Basic Assumptions

The instructions given in this document assume you have some basic knowledge of your Macintosh--that you know how to load and run a program. If you are planning to use a modem, it also assumes that you are familiar with the settings on your modem and that you know how to change them if necessary (or at least where to look for the directions on how to make changes). If you need assistance with any of these basic assumptions, please contact your local OIT support center. In Camden--Business and Science Building Room 126, (856) 225- 6065; in Newark--Room 313 Engelhard Hall (201) 648-5083; and in New Brunswick--NBCS Help Desk, Room 013, Hill Center, Busch Campus, (732) 445-HELP (4357) for help.

Introduction

Kermit, a public domain file transfer and terminal emulation program, will provide the necessary software interface between your Macintosh and the network. Kermit is available at no charge for copying at any of the OIT support centers listed above as well as the Digital Media Lab (Hill Center Room 017), the SERC Instructional Micro Lab (Busch Campus), and the Loree Computer Center (Loree Building, Douglass Campus).

The MacKermit program available tor copying in the OIT facilities is set up with all the proper communication parameters for OIT terminal servers. This document assumes that you will be using that program or a copy of it. (You must use version 0.90 or above tor these instructions to work.) The staff member on duty can help you make a copy. The file MacKermit.Doc, available from OIT, is the official documentation supplied by the program author; you can read it for additional help.

If you want to access a machine on the RUNet from a Macintosh in one of the OIT facilities, ask a staff member to set up the communications for you. The staff member can also assist you in using the RUNet.

Accessing RUNet Systems Using MacKermit

Start MacKermit as you would any other program, open (double click) the disk/folder icon(s) where MacKermit resides, then open MacKermit by double clicking on the Kermit icon. You may also start MacKermit by opening one of its settings files. You will see a white background and menu headers across the top of the screen. The menu headers are: File, Edit, Settings, Remote, and Log.

The copy of Kermit that OIT distributes is configured for the default communications port, COM1. If you are using a modern, first be sure that it is turned on, then issue the command CONNECT and the command sequence for your modem to dial the appropriate number (if you are using a Hayes-compatible modem, for example, type ATDT followed by the phone number that you want to access. Press the <Enter> or <Return> key until you receive a response from the terminal server.

Rutgers maintains sets of modems in New Brunswick (actually Piscataway), Camden, and Newark. To find the phone numbers, use the man dialups command on any Rutgers Unix system, call the NBCS Help Desk at (732) 445-HELP (4357) and follow the instructions given on the recording, or see http://www-td.rutgers.edu/documentation/Reference/OIT_Dialups/index.html . (The numbers change too often enough to include them in this document.)

Once you have reached the terminal server, type the name of the system you want to access (eden, rci, andromeda, clam, etc.). Follow the login instructions provided with your account.

Downloading a File to Your Macintosh

Kermit allows you to transfer files between your Macintosh and remote host systems on the RUNet (the Rutgers University Network) by running Kermit on both your Macintosh and on the remote host and letting them work together. (Transferring files between your Macintosh and the IBM ES/9000RUTAdmin is not available.)

To download (i.e., copy a file from a remote host to your Macintosh), start the remote host's copy of Kermit by typing the command kermit. The host will respond with a Kermit prompt: C-Kermit>. (Remember what the prompt looks like. It will help you determine which Kermit--your local PC's or the remote host's--you are talking to.)

Type send filename at the C-Kermit> prompt and replace filename with the name of the that file you want to download. You are instructing the remote host's Kermit to send you a file.

You must also instruct your local PC's Kermit to receive that file. To do this, press <CTRL>-] (that's the control key and the right bracket pressed at the same time). Then press the letter c. This "escape sequence", as it's called, will take you back to your local PC Kermit and give you the Kermit-MS> prompt. Type receive to receive the file from the host system.

A status screen will tell how much of your file has been transferred. When the transfer is completed, you will see the Kermit-MS> prompt again.

Type c then press <Return> twice. This will return you to the remote host and you will again see the C-Kermit> prompt. If there are other files you want to transfer, then repeat the sequence, beginning with send filename, as many times as is necessary.

When you are finished downloading your files, type exit followed by <Return> and the remote host system prompt will reappear.

Where Did It Go?

Files that you have downloaded will be stored in the same folder as your copy of MacKermit unless you select a different target directory.

Is It Still There?

When you download a file, you are actually making a copy of it. The original is still on the remote host.

Uploading a File from Your Macintosh

Files transferred to a remote host from your Macintosh (i.e. uploaded) are most easily transfered in ASCII (or MS-DOS) format. Word processors and other programs frequently add extra characters for formatting that change the file to non-ASCII format. Since these characters may not be properly interpreted by the host systems, the file may appear garbled when it is transmitted. An easy way to check your file to see if it is in ASCII format is to use the MS-DOS command:

type filename

substituting the name of your file for filename. If you can read the file and it looks the way you expected it to, it is probably in ASCII format and safe to transfer. If there are odd characters mixed in, it is not an ASCII format. Consult your word processor manual for instructions on how to save the file in ASCII or MS-DOS format.

If you know that the receiving system can understand a non-ASCII format you may transfer the non-ASCII file if you first specify the file type to be binary with the command:

set file binary

To upload (i.e., copy a file from a remote host to your Macintosh), start the remote host's copy of Kermit by typing the command kermit. The host will respond with a Kermit prompt: C-Kermit>. (Remember what the prompt looks like. It will help you determine which Kermit--your local Mac's or the remote host's--you are talking to.)

Type receive at the C-Kermit> prompt and replace filename with the name of the that file you want to download. You are instructing the remote host's Kermit to receive your file.

You must also instruct your local Mac's Kermit to receive that file. To do this, press <CTRL>-] (that's the control key and the right bracket pressed at the same time). Then press the letter c. This "escape sequence", as it's called, will take you back to your local PC Kermit and give you the Kermit-MS> prompt. Type send filename to receive the file from the host system.

A status screen will tell how much of your file has been transferred. When the transfer is completed, you will get the Kermit-MS> prompt again.

Type c then press <Return> twice. This will return you to the remote host and you will again see the C-Kermit> prompt. If there are other files you want to upload, repeat the sequence, beginning with receive, as many times as is necessary.

When you are finished downloading your files, type exit followed by <Return> and the remote host system prompt will reappear.

Log Off

When you have completed your uploading or downloading activity, you can continue to use the host system. Be sure to log off when you are finished, using the procedures as outlined in the instructions you received with your host system account.