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Text File | 1996-02-02 | 23KB | 454 lines

DWHost v3.0 (c) Copyright 1986 - 1992 by J.C. Kilday Associates Developed at the Northern Lights BBS 207-761-4782 (v.32bis/VHST) Table of Contents ----------------- Introduction .................... 1 Description ..................... 1 Advanced Answering Modes ........ 2 Installation .................... 3 Additional Setup Notes .......... 4 Operating DW Host ............... 6 Advanced Features ............... 7 Support ......................... 8 DW Host v3.0 Page 1 Introduction ------------ DW Host is a specialized host communications program primarily intended to support operations at the DOS level on the host. It may be interfaced with other communications packages to implement more complex functions. It is intended for operation with Doorway (which allows nearly any non-graphics program to be run from remote). File transfer operations are supported directly from DOS by DWXFER as is mentioned in the next section. Popular applications of DW Host include home-to-office (and vice versa) communications as well as operations between a company home office and its remote sites. Software configuration and file maintenance on the DW Host-equipped host are frequent uses. DW Host is designed for operation on an IBM PC, XT, AT, PS/2 or a close compatible connected to a Hayes-compatible modem or a US Robotics HST. The complete DW Host package includes the following files: DWHost.DOC - this file DWHost.COM - executable module DWHost.OVR - DW Host "overlay" file CONFIG.HLP - context-sensitive help file HOST.BAT - optional controlling batch file DO_DW.BAT - batch file executed by DW Host READ.ME - quick review information Description ----------- DW Host normally monitors the modem and upon detecting a ring answers the call while adjusting to the caller's baud rate. Speeds of 38,400 bps down to 300 bps are supported with the following comm parameters: 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit. Upon successful connect, DW Host greets the caller with a one-line message of your choosing and requests entry of a password, also of your choosing. If the correct password is supplied and the callback mode is not in effect, DW Host will transfer control of the next part of the communications session to other software. Depending on the configuration option chosen, the caller may be dropped to the DOS level (with a DOORWAY command line having been invoked to support continued communications). Or a caller may next see another communications application, such as a BBS-like package, or a menu of programs that might be run (using the Doorway munu capability). If the correct password is not given to DW Host in three attempts, DW Host hangs up and recycles. For enhanced security against unauthorized access the callback feature is available. If the callback mode is in effect when the correct password is given, rather than give the caller immediate access, the program disconnects the caller and dials the telephone number specified in the configuration data. Access is granted only if there is a successful connect at that number. DW Host makes up to 3 attempts to establish a connect (it calls a 2nd and 3rd time at intervals of 1 minute if no answer, a busy signal, or no modem connect). If no connection is made on the 3rd attempt, the program DW Host Page 2 recycles and sets up to await another call. If access is granted to the DOS level on the host machine (through DOORWAY), virtually all DOS commands may be executed and so may most other programs which do not use bit mapped graphics. A program called DWXFER supports file transfers while in DOS. It is included in this ZIP. You might also like to try Chuck Forsberg's DSZ for Zmodem file transfers, rather than the older protocol provided by DWXFER (although DWXFER is simpler to use). A log of call activity (a file called DW.LOG) is created by DW Host so that any attempts of unauthorized access to your system may be noted. Calls accepted (and normal logoffs), rejected calls (password failures), and other connects not resulting in access to the system (hang ups at the password prompt and 3-minute timeouts awaiting password entry) are all recorded in this text file. The file includes the date and time of each call and how each ended. It can be viewed using the the DOS TYPE command. It may be deleted at any time (using DOS ERASE or DEL) and the program will start a new one whenever the next entry is to be made. When DW Host is awaiting a call, a display including the date and time, some key setup information, and present DW Host status is shown. A screen blanker turns off the screen if there is no keyboard activity within a 2-minute span. Striking any key restores the display. The display also is toggled on and off by hitting F9. F10 presents information about the program. F3 allows access to the configuration screen where various DW Host setup options may be specified. F1 or F2 cause DW Host to terminate. F1 leaves the telephone line in a BUSY state (modem offhook) while F2 leaves the modem onhook. Advanced Answering Modes ------------------------ DW Host normally is set up to answer a call on the first ring. But where there is need for the host computer to share a phone line and not intrude on voice calls, special answering modes may be configured. "Long Ring" may be configured such that DW Host answers only after the specified number of rings have been received. Alternatively, "Ring Back" may be chosen. This mode requires a caller to dial twice before DW Host answers. The first call consists of a specified number of rings (or DW Host can be configured for a non-specific number of rings on the first call). DW Host answers a second call if received within one minute of the first that lasted the proscribed number of rings. Still another answering mode, Triggered Callback, may be specified where DW Host never answers but, instead, places a call to the number with which it had been configured. Almost a combination of callback and Ring Back, Triggered Callback is set up by two calls much the same as Ring Back. The first call must be of a specified number of rings (or a non-specific number) and a second call must be received within DW Host v3.0 Page 3 Advanced Answering Modes (Continued) ------------------------------------ one minute of the first. If so "triggered", DW Host goes offhook and dials out. Upon connecting to the called computer, a password is required before the called party is allowed access. Just as in the callback process described earlier, 3 attempts at a successful connect are made. Installation ------------ DW Host is designed to operate under DOS 3.0, and up, on IBM PC's, XT's, AT's and compatibles equipped with Hayes 1200-compatible modems. If DW Host has been configured to answer on true ring detect, the modem cable used must have pin 22 (ring indicate) connected. Also pin 20 (Data Transmitter Ready signal) must be connected and the modem must be capable of providing result messages indicating baud rate at connect time (e.g., CONNECT 1200). Recommended Hayes switch settings are: SW 1 - Up, DTR normal (pin 20 controlled by program) SW 2 - Up, Verbal result messages sent (not numeric result codes) SW 3 - Dn, Result messages sent (not quiet mode) SW 4 - Dn, Commands not echoed back SW 5 - Dn, Auto Answer suppressed (controlled by program) SW 6 - Up, Carrier detect indicated by modem (not always on) SW 7 - Up, Single phone line connection SW 8 - Dn, Normal "AT" command set enabled If you are using a modem other than the Hayes standard, make sure that its basic configurable functions are set up the same as above. If your modem does not have switches for one or more of the above functions, there should be appropriate AT commands to achieve the same state. Please consult your modem owner's manual. DW Host has been improved so that the complication of having controlling batch files is no longer a requirement. There may be circumstances, however, that may require you to use a batch file (like HOST.BAT, included in the distribution archive), but more on that later. To install the software you need only copy DW Host.COM, DW Host.OVR, and CONFIG.HLP to a directory from which it will be run. The directory you choose should be the default directory when DW Host is invoked. To configure DW Host, run it for the first time in LOCAL mode so that it won't look for your modem and attempt to initialize it. Enter the command: DW Host L . The L command line parameter specifies LOCAL mode. Initially, the file DWCONFIG cannot be found, you are so informed, and the configuration/setup screen is presented with default settings. If you take some time with this screen and use the F1 key to display the available help for each configuration item, you'll have a good understanding of DW Host capabilities when you finish. Hit the F10 key to save the configuration information. After DW Host returns to its status screen, hit F1 or F2 to quit operations in LOCAL mode. DW Host v3.0 Page 4 Installation (Continued) ------------------------ If all necessary configuration information has been specified and you've set up whatever batch files and/or other programs that are to be accessed from remote through DW Host, your're ready to try bringing up DW Host for its first test run. The command DW Host with no command line parameters should be tried next. If the code displays a status screen and "Waiting for a call" in the status field, you're ready to try calling in. As indicated on the screen, you may exit DW Host by pressing F1 or F2 (choose F1 if you wish to have the line ring BUSY to anyone calling). DWCONFIG is a straight ASCII file and can be modified using any ASCII editor so long as its lines are not interchanged and the limits of the variables (as specified by the original prompts for the data) are not exceeded. It may be necessary to modify this file from remote, in which case the DOS EDLIN, or your favorite line editor may be used. Additional Setup Notes ---------------------- Near the bottom of the configuration screen is a parameter headed by: "Program name of executable to be run ...". If this item is left empty, DW Host exits to DOS upon successful entry of a password from remote. Therefore, proper operation of DW Host requires that a batch file such as HOST.BAT be used as a controlling batch file when the "program name to execute" is left blank on the configuration screen. If you study HOST.BAT, you will see how DW Host is controlled and is not permitted to drop to DOS without invoking a communications program or DOORWAY. A better way to set up DW Host is to enable it to "shell out" to a another program to be executed when a caller successfully enters the password. This can be done by specifying the program name to execute, perhaps as in the following example: doorway COM1 /g:on /m:100 /O: /S:* /v:d^U /R:^X /c:dos (causes Doorway to operate using COM1, allowing the caller 100 minutes of time after dropping to DOS. Additionally it would allow the running of full-screen, direct screen-writing applications from remote, such as Lotus, word processors, Kedit, Brief, Vern Buerg's LIST, etc. ) The above setup allows you to invoke DW Host on the host computer by merely the command DWHost. When a caller enters the correct password, a shell to do_drwy.bat is invoked and the simple batch file invokes DOORWAY, which in turn invokes COMMAND.COM. Operations at the DOS level from remote are sustained until the caller gives the EXIT command. Upon the EXIT, control is returned directly to DW Host and the code recycles internally to set up for another call. DW Host v3.0 Page 5 Additional Setup Notes (Continued) ---------------------------------- This setup also allows DW Host to remain resident during the "shell." This increases memory usage, since both DOORWAY and DW Host will be resident at the same time. For maximum memory availability it is recommended to use the DROP to BATCH FILE method. The above shows how DW Host may be set up to operate in conjunction with other software without using batch files. The advantages are simplicity and speed of recycling after a call. The only disadvantage to this kind of setup is that, in the worst case, about 35K of memory is required for DW Host during the shell. If you cannot afford the memory utilization, a controlling batch file such as HOST.BAT is recommended. Operation within HOST.BAT leaves more of system memory available for applications after DW Host has answered the call and verified correct password entry. For this reason, operation with a controlling batch file such as HOST.BAT remains an available option. If you use the batch file approach to control of DW Host, include HOST.BAT in the directory where you have installed DW Host. Modify it to suit your environment and setup as appropriate. For example, you may wish to change "DOORWAY COM1" to "DOORWAY COM2" if you have specified use of COM2 on the DW Host configuration screen. DW Host v3.0 Page 6 Operating DW Host ----------------- If the DW Host drive/directory is the current default, and your modem is turned on, simply enter the following command to run: DWHost (or HOST if employing batch file) The complete syntax of DW Host is as follows: DWHost [ P|L[ C|T ] [ S ] ] [ O ] The C and T are optional parameters which invoke the callback mode or triggered callback mode (but only if the callback mode had been configured during the setup of DWCONFIG). If the S parm is specified alone or appended to another parm such as C or T, the "slow" BIOS screen write method will be used for writing to the host system screens. Otherwise, fast screen writing methods are used. If running under a multi-tasker such as Omniview or DoubleDOS, some bleed through may be noted if DW Host is operating in a background partition. In such cases, specifying the S parm clears up that problem. Examples: DWHost T or DWHost CS or DWHost S (or HOST C or HOST TS or HOST S if employing batch file) The L parm specifies local mode (no communication with a modem) as mentioned in an earlier section. The O parm is used only when employing the batch file option to recycle the code externally. DW Host invoked with the O disconnects the caller and exits back to the batch file. When used the O parm must be the only command line parm. The P parm tells DW Host to dial out upon startup. If a phone number follows the P (with no intervening space), that number is dialed. Up to 3 attempts are made to connect at the given number. The normal prompt and request for password are presented to the respondent. If no number follows the P, but a callback phone number has been entered on the configuration screen, that number is dialed. To terminate DW Host operation from the host console, hit F1 or F2. If a caller is logged on to the system and currently operating at the DOS level, DOORWAY COM1 or DOORWAY COM2 in effect, a more drastic means is necessary to terminate DW Host (i.e., the power switch). As the caller who has successfully logged on to the system, you may log off in an orderly manner by entering EXIT from any directory. If you are using either of the callback modes and awaiting the callback, you may answer DW Host's call to your location in one of several different ways: - Set up to receive a call per your modem and/or communications program documentation, or DW Host v3.0 Page 7 Operating DW Host (Continued) ----------------------------- - If using one of the communications programs which, in terminal mode before a connect leaves the Hayes compatible modem in command state (e.g., PibTerm, Qmodem, or ProComm), you may type the command ATA when the onscreen report of RING is received from your modem, or - You may setup your modem before or during the session to Auto-Answer mode by entering ATS0=1 or including ATS0=1 in the modem initialization string. If your modem has indicator lights, the AA light will be lit after that command takes effect. When operating in the callback security mode, DW Host makes the call using the baud rate established during the initial call into DW Host. Upon successful connect at your location, you are immediately granted access to the host machine (just as though you had entered the correct password in normal mode). When calling out under "Triggered Callback" operation, the baud rate specified in the configuration file DWCONFIG is used. Upon successful connect you are presented the configurable one-line greeting that normally is presented to callers when DW Host answers a call. Entry of the correct password is required before dropping to DOS on the host machine. Advanced Features in v3.0 -------------------------- This section describes some additional features in DW Host. o Extended Comm Port Specification - DW Host now allows you to use comm ports other than COM1 and COM2. If you specify a comm port greater than 2 on the setup screen (F3), you are prompted for the port address and interrupt (IRQ) number. This technical detail is required due to the lack of standardization on COM3 and COM4. o No Password Option - Some people are using DW Host to front-end applications which provide their own security. When used with these applications, the DW Host password entry requirement becomes redundant. If you are using DW Host v3.0 and delete the password entry on the setup screen, then as soon as a connect is established, DW Host exits (or invokes the application named on the setup screen). The caller sees no password entry prompt when no password is configured in the setup screen. o Modem Activity Display - As an aid in setup trouble-shooting, all strings sent to the modem AND all modem responses are displayed on the status screen adjacent to the new label of "Modem:". As new characters are sent or received from the modem while it is in command state, they are inserted into the display at the right, shifting earlier data to the left in order to keep the same length display. o F1 or F2 to Quit in Modem Reset Error loop - You may now quit out of of DW Host by hitting F1 or F2 when the system is re-cycling due to a modem reset error (earlier versions required hitting the big red switch). DW Host v3.0 Page 8 Advanced Features in v3.0 (Cont'd) ---------------------------------- o Enhancements to DW Host v3.0 include: completely reworked modem control logic for more reliable operations. Occurrences of modem reset errors are far less frequent (and compatibility with more modems is provided) in this release. Comm ports now may be opened at speeds to 38,400 bps. The ability to dial out to make a connection using the new P parm has been added (See "Operating DW Host", Page 6). DW Host v3.0 DW Host is made available to you as a fully functional package. It is distributed as SHAREWARE. When you register DOORWAY, DWHOST will also be registered. Check the DOORWAY.DOC, or REGISTER.FRM for information on registering this package. Support ------- Support is available to registered users of DOORWAY through the main message base of DATA WORLD BBS which can be reached at the number given below. Please note that support is provided only for use of DW Host on equipment for which it was designed (described earlier). DATA WORLD BBS - 423-966-3574 Hayes ULTRA PRIVATE REGISTRATION LINE - 423-675-3282 2400/1200 Note: the private line becomes a support line when you register. Please note that the triggered callback does not work on all phone exchanges due to differences in ring timing.