cc.fdc@COLUMBIA-20.ARPA (07/12/83)
From: Frank da Cruz <cc.fdc@COLUMBIA-20.ARPA>
KERMIT is a protocol for transferring files between computers of all sizes
over ordinary asynchronous telecommunication lines using packets, checksums,
and retransmission to promote data integrity. Microcomputer implementations
of KERMIT (and some of the mainframe implementations) also provide terminal
emulation. KERMIT is non-proprietary, thoroughly documented, well tested, and
in wide use. The protocol and the original program implementations were
developed at Columbia University and have been shared with many other
institutions, some of which -- particularly Stevens Institue of Technology --
have made contributions of their own.
* KERMIT Implementations
KERMIT is presently available for the following systems:
Machine Operating System Language
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DECSYSTEM-20 TOPS-20 MACRO-20
DECsystem-10 TOPS-10 MACRO-10
VAX-11 VMS Bliss-32, Macro-32
IBM 370 Series VM/CMS IBM Assembler
VAX,PDP-11,SUN,etc UNIX C
PDP-11 RT-11 OMSI Pascal
8080, 8085, or Z80 CP/M ASM
8086, 8088 PC DOS, MS DOS IBM PC Macro Assembler
Apple II 6502 Apple DOS DEC-10/20 CROSS
All but the UNIX version and RT-11 versions use or imitate the TOPS-20 style
of user interface - command keyword recognition and completion, ?-help, etc.
The 8080 version runs on the DEC VT180, DEC Rainbow-100 (speeds up to 1800
baud only), DECmate II (CP/M), Heath/Zenith-89 and 100, Intertec Superbrain,
Apple II with Z80 Softcard, TRS-80 II (CP/M), Osborne 1, Osborne Executive,
Kaypro II, Vector Graphics, Ohio Scientific, Telcon Zorba, and others. The
8086 version runs on the IBM PC and lookalikes (such as the Compaq portable)
and on the Heath/Zenith-100.
* Distribution Policy
The KERMIT software is free and available to all, sources and documentation
included. Columbia University has been charging a reproduction fee of $100
for mailing tapes to recover its costs. Other sites are free to redistribute
KERMIT on their own terms, and are encouraged to do so, with the following
stipulations: KERMIT should not be sold for profit; credit should be given
where it is due; and new material should be sent back to Columbia University
so that we can maintain a definitive and comprehensive set of KERMIT
implementations for further distribution.
* Distribution Mechanisms:
In addition to direct distribution from Columbia, KERMIT (all the versions
listed above, as they existed in June 1983) has been placed on the DECUS
VAX/VMS and RSX-11 SIG tapes, and may, at some point, be added to the DECUS
library for DEC-10's and -20s, and also distributed through IBM SHARE. In
addition, the KERMIT distribution is available at Columbia to users of BITNET
on host CUVMA.
* ARPAnet Distribution:
Now KERMIT is available in its entirety to the ARPAnet community. An up-to-
date KERMIT distribution area will be maintained on the Columbia University
Computer Science Department DECSYSTEM-20, a new machine which as just been
added to the ARPAnet.
The KERMIT distribution can be found at ARPAnet host COLUMBIA-20 in the
directory PS:<KERMIT>, accessible via anonymous FTP. This is a large area,
containing sources (and in some cases binaries or hex) of all implementations,
plus documentation and various utility programs -- presently over 2000 DEC-20
pages in about 170 files -- so you probably don't want to take the whole area
blindly. First, look at the short file 00README.TXT (starts with two zeros,
always appears at the top of a directory listing), which explains what is
where, and then take the parts that are of interest to you. The KERMIT area
on COLUMBIA-20 should now be considered the definitive source for KERMIT on
the ARPAnet; other areas where parts of the KERMIT distribution have been
available will not necessarily remain current or complete.
The major documentation for KERMIT is the KERMIT USERS GUIDE and the KERMIT
PROTOCOL MANUAL, on line as USER.DOC and PROTO.DOC, respectively. The User's
Guide gives an overview, general instructions for use, and details about the
use and installation of each version, including procedures for initially
downloading microcomputer versions from a mainframe host. The Protocol manual
is supposed to describe the protocol in sufficient detail to allow new
implementations of KERMIT to be written.
KERMIT is an active project. Features are being added to existing
implementations, bugs are fixed, new implementations are being developed.
Towards the end of August (when I return from vacation), I'll set up a KERMIT
mailing list for reporting bugs, trading information, announcing new versions,
etc. In the meantime, send comments and inquiries to me at this ID, though I
won't be able to answer for a while.
* Disclaimer
No warranty of the software nor of the accuracy of the documentation
surrounding it is expressed or implied, and neither the authors nor Columbia
University, nor any other contributor, acknowledge any liability resulting
from program or documentation errors.
- Frank da Cruz
Manager of DEC Systems
Columbia University Center for Computing Activities
CC.FDC@COLUMBIA-20
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