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COM-AND Inter-PC File transfer ----------------------------------------- COM-AND Inter-PC File transfer Script based file transfer for the IBM PC ----------------------------------------- COM-AND is distributed freely and may be copied by anyone for any number of machines, for purposes of evaluation. The author offers COM-AND and its accessory programs as a package, as "shareware". If you USE the program a registration of $50.00 is required. The author may be reached: CABER Software R. (Scott) McGinnis P.O. Box 3607 Mdse Mart Chicago, IL 60654-0607 PLINK, GEnie id: TARTAN CIS id: 73147,2665 Version 1.1: 910711 COM-AND Inter-PC File transfer Table of Contents ----------------- I. Introduction .............................................. page 1 A. What is COM-AND? ........................................ page 1 B. The PC-2-PC script ...................................... page 1 II. Installing the script ...................................... page 2 A. Install COM-AND ......................................... page 2 B. Placing PC-2-PC.CMD ..................................... page 2 C. (optional) Create a batch file to invoke the script ..... page 2 III. Script initialization ...................................... page 3 IV. File transfers ............................................. page 5 A. Wildcard transfer ....................................... page 5 B. Selected file transfer .................................. page 6 V. Exit ....................................................... page 7 VI. DOS gateway ................................................ page 8 VII. Program Requirements ....................................... page 9 VIII. Program and Author Information ............................ page 10 Appendices ---------- A. Null modem ................................................ page 11 B. Async port speeds .......................................... page 12 C. Modem configuration ........................................ page 13 1. DTR ..................................................... page 13 2. CD ...................................................... page 13 Version 1.1: 910711 COM-AND Inter-PC File transfer Page 1 I. Introduction A. What is COM-AND? COM-AND for the IBM PC and compatibles is a communications program that may be used by itself, or with several integrated accessory programs (which themselves may be used independently of COM-AND). COM-AND provides standard comm program functions: a dialing directory, macros, disc logging, binary and ASCII file transfers, scripted execution and so on. B. The PC-2-PC script This document details the PC-2-PC script released independently of COM-AND. The script supports o Direct and dialed connection of two PCs o Current directory listings of each PC (on both PCs) o Change drive/directory from either PC on either PC o Wild card multiple file transfer from/to either PC o Selected file transfer from/to either PC o DOS gateway during script execution Version 1.1: 910711 COM-AND Inter-PC File transfer Page 2 II. Installation A. Install COM-AND Refer to the COM-AND release documents (README.DOC and COM-AND. DOC) for the description of COM-AND installation, please. B. Placing PC-2-PC.CMD The script file PC-2-PC.CMD should be placed in the COM-AND default subdirectory. If you use the environment variable "COM-AND="..., PC-2-PC should be placed in the subdirectory indicated by that environment variable. Otherwise, place the script in the same subdirectory as COM-AND. C. (optional) Create a batch file to invoke the script Optionally, you may create a batch file to invoke the script. PC-2-PC is an interpreted script... and therefore will give the best performance if executed from a RAMDisk. If you have such a beast, use it! [Folk more modern (than the author) who use cacheing utilities may freely ignore this advice.] PC-2-PC will connect to another machine either through a dialed number or by direct connect. If you are setting up a direct connect, using an async port other than the usual modem port (I myself disable my mouse...), a batch file is particularly helpful. For example, I have a batch file to invoke this script: c: cd\prod copy pc-2-pc.cmd e: com-and com1 115k /fe:pc-2-pc [My default COM-AND subdirectory is C:\PROD. PC-2-PC.CMD is placed in C:\PROD. My RAMDisk is E:. The mouse serial port is COM1 (my modem and my COM-AND's default is COM2). "19k" in COM-AND's run command sets the COM1 async port speed to 19.2. The "/fe:pc-2-pc" in COM-AND's run command executes the script after COM-AND's load-time initialization.] Version 1.1: 910711 COM-AND Inter-PC File transfer Page 3 III. Script initialization When PC-2-PC.CMD is executed by COM-AND, there'll be a pause (the length of which is determined by the speed of the disc on which the script resides). At its start, the script 'GOTO's the end, to draw the window. It may seem a silly way to write a script, but once COM-AND has read the whole script once, performance will be improved drastically! The first thing PC-2-PC does is to open a double window. The left side of the screen will always a list of files in the current subdir- ectory on the current machine. The right side will be the subdirec- tory on the other machine once you're connected. Once the window opens, PC-2-PC begins building and displaying the current subdirectory. Again, this may take a bit of time... be patient. When all's done, a window will open over top of the file list, prompting for action. At this point, you need to see that COM-AND and the PC-2-PC script are ready to connect on the machine you with which wish to talk. With both machines ready to connect, on one, it doesn't matter which, select either: 2) Wait for direct connect 4) Wait for call connect If you are making a direct connect, you will be prompted to allow port and speed specification(s). A carriage return alone at this point will start the 'waiting'. If you are making a dialed connect, the script simply goes into an autoanswer mode waiting for a call. Version 1.1: 910711 COM-AND Inter-PC File transfer Page 4 III. Script initialization (continued) On the other machine, then select as appropriate: 1) Direct connect 3) Dial the remote PC If you are making a direct connect, you will be prompted to allow port and speed specification(s). A carriage return alone at this point will start connection. If you are making a dialed connect, you will be asked for a dialing directory number for the number to be called and its parameters. [Note the script only recognizes 300/1200/2400 baud connects. Its easy to add speeds if need be.] One point to emphasize: The script that is to 'await' connection should be started first. The script 'making' the connect should then be started. If the two scripts recognize each other, they will begin by exchang- ing subdirectory lists. When the lists have been exchanged, the script is ready to use. If the two scripts do not connect, check the settings (speed etc) used on both, and the null-modem (if used) and try again. In particular, if your attempting a direct connect, try a slower speed connect... the async port used may not be able to handle very high speeds (see appendix B). Version 1.1: 910711 COM-AND Inter-PC File transfer Page 5 IV. File Transfers A. Wildcard transfer Selection 'W' from the main window will prompt for direction (are you sending or receiving files) and a wildcard file specification. Select a direction ('S' or 'R'), and specify the file(s) to be transferred. A wildcard specification has the form: [d:][\path...]<filespec> where "d:" is an optional drive spec, "\path" is an optional subdirectory specifier and filespec is a file name with optional "*"s and "?"s that DOS users love and respect. For example: C:\PROD\COM-AND.* would move all COM-AND files from one machine to the other. [By the way, it doesn't hurt anything if you move COM-AND.EXE over the copy you executed while its executing. It DOES hurt things if you change the script file... don't touch a script file while its executing!] If there is at least one file matching the wildcard specification you gave, on the appropriate machine, the transfer will begin. If a file being transferred via a wildcard specifier duplicates a file already existing, the new file's name will be modified; a "$" will be placed in the last character position. For example, if COM-AND.EXE were copied through wildcard transfer into a sub- directory already containing COM-AND.EXE, the new file would be named COM-AND.EX$. The wildcard transfer moves multiple files from one machine to the other in one direction at a time. The file name given the sender may be fully qualified (with drive and path). The receiver places the files received on the current subdirectory. Version 1.1: 910711 COM-AND Inter-PC File transfer Page 6 IV. File Transfers (continued) B. Selected file transfer. You may select up to 5 files from the current local machine's window, and 5 files from the current remote machine's window for transfer. The direction of the transfer is implicit. Files are selected with a point-and-shoot method: Cursor right Selects the remote window Cursor left Selects the local window PgUp Moves the current window (local or remote) up 20 files PgDn Moves the current window (local or remote) down 20 files Home Moves the current window (local or remote) to the first 20 files End Moves the current window (local or remote) to the last page of files Cursor up Moves a scroll bar up the list of files Cursor down Moves a scroll bar down the list of files Position the scroll bar to a file to be transferred. Then type 'S'. A window will open and the current list of selections is displayed. You are asked to verify the selection with 'y' or 'n'. With one or more files selected, 'T' will begins the transfer. If a file being transferred via selection duplicates a file already existing, the old file is replaced by the new file. The selected transfer moves multiple files from one machine to the other in any direction. Files must be selected from the current subdirectory (local and remote)... if you change directory on either side, the list of selected files is cleared. The receiver places the files received on its current sub- directory. Version 1.1: 910711 COM-AND Inter-PC File transfer Page 7 V. Exit The PC-2-PC script will terminate when ESC or 'E' is pressed in the main window. [ESC may be used in other windows to cancel a prompt.] If the script is currently linked to another machine, the script on the other machine should exit automatically. If the connection was made via a dialed call, a HANGUP is performed. Temporary files created by the script are deleted. A general clean-up is performed. The PC-2-PC script terminates both itself and COM-AND on exit (you are returned to the DOS prompt). You may wish to modify the script to take some other action on exit. For example, you might wish it simply to exit to COM-AND and not to DOS. The script is written to have one single exit, labelled "EXIT:" Code is provided in the "EXIT:" procedure to exit to COM-AND and not DOS... however, if it is your intention to retain the open line, beware of the RESET command there. RESET closes the current port and re-opens the default communications port. Version 1.1: 910711 COM-AND Inter-PC File transfer Page 8 VI. DOS gateway At the main window, you may shell-to-DOS at any time with the same keystroke as used by COM-AND for the purpose: Alt-F10. If there is memory, a new copy of the SHELL (usually COMMAND.COM) is executed. A connection, if made, is not lost during a shell operation (unless you do something like load another comm program!). When you exit the shell, you are returned to COM-AND and the PC-2-PC script. If your shell is COMMAND.COM, typing 'exit' will terminate the shell. Version 1.1: 910711 COM-AND Inter-PC File transfer Page 9 VII. Program requirements This program can only function on an IBM PC or DOS compatible machine. COM-AND does direct to screen buffer fetches and stores (unless BIOS screen updates are directed using the /C switch or the Alt-O options menu). COM-AND is TopView aware even without the /C switch or Alt-O option. COM-AND supports MDA, CGA, EGA and Hercules. COM-AND uses a Micro- soft Mouse if one is available... COM-AND disk I/O is done through the 'Handle' oriented I/O routines added to DOS 2.0. Therefore DOS 2.0 is a minimum requirement. COM-AND (Version 2.8) requires 256K for itself. You need 384K take advantage of the DOS Gateway and to load accessories. This script requires a 300, 1200 or 2400 baud modem (others could be supported with modification to the script) or a null-modem to an asynchronous port. Version 1.1: 910711 COM-AND Inter-PC File transfer Page 10 VIII. Author information COM-AND was written using Microsoft Macro-Assembler. The author likes assembler. Assembly language is an entirely appropriate vehicle for some of the program, and a not-inappropriate vehicle for the rest of it. Everything, in moderation... The author of this script was R. Scott McGinnis of Chicago, IL. My PLINK and GEnie ID: TARTAN, and CIS id: 73147,2665. Comment and suggestions are welcomed: CABER Software R. (Scott) McGinnis P.O. Box 3607 Mdse Mart Chicago, IL 60654-0607 My wife, Elizabeth, has made this script and COM-AND itself possible. She even indulges on-line, now and then! To her I offer my love, respect and warmest moments <grin>. This script (Version 1.0) may be distributed freely (but it isn't a whole lot of use without COM-AND). Any improvements that are returned to the author will get attention... errors reported to the author will be corrected. COM-AND is shareware. If COM-AND is USED after a reasonable period of evaluation, a registration of $50.00 is required. If used for a commercial application, registration is mandatory. Version 1.1: 910711 COM-AND Inter-PC File transfer Page 11 A. Null modem This script has been used successfully with the following null modem: RS-232 pins RS-232 pins ----------- ----------- (fg) 1 ---------------------- 1 (fg) (tx) 2 --------\ /--------- 2 (tx) X (rx) 3 --------/ \--------- 3 (rx) (gnd) 7 ---------------------- 7 (gnd) (cts) 4 -+ +- 4 (cts) ! ! (rts) 5 -+ +- 5 (rts) (dsr) 6 -+ +- 6 (dsr) (cd) 8 -! !- 8 (cd) ! ! (dtr) 20 -+ +- 20 (dtr) In other words, Pin 2 of one to pin 3 of the other, and pin 3 of the first to pin 2 of the other. On each side, jumper pins 4 and 5, and jumper pins 6, 8, and 20. Connect the pin 7s of each machine, and the pin 1s. This null modem will work for many purposes. This script does not look at CD if a direct connection is used (CDRESPECT OFF). Tieing CD to DSR on each side would provide an active carrier detect. Other applications may work better with other null modem connections. Version 1.1: 910711 Appendices COM-AND Inter-PC File transfer Page 12 B. Async port speeds The 8250 UART used in the original asynchronous port (and some modem) circuits can theoretically run at speed up to 115K baud. However, in fact, many 8250 chips were found to 'wobble' their timings at high speeds. Pin identical replacement UARTS are available that solve the problem. The reader will find a discussion of the problem and sources for replacements in Chuck Forsberg's DSZ document, if interested. The capability of one machine's UART determines the maximum speed of this script. As errors occur, the transfer efficiency drops. Drastically. COM-AND implements only 'relaxed' protocols. This means that time- outs are very long in COM-AND - suitable for the network/switched environment, but not for direct connects. When a character is dropped, or errored, COM-AND waits a fixed time before retransmitting or requesting a retransmit. As the line speed increases, timeouts on error reduce the overall efficiency. The CPU clock speed will also have its toll. COM-AND is a general purpose communications program, accommodating software flow control (XON/XOFF). On slower machines, the overhead to check for XON/XOFF becomes a limiting factor in the software's capability. If you use this script, experiment with speed settings. If you find any improvements that might be made, please inform the author. Version 1.1: 910711 Appendices COM-AND Inter-PC File transfer Page 13 C. Modem Configuration COM-AND default values do not require your modem to be configured in any particular manner. However, certain features cannot be used unless you configure your modem before you use COM-AND. 1. DTR (Data Terminal Ready) COM-AND, by default, hangs up using the command sequences defined through the Alt-S setup (hangup and modem escape). However, you may alternately select 'Drop DTR to hangup' through the Alt-O options. Dropping DTR is the only way to hangup certain modems, and is generally much faster than the command sequences. Most Hayes compatible modems allow configuration of the DTR sense through a switch-block. If you wish to use DTR to hangup, be sure that your modem follows the DTR signal. Refer to the documenta- tion provided with your modem to be sure that option switches are set appropriately. 2. CD (Carrier Detect) COM-AND (presently) uses the CD sense line for several purposes. The 'CONNECT' test supported in the script language, test for carrier detect upon exit, and the file transfer protocols all require that the modem report carrier detect. True carrier detect is the only way to determine if you are 'on-line' or 'off-line'. Many Hayes compatible modems are sold with a carrier detect override (in other words the modem reports carrier detect all the time). When carrier detect is overridden, COM-AND cannot detect when carrier is lost during a file transfer or whether to ask if you want to hangup when you exit. Be sure that the modem is reporting true CD (instead of it just saying 'yes'). Most Hayes compatible modems allow configuration of the CD sense through a switch-block. Refer to the documenta- tion provided with your modem to be sure that option switches are set appropriately. Version 1.1: 910711 Appendices