Category : Communication (modem) tools and utilities
Archive   : DBLINK10.ZIP
Filename : DBLINK.DOC

 
Output of file : DBLINK.DOC contained in archive : DBLINK10.ZIP








D'Bridge LINK

User's Guide and Technical Reference

Version 1.00 - 25 August 1989




Copyright 1989 by Chris Irwin

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED





----------------------------
Chris Irwin
PO Box 971184
Miami, Florida 33197

(305) 232-5245 voice
(305) 232-9365 data

1:1050/0 D'Bridge
1:18/68 Fidonet
7:48/2010 Alternet
-----------------------------






"This manual may be freely copied and distributed in its original
form only. Distribution of modified copies shall be considered
copyright infringement. This document is the complete User's Guide
and Technical Reference for D'Bridge LINK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
We distribute this material on an "as-is" basis only. The current
releases of this manual and/or software may be obtained free-of-charge
anytime from any of the D'Bridge Support Systems located world-wide.

"This is a strictly COMMERCIAL product, but a 15-day demonstration
period is granted to all who request it. Copying and/or distribution
of license-keys is strictly prohibited. (Except, of course for backup
or archival purposes.)"

D'Bridge LINK TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Table of Contents
-----------------

1.0 Hardware/software requirements 1
1.1 D'Bridge LINK - an overview 2
1.2 Installation/Configuration 3

2.0 Command-line operation 8
2.1 Control file operation 9

3.0 Technical Support 10
3.1 Acknowledgements 11

D'Bridge LINK Hardware/Software requirements 1.0
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1.0 HARDWARE/SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS
-----------------------------------


HARDWARE

COMPUTER

- IBM PC, XT, AT, PS/2 or compatible
- 256K RAM
- Monochrome, CGA, EGA, VGA, PGA adaptor and monitor
- Serial port (if an external modem is used)


MODEM

- Hayes-compatible modem
The modem used MUST be capable of using both the
DTR (Data Terminal Ready) and the CD (Carrier Detect)
signals. (Check Appendix "E" for a list of modems
already known to be compatible)
- Modem cable (if external)


TELEPHONE LINE

- A normal telephone line
- A "cellular" phone (with a compatible modem)
- Most PBX systems (check with your vendor)


SOFTWARE

OPERATING SYSTEM

- D'Bridge LINK requires DOS 2.1 or higher
- A FOSSIL communications driver such as X00 by Ray Gwinn.
The X00 driver is provided with D'Bridge LINK and is the
ONLY driver officially supported.

OPTIONS

- A Multi-tasking program or windowing program such as
DESQview, Windows or TopView







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Version 1.00, Copyright 1989 by Chris Irwin - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
D'Bridge LINK D'Bridge LINK - an overview 1.1
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1.1 D'BRIDGE LINK - AN OVERVIEW
--------------------------------


D'Bridge LINK is a simple command-line utility that allows you to send
and receive files using a remote PC connected via modem. D'Bridge LINK
is a WaZOO-based mailer capable of sending and receiving files using the
ZMODEM protocol. This software is compatible with D'Bridge, FrontDoor,
BinkleyTerm, Opus and many other WaZOO-based EMAIL systems.

D'Bridge LINK is not a full-blown EMAIL system; it is a small utility
that allows computers to transmit files, request files or poll a remote
system from a batch file. D'Bridge link is small; just around 60K on
disk makes it small enough for even floppy-based systems and laptops to
use.

The software only dials out. Given the phone number and the list of
files to send or request, D'Bridge LINK calls the remote system multiple
times until a connection is made. Once connected, the computers exchange
information then quickly hang up, resulting in low-cost communications.

D'Bridge LINK can be used to retrieve "demo" software such as D'Bridge.
To file-request the "demo" version of D'Bridge EMAIL System, simply type:


DBLINK REQUEST 1-305-232-9365 DEMO

This would cause your computer to dial the main D'Bridge
Support system in Miami, Florida and request the "demo"
version of our software. This would take about an hour
of long-distance time at 2400 baud, returning about 800K.





D'Bridge LINK:

- Sends and receives files completely unattended
- Fully compatible with UltraTek and WaZOO EMAIL
- Supports most Hayes-compatible 300-38400 baud modems
- 32-bit CRCs and interruption-recovery are used in ZMODEM transfers
- Supports WaZOO-style file and update requests
- Compatible with most multi-taskers such as DESQview and DoubleDOS
- FREE software updates available electronically
- Support systems located worldwide





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Version 1.00, Copyright 1989 by Chris Irwin - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
D'Bridge LINK Installation/Configuration 1.2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------





1.2 INSTALLATION/CONFIGURATION
-------------------------------


D'Bridge LINK is a simple program to install, but requires some knowledge
of DOS. A standard text editor such as EDLIN or QEDIT is needed to alter
CONFIG.SYS, AUTOEXEC.BAT and DBLINK.CTL for your particular installation.



There are just four files required for D'Bridge LINK:

DBLINK.EXE D'Bridge LINK executable
DBLINK.CTL Control file (made with standard text editor)
DLnnnnnn.KEY D'Bridge LINK license key (except "demo" copies)
X00.SYS Communications device driver


Follow these simple steps to install and configure DBLINK for your
particular configuration. In this particular example, we are installing
the software on a hard disk system in the subdirectory C:\DOS. If you
want to use another directory, just substitute the desired directory.


1) Copy the release files (listed above) into a subdirectory where you
want to store them. (Floppy-based systems, use the "A:" root
directory.)


2) Using EDLIN or another standard text editor, edit your CONFIG.SYS
file (or create one) to contain the following line:

DEVICE=C:\DOS\X00.SYS E

D'Bridge LINK will not function without this device driver or a
compatible FOSSIL driver. For more information on other FOSSIL
drivers, please contact D'Bridge Support.


3) Edit your AUTOEXEC.BAT file (or create one) to contain the following
lines:

SET DBLINK=C:\DOS
PATH C:\DOS (or add to your current path...)







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Version 1.00, Copyright 1989 by Chris Irwin - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
D'Bridge LINK Installation/Configuration 1.2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------






4) Edit the DBLINK.CTL file to contain specific information about your
modem. D'Bridge LINK comes with a "default" configuration file that
should work correctly for most 2400 baud modems, but you may need to
make some changes. Following is the configuration that comes as a
default with the "demo" copy:

* D'Bridge LINK 1.00 - Default control file (demo copy)
* To obtain a 15-day "demo" key, simply select and edit the
* "call" directive for the support system of your choice.

Address 1:9999/9999
System DBLINK 1.00 "demo"
Operator Sysop
Files FILES\
Modem port COM1
Modem baud 2400
* Modem locked
Modem init ATM1X1Q0V1H0S0=0S7=45
Modem dial ATDT
Modem timeout 70
Max tries 30
Max connects 2
Verbose log DBLINK.LOG

* D'Bridge Support/Miami
Call 1-305-232-9365

* D'Bridge Support/West
* Call 1-503-292-7233
* Call 1-503-292-7237

* D'Bridge Support/East
* Call 1-215-879-3310

* D'Bridge Support/Canada
* Call 1-416-823-4521

* D'Bridge Support/Europe
* Call 31-85-459034

* D'Bridge Support/Italy
* Call 39-766-540-899

* D'Bridge Support/Australia
* Call 61-3-848-3331
* Call 61-3-563-2496




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Version 1.00, Copyright 1989 by Chris Irwin - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
D'Bridge LINK Installation/Configuration 1.2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------





The following directives are supported inside a DBLINK control file:


ADDRESS

This defines the Fidonet address that DBLINK will use when dialing
a remote system. If there is mail waiting for this address, it will
be picked-up when the system is called.


SYSTEM

This designates the name of your system; this will appear in the log
file of the remote system as an identifier.


OPERATOR

This designates the name of the primary operator. (your name)


FILES

This defines the subdirectory where ALL received files will be stored.
Make sure that this is a valid directory path. If the directory does
not exist, it will be automatically created if possible.


MODEM PORT

This defines the serial communication port that D'Bridge LINK will
use. Valid ports are COM1 through COM7.


MODEM BAUD

This specifies the maximum speed of your modem. Valid rates are 300,
1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200 and 38400.


MODEM LOCKED

If you specify MODEM LOCKED, then DBLINK will always communicate with
your modem at the maximum specified speed. Make sure that you have
the corresponding MODEM INIT string defined telling your modem that
the DTE rate is locked.





-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Version 1.00, Copyright 1989 by Chris Irwin - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 5
D'Bridge LINK Installation/Configuration 1.2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------








MODEM INIT

Before D'Bridge LINK dials out, it first sends the initialization
string to the modem. This "init" string should tell your HAYES-
compatible modem to use verbose response codes. The default that
comes with D'Bridge LINK is "ATM1X1Q0V1S0=0S7=65."


MODEM DIAL

This is the command sent to your modem before the phone number that
actually dials the phone. This is normally "ATDT" for touch-tone
lines or "ATDP" for dial service.


MODEM TIMEOUT

The modem timeout specifies how many seconds to wait for a response
from the modem after issuing a dial command. This should normally be
set for 5 seconds greater than the "S7" register value. (Default 70)


MAX TRIES

This specifies the maximum number of times that dialing should be
attempted before terminating the program without success. This value
is normally 30, but may be changed to suit your installation.


MAX CONNECTS

This defines the maximum number of unsuccessful connects that are
allowed before terminating without success. If a session fails,
DBLINK will call back up to this many times.


PASSWORD

If you need to use a session password for a given connection, you may
specify it here. Passwords may be from 1 to 8 characters and are not
case-sensitive.







-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Version 1.00, Copyright 1989 by Chris Irwin - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 6
D'Bridge LINK Installation/Configuration 1.2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------








VERBOSE LOG

This designates that a verbose log file should be written to the
specified file. "Verbose" means that all log entries written to the
screen will be in the file.


TERSE LOG

This designates that a terse log file should be written to the
specified file. "Terse" means that only important log entries will
be written; this saves disk space, but still provides all important
information.


5) If you are using a "demo" copy, you will need to select the support
system that you would like to use to aquire your 15-day "demo" key.
The DBLINK.CTL file supplied has all of our support sites listed as
commented lines. Simply un-comment the desired support system and
edit the phone number so that it will be dialed correctly for your
location.


6) At this point, re-boot your computer so that the X00.SYS device driver
will be installed.


7) If you are installing a "demo" copy, follow the next few steps to
obtain your 15-day "demo" key from the selected support system:

a) Type DBLINK and press ENTER.

b) Read the license agreement and type the word "AGREE" if you want
D'Bridge LINK to dial your support system for the "demo" key.

c) DBLINK should then start dialing the support system selected. It
will keep trying until it has connected or given up because of too
many retries. If you aren't able to get a key quickly, you might
try selecting a different support system. (There are 9 worldwide)









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Version 1.00, Copyright 1989 by Chris Irwin - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 7
D'Bridge LINK Command-line operation 2.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------





2.0 COMMAND-LINE OPERATION
---------------------------

D'Bridge LINK provides three basic functions from the command-line:


FILE-TRANSMISSION

D'Bridge LINK can transmit files to a remote system by using the
"SEND" option from the command-line. The format of this command is:

DBLINK SEND ...
is the actual phone number to be dialed and
designates the filename(s) to be sent; this may include wildcard
characters to designate more than one file at once.

i.e. DBLINK SEND 232-9365 \FILES\*.ZIP


FILE-REQUEST

D'Bridge LINK can request that the remote system send files by using
the "REQUEST" option from the command line. The format is:

DBLINK REQUEST ...

is the actual phone number to be dialed and
designates the filename(s) to be requested. If a request password is
needed, the format for the is ,.

ie. DBLINK REQUEST 1-503-555-2919 FILES HISTORY.TXT
DBLINK REQUEST 232-9365 MYFILE,SECRET


POLL

D'Bridge LINK can be instructed to simply call the remote system to
pickup any mail waiting. The format for this is simply:

DBLINK POLL

is the actual phone number to be dialed. DBLINK will
call the remote system without actually transmitting any files. If
there are any files on hold, they will be picked-up when connected.

ie. DBLINK POLL 232-9365





-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Version 1.00, Copyright 1989 by Chris Irwin - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 8
D'Bridge LINK Control file operation 2.1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------





2.1 CONTROL FILE OPERATION
---------------------------

D'Bridge LINK provides the ability to combine the SEND and FILE-REQUEST
options by using a control file. When DBLINK is run, it first reads the
DBLINK.CTL file for parameters, but an additional control file may be
specified that includes commands for either file transsmision or request:


DBLINK USE

This specifies that the designated control file will be read after
DBLINK.CTL to list additional parameters or file-transmisstion queues
as defaults. If you use this method, the phone number and filenames
must be listed in the control file.



There are three additional directives that may be included in a DBLINK
control file:


DIAL

This specifies the actual phone number to dial.



SEND

This designates a filename to send. This may include wildcard
characters. Any number of SEND lines may be in a control file
allowing for transmission of a large number of files in one batch.



REQUEST

This designates a filename to request. This may include wildcard
characters and an option password (seperated by a comma.) Any number
of REQUEST lines may be in a control file.










-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Version 1.00, Copyright 1989 by Chris Irwin - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 9
D'Bridge LINK Technical support 3.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------





3.0 TECHNICAL SUPPORT
----------------------

If you have any problems or questions about D'Bridge LINK, please don't
hesitate to call one of our support sites for technical support regard-
less of whether you have purchased DBLINK already or not. We currently
have seven support sites around the world that would be glad to assist
you:

D'Bridge Support/Miami Chris Irwin 1-305-232-5245
D'Bridge Support/West Tony Wagner 1-503-224-6900
D'Bridge Support/East Mark Moran 1-215-879-8374
D'Bridge Support/Canada Bruce Smith 1-416-822-1052
D'Bridge Support/Europe Tom Ordelman 31-85-427757
D'Bridge Support/Italy Stefano Pasquini 39-766-22077
D'Bridge Support/Australia Alan Williamson 61-3-563-1037



































-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Version 1.00, Copyright 1989 by Chris Irwin - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 10
D'Bridge LINK Acknowledgements 3.1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------





3.1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
---------------------

- BinkleyTerm was written by Bob Hartman and Vince Perriello
- Fido and Fidonet are trademarks of Tom Jennings (Fido Software)
- FrontDoor is a trademark of Scandinavian PC Systems
- Opus, WaZOO and YOOHOO are trademarks of Wynn Wagner III
- UltraTEK is a trademark of Joaquim Homrighausen and Chris Irwin
- ZIP was created by Phil Katz of PKware
- ZMODEM was documented by Chuck Forsberg









































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Version 1.00, Copyright 1989 by Chris Irwin - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 11




  3 Responses to “Category : Communication (modem) tools and utilities
Archive   : DBLINK10.ZIP
Filename : DBLINK.DOC

  1. Very nice! Thank you for this wonderful archive. I wonder why I found it only now. Long live the BBS file archives!

  2. This is so awesome! 😀 I’d be cool if you could download an entire archive of this at once, though.

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