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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, and the PC-2-PC script are copyright 1992 by CABER Software. 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 "share- ware". If you USE the program after evaluating it, you MUST pay for it. The complete user license and registration information is to be found in the file REGISTER.DOC. Limitations on redistribution of COM-AND are set out in the file VENDOR.DOC. These two files are included with the COM-AND program release. CABER Software R. (Scott) McGinnis P.O. Box 3607 Mdse Mart Chicago, IL 60654-0607 GEnie, Delphi: TARTAN CIS .......... 73147,2665 Internet ..... 73147.2665@compuserve.com Version 1.1: 921012 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 3. Modem Escape ............................................ page 14 4. Hangup .................................................. page 14 5. Modem Init .............................................. page 14 Version 1.1: 921012 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 for use by itself, or for use 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, disk 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 included with the COM-AND release. PC-2-PC script supports: o Direct and dialed connection between two PCs o Current directory displays for 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 connection Version 1.1: 921012 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 gives the best performance if executed from a RAMDisk. If you have such a beast, use it! [Folk more modern (than the author) who use caching utilities may freely ignore this advice.] PC-2-PC connects 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). "115k" in COM-AND's run command sets the COM1 async port speed to 115k. The "/fe:pc-2-pc" in COM-AND's run command executes the script after COM-AND's load-time initialization.] Version 1.1: 921012 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 disk 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 is improved drastically! The first thing PC-2-PC does is to open a double window. The left side of the screen always lists files in the current subdirectory on the current machine. The right side displays the subdirectory 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 opens 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 with which you wish to talk. Ready both machines. 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 are prompted to allow port and speed specification(s). A carriage return alone at this point starts the 'waiting'. If you are making a dialed connect, the script simply goes into an autoanswer mode waiting for a call. Version 1.1: 921012 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 are prompted to allow port and speed specification(s). A carriage return alone at this point starts connection process. If you are making a dialed connect, you are asked for a dialing directory number for the number to call and its parameters. [The script does not display the dialing direc- tory for you at this time. You need to know it.] One point to emphasize: The script waiting for connection should be started first. The script 'making' the connect should then be started. If the two scripts recognize each other, they begin by exchanging 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 you're 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: 921012 COM-AND Inter-PC File transfer Page 5 IV. File Transfers A. Wildcard transfer Selection 'W' from the main window prompts for direction (are you sending or receiving files?) and a wildcard file name. Select a direction ('S' or 'R'), and specify the file(s) for transfer. A wildcard file name 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 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 begins. If a file being transferred via a wildcard specifier duplicates a file already existing, the new file's name is modified; a "$" is placed in the last character position. For example, if you copied COM-AND.EXE through wildcard transfer into a subdirectory already containing COM-AND.EXE, the new file would be named: COM-AND.EX$. 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: 921012 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 particular file. Then type 'S'. A window opens 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' 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: 921012 COM-AND Inter-PC File transfer Page 7 V. Exit The PC-2-PC script terminates 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: 921012 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' terminates the shell. Version 1.1: 921012 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 2.9) requires 277K for itself. You need 384K take advantage of the DOS Gateway and to load accessories. This script requires a modem or a null-modem to another computer. Version 1.1: 921012 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 is R. Scott McGinnis of Chicago, IL. My GEnie and Delphi 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 1.1) may be distributed freely (but it isn't a whole lot of use without COM-AND). Any improvements you return to the author get attention... errors you report get corrected. COM- AND is shareware. If COM-AND is USED after a 30 day evaluation, you MUST pay for it. If used for a commercial application, you MUST pay for it. [Please read REGISTER.DOC.] Version 1.1: 921012 COM-AND Inter-PC File transfer Page 11 A. Null modem This script has been used successfully with the following null modem: DB-25 pin assignments and connections: ------------------------------------------- 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 works 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. Pins of a 9 pin shell correlate to the 25 pin shell, as follows: DB-9: DB-25: Name: ----- ------ ------------------- 1 ---- cd ----- 8 Data Carrier Detect 2 ---- rx ----- 3 Receive Data Line 3 ---- tx ----- 2 Transmit Data Line 4 ---- dtr --- 20 Data Terminal Ready 5 ---- gnd ---- 7 Signal Ground 6 ---- dsr ---- 6 Data Set Ready 7 ---- rts ---- 4 Request to Send 8 ---- cts ---- 5 Clear to Send 9 ---- ri ---- 22 Ring Indicator (unused above) Version 1.1: 921012 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 bps. However, in fact, many 8250 chips are found to 'wobble' their timings at high speeds. Pin-identical replacement UARTS are available to solve the problem. An excellent discussion of the problem, and sources for UART re- placements may be found in Chuck Forsberg's DSZ document. 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 timeouts are very long in COM-AND - suitable for the network/switched envi- ronment, 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 also has 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, please inform the author. Version 1.1: 921012 Appendices COM-AND Inter-PC File transfer Page 13 C. Modem Configuration COM-AND defaults do not require modem pre-configuration (although you may do it!). 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 your modem follows the DTR signal. Refer to the documentation provided with your modem to ensure 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 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 during a session. Be sure 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 documentation provided with your modem to ensure that modem switches are set appropriately. Version 1.1: 921012 Appendices COM-AND Inter-PC File transfer Page 14 D. Modem Configuration (continued) 3. Modem Escape COM-AND issues the "Modem escape" defined through the Alt-S setup, prior to modem initialization and hangup. Be sure this value is set correctly in Alt-S. 4. Hangup COM-AND hangs up using the command sequences defined through the Alt-S setup (hangup and modem escape) and the drop DTR setting as discussed above. Be sure these values are set correctly (or see below). 5. Modem Init COM-AND transmits a modem initialization when PC-2-PC is set to await a call. This sequence must enable the modem's autoanswer. The sequence is defined in the first line of the script. The value provided is appropriate for most modems. Modify it as you need. Please refer to your modem's documentation. Version 1.1: 921012 Appendices