dialer.device 1.7
© 1994, Iain Hibbert
dialer.device is an autodialer/login program for all types of network
software that use the serial port, but don't know how to deal with modems
or login prompts. It also enables you to have your modem hangup on DTR
drop
dialer.device will work with *any* software that usually accesses a
serial port, such as any [C]SLIP or PPP devices for AmiTCP, any version
of AmigaNOS, any terminal program, and even the 'version' command.
1. Installation
---------------
This archive should contain three files:
dialer.device ; the autodialer
dialer0.config ; an example configuration
dialer.readme ; this file
Copy dialer.device to your DEVS: directory, and create config files in
ENV: (and ENVARC:), then point your network software at dialer.device
instead of its usual serial.device.
For automatic hangup, configure your modem to drop the line when DTR
is dropped (&D2 on most modems), then you just need to take the system
offline (in the case of AmiTCP) or exit the network software (AmigaNOS)
to hangup.
2. Configuration
----------------
Each unit of dialer.device can be configured differently, thus is is
possible to have several network connections using the same telephone
line. The configuration is held in a file called dialerX.config in your
ENV: directory, where X is the unit number (the unit number may be any
32-bit number). Only lines starting with valid keywords are interpreted,
this is a low-level device and no error messages are currently produced,
if you have any problems check the config file.
When you have correctly configured dialer.device and your modem, you
can test it with the 'version' command, just type:
version dialer.device unit 0
at the shell prompt, and it should dial out and login to your network
provider, then hangup immediately. Success is indicated by printing the
version number of the serial device indicated by the DEVICE keyword -
this is because when dialer.device has finished its login, it steps out
of the way and leaves the network software to deal directly with the
serial device so there is no degradation in performance :-)
The valid keywords are:
DEVICE <string>
The device to use. When dialer.device is successfully opened, it
returns a pointer to this device instead of itself.
default: "serial.device"
UNIT <number>
The unit number of the serial device to use.
default: 0
BAUD <number>
The Baud Rate to use
default: <your prefs setting>
INITSTRING <string>
The first string that is sent to the modem, it should initialise
the modem, and cause it to return an OK within 5 seconds, or else the
device will return, unopened.
default: "ATZ"
DIALSTRING <string>
The string we send before each phone number.
default: "ATDT"
PHONE <string>
Multiple PHONE keywords are allowed. Each will be dialled in turn,
until we either get a "CONNECT", "ERROR", or "NO DIALTONE" message
from the modem, or else the window is closed.
N.B. If there are no numbers to dial, the dialer will assume that
there is no modem on the line and will skip directly to the CONVERSE
stage (no MODEMINIT, no Dialling)
DIALTIMEOUT <number>
When dialling, we will attempt to abort the dial if this many
seconds pass before we get a recognised result. The device will
continue dialling with the next number.
default: 60
CONVERSE <string> <string>
Multiple CONVERSE keywords are allowed, none are required. The first
string is waited for, then the second string plus a CR is sent. To
send without waiting, leave the first string empty (ie "").
TIMEOUT <number>
The timeout to use when waiting for a CONVERSE string, if we
timeout, the device will fail to open.
default: 30
WINDOWSIZE <number> <number> <number> <number>
Status window size when it opens
default: 320 11 320 100
ZOOMSIZE <number> <number> <number> <number>
Alternative size, for when you press the Zoom gadget.
default: 320 11 320 11
A <string> is delimited by spaces, or " quote characters.
"This is one String"
This is four strings
You can insert CR or LF into the string by using \r and \n
3. Copyright
------------
dialer.device is © 1994 Iain Hibbert and is freely distributable as
long as all of its files are included in their original form without
additions, deletions, or modifications of any kind, and only a nominal
fee is charged for its distribution.
This software is provided "AS IS" without warranty of any kind, either
expressed or implied. Reading Legal mush can turn your brain to guacamole.
By using dialer.device you accept either the whole risk or the quality and
performance of the program.
4. The Author
-------------
Iain Hibbert 4 Avondale Road plunky@skate.demon.co.uk
Bath 2:250/320.33@fidonet
Avon BA1 3EG 39:138/14.33@amiganet
England
You should probably be able to reach me at one of the above addresses,
if you are using Comms software regularly. Please contact me if you have
any problems or suggestions. I do not guarantee to implement any
suggestions or fix any bugs, but it can't hurt to try.
5. History
----------
1.0 First Release
1.4 1.0 would think it was successful if you aborted after
receiving the CONNECT message (ie during the login phase)
1.6 removed the requirement to have PHONE keywords, at request
6. Bugs
-------
Thats all, there is no more..
Actually, there is one slight strangeness to do with the OpenDevice()
exec.library function call - *sometimes* if the device fails to open, it
tries again (once only) - this can manifest if you abort the dialling,
the dialer starts to try again (just close it again), or if the login
fails and the device tries again. I do not know why it does this.
Any other problems, let me know..
**** New! Version 1.7 ****
THe new thing added about this version is a feature that is done
internally. What is it, you may ask? Now, the Converse part of the program
will pause for 1 second before entering a command after the search string
is matched. This update is for people connected to machines which need a
more human speed of input in order to proceed. This is often the case for
those of us who are using Digital Modems. Anyone who is using version 1.6
and it works should have no problem with this version, however, those of
us which need that delay in command entering in order for the host to
read the correct baud rate will need this version to enter the world of
Network Communications. Good luck, and if there is any more requests,
make sure you mail the author about them.
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