AEGIS KERMIT (Version 1.0)
   
   
KERMIT is written for the  Apollo family of super-micro-com-
puters running the AEGIS operating system by John Lee of RCA
LABS.  Its implementation includes both LOCAL (dial-out) and
REMOTE HOST  (dial-in) mode; as  well as  communicating with
IBM/CMS KERMIT which is treated as a special case because of
its half-duplex characteristics and  the requirement to wait
for the line turnaround character (DC1); the program actual-
ly looks for the CMS prompt of BELL (7).
   
When running in the LOCAL mode,  the program will prompt the
user as to which  SIO port is to be used  for file transfer.
It is the responsibility of the  user to make sure that this
chosen SIO  port has matching parameters  with communication
means (i.e.  LAN, modem,  etc).  The  "TCTL" program  can be
used in re-configurating SIO port  parameters to match pari-
ty, baud rate,  bits per character and no  echo.  When using
LAN, its  echo should  always be set  to no-echo;  even when
communicating with a half-duplex system.
   
The terminal emulation feature available under LOCAL mode is
crude at best.  Its primary function is to set up the REMOTE
KERMIT you are currently communicating  with for file trans-
fer.  When  displaying a large  file from remote  host, por-
tions  of the  file might  be lost  during the  transmission
without  warning.   When terminal  emulation  feature  (chat
mode) is not needed, it is best  to exit from this chat mode
and enter into the LOCAL  KERMIT command parser mode.  While
in  CHAT mode,  there are  many system  calls generated  for
polling and detection of incoming characters from either the
local keyboard or remote SIO port;  this would take some CPU
power away from  other system or user  programs running con-
currently  with KERMIT.
   
When running in REMOTE HOST KERMIT mode, KERMIT will use the
current log-in line  for file transfer.  Since  the user was
able to  login to  the Apollo  system using  a SIO  port, it
means that  all I/O  parameters are  already matched;  hence
there is no  need to use the "TCTL" program  for the purpose
of re-configurating the log-in SIO port at all.
   
The KERMIT  program will also prompt  the user for  START OF
HEADER (SOH)  to be  used at the  beginning of  each packet.
The CNTR-A (defaulted) and CNTR-E character are the options.
Usually there is no need to  change the defaulted SOH unless
it causes problems in the file transfer process.  Both LOCAL
and REMOTE  KERMIT must be  capable of changing  and matches
the chosen SOH  character in order for any  file transfer to
work.
   
   
NOTE: When sending a file to  the Apollo system, be sure the
incoming filename does not match any file already existed in
the current  working directory;  otherwise the  existed file
will be deleted and replaced by the incoming one.  Also, the
filename of the  incoming file may change  slightly in order
to conform  to the  filename convention  governed under  the
Apollo-AEGIS system.  One method of avoiding this problem is
to invoke the KERMIT program from a clean working directory.
   
Summary of KERMIT-AEGIS commands are as folllows:
   
 CONNECT          - Enters into the 'CHAT' mode, whatever you typed on the
                  - local keyboard is transmitted to the remote host, and
                  - information from the remote host are transmitted to the
                  - local terminal.  'CHAT' mode is used in establishing
                  - login sessions and invoking remote KERMIT program.
                  - CNTR ] will cause exit from 'CHAT' mode.
   
 EXIT             - EXIT from this KERMIT program and returns to the AEGIS
                  - command level.
   
 HELP             - Displays the content of this help file.
   
 QUIT             - QUIT from this KERMIT program and returns to the AEGIS
                  - command level.
   
 RECEIVE          - Enters the 'RECEIVE' state of file transfer mode,
                  - program waits for in-coming packet with no time-out
                  - detection capability provided.
   
 SEND             - Enters the 'SEND' state of file transfer mode, programs
                  - prompts for either a filename or a directory
                  - of filenames (i.e. @directory) to be transmitted.
   
 SET IBM OFF      - In 'CHAT' mode, expects remote system to echo back
                  - transmitted characters.  In file transfer mode, does
                  - not wait for the detection of DC1 before sending out
                  - the next packet.
   
 SET IBM ON       - In 'CHAT' mode, performs local echoing of transmitted
                  - characters.  In file transfer mode, wait for the
                  - detection of DC1 or CMS prompt from CMS before
                  - sending out the next packet.
   
 STATUS           - Displays the current values of various setting.
   
   
 PROCEDURE on installing KERMIT-AEGIS onto your Apollo system
   
1) Breaks up the big source file into small one base on the filename
   given found at the beginning of each subroutine/funcion.
   
2) Compile all the fortran programs.
   
3) Run the BINDKERMIT command file
   
4) In order to execute the KERMIT-AEGIS program, type RUNKERMIT.
   
   
Permission is granted to any individual or institution to copy
   
or use this program, except for explicitly commerical purpose.
   
                                          John Lee
                                          RCA Laboratories
                                          609-734-3157