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The Complete Windows Set
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SOFTERM
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HOSTMODE.DOC
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1992-08-18
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Host Mode
The Softerm Host mode provides a general-purpose,
unattended, remote access mode which can be used
interactively by other terminals and systems. This is
similar to an electronic BBS.
Capabilties
o Automatically answer incoming calls (with optional
password protection provided by the SOFTERM.PWD file
created with the PWDEDIT utility program)
o Send and receive files using any protocol supported
by Softerm
o Function as a server for the Kermit-Server and
Softrans file transfer protocols (meaning that a
command to initiate the file transfer is not
required)
o Process DOS-type commands, such as: DIR, TYPE,
DELETE, RENAME
o Process Script files automatically or on demand
Enter Host Mode
Host mode is initiated by running the HOST() command
from a Script file, such as:
> HOST (20,30,hangup,yes,'automenu.scr')
Note: Host mode will go into effect with the current
Speed, Data Bits, Stop Bits, Parity and Duplex
parameters.
Operation
When Host mode is in effect, Softerm will wait for a
connection to be established. If the optional logon
processing is specified, a caller must supply a
recognized username and password before Softerm
displays the READY prompt and responds to valid
commands.
Once initiated, Softerm will wait for a connection to
be established if one is not already present, display
a READY message after processing an optional logon,
and wait for requests received through remote terminal
interaction, or the Softrans or Kermit protocols.
A system in the Host mode functions in a passive
manner, responding only to requests from the calling
terminal or system. Host mode allows completely
unattended operation. If logging is active, all
commands processed, including error messages, will be
recorded in the log file.
The TIMEOUT assignable system variable (in the Script
language) does not affect file transfer operations
initiated from the Host mode which has fixed or
profiled timeout and retry parameters for all
protocols supported. The Softrans and Kermit
protocols and Xmodem receive operations use a 10-
second timeout interval and allow for 5 retries.
Xmodem send operations will timeout after
approximately 70 seconds. The Character protocol uses
a 30-second timeout on transmit and a 60-second
timeout on receive.
The Host mode also provides an option to automatically
run a script file on connecting after a successful
login. This can be used to display user welcome
messages, instructions on how to perform various user-
defined operations, or a security automatic callback
capability.
Important
To provide caller interaction, such as displaying a
menu and waiting for a key, you will need to use the
XMIT:WAIT Script file command. To simply display a
welcome message, you could use the file transfer SEND
command using Character protocol.
The CALL command is provided to run script files
interactively when requested by remote users. The
TERMINATE command lets a remote user terminate the
Host mode to interact directly with the script file
which initiated the Host mode.
Once the Host mode is initiated, it normally will
remain active until terminated locally.
Optional Logon and Password Processing
Softerm provides an optional logon security feature
to restrict access to the Host mode. It includes the
capability to assign a default directory to each
user, and to restrict the type of commands each
caller can process while using the Host mode.
To implement this feature, a special password file
called SOFTERM.PWD must be created in the same
directory as Softerm's system read files. The
password file is created with PWDEDIT.EXE, a GUI
utility program supplied with Softerm Modular. Note:
PWDEDIT is documented completely through the online
Help system. Just press F1 or select the Help
pushbutton.
- 2 -
SOFTERM.PWD is a fixed-format ASCII file that appears
similar to the following if the DOS TYPE command is
used:
C:\SOFTERM>TYPE SOFTERM.PWD
Jones, John M_Ambrosius
<
Although access restrictions won't appear, names and
passwords do.
Upper- and lower-case characters, except spaces, are
valid in the username and password fields and must be
matched exactly when entered by a remote user. Each
user name must be unique. Multiple entries with the
same user name are not valid and only the first
occurrence can be matched.
When a remote user connects to a system in Host mode,
and a SOFTERM.PWD file is found in the system
directory, the following logon sequence is processed:
Host displays User types
Login Username followed by CR
Password Password followed by CR
(echo is suppressed during entry of
the password)
Ready Any valid host mode command
Important: Username and Password are case sensitive.
For example, if the Username was created as SETH, it
must be entered in upper- case characters.
If an error is made when entering the Username or
Password, press Esc to cancel the entry and repeat
the prompt. If either the Username or Password is
invalid when entered, the logon sequence will be
repeated. After four unsuccessful attempts to logon,
a disconnect will occur.
Once a successful logon has been completed, any valid
Host mode command or Softrans and Kermit file
tra