to LOADER VIA KC4NEH-3,615666
Call being Setup
Call Complete to LOADER-0 @ 3100615666
ROSE X.25 ROSE Switch Version 9##### by Thomas A. Moulton W2VY
OK
Initially we will install only the of the CONFIG.LOD files into the
switch. Later as we become familiar with the ROSE SYSOPS manual, you
may upload the INFO.LOD and HEARD.LOD features in the switch. For now,
we will use only the CONFIG.LOD file in the switch.
Press, and hold the ALT key, then press the R key. Releasing the
keys, use the arrow keys to highlight the file neme; CONFIG.LOD. Press
<Enter> and CONFIG.LOD will be sent to the switch LOADER. Don't touch
any keys on the PC keyboard while the upload is taking place. The
STAtus led on your TNC will indicate the upload to the switch as
long as the data is flowing.
When the upload is complete, the STAtus LED will go out. On the
BUXTERM screen, in the right portion of the STATUS line, there should
be an "OK=3" displayed. In either case, this is our assurance that the
CONFIG.LOD upload was successful.
── LOADER ─── 615666 ─────── BUXTERM ─ Version - 2.0 ───────── OK=3 -
Disconnect from "LOADER" now!
Now that we have uploaded the CONFIG module to the switch, we can
connect to it and upload the .TBL configuration table.
cmd: C CONFIG V KC4NEH-3,615666 <Enter>
As soon as we connect, the following text is received from the switch;
cmd:*** CONNECTED to CONFIG VIA KC4NEH-3,615666
Call being Setup
Call Complete to CONFIG-0 @ 3100615666
ROSE X.25 ROSE Switch Version 9##### by Thomas A. Moulton W2VY
OK
Notice that both the module title "CONFIG", and the ADDRESS "615666"
are displayed in the STATUS line as shown in this example:
── CONFIG ─── 615666 ─────── BUXTERM ─ Version-#.# ───────── OK=3 -
The word "CONFIG" that follows "CONNECTED to" triggers a software
trap string to set up an additional safeguard that helps prevent a
SYSOP from uploading the incorrect "TBL" file into the switch.
As before; when we were connected to the LOADER module, use the ALT R
to send the file(s) to the CONFIG module, however..... this time there
will be a noticeable difference! BUXTERM prompts the SYSOP for a YES
or NO answer.
As quickly as we execute the ALT R, a window appears near the center of
the screen similar to the one shown here:
┌─────────────────────────────────┐
│ Send 615666.TBL to the Switch? │
│ Y / N │
└─────────────────────────────────┘
If we press "Y" the file "615666.TBL", (file for the example switch) is
automatically selected, and sent to the switch. If we press an "N" we
are switched to the directory to make another selection to send to the
switch's CONFIG module. We press the "Y" option.
USE EXTREME CAUTION to prevent uploading the incorrect TBL file, or the
wrong version; ie: 90713 vs 901111. It is best to keep different ROSE
switch versions of the code on separate sub-directories, and/or disks
(especially the USERS.LOD). Use only the support files that are
supplied with the original disk/version.
When the 615666.TBL upload is complete, the window will display until
the complete file is sent. To let us know the upload is a success, the
Switch will send us eleven (11) "OK"'s.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ cmd: *** CONNECTED to CONFIG VIA KC4NEH-3,615666 │
│ Call being Setup │
│ Call Complete to CONFIG-0 @ 3100615666 │
│ ROSE X.25 ROSE Switch Version 9##### by Thomas A. Moulton W2VY│
│ OK │
│ OK │
│ OK │
│ OK │
│ OK │
│ OK │
│ OK │
│ OK │
│ OK │
│ OK │
│ OK │
│ *OK │
│ │
│ --- CONFIG --- 615666 ------- BUXTERM -- Version #.# --- OK=11 --- │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
*OK
NOTE; When using ROSE Version 901111 or above with the PASSWORD
installed, an additional "OK" will be displayed, for a total of
twelve (12) OK's at the completion of the ######.TBL file upload.
DISCONNECT NOW!
REMOVE THE "CONFIG" MODULE !
After the configuration is complete, reconnect to the LOADER module and
use the interrogate command; :0000000000 to check the switch. This
also permits us to identify which position the CONFIG.LOD module is in.
To confirm the position or number of the CONFIG.LOD file, we send the
colon and ten zeros ":0000000000" to the switch whereupon it gives us
a display that indicates the position of the CONFIG.LOD module/file in
the LOADER.
Our display appears similar to the following:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Entry #0 LOADER-Application Boot Interface Version 1.1 │
│ Entry #1 CONFIG-ROSE X.25 Switch Configuration Interface Version 2.2│
│ OK │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
We see that CONFIG.LOD is in position #1. To remove the CONFIG module
we send the following command to LOADER:
:0201000000
The colon, zero two is the delete command, the third and fourth digits
are the position of the module or "file to be deleted". The balance of
the ten positions should be zeros. Thus the; zero one (01) will delete
the CONFIG module. If the wrong number is used, the incorrect module
or feature file might be deleted.
The only way to restore a file that has been deleted, is to upload it
into the switch "LOADER" again. A feature file (.LOD) can be uploaded
to the LOADER of the switch without going through the complete
configuration of the switch, and at any time.
Now that the CONFIG.LOD module is removed, continue with the upload of
the other two files (HEARD.LOD, and INFO.LOD) using the same method
that we used to send CONFIG.LOD to the switch. Each time we perform
the ALT R to send a file, the "OK=#" counter will reset to zero (0).
This provides an accurate count as the OK's returned from the switch.
Three OK's are received to indicate that each .LOD file upload was
good. After the .LOD upload is complete, the screen display should
look similar to the following:
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ OK │
│ OK │
│ OK │
│ │
│ LOADER ─── 615666 ─────── BUXTERM ─ Version-#.# ───────── OK=3 - │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
To confirm that all three .LOD feature files are in the switch, we can
send a colon and ten zeros :0000000000 to interrogate the switch for an
inventory as to which .LOD have been loaded into the LOADER. If we
were successful, we should receive a record of the files, from the
switch, similar to the following:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Entry #0 LOADER-Application Boot Interface Version 1.1 │
│ Entry #1 INFO-ROSE X.25 Switch Information Interface Version 2.1 │
│ Entry #2 HEARD-ROSE X.25 Switch HEARD Interface Version 1.2 │
│ OK │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
We have completed the uploads to the LOADER module of the switch.
DISCONNECT from LOADER !
Our ROSE Switch; building, installation, and configuration is complete.
NOTE!!!: BE ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE THAT YOU ARE SENDING THE CORRECT FILE
TO THE CORRESPONDING ROSE SWITCH. Observe the title line at
the top of the ALT R window in BUXTERM.EXE to confirm
filename!
NOTE: Only the configuration table is to be loaded into the
CONFIG feature of the Switch. ALL OTHER FEATURE(S)
are to be loaded into the "LOADER". LOADER is always
resident in the switch. To insure this happens, use the
program that is designed especially for the ROSE Sysop. It
is called "BUXTERM.EXE" version 1.5 or later.
CAUTION: It is absolutely necessary that only the CONFIG.LOD,
INFO.LOD, USERS.LOD, and associated "LOD" files written for
the version of the ROSE that you are using, be
uploaded to the switch you have in use. A means to
control this is to place only those files from the
original ROSE disk you receive into the same directory or
disk.
DO NOT INTERMIX .LOD FILES OF DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF THE ROSE.
ie: Version 90713 USERS.LOD should only be used with the 90713
ROSE SWITCH. Only Version 901111 USERS.LOD can be used with
the ROSE Switch made from 901111 !
Happy Packeting de BucK4ABT