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-
- K11AAA.AAA Updated: 19-Feb-87 16:51:24
-
-
- Kermit-11 Edit history: K11CMD.MAC
- Kermit-11 Installation: K11INS.DOC
- Kermit-11 Documentation: K11HLP.HLP (no separate user manual)
- Kermit-11 Files: K11FIL.DOC (PLEASE read this)
-
-
-
- Please note that while Kermit-11 uses RMS11 for all versions (RT11 excluded)
- you do not need RMS on your system unless you opt to use the versions linked
- to RMSRES (K11.TSK for RSTS/E and K11POS.TSK for M/M+ and P/OS).
- For further information, please read K11INS.DOC
-
-
-
- To get Kermit-11 and all the other Kermits:
-
- KERMIT Distribution
- Columbia University Center for Computing Activities
- 7th Floor, Watson Laboratory
- 612 West 115th Street
- New York, N.Y. 10025
-
-
- There is also a fairly current copy of Kermit-11 available from DECUS,
- order number 11-731. As of June 1985 the DECUS library has Kermit-11
- available on RX01's and RX50's (in RT and P/OS format). Additionally,
- the SIG tapes almost always have a current version on them.
-
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
- To get Kermit-11 from the author:
-
-
- Mail:
-
- 800bpi DOS-11 format
- 1600 bpi tape DOS-11, ANSI or VMS Backup
- RX01 RT format, binaries only
- RX50 RT or P/OS (readable on Micro/RSX), delays are possible
- since I have only one PRO/350 and one hard disk.
-
- For tapes, VMS Backup format is preferred (default if not specified).
- For RSTS/E, V9 Backup format is preferred. V9 backup is NOT compatible
- with previous releases of RSTS/E, but IS compatible with VMS backup.
-
- You must supply the media
-
-
- Brian Nelson
- Computer Services
- University of Toledo
- 2801 West Bancroft
- Toledo, Oh 43606
- (419) 537-2841 or BRIAN@UOFT02.BITNET
-
- -----------------------------------------------------------
- Bitnet:
-
- from VM/CMS: CP SMSG RSCS MSG UOFT02 KERMSRV DIR
- CP SMSG RSCS MSG UOFT02 KERMSRV SEND K11*.*
-
- from VMS Jnet: $ SEN/REM UOFT02 KERMSRV SEND K11*.*
-
-
- Columbia University maintains a BITNET Kermit server also,
- username KERMSRV node CUVMA. Command format is similiar to
- the VMS KERMSRV on node UOFT01.
- -----------------------------------------------------------
- Dialup:
-
- (419) 537-4411
- Service class VX785A
- User: KERMIT
- Password: KERMIT
-
- Source and hex files are in KER:, binaries are in KERBIN:
-
- -----------------------------------------------------------
-
- See K11INS.DOC
-
-
- For edit history, see K11CMD.MAC
-
- If you really have a problem with RMS, please read K11INS.DOC
- first. You DO NOT need RMSRES on your system to use Kermit.
-
- You don not even need ANY RMS-11 files on your system to run.
-
-
- To reach me
-
- Brian Nelson
- Computer Services
- University of Toledo
- 2801 West Bancroft
- Toledo, Oh 43606
- (419) 537-2841
-
- The KERMIT file transfer protocol is intended for use in an environment where
- there may be a diverse mixture of computers -- micros, personal computers,
- workstations, laboratory computers, timesharing systems -- from a variety of
- manufacturers. All these systems need have in common is the ability to com-
- municate in ASCII over ordinary serial telecommunication lines.
-
- KERMIT was originally designed at Columbia University to meet the need for file
- transfer between our DECSYSTEM-20 and IBM 370-series mainframes and various
- microcomputers. It turned out that the diverse characteristics of these three
- kinds of systems resulted in a design that was general enough to fit almost any
- system. The IBM mainframe, in particular, strains most common assumptions
- about how computers communicate.
-
- The KERMIT protocol is specifically designed for character-oriented transmis-
- sion over serial telecommunication lines. The design allows for the restric-
- tions and peculiarities of the medium and the requirements of diverse operating
- environments -- buffering, duplex, parity, character set, file organization,
- etc. The protocol is carried out by KERMIT programs on each end of the serial
- connection sending "packets" back and forth; the sender sends file names, file
- contents, and control information; the receiver acknowledges (positively or
- negatively) each packet.
-
- The packets have a layered design, in keeping with the ANSI and ISO
- philosophies, with the outermost fields used by the data link layer to verify
- data integrity, the next by the session layer to verify continuity, and the
- data itself at the application level.
-
- Connections between systems are established by the ordinary user. In a typical
- case, the user runs KERMIT on a microcomputer, enters terminal emulation, con-
- nects to a remote host computer (perhaps by dialing up), logs in, runs KERMIT
- on the remote host, and then issues commands to that KERMIT to start a file
- transfer, "escapes" back to the micro, and issues commands to that KERMIT to
- start its side of the file transfer. Files may be transferred singly or in
- groups.
-
- Basic KERMIT provides only file transfer, and that is provided for sequential
- files only, though the protocol attempts to allow for various types of sequen-
- tial files. Microcomputer implementations of KERMIT are also expected to
- provide terminal emulation, to facilitate the initial connection.
-
- More advanced implementations simplify the "user interface" somewhat by allow-
- ing the KERMIT on the remote host to run as a "server", which can transfer
- files in either direction upon command from the local "user" Kermit. The serv-
- er can also provide additional functionality, such as file management, mes-
- sages, mail, and so forth. Other optional features also exist, including a
- variety of block check types, a mechanism for passing 8-bit data through a
- 7-bit communication link, a way to compressing a repeated sequence of charac-
- ters, and so forth.
-
- As local area networks become more popular, inexpensive, and standardized, the
- demand for KERMIT and similar protocols may dwindle, but will never wither away
- entirely. Unlike hardwired networks, KERMIT gives the ordinary user the power
- to establish reliable error-free connections between any two computers; this
- may always be necessary for one-shot or long-haul connections.
-