Network Supervisor's Toolkit/Network Supervisor's Toolkit.iso/communic/netmodem/nmp2.exe/README.TXT

Text File | 1994-01-06 | 16KB | 349 lines

January 6, 1994

                               NMP²

              Network Modem Program, Second Generation

                    Network Products Corporation



NMP² Introduction

    The NMP² is a high-performance software communication server that allows
the sharing and pooling of MODEMs, serial connections to host computers, or
other asynchronous communication devices on a network.

    Virtually any asynchronous serial device can be shared, thus saving the
cost and difficulty of connecting a modem and telephone-line to every network
workstation, or the cost and difficulty of providing a host connection to each
network workstation.  When multiple NMP²s are used, or when a multiport
communication server is used, groups of asynchronous devices can be pooled
permitting a user to choose from a group of devices without the necessity of
specifying a particular device.


Network Products Corporation

    Network Products Corporation (NPC) pioneered the field of asynchronous
network communication servers.  Formed in 1985, NPC is dedicated to developing
products that provide essential connection capabilities between LANs and other
devices.

    Network Products Corporation was the original OEM manufacturer and
supplier of Novell's NACS/NASI communication server and Gateway
Communications G-Asynch communication server.


NCSI, an Industry Standard

    NCSI (Network Communication Services Interface), pronounced "NEX-see", is
an industry standard terminate & stay resident program (TSR) manufactured by
Network Products Corporation that interfaces the client workstation with
the network communication server.

    NCSI provides network users with naming services that allow the pooling
of asynchronous communication resources.  NCSI's naming service permits
assigning a descriptive name to a port or group of ports, thus greatly
reducing confusion over a port's function.  Additionally a NCSI user can
either choose from a virtual pool of asynchronous devices, or choose a
specific device.  Similar devices can be pooled together, letting a user
choose a resource by the type.  NCSI can support up to 9 simultaneous
connections on the client workstation allowing the user to run multiple
communication sessions concurrently. NCSI also provides higher data transfer
rates than many other network communication server interfaces.  NCSI supports
Novell's NetWare, Banyan Vines, and 100% compatible NetBIOS networks including
Microsoft's Lan Manager, Windows-for-Workgroups, and IBM's PC Lan.

    NCSI is supported by a wide variety of communication application
manufacturers and does not rely on a proprietary Network Products application
for use.  A list of supported applications is included in this archive.
For an updated list, contact the NPC BBS at the number given below.

    NCSI provides the application designer with a standard interface for
network asynchronous communication services.  NCSI also supplies the
application designer with primitives that allow server port parameters to be
changed from within the application.


Shareware NMP²

    The NMP² is shareware.  If you use it regularly you should register it.
Registration is accomplished by buying a retail copy, either directly from
Network Products Corporation or from one of its resellers.  Registered users
get a professionally printed manual, the latest production software, and
technical support.

    To purchase a copy of the NMP² from Network Products Corporation
call [phone] or [phone].  You may also contact NPC by fax at
[phone].  The current retail price of the NMP² is $49.00.  A shipping
and handling fee, as well as any applicable sales tax, will be added to your
order.

    The most current copy of the shareware version of the NMP² may be
downloaded from NPC's BBS at [phone].  The EBBS supports v.32bis.
Set your communication software for 8 data bits, 1 stop bit and no parity.

    This shareware copy of the NMP² is fully functional.  It is complete and
is not crippled in any way.  The only limitation it has, compared to the
commercially-sold version shipping as of the date listed at the top of this
file, is that only one copy may be run on a single network.  When copies are
ordered from NPC, multiple NMP²s can be run on a network allowing virtual
modem pools to be established.


Getting Started

1.    Format two diskettes.  Change to the directory containing the
DISK1.EXE and the DISK2.EXE files.  Create the NMP² program diskette
by typing:

    DISK1 <destination drive>

where <destination drive> is the drive containing one of the newly
formatted diskette.  Label this diskette "NMP² Program Utilities".

Create the NCSI program diskette by typing:

    DISK2 <destination drive>

where <destination drive> is the drive containing the second newly
formatted diskette.  Label this diskette "NCSI Program Utilities".

2.    Place the "NMP² Program Utilities" diskette in a drive.
Change to that drive and at the root type "INSTALL".

3.    The NMP² installation program guides you through the installation.


Using The NMP²

    Load the NMP² server by going to the machine that has the modem attached
you wish to share.  Switch to the directory containing the NMP² server
software and type:

    NMP

The server will load in memory and stay resident.  Be sure that the user
running the machine hosting the NMP² does not run software that uses the same
COM port that the NMP² is using.

    The NMP² may be removed from memory if it was the last TSR program loaded.
Type the command SERV-REL.  This will down the NMP² and remove it from memory
if possible.

    Load NCSI.EXE, the client interface, on any workstation that will be used
to access the NMP² by typing:

    NCSI

on the workstation that is going to use the NMP².

    NCSI is a TSR interface and can be removed from memory by running the
program NCSI-REL.  To obtain information on the command-line switches
supported by NCSI, type NCSI /?.  NCSI can be loaded high, but it is best to
avoid memory-optimization programs, as most misinterpret NCSI's memory needs.

    After loading NCSI, load and run your NCSI-compatible application.  The
self extracting file that this README file was in includes a minimal
communications utility named NTERM that is NCSI aware.

    The network versions of most major communications applications also offer
support for the NCSI interface.  There is also a variety of remote-control
and special-purpose applications that also use the NCSI interface.  If your
favorite application is not on the list, contact your software manufacturer
to check availability of a NCSI compatible version.  A list of NCSI compatible
applications is included in this package.  A copy of the current list is also
available for download from the NPC BBS.  Follow the instructions given above
to access the NPC BBS.

    NOTE:  When using the NMP² and NCSI on NETBIOS and Vines networks you
    may not "see" the NMP² from the client workstation until both the NMP²
    and NCSI have been running for a minute.

    The NMP² server can also run as a dedicated communication server.  This
may enhance performance in some installations, but precludes using the
communication server for any other task.  To use the NMP² as a dedicated
communication server, simply type:

    NMPD


Testing The NMP²

1.    Load the NMP² on the workstation with the modem that will serve as the
communication server.

2.    Load NCSI on the client workstation that will access the communication
server.

3.    Load BTTY and at the NCSI 1:1> prompt type CONNECT [PORT_NAME] where
[PORT_NAME] is the general or specific name on the NMP² server.  If the name
was not changed during installation the command would simply be CONNECT PORT.

4.    If the connection to the port is successful, BTTY will report it is
connecting to the port and leaving the command interpreter.

5.    If a modem is connected to the port type AT and press enter to see if
the modem responds "OK" or "0".  If not, try typing ATZ or AT&F.  If these
do not work, check that the modem is on, that cabling is good, and that the
NMP² is configured to access the correct COM port.  If a device other than
a modem is connected to the serial port, check for a login or other prompt
from the host.


NMP² Named Ports

    NCSI searches for available ports by name.  Each port on each
communication server has a general name and a specific name.  Any specific
port can be used by specifying the specific name in the communication
application accessing the server.  When multiple servers or servers with
multiple ports reside on the network, it is possible to simply use a port
that is not in use, without knowing which are availble.  When multiple ports
share the same general name, and the general name is specified in the
communication application for use, NCSI will search for an available port
and attach to it.  It is possible to establish naming useful conventions such
as "MODEM" and "MINI" to allow users to use a generic type of asynchronous
service.  Users don't need to know if a certain port is available, just that
they want to use a "MODEM".

    When configuring the NMP² communication server, either upon installation
or when using CCONFIG, the port names will show in the Asynch Port
Configuration window with the convention GENERAL_NAME:SPECIFIC_NAME.



Utilities

    The NMP² comes with a set of utilities which provide great flexibility in
the use of the NMP².  Major utilities provided include extensive on-line help
that should assist with the use of the utility.  The primary utilities are:

CCONFIG, which configures the NMP².  Run CCONFIG.EXE in the same directory
containing the NMP executables and configuration file.

CCONSOLE, which allows the remote management and configuration of the NMP²
server.  The default supervisor password is the word "SUPERVISOR".

NTERM, a limited NCSI-compatible terminal-emulation communication application.
NTERM support VT-100 ANSI terminal emulation and XMODEM transfer protocols.
NMP²/NCSI ports are chosen in NTERM's configuration menu.

CLIST, lists NPC communication servers on the network.  CLIST /A will show
server ports on the network, their general and specific names and the status
of the port.

BTTY, a NCSI-compatible teletype emulator.  Useful for testing the NMP² server
because of its simplicity.  Type HELP at the "NCSI 1:1>" prompt for help.
Hitting the f10 key exits the program.


NCSI and Windows

    To use NCSI with a compatible Windows application, load NCSI prior to
loading Windows.  NCSI can be loaded in a DOS session in enhanced-mode Windows
by supplying NCSI with the "-w" command-line switch.  If using NCSI-compatible
DOS applications while in Windows, place the VNCSI.386 file located on the
NCSI Program Utilities diskette in the \WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory and modify
the SYSTEM.INI file so that the "network=" setting under "[386Enh]" section
contains a comma after the last entry and then VNCSI.386.


Windows COMM.DRV Replacement

    Many Windows applications that have not specifically been designed to
operate with NCSI can also use the NMP² server.  A replacement for the Windows
COMM.DRV is contained in the same subdirectory that contains the NCSI
utilities BTTY, CLIST, etc.  NCSI must be loaded before starting Windows.
Copy the current COMM.DRV file in the \WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory to a safe
location and replace the file with the COMM.DRV supplied.  Add a line to the
WIN.INI file in the format:

    [NCSI]
    PORT="GENERAL_PORT"

where "GENERAL_PORT" is the general port name of the NMP² server.  If the name
of the port has not been changed, the line would simply be:

    PORT=PORT

Choose any COM port for the application in the application's setup.  The port
specified in WIN.INI will be used instead of utilizing that COM port specified
in the application.  When using NCSI in this fashion nearly any application,
including many FAX software applications, can share the NMP² server.


Using Third-Party Applications

    Third-party applications that are NCSI-aware require setup to use the
NMP².  Some applications support NCSI in slightly different ways.  In general,
choose a NCSI or NASI (Novell's name for NCSI) service instead of a COM port
and specify a service by it's name.  For additional information on using
specific applications, refer to your application documentation or contact your
application manufacturer.


Further Information

    For additional information on using the NMP², you may wish to consider
registering your NMP².  For information on registering, please contact
Network Products.


The Network Products Family of Gateways

    The NMP² is one of a family of modem sharing and network communications
products available from NPC.  Other products include the ACS², a dedicated
communication server offering exceptional performance available in 4, 16 or 32
port versions; the ACS²/SA, a self contained, 2 port, communication server
that requires only a network connection site for operation, available in
ethernet or arcnet for NetWare IPX, Microsoft's Lan Manager, and Windows-for-
Workgroups networks; and the XCS², an X.25 gateway that provides network
workstations access to an X.25 packet-switched network.  For more information
about NPC products, call [phone] or [phone].  You may also
contact NPC by fax at [phone].


Developing for NCSI

    NPC supplies developer's with a developer's kit that includes sample
source-code in C, Basic, & Assembly which can be cut and pasted into the
developer's own application.  Technical assistance, co-marketing arrangements,
and other services are also supplied by NPC.  Please contact NPC for more
information.


License and Trademark Information

    The NMP² name, software, and it's associated files are protected by the
copyright laws of the United States and international copyright treaties.
This software is a shareware version of commercial software available from
Network Products Corporation and it's resellers and may be used only to
determine suitability of the commercial software.  You may reproduce and
distribute copies of these files so long as all files including this README
file are distributed together.  No fee shall be charged for the copying or
distribution of these files without written consent from Network Products.
You may not receive any payment, commercial benefit, or any consideration for
the reproduction, distribution, or use, either alone or in combination with
any other software or hardware, of this software without written consent from
Network Products Corporation.

NMP², ACS², ACS²/SA, Network Modem Program, Asynchronous Communications
Server, Second Generation, and Asynchronous Communications Server Second
Generation/Stand Alone are trademarks of Network Products Corporation.

NCSI and XCS² are registered trademarks of Network Products Corporation.

IBM, NetWare, Novell, Lan Manager, Microsoft, Windows, Windows-for-Workgroups,
and MS-DOS are trademarks or registered trademarks of International Business
Machines Corporation, Novell, Inc., and Microsoft Corporation..

All other names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
owners.


THE FILE OR THE FILES CONTAINED THEREIN MAY NOT BE DISASSEMBLED, REVERSE-
ENGINEERED, NOR ALTERED IN ANY WAY.  EXCEPT AS RESTRICTED BY LAW, THE SOFTWARE
PROGRAMS CONTAINED IN THE FILE AND ALL ASSOCIATED FILES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS"
WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.