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- For ordering see ORDER.EXE in the Stomper-Directory or order online
- on our web-page with your Mastercard
-
-
- Stomper 3.41 10/14/97
-
-
- Modem and ISDN Sharing-Software for Novell or Netbios Based Networks
-
- DOS/Windows/Netware
-
- ╕ 1994/1997 Pflug Datentechnik.
-
-
- Hardware and software requirements for installation:
-
- - network, preferably NetWare or WfW-Network
- - minimum DOS 3.3
- - Windows 3.x / 95 / NT
- - 1 serial interface per modem server, FIFO buffered (UART 16550)
- - Processor depending on number of modem servers on one computer,
- minimum AT (80386)
-
-
-
- 1 INTRODUCTION
- 2 THE CONCEPT
- 2.1 WHAT IS A MODEM-/ISDN-SERVER?
- 2.2 SERVER-CLIENT OPERATION
- 3 INSTALLATION
- 3.1 GENERAL (VERY IMPORTANT!)
- 3.2 INSTALLING A MODEM / ISDN SERVER
- 3.2.1 Installation under Windows 3.x and Windows 95
- 3.2.2 Installation on the Netware Fileserver (Modem Server Only)
- 3.2.3 Installation under DOS
- 3.2.3.1 Modemserver
- 3.2.3.2 The ISDN Server
- 3.3 INSTALLING A MODEM / ISDN CLIENT
- 3.3.1 Installation under Windows 3.x and Windows 95
- 3.3.2 Installation under DOS
- 3.3.2.1 Modem-Client
- 3.3.2.2 ISDN-Client
- 4 SELECT SPECIFIC MODEM SERVERS BY DIFFERENT PORTS
- 5 THE COOPERATIVE MODE
- 6 QUEUE MANAGEMENT
- 7 THE MONITOR
- 8 PROGRAMS USING INT 14 (BIOS)
- 9 APPLYING ACCESS RIGHTS
- Appendix A Suitable Programs
- Appendix B NETINFO.EXE
- Appendix C Tips
- 1. Telemate
- 2. Terminate
- 3. Telix For Windows
- 4. Crosspoint
- 5. pcAnywhere
- 6. CFOS
- 7. Tobit FaxWare
- Appendix D Troubleshooting
- Appendix E Performance
- Appendix F What is a FOSSIL driver?
- Appendix G What is a network fossil driver?
- Appendix H Support
-
-
- 1 Introduction
-
- Included in this new version 3.30 of Stomper is a complete Windows setup
- program. Furthermore, the following improvements vs. version 3.21 have
- been incorporated:
-
- - CAPI 1.1 Windows-Server (WIN3.x/95/NT)
- - CAPI.DLL 1.1 Client (WIN3.x/95/NT)
- - INT14/Fossil support in WIN95-DOS-Box using
- STCLNT.VXD. This supports simple FOSSIL programs like Telemate
- or Terminate.
-
- In case you already have installed the free TEST/DEMO version of Stomper:
- Then you just have to enter the registration key and name to extend your
- license (refer to the accompanying diskette for registration key and name).
- Under Windows, you register by activating the icon "Registration" in the
- Stomper program group.
- Registration under DOS is done by entering the command line: register
- Registration_Key Name in the Stomper directory (refer to the accompanying
- diskette for registration key and name).
-
- If you have not yet installed Stomper on your system, please proceed reading
- this manual.
-
-
-
- 2 The Concept
- 2.1 What is a modem-/ISDN-server?
-
- The modemserver is a program, that accesses the device directly, that should #
- be made available throughout the network.
- There may be more than one modem server (or ISDN-server) on one computer or
- there may be several servers spread over the whole network.
- When a client accesses a modem server, all communication between
- communication software (terminal, fax, ...) and the modem is directed through
- the network.
- Stomper is responsible for repacking the data suitable for the network, to
- send it and to convert it back. It appears to the user as if the modem was
- attached directly to his local workstation.
- Often the modem server is compared to a printer server. This is not quite
- correct.
- The main difference is, that the printer server is "batch-driven". This means,
- that a print job is placed into a temporary file, which is read by the printer
- server whenever it is ready and the contents then are sent to the printer.
- A modem server works online. All data is sent to the device immediately.
- Additionally all line-control information is passed on.
-
-
-
- 2.2 Server-Client Operation
-
- As soon as a client requests an available modem or an ISDN-adapter (this
- happens
- automatically, when your communications software is started), the client-
- program (NETFOS, NFCAPI, ...) searches for a modemserver and initiates a
- session.
- From this moment on, the server is not available for other stations. It
- is reserved for this one client.
- At the end of the session, the server will get released.
-
-
-
- 3 Installation
-
- 3.1 General (very important!)
-
- Note the following key issues prior to installation:
-
- If you want to run Stomper on a Netware 3.11 (or higher) network
- You must load the file STMGR.NLM (included on the diskette) on the file
- server prior to the installation.
- Make sure that the settings for "IPX Sockets" and "SPX Connections" are at
- least 30-60 on all the stations. The default settings are too small in any
- case.
-
- If you want to run Stomper on a Windows for Workgroups network
- In the Windows network setup, set NetBEUI as the standard protocol
- (important!).
- Make sure that the settings for "Max. connections" is at least 30 and the
- setting for "NCBs" is at least 80. The default settings are too small in
- any case.
-
- Note: Troubleshooting is greatly simplified if you first install the modem
- and ISDN server and the client software thereafter.
-
-
-
- 3.2 Installing a Modem / ISDN Server
-
- 3.2.1 Installation under Windows 3.x and Windows 95
-
- Insert the installation disk into your diskette drive and run SETUP.EXE.
- After you have entered the destination path for the installation, you are
- asked to choose between modem server and client. Select "Modem-/ISDN Server
- Installation" (Note: The setup program allows either to install a server or
- a client at one time).
- Next, select the desired network protocol.
- Only select the IPX/SPX protocol if you are using a Novell Netware network.
-
- After you have finished your selections, the setup program will copy all
- necessary files. You can then enter your registration information (if you
- own a valid Stomper-license).
-
-
- This registration information is then incorporated firmly in NETFOS.COM,
- NFCAPI.COM, STOMPER.COM, STOMPERF.COM, STISDN.COM and
- STOMPER.NLM.
- STWIN.EXE, CAPI.DLL and STCLNT.VXD however, will read the registration
- information from the [Stomper] section in SYSTEM.INI.
-
- The installation will be completed and finally, a "Stomper" program group
- will be created.
-
-
-
- 3.2.2 Installation on the Netware Fileserver (Modem Server Only)
-
- Copy STMGR.NLM and STOMPER.NLM preferrably to the directory
- SYS:SYSTEM.
-
- 3 components have to be loaded:
-
- the Stomper queue manager STMGR.NLM
- an AIO driver
- the modem server STOMPER.NLM
-
- 1. The Stomper Queue Manager
-
- The queue manager performs the following tasks:
-
- 1. "Tracker", observes the status of all modem servers installed in the
- network, containing the following information: Status of the modem server
- (busy/free), the Client (Netfos) which is presently served, number of bytes
- transmitted in a session.
- This information is analysed and displayed for example by STMON, the
- monitor program.
- This part of STMGR can exist several times in the network.
-
- 2. "Queue manager", allocates free modem servers to the clients. In order to
- avoid chaos, the queue manager can only exist once in the network.
-
- 3. IPX routing. The transmitter must always know the destination network in
- order to transport IPX packets over several network segments. STMGR
- therefore gives his address to all routers in the network (the file server
- can also work as a router and therefore adds this address to its bindary).
- Stomper identifies this address by ordering it from the nearest router. When
- the queue manager allocates a modem server to a client, the network
- address of Stomper is supplied to the client.
-
- 4. Logging. If the option /L is specified, a log file will be generated, that logs
- all actions.
-
- 5. Station restrictions (only STMGR.NLM) See Chapter Applying access
- rights.
-
-
- 1. In order to install STMGR.NLM on the file server, enter the following
- command at the console
-
- load STMGR
-
- STMGR will display all installed modem servers of the network on the
- screen. At this point of the installation you will usually not have installed any
- modem servers. However, as soon as you start any modem or ISDN server in
- the network it will be displayed on the STMGR screen.
-
- Command line options for STMGR.NLM:
-
- /L... If you specifiy this parameter, the queue manager will create a log
- file. In this file, every access to any modem server in the network
- will be logged (time of access, numbers dialed, etc.).
- You can specify the name of the log file, e.g.:
-
- /LSYS:SYSTEM\ST.LOG
-
- If you only specify /L STMGR.NLM will create a log file with the
- default name STOMPER.LOG in the executable's directory.
-
- /A Use this parameter to allow "autoattach" (ref. NETFOS /A)
-
- 2. The AIO Driver (Asynchronous I/O)
-
- The standard AIO driver for conventional serial ports is included with
- Netware 3.12 and higher. However, up to Netware 4.x Novell is distributing
- outdated versions of this driver. Therefore, you must install a newer
- version of this driver. You can download the updated files e.g. from our
- support BBS.
- We suggest that you use at least AIOCOMX Version 2.11 and the
- corresponding AIO.NLM version 6.01a.
- There are also other AIO drivers for various multiport extension boards
- available (e.g. Digiboard), that are usually distributed by the board's
- manufacturer.
- Here are typical command lines for various COM ports:
-
- COM1
- load aiocomx port=3f8 int=4 maxrate=115200
- COM2
- load aiocomx port=2f8 int=3 maxrate=115200
- COM3
- load aiocomx port=3e8 int=4 maxrate=115200
- COM4
- load aiocomx port=2e8 int=4 maxrate=115200
-
- If you want to install more than one modem server, accordingly load
- AIOCOMX.NLM multiple times.
-
-
- 3. The Modem Server STOMPER.NLM:
-
- On the first installation, load STOMPER.NLM without command line
- parameters:
-
- load stomper
-
- Stomper will thus display a list of all the installed AIO serial ports.
- You can then select the desired serial port. Subsequently, the modem server
- is started and shows the command line that you have to enter for future
- starts of STOMPER.NLM (i.e. the command line that should be included in your
- AUTOEXEC.NCF), like:
-
- Command Line:
- load stomper /p1,0,0
-
-
-
- Additional command line options for STOMPER.NLM:
-
- /Na This is used to give the modem server an individual identification.
- 'a' is replaced by an arbitrary digit or character. If you want to
- install more than one modem server, each one has to have a unique
- identification, e.g. /N1, /N2, /Ni, ...
- /R Forces STOMPER.NLM to always use the hardware handshake
- (RTS/CTS). In particular, set this option when you intend using a
- fax software.
- /Lxxxxx "Lock Baud". Using this option, you can force STOMPER.NLM to
- use a fixed bps rate (e.g. /L38400). For this to work, your
- application must access the modem via NETFOS and INT14 or
- FOSSIL.
- Windows applications will not be affected by this option.
-
- You are able to install multiple modem servers (provided you purchased a
- license for multiple modem servers) by loading STOMPER.NLM more than
- once. (Please note that you have to use the /N command line option if you are
- installing multiple modem servers).
-
- With
-
- unload stomper
-
- ALL modem servers loaded on the file server will be removed.
-
- Caution !!
-
- Netware 3.x - 4.x have a bug in the SPX-Protokoll. This bug known to
- STOMPER.NLM and Stomper tries hard to avoid problems that might arise.
- But we do strongly advise you to install the following Novell patches:
-
- PATCHMAN.NLM
- SPXDDFIX.NLM
- SPXFIX2.NLM
-
- These three modules are contained in the archive STRTL3.EXE, that can be
- downloaded free from Compuserve NOVLIB or from our support BBS.
-
- If you have problems loading AIO.NLM, STOMPER.NLM and
- STMGR.NLM, and you get a message like
-
- "Public symbol IsColorMonitor not found",
-
- then you have an old version of CLIB.NLM (Netware 3.11). Just install an
- updated version, that is part of the archive LIBUP4.EXE (Compuserve
- NOVLIB or our support BBS)
-
- Never ever enter IRQ 2 for a hardware driver (e.g. when loading
- AIOCOMX). Netware uses this IRQ internally and "misusing" it will
- generally destroy the file allocation table of the server's drives and you will
- completely loose all data.
-
-
- 3.2.3 Installation under DOS
-
- If you intend to run Stomper in a Novell Netware 3.11 or higher network, we
- strongly recommend to install STMGR.NLM on the fileserver rather than
- installing the queue manager on a DOS station.
- Besides, STMGR.COM has the same command line options as STMGR.NLM.
-
-
- 3.2.3.1 Modemserver
-
- (Most simple example: STOMPER /P2)
-
- The modem server accesses the modem (or another device), that is connected to
- the RS-232 port. Apart from the application data, the line condition will be
- updated whenever necessary. This condition includes DCD (Data Carrier Detect),
- DTR (Data Terminal Ready), RI (Ring Indicator), DSR (Data Set Ready), RTS
- (Ready To Send) and CTS (Clear To Send).
-
- For DOS there are 2 variants of the modemserver:
-
- STOMPER.COM accesses the serial port directly
- STOMPERF.COM uses a FOSSIL driver to
- communicate with the hardware
-
- Using STOMPERF.COM it is possible to share any communications hardware in
- the network, as long as there is an apropriate FOSSIL driver available (like
- CFOS for ISDN or Digiboard).
-
- Command line parameters
-
- STOMPER [/Px] [/Na] [/Lxxxx] [/U] [/F] [/Qxx] [/Bxxxx] [/Caaa...] [/R]
-
- /P selects the COM port for the modem, for example /P2 for COM2. If
- omitted, COM1 is selected automatically.
-
- /U is given to remove any already installed STOMPER from memory.
- This is only possible while Stomper is not in use.
-
- /F STOMPER is forced to use Netbios exclusively (even if IPX is
- loaded)
-
- /Q for unconventional IRQs. /Q7 => IRQ7
-
- /B1 for unconventional ports. /B3E8 => Port 3E8
-
- /C Cooperative mode: refer to chapter "Cooperative Mode"
-
- /L1 Lock Baud. Independent of the bps rate chosen by the application
- (terminal program,...), Stomper always selects automatically the bps
- rate of this parameter, for example /L57600 (locked).
- Note: Windows applications ignore this parameter!
-
- /N one single character is added to this option (for example one character
- or one digit), giving the modem server an individual identification.
- Each modem server has to be identified individually (several modem
- servers on one computer each have a unique character or digit).
-
- /R forces RTS/CTS data flow control. This is very helpful, e.g. if you
- encounter problems when sending with Winfax. Normally this option
- does not affect any other applications, therefore you may always set it.
-
- /Z 16550 FIFO buffer control
- /Z0 FIFO off
- /Z1 FIFO on 1 byte threshold
- /Z4 FIFO on 4 byte threshold
- /Z8 FIFO on 8 byte threshold (default)
- /Z14 FIFO on 14 byte threshold
-
- It is not recommended to use this parameter! Stomper normally selects an
- 8 byte threshold for the FIFO buffer as the most sensible value to avoid
- errors.
- However, on very slow PCs (286 - 6 MHz), it may be necessary to use /Z1.
-
-
- 3.2.3.2 The ISDN Server
-
- The ISDN server (STISDN.COM) makes a CAPI 1.1 (not 2.0) accessible to the
- clients on the network.
- One ISDN server can only serve one client at a time. To let more than one
- client access the CAPI at the same time, multiple ISDN servers have to be
- loaded. These can use the same CAPI, depending on how many simultaneous
- applications this particular CAPI can support (usually 2 to 4).
-
-
- (Most simple example: STISDN - without any parameters)
-
- Please note that command line parameter /M is usually necessary!
-
- Command line parameters
-
- STISDN [/Na] [/U] [/F] [/M...] [/Kn]
-
-
- /U is used to remove any already installed STISDN from memory. This is
- only possible while STISDN is not in use.
-
- /F STISDN is forced to use Netbios exclusively (even if IPX is loaded)
-
- /N one single character is added to this option (for example one character
- or one digit), giving the modem server an individual identification.
- Each ISDN server has to be identified uniquely (several ISDN servers
- on one computer each have a unique character or digit).
-
- /Kn If you have multiple ISDN-adapters installed, you can tell STISDN to
- use the specified adapter (/K0 for adapter number 1). If you don't
- specifiy this parameter, the application will determine which adapter is
- used.
-
- /M... defines, how much memory is reserved for communications. The
- default is 16384 Bytes. Values may range from 4000 to 65500 Bytes.
- The necessary value strongly depends on the application:
-
- Example:
-
- On the client station, the CAPI should be made accessible for CFOS:
-
- CFOS i
-
- The necessary memory can then be calculated from:
-
- - B2 frame length 2048 Bytes
- - Windowsize 2
- - Max. Messages 20
-
- 2048 Bytes * 2 + 20*180 = 7696 Bytes
-
- CFOS i -w3 -a0
-
- - B2 frame length 2048 Bytes
- - Windowsize 3
- - Max. Messages 20
- - Max B-Channels 2
-
- 2048 Bytes * 3 * 2 + 20 * 180 = 15888 Bytes
-
- The optimum really depends on the software you will be using and the
- number of concurrent ISDN connections. The default value usually is
- enough for one application. If you want to use two applications at the
- same time, you should increase the value accordingly. ISDN programs
- like Eurofile transfer or ISDN fax will usually need a setting of
- /M65000.
-
-
- 3.3 Installing a Modem / ISDN Client
-
- 3.3.1 Installation under Windows 3.x and Windows 95
-
- Note that the CAPI 2.0 client is only available under Windows 95
-
- Insert the Installation disk into your diskette drive and run SETUP.EXE.
- After you have entered the destination path for the installation, you are
- asked to choose between modem server and client. Select "Client
- Installation" (Note: The setup program allows either to install a server
- or a client at one time).
-
- Next, select the desired network protocol.
- Only select the IPX/SPX protocol if you are using a Novell Netware network.
-
- After you have finished your selections, the setup program will copy all
- necessary files. You can then enter your registration information, in case
- you own a valid Stomper license.
-
- This registration information (key) is then incorporated firmly in NETFOS.COM,
- NFCAPI.COM, STOMPER.COM, STOMPERF.COM, STISDN.COM and
- STOMPER.NLM.
- STWIN.EXE, CAPI.DLL and STCLNT.VXD however, will read the registration
- information from the [Stomper] section in SYSTEM.INI.
-
- The installation will be completed and finally, a "Stomper" program
- group will be created.
-
-
- 3.3.2 Installation under DOS
-
- 3.3.2.1 Modem Client
-
- The modem client provides access to a modem server. All applications that
- use a FOSSIL driver or BIOS-INT14 (option /I) for communication can use
- it to access a network modem.
-
- Command line parameters
-
- NETFOS [/Px] [/U] [/I] [/F] [/Naaa...] [/A|/A+]
-
- /P specifies which COM port will be redirected. E.g. /P2 for COM2.
- COM1 is chosen automatically when this parameter is not used.
-
- /U removes an installed NETFOS from memory.
-
- /I This parameter is mandatory to redirect programs which communicate
- using the BIOS-INT-14. With this setting, Netfos finds out if an
- application is able to serve a fossil interface, and reacts accordingly.
-
- Without this setting, Netfos can only serve Windows programs or
- programs which support a fossil driver.
-
- /F Netfos uses Netbios (even if IPX is loaded)
-
- /N1 All modem servers wanted in the network are listed here. When for
- example. /N123 is given, the queuemanager selects the first available
- modem server from the list. The priority is from left to right, so
- that the queuemanager selects STOMPER /N2 when STOMPER /N1 is
- occupied.
- This option is invalid (and meaningless) in the 1-server version.
-
- /A "Autoattach"-mode. When a modemserver is assigned to a user after he
- was placed in the queue (waiting for a modemserver to become
- available), this option suppresses the message "Connected to
- modemserver". So the connection will be established without
- interaction. For both /A and /A+ STMGR must have been loaded with
- the option /A as well!
-
- /A+ Same as /A, but additionally the user will be placed into the waiting
- queue automatically, in case there is no modemserver available. This
- mode runs completely unattended.
-
- Note: /A and /A+ are only supported in the commercial version.
-
- Note that the parameter /Px does NOT have to be identical for the two
- drivers. For STOMPER /Px defines the interface which is physically connected
- to the modem. Whereas NETFOS /Px defines only the interface which is
- addressed by the terminal program.
-
-
- 3.3.2.2 ISDN Client (CAPI 1.1 only)
-
- The ISDN lient (NFCAPI) provides applications with a virtual CAPI v1.1-
- interface. Up to 4 applications can be serviced by the same NFCAPI.
-
- Command line parameters
-
- NFCAPI [/U] [/F] [/Naaa...] [/A[+]]
-
- /U removes an installed NFCAPI from memory.
-
- /F NFCAPI is forced to use Netbios (even if IPX is loaded)
-
- /N All ISDN servers wanted in the network are listed here. E.g. if /N123 is
- given, the queue manager selects the first available ISDN server from
- the list. The priority is from left to right, so the queue manager selects
- STISDN /N2 when STISDN /N1 is occupied.
- This option is invalid (and meaningless) in the 1-server version.
-
- /A "Autoattach"-mode. When a ISDN server is assigned to a user after he
- was placed in the queue (waiting for a ISDN server to become
- available), this option suppresses the message "Connected to ISDN
- server". So the connection will be established without interaction. For
- both /A and /A+ STMGR must have been loaded with the option /A as
- well!
-
- /A+ Same as /A, but additionally the user will be placed into the waiting
- queue automatically, in case there is no ISDN server available. This
- mode runs completely unattended.
-
- Note: /A and /A+ are only supported in the commercial version.
-
- If your ISDN adapter comes with the Windows CAPI driver CAPI.DLL, it can
- run on top of NFCAPI to enable ISDN applications to access the ISDN server.
- However, a prerequisite is that CAPI.DLL works with any DOS CAPI drivers
- (e.g. Teles).
-
-
-
- 4 Select specific modem servers by different ports
-
- Example:
-
- You have 5 modem / ISDN servers installed in your network:
-
- three modems with IDs '1', '2' and '3'
- two ISDN-lines via CFOS with IDs '4' and '5'
-
- Of course, you will want to use an ISDN-line, when you need an ISDN-line
- and a modem line, when you need a modem line. You can do this by simply
- entering the following command line:
-
- NETFOS /P1(123) /P2(45)
-
- When your Application addresses COM1, you will get connected to modemserver 1,
- 2 or 3, whichever is available. When your application uses COM2, one of the
- ISDN lines will be selected.
-
- Note that there is no option /N specified, since this is completely replaced
- by the values in brackets.
- You can specify up to 4 ports.
-
- Only one of these ports may be used at one time.
-
- Of course you can use this method to distinguish different modem types as
- well - ISDN was chosen as a typical example of different transport media.
-
-
- 5 The Cooperative Mode
-
-
- This mode - under certain circumstances - enables the use of another
- software (e.g. a mailbox) on the modem server - sharing the port
- cooperatively with Stomper. It should be used with caution, as it is no
- "well behaving" method.
- Regarding the ISDN server, this is not a problem, since CAPI supports
- cooperative applications anyway.
- Currently, the cooperative mode is not ready for Windows.
-
- Parameter: /Cxxxxx
-
- xxxxx stands for any modem command. At the end of a session this command is
- sent to the modem in order to re-initialize it. CR/LF is added to this
- string (for example ATZ), automatically.
-
- Thus the modem server can run a mailbox, which will be stopped automatically
- when a client in the network demands the modem.
- While a caller is logged into the mailbox, Stomper is inactive.
-
- In order to avoid fatal failures on the computer, please read the following
- lines even if this sounds a bit technical:
-
- For safety reasons a network-modem demand is rejected, when the CD signal is
- active, for example, when someone is logged into the mailbox. Stomper will
- also be blocked for another 60 seconds after the last ring.
- This mode has to be handled with care, as it is quite rude to block an
- application just like that, but this can be done for example with FrontDoor
- and Remote Access.
-
- As during the blocking of the modem the bps- rate could be changed, at the
- end of such a session Stomper sends an optional command (see above, "/Caaa")
- to the modem in order to set the correct bps rate. For this reason, the modem
- must have an automatic baudrate identification.
-
- In the cooperative mode Stomper MUST NOT BE LOADED in the high memory
- area (UMB), due to the following:
-
- The computer will be stopped at an appropriate time, that is in the moment
- of a timer interrupt (produced by the computer 18 times per second).
-
- "Appropriate" means:
-
- 1. there is no hard disk or disk access
- 2. Windows is inactive
- 3. The program interrupted is placed in the memory above stomper and
- under the high memory area from A000:0000 on.
-
- No. 3 ensures that no IPX routine has been interrupted.
- As Stomper depends on IPX, it would not dare to touch this without being
- affected personally. As Stomper needs the IPX (or Netbios) drivers, they
- are normally placed in a lower memory section or in an UMB. But if Stomper
- has also been loaded in the high memory area, there is no certainty where
- the network drivers are placed related to Stomper.
-
- It is possible that the interrupt does not appear. This happens for example.
- when the command line in DOS is used, which is mainly executed in
- COMMAND.COM (below Stomper) or in BIOS (>A000). The use of the interface
- is not affected in this case.
-
-
-
-
- 6 Queue Management
-
-
- In order to enable a precise access to one or several modem servers in the
- network, the program
-
- STMGR.COM
-
- has to be loaded on one computer (any) in the network. STMGR.COM should
- already be active in the network, before a Client (Netfos) or modem server
- (Stomper) is loaded. Preferably this program should be installed on a modem
- server.
- If you are using Netware 3.11 or higher, it is strongly advised to run
- STMGR.NLM on the file server rather than using STMGR.COM on a DOS station.
-
- This program operates completely in the background and does not require much
- memory.
-
-
- The queue manager's strategies
-
- When a client demands a modem server, the queue manager tries to allocate a
- free modem server which is selected by NETFOS /Naaa...(from left to right).
- In case all modem servers are busy, the client computer receives the
- following message:
-
- No modemserver available. Queue in? Y/N
-
- After confirming Y, the following message appears:
-
- Queued in. Wait in foreground? Y/N
-
- Now there are two possibilities:
-
- 1. "Wait in the background" (N) tells the application that no fossil
- driver is installed (not recommended for pure BIOS INT14
- applications). The computer can be used and as soon as a modem
- server is free, the following message appears:
-
- Connected to modem server (ENTER)
-
- The queue manager marks the modem server as "reserved". The user has
- 1.5 minutes to start his application and to use the modem server.
-
-
- 2. While waiting in the foreground, the following message appears
-
- Waiting for modem server... (ESC)
-
- In the meantime the computer cannot be used for other applications.
-
- Under windows this process is executed accordingly, but only the application
- in use is paused. Other applications may be used - as far as multitasking is
- possible.
-
- 7 The Monitor
-
- The monitor (STMON.EXE) provides an overview over the modem servers installed
- in the network and the proceedings can be observed. The monitor is started by
- loading
-
- STMON
-
- As STMON displays the information obtained from the tracker, it depends on
- STMGR.COM being loaded. If STMGR is not already in memory, the monitor will
- load it automatically. For this, however, STMGR.COM must be either
-
- - in the same directory as STMON.EXE or
- - in the DOS path.
-
- Attention: The monitor must not be started in a DOS box under windows!
-
- The monitor displays ten sections on the screen, each containing information
- of an individual modem server.
-
- Field identifications:
-
- Network address - individual address in the network which is preset by the
- network adaptor. In order to obtain a better overview, a file called
-
- NODES.LST
-
- can be created, in which names are allocated to the network addresses. An
- example for such a file:
-
- 924e32a John's abacus
- 80ca23e5 venus
-
- ... allocating the names "John's abacus" and "venus" to the according
- network addresses. John's abacus and venus will replace the cryptic address
- names on the monitor.
-
- Served interface - the serial interface served by the modem server or CAPI
- in case of an ISDN adapter.
-
- Status - status of the modem server. Possible states:
-
- - free the modem server is available at the moment
- - Ser. <Client> the modem server is just serving the client named
- <Client>
- - Res. <Client> the modem server is presently reserved for the client
- <Client>.
- - locally in use The modem server is presently used locally in the /"C"
- mode (for example for a user in the mailbox)
-
- Sent / received bytes - number of bytes transmitted in the current session.
- This information will be held until the start of a new session.
-
- Identification - the identification of the modem server (/Na).
-
- connected with - The number dialed will be displayed here as soon as a
- Carrier Detect (CD) has been encountered.
-
-
- 8 Programs Using INT 14 (BIOS)
-
-
- The fossil driver is to be understood as an extension to the BIOS-INT 14
- interrupt.
- However, Stomper expects that the software used initializes the fossil
- driver (not necessary with BIOS routines).
- For programs only using BIOS-INT 14, NETFOS has to be loaded with the
- parameter /I.
- With pure INT 14 applications, Stomper always switches to RTS/CTS data flow
- control.
-
- Approximately 20 seconds after the end of an "INT-14 program" the modem
- server becomes available for others again.
-
- When using fax software, which communicates via INT 14, it is absolutely
- necessary to lock Stomper on an appropriate rate. The ideal bps rate
- depends on the modem used.
- Standard modems transmit faxes with a rate of up to 14400 bps, or
- 19200 bps on the phone line. In this case the bps rate has to be locked
- on 19200 bps. Most modems accept a higher rate, for example 57600 bps, when
- transmitting faxes.
-
- For modems with a maximum baud rate of 9600 bps, Stomper should be locked on
- 9600 bps (see parameter /L on page 6).
-
-
-
- 9 Applying access rights
-
- STMGR.NLM provides a mechanism to refuse access to all or specific
- modemservers by username, stationaddress and/or network.
-
- This mechanism is activated, as soon as STMGR.NLM finds a file named
- QMREST.LST in the same directory, STMGR.NLM is contained in (the activation
- of the access rights happens during startup of STMGR). If this file is not
- present, no restrictions apply.
-
- The contents of the file QMREST.LST could look like this:
-
- [stations]
- 928485
- 80A23E42 12Q
-
- [nets]
- 1000002
- 1000003 1
-
- [names]
- supervisor
- Peter 24
-
- This file is shown on the next page with comments included.
-
- Rules:
-
- there are 3 possible sections: [stations], [nets] and [names]
- you can omit particular sections. There will be no restrictions for these
- sections. If a section is present, it defines objects (stationaddresses,
- usernames or networkaddresses), that have access to modemservers. All
- objects of this sectiontype, that are not defined, will not have access to
- any modemserver.
- if only the object is entered in a line, it receives access rights to all
- modemservers throughout the network. If you additionally enter a list of
- modemserver-ids -separated by spaces or tabs from the objects designation
- - the object will only have access to the specified modemservers.
- access rights are combined by logical and, which means, the user must
- qualify by station, network and username (in case restrictions apply
- respectively)
-
- Typically the file QMREST.LST will only contain a [names] or [nets] section.
- Example for QMREST.LST with comments
-
- ; Lines beginning with a semicolon are treated as comments and are
- ; ignored
-
- ; There are 3 sections in this file:
- ; [stations]
- ; [nets]
- ; [names]
- ;
- ; Sections can be omitted. If there is no section named [stations],
- ; then there will be no station restrictions.
-
- ; The section [stations] lists all stations, that have access to
- ; modemservers
-
- [stations]
- ; Station 928485 has access to all modemservers:
- 928485
-
- ; Station 80A23E42 has access to modemservers 1, 2 and Q:
- 80A23E42 12Q
-
- ; All other stations have no access rights to any modemservers!
-
- [nets]
- ; All stations in net 1000002 may use all modemservers, if they are
- ; not restricted by username or network number
- 1000002
-
- ; The stations in network number 1000003 only have access to
- ; modemserver 1
- 1000003 1
-
- ; All other networks have no access to any modemserver!
-
- [names]
- ; Supervisor has access to all modemservers, as long as no
- ; station/network restrictions apply:
- supervisor
- ; Peter may only use modemserver 2 and 4
- Peter 24
-
- ; If there is no section [names], you can even use modemservers
- ; without logging in.
-
- ; Note! Even though the supervisor is generally given access to all
- ; modemservers, station- and network-restrictions still are active!
-
- ; Example: Peter is logged in on station 80A23E42 in Network number
- ; 1000002. Therefore he can only use the modemserver with ID '2
-
- Appendix A Suitable Programs
-
- All windows programs, using the functions (API) provided by windows
- COMM.DRV for the interface addressing, are suitable.
-
- DOS:
-
- Not every terminal program supports a fossil driver. An example for a program
- with FOSSIL support is Telemate (In Options / Terminal, FOSSIL can be
- selected)
-
- For the use of Telemate note the following: in order to work with the dial
- list, for each listing the fossil driver has to be selected individually.
- To select the fossil support in Telemate, first the baud rate has to be set
- to a maximum of 38400bps. Otherwise fossil will be ignored!
-
- BinkleyTerm, FrontDoor (mailer systems) and RemoteAccess (a mailbox system)
- have no problems working with Stomper.
-
-
- Appendix B NETINFO.EXE
-
- This a small diagnostic tool added to the packet, giving some information of the
- network environment (received from netbios), for example
-
-
- Permanent name: 0000C0039A79 ; network address
-
- Jumper: 40
- POST result: 00
- Version: 0.1
- Minutes up: 0
- Number of CRC errors: 0
- Number of alignment errors: 0
- Number of collisions: 0
- Number of aborts: 1
- Number of transmitted packets: 6
- Number of received packets: 10
- Number of retransmits: 4
- Number of out-of-buffer-counts: 0
- Free NCBs: 10
- Max. NCBs: 12
- Active sessions: 32
- Max. packet size: 1024
- Names: 1
- NFOSMPX1 0
-
-
- Attention! This tool can only be useful when Netbios is actually installed.
- Otherwise no useful information will be displayed here! This information
- is of no use for IPX.
-
-
- Appendix C Tips
-
- 1. Telemate
-
- Before you select FOSSIL, be careful to set the speed to not more than
- 38400 bps.
- Otherwise Telemate will reject the FOSSIL-Setting (without displaying a
- message).
- In case even this fails, the safest way is to edit TM.CFG manually. Just
- change
-
- Connection=Modem
-
- to
-
- Connection=Fossil
-
- and make sure that the entry Port= is correct.
-
- Also, FOSSIL has to be selected for every entry in the Dial-List.
-
-
- 2. Terminate
-
- Early versions of Terminate (<3.x) had a problem identifying a FOSSIL driver
- that does not support all serial ports at once, like does NETFOS. If you
- have Terminate 3.x or higher, you don't have to read on.
- The first time Terminate is set up for FOSSIL, it expects that a FOSSIL
- driver is installed on COM1. This, of course, is not always given (e.g.
- NETFOS installed on COM2). It may result in a system-crash.
-
- Workaround:
-
- either use NETFOS on COM1 or
-
- the first time, you switch Terminate to FOSSIL, do it with a regular FOSSIL
- driver (like BNU or X00) installed. From then on you can use NETFOS.
-
- If you don't have a FOSSIL driver handy, load
-
- NETFOS /P1() /P2()
-
- This installs NETFOS on both COM1 and COM2.
- 3. Telix For Windows
-
- Use the COM-Setting, not FOSSIL! In Windows it is always recommended to use
- STCOMM whenever possible.
- Apart from that, the FOSSIL support of early versions of TfW is buggy.
-
-
- 4. Crosspoint
-
- In case Crosspoint does not work properly with Stomper, you might try loading
- NETFOS with the /I option. Crosspoint's FOSSIL support is not very clean in
- some places.
-
-
- 5. pcAnywhere
-
- Use the plain INT14-Setting and do not set higher speeds than 9600 bps.
- Otherwise pcAnywhere will not be able to initialize the port.
- To achieve higher speeds, refer to the modemserver switch /L.
-
-
- 6. CFOS
-
- These tips refer to CFOS/DOS.
- CFOS/Win should be treated similarily.
- There are two ways to install an ISDN server using CFOS:
-
- 1. CFOS installed on the modem server.
-
- The drivers need to be loaded in this sequence
-
- CAPI
- CFOS
- STOMPERF
-
- Thus, clients can only access ISDN via the FOSSIL interface. Applications
- that access the CAPI must have STISDN / NFCAPI.
-
- 2. CFOS installed on the client stations.
-
- On the modem server, you load
-
- CAPI
- STISDN [...]
-
- And on the clients, you load
-
- NFCAPI [...]
- CFOS [...]
-
- The main drawback of this second alternative is that the ISDN server is
- accessed and locked by the client station as soon as CFOS is loaded.
- Whereas in the first alternative, the ISDN server is accessed only if there
- really is an application demanding access via NETFOS.
-
-
- We suggest to load CFOS with the following options:
-
- /w3 /jr
-
-
-
- 7. Tobit FaxWare
-
- STOMPER.NLM can share the same port with Tobit FaxWare. However,
- FaxWare may then not be set to automatic fax reception since the port is
- continuously in use by FaxWare in this case.
-
-
-
- Appendix D Troubleshooting
-
- This chapter has been moved to a small program named HELP!.EXE. Using this
- little DOS program, you can get help for specific problems.
- Just start the program by entering HELP! in the Stomper directory on the DOS
- command line or in a DOS box of Windows.
-
-
- Appendix E Performance
-
- The modem server may transmit up to 17,000 Bytes per second. Anyways, you
- may only get to this limit if you are using CFOS / STOMPERF with channel
- bundling.
-
- The ISDN-Server allows up to 34,000 Bytes per second, corresponding to
- about 4 bundled channels.
-
-
-
- Appendix F What is a FOSSIL driver?
-
- There are various possibilities for a DOS program to address serial
- interfaces of a PC:
-
- There is the hardware related method, communicating directly with the
- interface components. This method is used very often because it∩s quick
- and uncomplicated for the program user - no unnecessary thoughts about
- a fossil driver and its implementation.
-
- "Polite" programs use the 4 functions provided by the computer BIOS (INT 14):
- Baud rate setting, character transmission, character receive and fetching the
- interface status. This method has the advantage of being hardware independent
- (only BIOS has to have the information how to communicate with the hardware -
- the programmer isn∩t troubled with that). Big and decisive disadvantage:
- under DOS, BIOS allows max. 9600 bps, which is out of date today. Furthermore
- BIOS routines are generally quite slow.
-
- Another possibility is the fossil driver, combining the advantages of the
- solutions mentioned above - speed and hardware independence - troubling the
- user with only one installation.
-
- The fossil driver offers buffered interface communication as an additional
- function to the BIOS, emulating the interface functions of BIOS. Data arriving
- at the interface needn∩t be handled immediately by the software, but are
- stored in a ring buffer. A program using BIOS for example, has to handle
- every single character before the next arrives in order to avoid a loss of
- data. With a fossil driver the data can be fetched and handled in blocks.
-
-
- Appendix G What is a network fossil driver?
-
-
- It∩s easy to exploit the advantage of a hardware independent program with
- the use of a fossil driver. A suitable driver can pretend any digital
- communication element against such a hardware independent program, for
- example as COM2. The programm doesn∩t care how this works, as long as the
- driver handles the mass of data.
-
- Stomper uses this circumstance. A modem server is installed on a network
- integrated computer linked to a modem. The modem server waits for a network
- fossil driver connection, which again bluffs to be communicating with a
- serial interface. At the same time a lot of instruction data and other data
- are passed over the network, but don∩t worry, a normal network is hardly
- concerned with that.
-
-
- Appendix H Support
-
- Pflug Datentechnik may be reached via:
-
- Fax +49 7157-216-22
- e-mail support@pflugdt.lb.eunet.de
- Compuserve Pflug Datentechnik 100340,1047
- Fido 2:246/1009 (Only Crashmail!, please)
- Mailbox (BBS) +49 7157-216-23
-
-
- Current Stomper versions can be downloaded from our BBS or from the WEB:
-
- http://pweb.eunet.de/pflugdt.lb
-
-