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1992-10-19
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A Quick Reference
CONEX VERSION 6.2
Mon 10-19-1992 09:12:00
Copyright (C) 1991, 1993 Erhard Hilbig
CONEX (latin connection) is used to communicate between IBM personal
computer and a mainframe or between 2 IBM PC's.
These are the highlights of the program:
- The IBM PC can be used as terminal via COM1 - COM4, via Interrupt 14,
DECNET LAT, FTP TCP/IP and B&W TCP/IP at a mainframe.
- Parameters like baudrate (50-115200), parity, full/half duplex,
xon/xoff or hardware handshake can be set in CONEX.
- Files can be transfered without protocol, e.g. to save a session to
disk.
- Several DOS commands can be used inside CONEX, such as "dir", "cd",
"del" or a DOS shell can be entered.
- All incoming characters can be sent to a printer.
- Files can be transfered to and from the mainframe via KERMIT
protocol using long packets and sliding windows.
- Tektronix 4010/4014 and DEC VT100 - VT320 can be emulated. The
crosshair in GIN mode can be moved by a mouse.
- Graphical output can be displayed on a HPGL plotter or transfered to
other programs.
- Up to 10 pages of screen output can be scrolled back to screen and
edited.
- All keys including the numerical keypad can be programmed.
- Incoming characters from the port can be remapped by the user.
- The configuration of CONEX can be saved to an ASCII file, which can
be protected by a password or CONEX can be patched by itself.
- Several sessions, especially net session, can be opened concurrently.
- CONEX is completely written in assembler and therefore very quick
and small. The only file necessary to run CONEX is "conex.exe".
╒══════════════════════╕
│ How to start CONEX │
╘══════════════════════╛
Simply start CONEX version 6.2 with
conex [<number>|<host>] [options]
parameters
----------
Simply start CONEX version 6.2 with
conex [host name|number] [options]
parameters
----------
host name - connect to name of host in a network
(must have been set with Alt-I before!)
host number - enter session 0 - 9 (default: 0)
options
-------
/i<filename> - load different ini file (default: conex.ini)
╒════════════════╕
│ DOS Commands │
╘════════════════╛
DOS commands can be executed nearly at any time using the alternate keys.
=> <Alt-D> - list Directory
When asked for "Dir mask:" you can enter filenames using wild cards ?
and *, e.g. you get all files ending with .asm if you enter "*.asm".
You can scroll the filenames using the cursor keys.
If you are to enter a filename e.g. with <Alt-E> or <S> in kermit
mode, you can switch to this screen with <Page up>/<Page down>. Multiple
files may then be selected with the keys <Ins> or <Del> or a single
file simply with <Return>.
=> <Alt-C> - Change to another drive/directory
You can change to a new drive by adding "<drive>:" to your pathname.
=> <Alt-E> - Erase file
Wild cards cannot be used when entering the filename, but you can
switch to a selection menu with <Page up>/<Page down>.
=> <Alt-X> - eXecute DOS commands
Any valid DOS commands can be executed. But if you want to enter the
DOS shell completely give <Return>. You return to CONEX with "exit".
╒═══════════════════╕
│ Port Parameters │
╘═══════════════════╛
=> <Alt-I> - Initialize connection
The following parameters can be modified
Host: name of the host to which you are connected. It is only
important if you are working on a network with LAT,
PC/TCP or BW/TCP. Changing this parameter will
automatically close the old session.
Port: Com, interrupt 14, LAT, PC/TCP or BW/TCP
Bits/parity:7 space, 7 even, 7 odd, 7 mark, 8 odd, 8 even, 8 none
Duplex: half - all entered characters are immediately displayed.
full - the host echoes all received characters.
more ...: allows you to change more parameters which are less
important. These are:
Prompt: You can enter part of the prompt of the connected machine
here. When you enter "return" in "edit mode" all
characters following this prompt are transmitted.
Answer: This string is transmitted, when the host sends ENQ
(ASCII 5).
COM PORT and INT 14
─────────────────────
Portnumber: 1, 2, 3, 4
COM1 ... COM4 if they exist. COM3 and COM4 can only be
used if they are defined in BIOS, otherwise you have
to set IO-ports and interrupts for these ports in
conex.ini. (see tech.ref for more details)
Baudrate: 50, 75, 150, 200, 300, 600, 1200, 1800, 2400, 3600, 4800,
9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200 bits/second
Indicates the speed at which characters are
transmitted.
Stopbits: 1, 2 - Number of stop bits that indicate the end of a
character on a serial line. Normally this has not much
influence on the transmission.
Handshake: none - no handshake
hardware - Characters are only transmitted if pins CTS or
DSR are set.
xon/xoff - XOFF=^S stops transmission
XON=^Q starts transmission again
PC/TCP and BW/TCP
───────────────────
Telnet port: Default port is 23, some hosts use different ports for
special purposes.
Telnet timeout: How long do we wait for an answer during initial
connection? This value may be increased for long distance
connections.
NOVELL and some other networks offer interrupt 14 as a link, so you
can use it to connect in a NOVELL net.
LAT (Local Area Transport) is used to connect PC and mainframe via
DECNET. A resident program called "lat" must be loaded before using
this option. LAT is contained in DECnet-DOS which is available from
DEC (Digital Equipment Corporation). This software has been tested
with DECnet-DOS version 2.1.
With PC/TCP you can make a telnet connection on ethernet. The PC/TCP
kernel ("ethdrv") from FTP Software Inc. must be loaded before, it is
not public domain. The program has been tested with version 2.04, 2.05
and 2.1. PC/TCP is a registered trademark of
FTP software, Inc. anonymous file server
26 Princess Street vax.ftp.com (128.127.2.100)
Wakefield, MA 01880
(617) 246-0900
BW/TCP has the same features as PC/TCP. The internet number can be
entered directly as hostname or the hostname can be resolved with a
hosts file. Enter its location in <Alt-Y>. Hostname resolution with a
name server is not supported.
BW/TCP is a product from Beame & Whiteside Software Ltd.
Beame & Whiteside Software Ltd Tel + Fax:
P.O. BOX 8130 (416) 648 6556
Dundos, Ontario
CANADA
L9H 5E7
=> <Alt-S> - Save all current parameters or Patch conex
The parameters are normally written to the file "conex.ini" and are
automatically read again when you start CONEX. If you select a
different name as save file you have to activate it with the command
line option "/i<filename>".
The following parameters are saved: port parameters (<Alt-I>), packet
parameters (kermit mode C-command), vt320-emulation (<Alt-M>), graphics
enabled (<Alt-G>), plot parameters (<Alt-P>) and status line (<Alt-L>) in
the different sessions 0 ... 9 and the keyboard macros. The save file
is an ASCII file which can be altered by a normal editor, see
"tech.ref" for more details. It can also be encrypted with a
password especially to protect the keyboard macros.
Replacing the ini-file by the exe-filename (normally "conex.exe") will
save parameters to conex.exe itself. Afterwards the INI-file is not
automatically read, lest you force CONEX to read it with the /i-option.
Password protection is not supported then.
=> <Alt-0> ... <Alt-9> - change to another session
Up to 10 different network session can be opened concurrently
depending on the limit of the resident network software. Port and
kermit parameter can be set differently in each session, the screen
is saved and restored, too. These sessions can be directly selected
with <Alt-0> to <Alt-9>.
=> <Alt-N> - change to another session with host Name
All sessions are listed and can be selected with the cursor keys.
Open sessions in a network are marked with an arrow.
=> <Alt-B> - send Break
Sends a break over the serial line (short break), if <Alt-B> ist
pressed twice, the signals RTS and DTR are dropped for a short time
(long break). These commands are normally used to interrupt the
connection between mainframe and PC. In the networks NOVELL, DECNET
or TELNET a break is sent according to network standards.
╒══════════════════════╕
│ Terminal Emulation │
╘══════════════════════╛
The PC can be used as a normal terminal. The following modes can be
selected with function keys:
=> <F7> - normal mode
All input characters are immediately sent to the mainframe.
=> <F8> - edit mode, scroll back
In this mode the screen can be scrolled back and modified with the
cursor keys (<Home>, <End>, <Left>, <Right>, <Up>, <Down>, <Page up>,
<Page down>, <Del>, <Ins>, <Ctrl-End> = delete to end of line). You
can scroll back up to 10 screen pages. You can enter this mode with
<Shift-Cursor keys>, too.
With <Return> the cursor line is sent to the mainframe and CONEX is
switched back to normal mode. If a prompt has been defined with
<Alt-I> for this session it is stripped off. With <Esc> or <F7> you
return to normal mode without transmitting anything.
=> <F9> - kermit mode
Kermit must be started on mainframe to transfer files. (see below)
=> <Alt-M> - change eMulation, character set
The following DEC terminals can be emulated: VT100, VT102, VT220,
VT320. Actually these different emulations only differ in the
response to the terminal identification, nearly all ESC sequences of
VT320 terminal are interpreted and the keyboard is set up
accordingly.
The keyboard corresponds to a DEC terminal like this:
┌─────────────┬─────────────┬─────────────┬───────────────────┐
│ DEC │ PC │ DEC │ PC │
├─────────────┼─────────────┼─────────────┼───────────────────┤
│ PF1 │ <F1> │ F11 │ <Alt-F1> │
│ PF2 │ <F2> │ F12 │ <Alt-F2> │
│ PF3 │ <F3> │ F13 │ <Alt-F3> │
│ PF4 │ <F4> │ F14 │ <Alt-F4> │
│ │ │ Help │ <Alt-F5> or <F11> │
│ F6 │ <Shift-F6> │ Do │ <Alt-F6> or <F12> │
│ F7 │ <Shift-F7> │ F17 │ <Alt-F7> │
│ F8 │ <Shift-F8> │ F18 │ <Alt-F8> │
│ F9 │ <Shift-F9> │ F19 │ <Alt-F9> │
│ F10 │ <Shift-F10> │ F20 │ <Alt-F10> │
├─────────────┼─────────────┼─────────────┼───────────────────┤
│ Find │ <End> │ Select │ <Home> │
│ Insert here │ <Ins> │ Prev Scrn │ <PgUp> │
│ Remove │ <Del> │ Next Scrn │ <PgDn> │
│ Shift Tab │ <Shift-Tab> │ │ │
├─────────────┼─────────────┼─────────────┼───────────────────┤
│ , │ <*> │ Return │ <+> │
│ . │ <.> │ │ │
└─────────────┴─────────────┴─────────────┴───────────────────┘
In 8 Bit mode codes between 128-159 have special meanings and
the above function keys send 8 Bit codes.
Character set 1 (characters 33-127) and character set 2 (characters
160-255) can be selected from ASCII, UK, graphic, german,
multinational and user. The user character set is defined in
CONEX.INI.
<Alt-M> always resets VT320 emulation to default values.
=> <Alt-L> - change status Line
You can select from the following items:
1. normal status line,
2. empty status line,
3. status line with column numbers,
4. no status line.
The selection can be saved with <Alt-S>.
=> <Alt-H> - Help
This gives a list of all possible commands in CONEX, of modified
keys and last not least my address. Keys which have been replaced by
a single key are marked with an arrow.
Pressing a function key or Alt-combination will execute this command,
normal keys quit the help screen.
=> <F10> - quit CONEX
DTR and RTS can be dropped when you leave the program. If you changed
any important parameters you are asked to save them. Network
connections are always closed.
=> <Ctrl-Backspace> = DEL, <Ctrl-Return> = LF
One of the unknown facts is that DEL (127) and LF (10) can be
produced this way. Another way is to redefine keys using <Alt-K>.
=> <Ctrl-Num Lock> or <Pause>
Stop output to screen, any other key resumes output to screen again.
This command is executed by the normal keyboard device driver.
╒══════════════════╕
│ Graphic Screen │
╘══════════════════╛
The program can switch automatically into graphic mode when it
receives a graphic commands and behave as a tectronix 4010 or 4014. The
following graphic cards are supported: hercules, CGA, EGA and VGA.
The graphic card is automatically detected on entry to CONEX.
This mode is only used view graphics, so it is not as comfortable as
normal text mode. Some keys like Alt combinations will not work any more
in this mode.
=> <F5> - enter graphic mode
Switch into graphic mode manually. The last graphic picture will be
restored.
=> <Alt-G> - enter Graphic mode automatically
When a graphics command GS, FS, US or ESC ENQ, ESC FF, ESC SUB is
received CONEX will automatically switch into graphic mode. You can
switch back to normal by pressing <F7>.
In GIN mode the crosshair can be moved using the cursor keys; the
shift key speeds up this movement. If a Microsoft compatible mouse is
connected and the mouse driver loaded you can move the crosshair with
the mouse as well.
=> <Alt-P> - write Plot file
The graphics can be written to a file in HPGL format and plotted on a
HPGL compatible plotter later on. Pagewidth, margins and velocity of
the pen can be selected as well. Plots use the original resolution of
a Tektronix 4014 screen.
╒══════════════════════╕
│ Writing Key Macros │
╘══════════════════════╛
=> <Alt-K> - write Key macro
Enter key
All keys can be programmed, if they are detected by BIOS (Int 11h)
calls. Press <F4> and the key you want to redefine. Simple characters
must be entered without <F4>.
There also exist some virtual keys ■IN0 ... ■IN9, which must be
entered using <F4>,<I>,<N>,#. When a new connection is opened the
corresponding macro IN# is automatically started. On com ports a new
connection is determined from the presence of DTR and CTS.
Macro
Characters in a macro are sent out at a rate of 10 characters/sec, if
output is the com port.
Function, Alt and Control keys must be entered by <F4><key>.
The following combinations have special meanings in macros:
«W#»
Wait for # seconds. # = 1...9
«R<string1> │ <string2> │ ...»
Wait until the mainframe sends <string1> or <string2> or ... The
strings must be seperated with key <F3>= "│".
«D#1 │ #2 │ ...»
Dial telephone number #1, if it is occupied try next number #2
... The special string sent before or after the phone number
must be set with Alt-Y, especially prefix (string before
number), suffix (string after number) and connect|fail (answer
of mainframe if connected or connection failed).
- Function keys <F1>="«", <F2>="»", <F3>="│" can be used to enter
special characters in macros.
- A memory region of 10000 bytes is reserved for keyboard macros.
- During the execution of a macro inputs from the keyboard can be
done, only ESC stops the macro.
Label
<Alt-H> lists the labels of all defined user keys. During the
execution of a macro this label is also displayed in the status line.
Labels are ignored if you replace a key by a single key.
=> <Alt-Y> - configuration of CONEX
pagelength
if > 0, pagenumbers are printed at the top with <shift-print screen>
prefix dialing
this string goes before the phone number
suffix dialing
this string comes after the phone number
connect│fail
first string is answer from modem when connected successfully
all other strings which are seperated by │ mean connection failed.
If a connection could not be established, the next number is dialed.
host name (BW)
Name of host table, only used with BW/TCP
default port
When the program is started in a network with "conex <host>" and a
session <host> has not been defined, this port is taken by default.
When set to "automatic", the networks LAT, PC/TCP, BW/TCP and
Netbios can be detected.
╒══════════════════════════════════════════╕
│ Transfer of Files without any Protocol │
╘══════════════════════════════════════════╛
=> <Alt-W> - Write file
Use this command to save all incoming characters to a file either to
remember what you were doing or to transfer files. The transfer may
be interrupted with the <Alt-W>.
=> <Alt-R> - Read file
The file is transfered to the mainframe as it is, especially CR and
LF at end of line are sent. The transfer can be interrupted with
<Alt-R>.
=> <Ctrl-Print Screen> - print incoming characters
All incoming characters are transfered to the printer. If a page
length is defined with <Alt-Y>, the printed pages will be numbered.
Pressing <Control-Print Screen> twice produces a form feed and page
numbering begins anew.
╒═════════════════════════════════╕
│ Transfer Files in Kermit Mode │
╘═════════════════════════════════╛
You must start kermit on the mainframe and enter "server", "receive" or
"send", then press <F9> to enter local kermit mode to start the file
transfer.
=> <I> -Init parameters
ASCII/binary file type - Binary files (files with characters over 127)
should be transfered with file type binary. The mainframe must be
set to this mode, too, normally with "set file_type binary".
Sometimes binary files can also be transfered with "parity none",
which is quicker.
packet length - length of a transmitted packet including packet
number, type and checksum. (default 2000) Values above 94 are
ignored if the host does not support large packets.
window size - Size of a window. (default 1) Values different from 1
are ignored if the host does not support windowing.
- If you want to speed up the transmission rate
enlarge packet size <-- reliable connection
enlarge window size <-- unreliable connection
Enlarging both packet and window size does not make much sense.
type of checksum - CONEX supports 3 kinds of checksums, which consist
of 1, 2 or 3 bytes. (default 1) It might be a good idea to
select a more exact checksum with large packet sizes and
unreliable connections.
more... - Change more parameters, which are less important.
padding character - characters sent before any packets to synchronize
transmission. (normally not necessary)
quote control character - control character are quoted with this
character, Control-A is coded as '#A'. (default #)
quote 8-bit character - characters whose 8th bit is set are quoted
with this character, hex A8 is coded as &H. (default &)
Repeating - repeated characters are compressed in a packet.
repeat character - 8 characters 'HHHHHHHH' is shortened to 3
characters ~'H, 8 is coded as '. (default ~)
packet terminator - Every packet is terminated with this character.
(default = CR)
Max number of retries - number of trials to resend a packet, which
has been refused by the mainframe. (default 5)
Time out in secs - If the PC did not answer for the specified time
the last packet is resend. (default 5)
=> <S> - Send files
Multiple files seperated with blanks and "wild cards" can be entered.
If you want to select from a file list, press <page up>/<page down>
and select with <Ins> or <Del>.
=> <R> - Receive files
This command is used to get files from the mainframe. If this file
already exists on the PC the old one is renamed to ".bak".
If the sender has already been told the name of the file ("send
foo"), simply press return when asked for "receive file". It is also
possible to enter "wild cards" which are understood by kermit at the
mainframe.
=> <O> - lOg packets to disk
If log is on, all sent and received packets are written to the file
"conex.log". This feature is mainly used to trace down any bugs.
=> <F> - Finish server on the mainframe
Kermit on the mainframe is terminated and CONEX changes back to
normal mode.
=> <L> - Logout on the mainframe
Like "finish" but terminate session, too.
=> cursor keys
Scroll the messages at the bottom of the screen.
=> <C> - Change directory on the mainframe
This and the following commands only work, if kermit on the
mainframe supports generic commands.
=> <D> - list Directory on the mainframe
=> <E> - Erase file on the mainframe
=> <N> - reName file on the mainframe
=> <U> - query disk Usage
=> <M> - send a short Message
=> <Q> - Query server status
=> During a file transfer the following commands can be used.
<Esc> - interrupts transmission completely. This should be the last
resort if nothing else works.
<^F> - interrupts the transfer of current file, the transmission
proceeds with the next file.
<^G> - interrupts file transfer completely.
<CR> - resend last packet, if transmission stopped
╒════════════════════╕
│ error characters │
╘════════════════════╛
Some characters, which are output to screen, have special meanings:
Blinking character - Parity or Framing error: A bad character was received.
Alter bits/parity, if all characters are blinking.
rubout (dec 178) - Overrun error at COM port. Too many characters have
been received at the port.
up arrow (dec 24) - Sender time out: Characters could not be sent out.
In a network environment the connection is
interrupted.
down arrow (dec 25) - Receiver time out: Characters could not be received
from remote host. The connection is interrupted.
╒════════════╕
│ Problems │
╘════════════╛
1. Interrupt numbers >7 on COM have not been tested.
2. VT320 emulation is not yet complete. If you encounter any problems
contact me, so I can enhance the implementation.
╒═══════════════╕
│ Past history │
╘═══════════════╛
6.0 1st Public Domain Version in comp.binaries.ibm.pc
6.1 default COM3/4 Interrupt = 4 and 3
COM3/4 Interrupt + IO address configurable
up to 4 LAT sessions
ESC FF, ESC SUB, ESC ENQ automatically switch into graphic mode (Alt-G)
support extended keyboard (esp. F11, F12)
rotate interrupts configurable in conex.ini
format of CONEX.INI changed!!!
dial sequences are saved in CONEX.INI
start initial macro at 1st opening of a session (<Alt-K>, ■IN#)
characters from port can be remapped (<Alt-M>, character set: user)
conex can be patched (<Alt-S>, file name: conex.exe)
support B&W TCP/IP (<Alt-P>)
ESC stops macros only in normal or graphics mode
alphabetically sorted output in directory listing
alphabetically sorted output of macros in help screen
multinational supplement character set implemented
ESC ENQ supported in graphics mode
hercules graphic screen increased to 720 X 360 pixels
6.2 default setting changed to bits/parity: 8 none, emulation: VT320-7
single key replacement is shown with <Alt-H>
support sliding windows/long packets in kermit file transfer
default kermit packet size = 2000 bytes (long packet)
"ESC [" switches back from graphic mode to text mode
Cursor type changes according to insert/overwrite mode
Numbers can be entered directly in windows
<Shift-TAB> can be programmed
support printer command under VT... emulation
features from VT320 emulation
support UART 16550A FIFO
Answerback message implemented (<Alt-I>, more=yes)
support line drawing patterns in Tek mode (ESC `, ..., ESC e)
"ESC [ ? 38 h" switches into graphic mode
Characters in Tektronix mode are transmitted to HPGL file
telnet port and timeout made configurable (<Alt-I>)
╒════════════════╕
│ Future plans │
╘════════════════╛
- NETBIOS support
- enhance macro language
- more rows, columns on EGA/VGA card
- FTP file transfer
- direct access to packet drivers
- emulate tektronix 41XX (I am looking for a description!! Send me a Mail.)
- support other file transfer protocols
╒══════════╕
│ Author │
╘══════════╛
Erhard Hilbig
Hochschulrechenzentrum
Universitaet-Gesamthochschule Paderborn
Postfach 1621
W-4790 Paderborn (Germany)
e-mail: zahilb@pbhrzt.uni-paderborn.de
zahilb@hrz.nw.uni-paderborn.de
phone: +49 5251/60-2433 room: N2-316
FAX: +49 5251/60-2519
This program has been developed by me and can be distributed
freely. There is also a more detailed documentation in German
available, which is written in LaTeX. You can have it as LaTeX
DVI file or as a print file, which must be output using
"copy conex.lst prn/b".
If you find any bugs or have an idea how to improve the program,
send me a message!