Tech Arsenal 1/Tech Arsenal (Arsenal Computer).ISO/tek-05/conex61.zip/CONEX.DOC

Text File | 1991-11-07 | 21KB | 697 lines

               A Quick Reference


               CONEX VERSION 6.1

                   07-11-1991


            Copyright (C) 1991 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.

 -  Tektronix 4010/4014 and DEC VT102 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 6.1 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(irectory) - 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/down". Multiple
   files may then be selected with the keys "INS" or "DEL" or a single
   file simply with "Return".



=> Alt-C(hange directory) - Change to another drive/directory

   You can change to a new drive by adding "<drive>:" to your pathname.



=> Alt-E(rase)  - Erase file

   Wild cards cannot be used when entering the filename, but you can
   switch to a selection menu with "Page up/down".



=> Alt-X (eXecute) - 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.

   port:       Com, interrupt 14, LAT, PC/TCP or BW/TCP

   portnumber: 1, 2, 3, 4 (only COM/Int 14)

   baudrate:   50, 75, 150, 200, 300, 600, 1200, 1800, 2400, 3600, 4800,
           9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200 (only COM/Int 14)

   bits/parity:7 space, 7 even, 7 odd, 7 mark, 8 odd, 8 even, 8 none

   stopbits:   1, 2 (only COM/Int 14)

   duplex:     half, full

   handshake:  none, hardware, xon/xoff (only COM/Int 14)

   Prompt:     You can enter the prompt of the connected machine here.
           When you enter "return" in "edit mode" all characters
           following this prompt are transmitted.



   NOVELL offers interrupt 14 as a link to its programs, 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.
   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
      [phone]

   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               [phone]
      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), vt100-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..9 - change to another session

   Up to 10 different selections of port and kermit parameters can be
   saved and activated with Alt-0 to Alt-9. The screen is saved, too.



=> Alt-N(ame) - 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(reak) - 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 folling 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/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 PC behaves like a DEC VT100 terminal when it receives ESC
   commands. Some keys send different code: function keys F1 - F4, cursor
   keys, + key = return key on DEC terminal, the numerical keypad. The
   keys "page up/down", "ins", "del", "home" and "end" send codes of an
   VT202 terminal.

   Character set 1 (characters 33-127) can be selected from ASCII, UK,
   graphic, german and user. Character set 2 (characters 128-255) can be
   selected from multinational and user. User character set is defined
   in CONEX.INI.



=> 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.



=> F10 - quit CONEX

   DTR and RTS can be dropped when you leave the program. If you changed
   any 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.



=> 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.



=> F5 - enter graphic mode

   The screen is switched into graphic mode. Some keys like Alt
   combinations will not work any more in this mode.



=> Alt-G - enable graphic mode

   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.


            *======================*
            |  Writing Key Macros  |
            *======================*



=> Alt-K - Write key macro

   All keys can be programmed, if they are detected by BIOS (Int 11h)
   calls. Characters in a macro are sent out at a rate of 10
   character/sec.

   The following keys have special meanings in programming:

   F1      begin command character, here displayed as "<"
   F2      end command character, here displayed as ">"
   F3      seperation character in commands, here displayed as "|".
   F4      enter function, alt, control keys literally
      press F4 followed by special key

   ■IN0   virtual keys which must be entered using F4,I,N,#.
   ...      When a new cennection is opened the corresponding macro
   ■IN9   IN# is automatically started. On com ports a new connection
      is determined from the presence of DTR and CTS.


   The following combinations have special meanings in macros:

   <Wn>
    Wait for n seconds. n = 1...9

   <R<string1> | <string2> | ...>
    Wait until the mainframe sends <string1> or <string2> or ... The
    strings must be seperated with key F3 "|". While the macro is
    waiting all entered characters from the keyboard are transfered
    to the mainframe.

   <Dn1 | n2 | ...>
    Dial telephone number n1, if it is occupied try next number n2
    ... 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).


   - 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.



=> Alt-Y - configuration of CONEX

   You can enter strings to dial a telephone number and page length
   of printer which is activated by Ctrl + Print Screen. The dial
   sequence is preset to Hayes modem.



          *==========================================*
          |  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.



=> Control + 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(nit parameter) P(acket)

   These parameters determine how the data packet will be build and
   normally need not be altered.

   packet length - length of a packet including packet number, type and
    checksum. (default 94)

   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 &)

   repeat character - 8 characters 'HHHHHHHH' is shortened to 3
    characters ~'H, 8 is coded as '. (default ~)

   type of checksum - CONEX supports 3 kinds of checksums, which consist
    of 1, 2 or 3 bytes. (default 1)

   packet terminator - Every packet is terminated with this character.
    (default = CR)




=> I(nit parameter) C(ommon)

   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.

   Repeating - repeated characters are compressed in a packet. (see
      repeat character)

   Max number of retries - number of trials to resend a packet, which
      has been refused by the mainframe.

   Time out in secs - If the PC did not answer for the specified time
      the last packet is resend.



=> S(end) - 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/down" and
   select with "ins" or "del".



=> R(eceive) - 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.



=> T(race) - handles output of packets to screen

   trace errors - display all error packets on screen
   trace all    - display all packets on screen



=> F(inish) - terminate server on the mainframe

   Kermit on the mainframe is terminated and CONEX changes back to
   normal mode.



=> L(ogout) - terminate session on the mainframe

   Like "finish" but terminate session, too.



=> cursor keys

   Scroll the messages at the bottom of the screen.



=> C(hange directory) - change directory on the mainframe

   This and the following commands only work, if kermit on the
   mainframe supports generic commands.



=> D(irectory) - list directory on the mainframe



=> E(rase) - erases file on the mainframe



=> N(ame) - rename file on the mainframe



=> U(sage) - query disk usage



=> M(essage) - send a short message



=> Q(uery server) - 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.

   ^T  - change trace mode (= "T" in main menu)

   ^F  - interrupts the transfer of current file, the transmission
     proceeds with the next file.

   ^G  - interrupts file transfer completely.

   @   - enter debug mode: trace is set on; packets are only transmitted
     if a key is pressed

   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.

arrow up (dec 24)   - Sender time out: Characters could not be sent out.
              In a network environment the connection is
              interrupted.

arrow down (dec 25) - Receiver time out: Characters could not be received
              from remote host. The connection is interrupted.



                 *============*
                 |    Problems  |
                 *============*

1. Interrupt numbers >7 have not been tested.
2. Characters in Tektronix mode are not transmitted to HPGL file.


               *===============*
               |  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


               *================*
               |  Future plans  |
               *================*

    - 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 kermit larger packet size
    - support other file transfer protocols



                  *==========*
                  |  Author  |
                  *==========*

    Erhard Hilbig
    Hochschulrechenzentrum
    Universitaet-Gesamthochschule Paderborn
    Postfach 1621
    W-4790 Paderborn (Germany)

    e-mail: [e-mail]
    phone: [phone]  room: N2-316



    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!