marcy@homxa.UUCP (M.COHEN) (04/15/85)
I recently posted the following article to net.micro.pc and att.micro.pc: >>>Is anyone aware of any software that does serial RS232 file xfer >>>from the DOS command line. I am seeking a command which simply sends >>>and recieves files using some reliable protocol (kermit, xmodem, etc.) >>>without doing terminal emulation. This would be very useful in >>>backing up a hard disk. Consider the following scenario: I establish >>>a host connection using whatever term emulation software I like, then >>>I escape back to dos (assuming my emulator supports this feature) >>>and invoke a batch file full of commands like: >>> >>> sendit [options] file1 >>> sendit [options] file2 >>> etc.. >>> >>>Anyone know of software like this sendit or its converse recieveit? >>>I have an AT&T PC6300 running MS-DOS 2.11. >>> >>> Marc Cohen Here are the edited replies: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The standard KERMIT for the AT&T 6300 (MS-KERMIT for the IBM_PC) can take arguments on the command line. If so, then all you really need is a KERMIT capable of acting as a server on the other end (such as the new C-KERMIT for UNIX). You would log onto the remote system, start the KERMIT server and return to your micro. Do your batch file. At the end return to MS-KERMIT and send a 'bye' or 'finish to the remote server. We have a Columbia tape, so let me know if you need copies of either. Feel free to drop me a note if I can be of more help. By the way, MS-KERMIT does support wildcarding of file names, too (if that makes any difference to you.) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- If you are using the SIMTERM terminal emulator, you can setup a shell file on UNIX that will automatically control the transfer of multiple file to/from the PC. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- AT&T-IS sells a product called Tango. The PC part of Tango does terminal emulation and file xfer, as do Crosstalk, etc. The UNIX part (sold by AT&T-IS for 3B2 and 3B5 only, but available for other UNIX machines) is a set of utilities that support the xmodem file xfer and do other useful things. For example, one UNIX command ("pcxec") executes an MSDOS command on the PC. Tango has a simple script language that allows automatic dialup and login, and whatever other automatic actions you would like. Since a UNIX shell script can command your PC once it is logged in, and can examine files, do file xfers up and down, etc. it would be easy to set up the kind of file backup procedure you want. Tango is in "Class 2" status in DOSS right now - the software and documentation are on the shelf, but there's some red tape to be unwound. That means that it may not be orderable without the Product Manager's permission for another two weeks or so. If you are interested, send me mail and I will pass it on to the Product Manager. If you want the UNIX utilities for something other than 3B2 or 3B5 (e.g., Amdahl, VAX, etc.) I can probably help. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Since you have to use terminal emulation to establish the connection, is there really any reason why the program you seek *can't* include it? The nicest user-interface for file transfer I've seen is Vterm's with some hacks (mine). I think the only difference between it and what you asked for is that you use Unix's command line rather than DOS's. It's actually easier than what you describe, since it isn't necessary to build a batch file first. I simply say (to the Unix prompt): vtsend file1 file2 .... or vtget file1 file2 .... If the files exist at the Unix end, I can use wild cards for file names. There are command line options for various parameter settings. There are some drawbacks. You must buy Vterm for the micro end. Vterm sends two bytes for one (rather than kermit's three for two) so it's about 50% slower than kermit. On our Vax 750 running 4.2BSD Vterm's protocol suffers badly at baud rates > 2400 (but then I haven't found any file transfer software that will actually move data at a higher net rate). What it boils down to is that I use Vterm for moving a few small files (because of its convenience) and kermit for bigger tasks (because of its speed). Last but not least: you must, from somewhere, get the Unix-end software for Vterm. I don't know if you can get it from Coefficient Systems or not. I got it from another site, who told me "it belongs to CSI and you probably shouldn't spread it around." But it doesn't include any copyright notices. Let me know if this is of any interest to you. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks to all respondants, Marc Cohen AT&T Bell Labs, room 2G427A Holmdel, NJ ...ihnp4!homxa!marcy (201) 949-5244