Dial-Up 101: A Beginner's Guide for CNS Users

Transcription

1 Dial-Up 101: A Beginner's Guide for CNS UFIT EI&O Document ID: D0119 Last Updated: 3/22/04 An introductory guide to connecting to CNS and the Internet via telephone lines, using your personal computer and modem. This document does not provide "recipes" or step-by-step instruction (although it does provide pointers to such guides); rather, it is intended to provide a broad-based understanding of the principles of establishing a dial-up connection, so that the reader will better understand the step-by-step recipes, and be able to adapt that information to a wide range of circumstances. Specific details (such as phone numbers and necessary Internet addresses) required for connecting to CNS are provided. Intended for users at the University of Florida, including CNS users and GatorLink users NE Waldo Rd, Suite 2100 Gainesville Florida (352) <[email protected]> UF Information Technology 1

2 Table of Contents Introduction...3 CNS s Role...3 GatorLink: Internet Access for UF Students, Faculty & Staff...4 Overview: 2 ways to connect...4 PPP/SLIP...4 Terminal Emulation...5 The Basics: Hardware...5 Computers...5 Modems...6 Serial ("COM") Ports...6 Installing a Modem on your IBM-Type PC...7 Not for the Fainthearted...7 The Basics: Software...7 Connection Software...8 Choosing and Obtaining Connection Software...8 Basic Configuration...10 Settings for connecting to CNS s Dial-up Servers:...11 Configuring Connection Software...11 Other addresses you may need...14 GatorLink Addresses:...14 Application Software...15 Userids Establishing a Connection...20 Telephone Numbers...20 Connection Method 1: PPP...20 Connection Method 2: Terminal Emulation...20 Logging Off and Disconnecting...21 PPP Connections...21 Terminal Emulation Connections...22 Further Resources...22 Support and Assistance...22 Manuals...22 Help Desks...22 Software...23 Hardware...23 General Technical Information...23 Appendix 1: Modem Setup Strings...23 Customizing Your Modem Setup String

3 Introduction The purpose of this document is to explain, to the non-technical user, how to access CNS services and other network ("Internet") services when dialing in from your home using your personal computer (IBM-style PC or Macintosh) and modem. This document does not provide "recipes" or step-by-step instruction (although it does provide pointers to such guides); rather, it is intended to provide a broad-based understanding of the principles of establishing a dial-up connection, so that the reader will better understand the step-by-step recipes, and be able to adapt that information to a wide range of circumstances. Specific details (such as phone numbers and necessary Internet addresses) required for connecting to CNS are provided. CNS operates a dial-up computing service for the use of CNS account holders and UF GatorLink users. By using your computer to dial in to the CNS Dial-Up Server, you may use any of CNS s services, such as NERSP (AIX/UNIX), The UF Menu System, LUIS (Library User Information System), or NERTSO (TSO). CNS's Dial-Up servers also connect your computer to the Internet, so you may use programs such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer to navigate the World Wide Web, or use your favorite program to correspond with friends and associates across the world. Because of the large number of different hardware and software configurations, the rapidly changing set of applications available, and the changing needs of our many different users, this document will, of necessity, be broad and general in scope. It is meant to give you a basic understanding of the steps necessary to establish a connection, and some information you will need which applies specifically to establishing a connection with CNS. Beyond that, this document will list resources which you may access to obtain further information, as well as some of the software necessary to connect via dial-up. Because the vast majority of users have either an IBM PC-style computer or an Apple Macintosh, this document will only address those two types of computers. For the remainder of this document, the abbreviation "PC" will be used to indicate either an Apple Macintosh or an IBM-style personal computer. Where the text is meant to refer to one or the other type specifically, it will be clearly indicated. If you have another type of personal computer, please call the UF Computing Help Desk [ (352) 392-HELP for advice. This document is an overview of the principles involved in connecting to CNS via dial-up, and includes much specific information which may be used as a guide in configuring all sorts of software. It should be used in conjunction with the various handouts created by CIRCA [ (the University of Florida Center for Instructional and Research Computing Activities [ The CIRCA documents have specific, step-by-step instructions on obtaining, installing, configuring, and using the various packages which are supported by the UF Computing Help Desk [ for dial-up computing at the University of Florida [ [ CNS s Role CNS, University of Florida Computing & Networking Services [ is an advanced computing facility offering a wide range of services to state educational institutions and agencies in northern Florida. CNS also administers the University of Florida s [ connection to the Internet, through the address space allocated to domain 3

4 ".ufl.edu". CNS provides full-service dial-up access (PPP/SLIP) to both its host-based large-scale computing services, and the Internet. GatorLink: Internet Access for UF Students, Faculty & Staff Many users may wish to connect to various hosts on the Internet, but have no need to use CNS s host-based computing, storage, or output services. For those users, CNS recommends obtaining a UF GatorLink [ account. These accounts are administered by the Center for Instructional and Research Computing Activities (CIRCA) [ at the University of Florida [ and are available to all UF students, faculty and staff. They provide dial-up connectivity via the CNS Dial-Up Server, which supplies a network access point for such uses as , World Wide Web (WWW) browsers, telnet, tn3270, and FTP. GatorLink accounts provide a free address, and a free monthly dial-up allowance. Individuals using more than the free time allowance are assessed a small, per-minute charge for the use of this service, which is billed through the UF Division of Finance and Accounting [ GatorLink accounts utilize hardware (dial-up servers, storage, etc.) which is physically housed at CNS, and managed by CNS systems and staff. GatorLink users use the same dial-up phone numbers, and connect to the same dial-up servers as CNS account-holders. However, all administrative functions related to GatorLink accounts are coordinated by CIRCA. For more information, or to obtain a GatorLink account, contact CIRCA at 132 HUB, telephone 392-HELP, or visit the GatorLink web page [ While much of the information in this document also applies, in general, to access via GatorLink accounts, it is specifically directed toward CNS users, and contains specific information which does not apply to the CIRCA service. CIRCA has developed a set of documentation tailored to GatorLink account holders [ and it is recommended that you obtain those documents if you will be using that type of account. The remainder of this document will focus mainly on the needs of those individuals holding CNS userids. Overview: 2 ways to connect PPP/SLIP Dial-Up 101: A Beginner's Guide for CNS There are two ways to connect to CNS via telephone dial-up using your PC and modem: PPP/SLIP, and Terminal Emulation. Regardless of which method you choose, you will be connecting to CNS through one of our Dial-up Servers. By far the most common method used to connect to CNS is to establish a PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) (or SLIP [Serial Line Internet Protocol]) connection. PPP (or SLIP) make your modem and phone line work like a network card and cable, wiring you directly into the Internet, complete with your own (temporary) Internet address. Although modems are much slower than network cards, this type of connection gives your PC functionality similar to a PC that is hard-wired directly to the Internet (a "full-peer TCP/IP" network connection). PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) and SLIP are two similar methods of connecting a PC to the Internet via a dial-up connection. For the duration of the connection, the PC appears as an actual node on the network, just as if it were directly connected via ethernet, TokenRing, etc. 4

5 With the correct software installed on your PC, you can use all regular TCP/IP services such as telnet, ftp, nntp (Usenet news) and World Wide Web browsers (TCP/IP is the network protocol used by all systems on the Internet). You can also run an program on your PC, which, working in conjunction with a host system (such as NERSP or the GatorLink server) will enable you to read and send regular Internet . Many people prefer to use the richer graphical user-interfaces available for PC software for these network services, as opposed to the text-only programs available on the CNS host computers. Both of these (PPP and SLIP) are methods of making a TCP/IP connection to a network over a telephone line connection. The difference? SLIP requires more pre-configuration on your PC, while PPP learns the configuration dynamically; also, SLIP is limited to Internet Protocol only, whereas PPP can also support other network protocols (such as Novell IPX). (Note: CNS s Dial-up Servers do not support the extended security features of PPP available at some installations.) While either method will work, CNS recommends use of the PPP method, if your software supports it; most modern dial-up software does. Hereafter, throughout this document, we will refer only to PPP; as a general rule, you may assume that statements referring to PPP are also true for SLIP. Terminal Emulation Another way is to connect using terminal emulation, so that CNS s computer "sees" your PC as if it were a VT100 or 3270-type computer terminal. This type of connection is fairly easy to set up, but is very limited in terms of the functionality provided. With a terminal emulation connection, you can view and input character-based data only. That is, the only things that appear on your screen are characters which can be typed on the keyboard--plain text. No graphics, video, or sounds are available using terminal emulation connections. However, telnet and tn3270 (log-in to remote computer), and the text portions of World Wide Web services are available when using this connection method. If you choose to set up personal storage at CNS, you may also use FTP (file transfer protocol) to transfer files between other Internet sites and your CNS disk space. You can then use various non-internet file transfer protocols (such as Kermit and Zmodem) to transfer (upload and download) files between your CNS storage space and your PC. You cannot, however, transfer files directly from a remote Internet site to your PC when using a terminal emulation connection; that type of transfer requires a PPP or SLIP connection, as described earlier. The Basics: Hardware Computers Your choices of connection type and software may be limited by the type of computer and operating system you are using. Any computer capable of talking to a modem can use terminal emulation. However, only fairly powerful computers running a graphical user interface are able to make use of the available PPP software packages. IBM-compatible PCs with any Pentium-class CPU running Windows 95 or later should have no problem (older CPUs or Windows 3.x may require special attention: call the UF Computing Help Desk [ for advice). Macintosh users will need a Mac running system 7.0 (or higher) to use PPP with graphics. As usual, in either case, the more RAM the computer has, the better. Contact the UF Computing Help Desk [ at (352) 392-HELP (or [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]) if you need additional 5

6 Modems advice on purchasing computers. Note: If you already have a fast modem installed on your PC, and you know what COM port it uses, move on to The Basics: Software. [8] If you need to buy a modem, and intend to use it to access the Internet, buy the fastest one you can afford. Dollars spent now will pay off in hours saved waiting for your data to transfer. Fast modems have "V.90 (56,000bps* [6])" or "V.34 (33,600 bps* [6])" printed on the box, and cost $100-$400, depending on speed, features, and whether they are internal or external. Although slower modems such as a "14,400 bps (V.32bis)" or a "9600 bps (V.32)" modem can be used for PPP, they are not recommended, and a 2400 bps modem is really best suited for terminal emulation connections only. are strongly encouraged to purchase only modems clearly designated "V.90" or "V.34", because other modems may not be fully compatible with CNS services. An additional factor to take into consideration is the UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter) which will be driving your modem. For internal modems, this is part of the modem "card." External modems will be using a UART built in to your PC's serial I/O (input/output) hardware. In either case, you need to check the documentation to make sure you have a type UART, if you intend to try using a V.90 (56,000) or V.34 (28,800 bps) modem. It is not unusual for manufactures to use slower UARTS to cut production costs. UARTS slower than the will not be able to keep up with the demands of the current generation of fast modems. *NOTE: You will not always connect to the dial-up servers at the full rated speed of your modem; in fact, as of this writing, so-called "56K" modems can never connect at the full 56,000bps, due to FCC restrictions on power transmission over telephone lines. "56K" (V.90) modems typically connect at anywhere from 43,000 to 49,000bps, and the other fast modems also usually connect at slightly less than their full rated speed. This is normal. Serial ("COM") Ports 6 Dial-Up 101: A Beginner's Guide for CNS "COM" ports or "serial" ports are connections ("plugs") in-or-on a computer, which can be used to connect certain devices; most frequently, modems. Sometimes these will appear as physical plug-in-ports on the back of your computer; other times, internal expansion cards will contain the COM port circuitry (especially for "internal" modems). If you already have a PC with a modem connected and working, you may skip directly to the section headed "The Basics: Software." [8] Macintosh users, too, can usually skip this next step, as the Mac normally configures the COM port for you. Mac users just select the "Modem Port" (as opposed to the "Printer Port") from the "Port:" drop-down menu in the Configuration dialog panel of MacSLIP (or the corresponding panel in other communications software). IBM-compatible PCs generally have the ability to have 2 (technically 4, but this is problematic territory) COM ports. who already have a modem installed will need to determine which COM port their modem is using. If you're not sure which port your modem is on, try COM2. If that doesn't work, your modem is probably on COM1. If that doesn't work either, contact your dealer or the UF Computing Help Desk at 392-HELP for more help. Knowing which COM port your modem is using is essential, as without this piece of information your communications software won't work.

7 Installing a Modem on your IBM-Type PC If you are installing a modem for the first time on an IBM-compatible PC (or clone ), you will need to select a COM port (serial port) for your modem. Usually this will be either COM1 or COM2 (whichever one your mouse isn t using, if you have a serial mouse). Installing an external modem on an IBM-compatible is usually just a matter of connecting the cable to one of the two serial ports most IBM compatibles have on the back of the machine, which may actually be labeled as COM1 or COM2. Internal modems must be configured to be addressed as either COM1 or COM2 (or rarely as COM3 or COM4) by setting switches or "jumpers" on the modem card before installing it inside the computer. The trick is to put your internal modem on a COM port that won't interfere with the COM ports already installed in your PC. If you decide on an internal modem, it may be worth a few extra dollars to purchase it locally and have your dealer include installation in the price. This is usually a five-minute job, but it requires knowledge of IBM-style PC hardware ("interrupts and I/O ports). If you feel technically inclined, modems usually come with instructions which explain this procedure. If you're going to try to install your own modem, plan on reading the instructions carefully, and following them exactly. Not for the Fainthearted If you have installed cards in your machine before (or are feeling technically adventurous), you may decide to install your new internal modem from the instructions that come with it. The recent advances in "Plug-and-Play" technology have made this much easier (usually) than it used to be. However, this is one of those times when it is critical that you read the documentation that came with both your modem and your PC. You need to know what COM ports are already in use on your PC so you will know what COM ports are available for use by your modem. Your modem only needs one COM port, but it cannot share a COM port with another device. Furthermore, in most cases, COM1 and COM3 cannot be used at the same time, and COM2 and COM4 cannot be used at the same time, due to the fact that they usually have to share the same interrupt (IRQ). For this reason, if your mouse was on COM1 you wouldn't want to set your modem to COM3. If you want to set your internal modem's COM port to COM2, you must disable any existing COM2 port on the PC before installing the modem, or you will have two COM2 ports, which won't work. Modern "Plug-and-Play" computers and modems can usually take care of these settings automatically; however, sometimes there are incompatibilities which must be resolved "manually." If you need assistance installing your modem, contact the modem manufacturer, your PC manufacturer, or the vendor from whom you purchased your modem and/or PC. The UF Computing Help Desk at (352) 392-HELP may be able to offer some advice, but your primary contact needs to be with your hardware vendors. The Basics: Software Dial-Up 101: A Beginner's Guide for CNS Throughout this document, there will be references to the fact that you may obtain various software packages via "the net," either using anonymous FTP, or the World Wide Web. This obviously can represent something of a "chicken-and-egg" problem in that, if you don't have the software to connect to the net, you can't get the software you need to connect to the net to get the software you need to connect. If you find yourself in this situation, contact the UF Computing Help Desk at 392-HELP for advice. Fortunately, most of the software you need either comes with modern operating systems (Windows 95/98 or Mac OS 8), or is available on 7

8 the UF Software CD [ from the Technology Hub [ ( ). Additionally, you will see software referred to as "commercial," "shareware," or "freeware." These terms loosely describe categories of licensing provisions which apply to the software packages. It is your responsibility [ to read carefully and comply with the terms and conditions of the license for any software which you install on any computer, whether at home or at work. The fact that you may be using it "for educational purposes" does not necessarily grant you special exemptions or privileges. Connection Software Your computer cannot use your modem without communication/connection software. You will need to make sure you have an appropriate communication software package for the type of computer you have (IBM-style PC or Macintosh), as well as for the type of connection you wish to make (terminal emulation or PPP). On an IBM-style PC, this includes telling the communication software what COM port your modem is using. Type of software needed Computer Type Terminal Emulation PPP IBM-type PC HyperTerminal* [8] Windows Dial-Up Adapter (Windows 95 & higher)* Macintosh N/A** [8] TCP/IP Control Panel, Open Transport PPP, & Internet Dialer* * Comes with the operating system, but may not be installed by default. Call the UF Computing Help Desk for assistance if you cannot find these on your system. ** No software for this function is currently distributed or supported by CNS or CIRCA. Choosing and Obtaining Connection Software PPP Software To establish a PPP connection with CNS, you need: A computer running Windows 3.1 (or higher), or Macintosh System 7.0 or higher A modem, preferably a high-speed modem (28,800 bps to 56,600 bps) A TCP/IP driver for your computer platform A PPP or SLIP driver for your computer platform 8

9 TCP/IP client software for your computer platform TCP/IP Driver: See This is a program that gives your computer the ability to understand TCP/IP networking protocols. Without this, even with everything else, it'll be impossible for your computer to run programs that use TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) networks (i.e., the Internet). In some cases, the software that acts as the PPP driver (see below) also handles the TCP/IP protocols as well. In other cases, the software is separate. CIRCA has individual handouts which detail step-by-step the exact procedures for obtaining, installing, and configuring the various packages which they support. You are strongly encouraged to obtain the appropriate handouts from the CIRCA/UF Computing Help Desk in room 132 HUB to guide you in setting up your dial-up software. In some cases, they may be able to provide you (or assist you in obtaining) the actual software, as well. Call (352) 392-HELP for information regarding current availability.. PPP Driver: See This is a program for your computer that makes a PPP connection with CNS's Dial-up Server, temporarily making your computer part of the Internet. Generally, this software will have the ability to dial a telephone number, log in using a script or dialog panels, and will have configurable options for the PPP feed. Some software may do only SLIP or only PPP, while other programs are able to do both. Refer to the table, "TCP/IP and PPP/SLIP Packages," for examples of packages supported by CIRCA and the UF Computing Help Desk.. TCP/IP Client Software: See These are the programs which actually do things you are interested in, such as Web browsers, programs, news readers, etc. These will be discussed in more detail later in this document.. TCP/IP and PPP Packages Computer System Type PPP/SLIP Driver TCP/IP Driver Requires Windows 95 Dial-Up* Adapter Windows 95* TCP/IP component Windows 95 Windows 3.1 Trumpet (Tcpman) Trumpet (Tcpman) Windows 3.1 Macintosh FreePPP (Extension) MacTCP** (Control Panel) System 7.0 9

10 Computer System Type Macintosh PPP/SLIP Driver TCP/IP Driver Requires FreePPP (Extension) MacTCP** or TCP/IP* (Control Panel) System 7.5 *Included with operating system as standard feature **Included with System 7.5; Purchased separately for System (Contact CIRCA (392-HELP) for purchasing information.) Shareware, available via FTP--Contact CIRCA (392-HELP) for assistance Shareware, available from CIRCA Trumpet Winsock software for Windows 3.1 can be obtained from many places. Connect to the Trumpet Corporation's web site at or try The Ultimate Collection Of Winsock Software at The MacTCP control panel is commercial software, and not generally available via the Web or FTP. However it is included with Macintosh System 7.5, or it may be purchased for a very modest price from the UF Bookstore in The Hub. Macintosh users note: If you have Mac System 7.5, you may have to do a "Custom Install" of system 7.5 to get MacTCP installed on your system. Note: check your MacTCP control panel ("Get Info...") to make sure it is at least version Terminal Emulation Software Microsoft Windows 95 (and higher) includes an application called "HyperTerminal" which you can use to dial into the CNS Dial-up Servers in terminal emulation mode. You may occasionally need to do this; for example, to change your password. Other than that, there is no "non-ppp" dial-up software supported by either CNS or CIRCA. If you find that you do have a particular need for non-ppp dial-up terminal emulation, contact the UF Computing Help Desk (392-HELP) for assistance. Basic Configuration The following information applies to both terminal emulation connections (text-only) and PPP connections, as well as to all types of computers. Due to the wealth of different software packages available, this document cannot go into detail explaining the specifics of configuration. This is general information, meant to give you a background understanding of how such software must be configured. The UF Computing Help Desk (132 HUB, 392-HELP) has detailed handouts available covering the specifics of installing and configuring the various packages which they distribute and/or support. You are strongly encouraged to use one of those packages, and to obtain the appropriate handouts. Software Settings and Modem Setup Strings 10

11 Modems require you to set parameters such as speed ("baud" rate, or bits-per-second), data-bits, stop-bits, and parity. These settings are usually made in the communications software, but may need to be set on the modem itself if you have an older model. If your modem has such switches, make sure they are set to the highest speed the modem can accommodate, and that data-bits is set to "8", stop-bits is set to "1", and parity is set to "N" (none) (8,1,N). Even if your modem has switches for setting these parameters, you will find that they also need to be set in your communications software. Note: modern modems and dial-up software packages are usually pre-set to these values, and you will very likely not need to be concerned with setting them. They are provided here for the sake of completeness, in case you find that you do need to adjust them for some reason. Settings for connecting to CNS s Dial-up Servers: Data Bits: 8 Stop Bits: 1 Parity: Duplex: Flow Control: Speed: None Full ( Echo Off ) RTS/CTS ( hardware flow control) Up to 56,000 bps (with throughput up to bps)* *If your modem has V.42bis data compression, data must enter the modem from the workstation's serial port at a higher rate than it is transmitted across the phone line or the modem won't have anything to compress. With V.42bis modems, set the data rate between the workstation and the modem (sometimes referred to as DTE, or Data Terminal Rate) higher than the data rate between the sending and receiving modems. Although this will improve the throughput on compressible data, the maximum data rate between the two modems remains bps or slower, depending on the maximum speed of your modem. Many IBM-compatible clones have serial port circuitry that cannot support data rates (DTE) exceeding bps (DOS) or bps (Windows 3.1). Verify that your PC has a 16550A UART chip on the serial port (or internal modem) before setting higher data rates. Setup Strings and Flow Control BOTH your modem and your communication software must be set to use RTS/CTS hardware flow control (as opposed to XON/XOFF software flow control). On standard modems, flow control is usually set when your communication software sends the modem a setup string using the AT command set. NOTE: Most communication software will automatically send the proper setup string to your modem if (1) you are using a modem supported by your software, and (2) you have set the parameters properly in the software's setup and configuration menus. The information in Appendix 1 is for users who are using unsupported modems or who want to understand their modem's setup string. Configuring Connection Software 11

12 Terminal Emulation Follow the instructions in the documentation which came with your software for configuring the parameters discussed above under "Settings for connecting to CNS s Dial-up Servers." In addition, you will need to enter the appropriate telephone number(s) for connecting to CNS into your software's built-in "phone list," "dialing directory," "script," or other configuration panel. Some attention may also need to be given to the matter of remapping the keys of your communications software, particularly if you are going to be dialing in to NERMVS (to use the UF Menu System or NERTSO) via terminal emulation (NON-PPP) software. See CNS document D0065, Dial-In Access to CNS Services and The Internet for a detailed keymap table, and further discussion of this field. PPP Configuration: Basic TCP/IP Setup Addresses This section applies only to establishing a PPP connection. If you are only trying to establish a terminal emulation connection, this section does not apply. Once you've obtained the basic software needed to establish a PPP session, you will need to configure certain things to work with the CNS Dial-up Server. Some programs have more options than others, but many of those options are not necessary for getting the PPP session to work. The following is the essential information you will need to configure the TCP/IP and PPP driver(s) software on your computer. When you begin to actually install your software, you will need to know the IP ("Internet Protocol") addresses of the computers which will be your servers. Most client software will accept these addresses in either domain-name form (e.g. host.some.where.edu) or dotted-decimal form (e.g ). The network hardware uses dotted-decimal addresses. However, it is strongly recommended that you use the "domain-name" form (NOT the numbers!) whenever possible. This is because the "dotted-decimal" address is likely to change from time to time; however, the computer center which "owns" the address will usually keep the old domain-name the same, even if they change the dotted-decimal address. This allows them to change a service from one machine to another, without affecting most users. They just assign the old domain-name to the new machine, and give the old machine a different domain-name. So users who are using the domain-name continue to receive the same services they are used to, and probably never even know or notice that the services are coming from a different physical computer. The one exception to this rule is the Nameserver/DNS Address. You must enter the "dotted-decimal" form of the address for the Nameserver system(s) which you will be using. You then use "domain-name" addresses for all other systems, and your software automatically "queries" the Nameserver system for the current "dotted-decimal" address. For this reason, we will generally not print the dotted-decimal addresses in this document (except for the Nameserver/DNS Address). However, if your software requires that you enter some addresses in dotted-decimal format, you can find those addresses using the "nslookup" command. Log on to NERSP, and issue the "nslookup" command for the domain-name for which you wish to find the dotted-decimal address. For example, on May 5, 1999, the 12

13 command: nslookup nersp.cns.ufl.edu resulted in the response Name: nersp.cns.ufl.edu Address: This tells us that the computer whose domain-name is "NERSP.CNS.UFL.EDU" had a dotted-decimal address of " ". You can use the nslookup command to find the dotted-decimal address of any computer, if you know its domain-name address. However, if you enter the dotted-decimal name in your software configuration, you need to be aware that it may change without warning. Such changes are not generally frequent, but they do happen from time to time. If your software suddenly and inexplicably stops working, you may want to use nslookup again to see if its dotted-decimal IP address has changed. Your IP Address CNS s PPP server does not use fixed IP addresses. Each of CNS s many dial-up phone lines is assigned to a specific IP address. Since you have no way of knowing which phone line you will get when you dial in, you cannot predict which IP address you will have. Consequently your PPP software must determine your IP address "on the fly." If you only have a choice between Server or Manual (or something similar), set it to Server. The PPP driver software should have the ability to "grab" your IP address assignment when you log in. PPP drivers will find this address automatically, as will SLIP drivers that support "bootp"; other SLIP drivers will need a scripting language to parse the IP address from Dial-up Server output. As an example, MacTCP's setup panel has a section headed "Obtain Address:" and offers the choices "Manually," "Server," or "Dynamically." You should choose "Server." For Windows PCs running Trumpet (and using the internal PPP driver--as recommended by CNS), you don't need to enter anything for your IP address. The internal PPP driver will acquire your IP address automatically after you enter PPP mode. Under File --> Setup --> Network Configuration select "Internal PPP." See the CIRCA handout, " Trumpet Winsock" for detailed instructions. For PCs running Windows 95/98, you configure your address by selecting Start --> Settings --> Control Panel --> Network --> TCP/IP --> Properties --> IP Address --> Obtain an IP address automatically. See the CIRCA handout How to use the Windows 95 PPP Dial-up Adapter for detailed instructions. Nameserver/DNS Address This is the IP address for the Domain Name Server (or DNS) that you use. A name server is a special system program that allows you to use domain names rather than hard-to-remember dotted-decimal numeric IP addresses when entering an Internet address. For TCP/IP software to be able to use domain name addresses, your software needs to know what system to ask to lookup the IP equivalent of a domain name. In Windows 95/98, you must enter this under Start --> Settings --> Control Panel --> Network --> TCP/IP --> Properties --> DNS Configuration. Select "Enable DNS" and enter the CNS DNS address under the words "DNS Search Order" 13

14 and click the "Add" button. The official name server (DNS) for CNS is: Again; it is suggested that you refer to the CIRCA handout How to use the Windows 95 PPP Dial-up Adapter for detailed instructions. Domain Name Suffix In Windows 95/98, this is entered under Start --> Settings --> Control Panel --> Network --> TCP/IP --> Properties --> DNS Configuration. CNS s Domain Name Suffix is: cns.ufl.edu Other Settings You should be able to leave any other settings either blank, or at their default values. This applies to "Subnet Mask" as well as other settings which may not have been discussed. Other addresses you may need POP server (incoming ), e.g., Eudora Lite IMAP server (incoming ), e.g.,pc-pine, Mail Drop CNS SMTP server (outgoing ) Usenet News server LDAP (Directory) server Ph server UF home page CNS home page YOUR home page* pop.cns.ufl.edu imap.cns.ufl.edu smtp.cns.ufl.edu usenet.cns.ufl.edu dir.ufl.edu ns.ufl.edu [ [ *See DOCSYS document D0084, Putting Your World Wide Web Home Page On CNS for information. GatorLink Addresses: SMTP Server (outgoing ) IMAP Server (incoming ) POP Server (incoming ) Usenet News Server smtp.ufl.edu imap.ufl.edu pop.ufl.edu news.ufl.edu 14

15 Other Configuration Information CSLIP/Van Jacobson Compression CNS supports the CSLIP compression method, also known as Van Jacobson compression. This is a method by which some of the data in the SLIP connection is compressed to increase speed. This is fully supported by the CNS Dial-up Server and can be enabled in your software setup, if available. Dial-Up Phone Numbers See the section "Establishing a Connection," for the dial-up telephone numbers needed to connect to CNS. That is the essential information you should need. Settings such as baud rate, handshaking, etc., are related to communications equipment. You should consult your hardware and software documentation for more information on how these should be set, if necessary. Application Software "Applications" are programs that perform tasks that you, the user, are actually interested in; things such as , file transfer, World Wide Web exploring, and the like. They are often referred to as "client" applications because you use them to request services from other hosts on the Internet. Since your computer will not be connected to the net full-time (at least it is unlikely that you would use a dial-up connection for this purpose), you will probably not be running server software. Servers are generally computers connected to the network full-time, and dedicated to providing the services requested by clients. Many different TCP/IP (Internet) client programs exist for different platforms, both commercial and shareware/freeware. The choices are numerous, and what is best for you will depend upon the system you run, your needs, and your personal tastes as well. Selecting/Obtaining Application Software for your computer PPP : TCP/IP Client Software Once you establish a PPP connection with the CNS Dial-up Server, you have many powerful options at your disposal based upon the applications you have installed on your PC. You can obtain many of these tools over the network using a Web browser. Since most computers these days come with a Web browser already installed, there is a strong likelihood that you already have one. Good sites to search for TCP/IP client software are: The following list describes most of the basic types of Internet client software, and lists examples of each to aid you in assembling your "Internet toolbox." An client on your PC works in conjunction with your CNS userid (and possibly userids you may have on other computer systems, as well). Mail sent to your address is stored 15

16 by CNS until you sign on, and is then made available to you through your PC client. Your address is your CNS userid followed by the symbol, and the node on which you wish to receive mail. The node will generally be nersp.cns.ufl.edu. For example, if your userid is "intrnaut" then your address will be There are two main types of PC clients: POP (Post Office Protocol) and IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol). CNS runs both a POP and an IMAP server on NERSP. The server addresses are pop.cns.ufl.edu and imap.cns.ufl.edu, respectively. You will also need to enter an "SMTP Server." You should use smtp.cns.ufl.edu for this address. Some examples of available clients Windows IMAP PC-Pine, Netscape 4.5 "Communicator", Outlook Express, Eudora Pro, Mail Drop, Eudora Pro POP Eudora Lite, Pegasus, Netscape, Outlook Express, Outlook, Eudora Lite, Netscape, Outlook Express Macintosh File Transfer Protocol (FTP) FTP programs allow you to transfer files between your PC and other computers on the Internet. There is usually very little, if any, configuration necessary to set up an FTP client package. Just load it and go (following the installation instructions in the documentation which comes with the program). It should be noted that most Web browsers (including Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator) have FTP functionality built-in to the browser. Consequently, you may not find that you need a separate, dedicated FTP client. Windows Some examples of FTP clients WS_FTP, CuteFTP Macintosh Fetch News (Usenet) Usenet news is a very popular forum for group discussions on all topics imaginable. Generally, the only configuration information you need for a news client is the address of your news server. Use usenet.cns.ufl.edu for this address. Some examples of Usenet News reader clients Windows Macintosh 16

17 Some examples of Usenet News reader clients Free Agent, News Express, QNews, Trumpet News, WinVN InterNew, NetNews Grazer, NewsWatcher, Nuntius, TheNews Netscape and Microsoft Internet Explorer also include News readers for both their Windows and Macintosh versions. Telnet and Remote log-ins Telnet-type programs let you log in to a remote computer (if you have a valid userid/password on that system). They come in 2 different "flavors;" regular "telnet," and "tn3270." Tn3270 is specialized for connecting to IBM "mainframe" computer systems, such as NERCICS, NERTSO, and LUIS (the on-line card catalog of the libraries of the State University System of Florida). If you intend to connect to that sort of system, you really need a tn3270 client. On the other hand, regular "telnet" programs are called for when connecting to UNIX hosts (such as NERSP) and other non-ibm-mainframe systems. You probably need both of them, if you will be actually logging in to CNS host systems. As a general rule, no configuration is necessary to get a telnet or tn3270 program to connect to a host; you just tell it the address of the host to which you wish to connect, and it does the rest. You may, however, wish to customize the keymap(s) for your client(s) to assign all the special function keys where you want them on your keyboard. That is a matter for personal preference. The documentation which comes with your client software will tell you how you may remap the keys according to your wishes. Primary telnet/tn3270 addresses for connecting to CNS Host address Client type Services nermvs.cns.ufl.edu tn3270 Most CNS services, including ADMIN (UF Menu System), LUIS, DOCSYS, and NERTSO nersp.cns.ufl.edu telnet NERSP (AIX: IBM's implementation of UNIX) Windows Examples of Telnet/tn3270 clients EWAN (telnet) QWS3270 (tn3270) Macintosh Comet (tn3270), NCSA Telnet (telnet), TN3270 World Wide Web Browsers 17

18 It's hard to imagine an Internet software toolbox being complete these days without a WWW browser. These programs give a graphical "view" of the Internet, allowing the user to "point-and-click" his or her way around the world, viewing text, still- and motion-pictures, and playing sound-clips. Web browsers have become something of the "swiss army-knife" of Internet client software, including the functionality of some other programs (such as , FTP, and News readers). The browser component of these programs will generally run "right out of the box," with no configuration necessary. However, once you get up-and-running, you will want to enter a different "home page" URL (Uniform Resource Locator) than the one preconfigured with the software. A good URL to use would be the CNS Internet User Training and Support Page at: Additional configuration is necessary if you want to use the program or newsreader which is often packaged with today's browsers. This requires entering your address, and your SMTP server information, and maybe your News server. See the section on clients for information regarding your address and SMTP server. World Wide Web browsers There are several browsers available, but two which dominate the world so completely that all others are "niche players"; Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator. Both are excellent products, especially considering the price (they are both free). Either will work well, and CNS makes no recommendation with regard to them. Use whichever you have, or whichever you prefer. Other Tools There are several other types of Internet clients you may wish to obtain for your PC, including "chat" programs ("IRC"), and programs to give you information about hosts and users at local and remote locations ("finger," "Ph," and "whois"). Various "brands" of these programs are available as "shareware" over the Internet. Most of these functions are also available, one way or another, via your Web browser, so you may not find that you need separate, dedicated clients to handle these chores. If you want to explore the range of tools available, there are extensive offerings available at: TUCOWS: The Ultimate Collection of Winsock Software c/net: DOWNLOAD.COM Terminal Emulation If you use a terminal emulation program (such as HyperTerminal) to connect to the CNS Dial-up Server, your options are somewhat limited, but fairly obvious. When you connect, you should see the Dial-up Server's menu of available services (see Appendix 2 for an example of how this will look). You select one of those by typing its name at the Username: prompt. From there, you will be prompted to provide your userid and password before being connected to the CNS service of your choice. If you choose do this, you may encounter keymapping issues 18

19 Userids which are beyond the scope of this document. You may obtain assistance from the UF Computing Help Desk (392-HELP), or refer to CNS document D0065. Alternatively, you may type your CNS userid and password* at the Dial-up Server Username: and Password: prompts, and then type a telnet command at the CNS-TSn> prompt, such as telnet host.some.where.edu, to connect to a remote computer. In either case, however, there is no specific application software needed on your computer, beyond the terminal emulation program you used to connect to the CNS Dial-up Server. All of the application software runs on CNS (or whatever host you access via telnet). The only software you need on your local PC is your terminal emulation/communication package, such as HyperTerminal. *If you choose this option, your userid will be billed $0.008 (8/10 cent) per minute for connect-time, even if you telnet to a CNS host. Selecting a CNS host by typing its name (nersp, nermvs, nertso, etc.) at the Username: prompt avoids the $0.008/minute connect-time charge. No matter which method (Terminal Emulation or PPP) you choose, you will need to obtain a CNS userid before you can connect either to CNS, or, using CNS s Dial-up Server, to other computers on the Internet. See the CNS document "How Do I Get A CNS ID?" for detailed information on the various types of accounts available. GatorLink accounts If you are a University of Florida student, faculty, or staff member, you may obtain a "GatorLink" account through CIRCA (132 HUB). GatorLink accounts receive limited funding from the Office of Academic Affairs and consequently are provided at no charge. A monthly dial-up allowance is included (105 hours for faculty, 60 hours for graduate students, and 15 hours for undergrads and staff). If you use more than your monthly allowance, you will be billed for the additional time at $0.008 (8/10 cent) per minute. GatorLink accounts also provide users with an box (10 megabytes of storage, maximum), and space for Web pages. CNS Individual Accounts If you are an undergraduate student or USPS staff member, and have need of CNS s host-based computing services, you may obtain an individual account directly from CNS (112 SSRB). Monthly charges for these accounts are billed directly to the account-holder--that is YOU. Minimum charge is $5.00 per month (plus tax). Actual charges will depend upon usage. Typical charge for low-to-moderate use will not usually exceed $50.00 per month. With conservative use, monthly charges may be as low as $ who access the system only occasionally, or for only a few minutes at a time, may see charges at or near the monthly minimum. Other options For individuals who may not need or qualify for either a CNS userid or a GatorLink account, the Alachua Freenet offers limited network access on a free/donation basis. Call (the number spells "FREENET") for more information, or use your terminal emulation software/modem to dial , and log in as "visitor." In addition, various commercial services are available which offer network access according to set fee schedules. Check with the UF Computing Help Desk (392-HELP) for information regarding commercial Internet Access Providers. While this document is written specifically for CNS users, much of the information in it is 19

20 relevant to connecting to other services as well. Establishing a Connection Telephone Numbers All CNS Dial-up Server lines operate with 8 data bits, No parity, and 1 stop bit ("8,N,1"). Speed (protocol) Phone number bps (v.90, v.42bis) (352) ISDN/MPPP (v.92) (352) The following phone number can be used for long-distance connections. However there is an additional $0.10/minute surcharge applied for use of this number. Toll-Free (1-800) number: 28800bps (v.34, v.42bis) (800) Connection Method 1: PPP The easiest way of establishing a PPP connection with CNS is by allowing your software to do all the work via Password Authentication Protocol (PAP). PAP allows your PPP software to pass your userid and password to the CNS dial-up server without you having to "manually" negotiate a log-on session. You provide your userid and password to your PPP software before it dials the phone. Then the details of actually logging you on are handled automatically. *Both Windows (95 & higher) and current Macintosh PPP software have provisions for this type of log-on. *If your PPP software does not provide support for PAP, consult the UF Computing Help Desk for assistance on how best to set up your software. CIRCA provides detailed, step-by-step, instructions on configuring the Windows 95/98 PPP Dial-Up Adapter, and the current, supported Macintosh PPP dial-up software. We recommend that you carefully read and follow those instructions. Once you have followed the instructions in the CIRCA handout, you will then be able to launch any TCP/IP client software you wish to run, such as a World Wide Web browser, news reader, program, FTP client, etc. You may use your PC just as if it were directly connected to the Internet. Connection Method 2: Terminal Emulation 20

21 This is the simplest, and the least flexible way in which you can establish a connection. All you will need is your PC, a modem, and a suitable communications program which will run on your computer, and which supports your modem. Make sure you have the correct telephone number for CNS entered in your software's dialing directory, along with the correct communication parameters: "8","1" and "N". Set your software package terminal emulation option for "VT100", and local echo OFF ("Full Duplex"). Instruct the software to dial the CNS phone number. Depending upon how your modem is set up, you may be able to hear the modem dialing the number, and the familiar "ring" signal, followed by some high-pitched "squealing" as your modem and the CNS modem introduce themselves to each other (this is called "training"). Shortly thereafter, you should see a message from the CNS Dial-up Server, followed by the "Username:" prompt. If you are establishing a terminal emulation session, you should NOT enter your CNS userid here. Instead, you should enter the name of a CNS service to which you wish to connect. Valid entries are: NERSP NERMVS LUIS UFINFO HELP Quit CNS s IBM SP2 UNIX service, running AIX/6000 Displays a menu of several CNS services, including NERCICS, NERTSO & LUIS University Libraries on-line card-catalog & related services Character-based World Wide Web browser, with menu entries for many items of interest to the University of Florida community. Displays basic help for Dial-up Server commands. Hangs up the phone line Enter the name of the service to which you wish to connect. If you are not sure, then NERMVS is a good place to start. This provides menu-driven access to most CNS services, except NERSP. NOTE: Regular VT100 emulation will provide satisfactory interface to NERSP, but will NOT be adequate for any of the NERMVS services (including NERTSO, and ADMIN (NERCICS)). Those require specialized key-mapping which is beyond the scope of this document. Consult the UF Computing Help Desk if you require terminal emulation dial-up to one of these services. Logging Off and Disconnecting PPP Connections First, make sure you log off from any host computer systems to which you have logged on. 21

22 Some client programs (for example, World Wide Web browsers) don't require you to "log on" per se, and so, you can just quit those programs. However, programs such as telnet/tn3270 or FTP usually require that you give some sort of userid and password when you connect to the remote host; as a general rule, if you had to give a userid/password to log on, then there should be a way to explicitly log off. Make sure you follow the correct procedure for logging off of each system to which you have logged on. Then quit all running (open) TCP/IP client programs. Once you have shut down all your TCP/IP clients, you can log off from the CNS Dial-up Server. Windows 95/98 has a "Disconnect" button. Other programs may not have that option; for them, you just select "hang-up" or even just "quit." However, if your software has such an option, a proper log-off is recommended in preference to just hanging up or telling the program to quit. Consult your PPP software for documentation regarding the procedure for terminating a connection. Terminal Emulation Connections Follow the instructions in the CNS document ReadMe.1st: Signing On for The 1st Time, for signing off from CNS Interactive Services. It is important that you sign off properly before terminating your connection to CNS. Once you have signed off, follow the instructions in your connection software's documentation for hanging up the phone and quitting the program. Further Resources Support and Assistance Manuals Your first line of support should always be the documents which were provided with your hardware and software. You need to read and understand them before you attempt to install any software or establish a connection. Despite the continuing efforts of manufacturers and software authors, "plug-and-play" self-configuration is not always perfect. In order to successfully establish a connection to a remote computer, you must have a good, basic understanding of what you're trying to do, and how it's done. Don't overlook the README files which came with your software. Many times a vital detail will be omitted from the main, printed documentation, but has been included in the form of a text file on the diskette. Print these out, READ them, and put a paper-copy with your documentation for the software. Help Desks 22 If you have "done your homework," read your documentation, followed the instructions, and are still having difficulty connecting, your next line of support is the UF Computing Help Desk. Call (352) 392-HELP. You need to be prepared to tell the Help Desk technician what kind of hardware and software you have, what procedure you followed to install the software, how you "launch" (load and run) the software, and what you see on the screen after you

23 Software attempt to run it. With regard to hardware, you should be prepared to tell the Help Desk technician whether you have an IBM-style PC (or "clone"), a Macintosh, or other brand of computer, what brand and model of modem you have, the maximum speed of your modem ("baud" or bits-per-second (bps)), whether or not you have a mouse attached to your computer, what other devices you have attached and installed, and which COM port (on an IBM-style PC) your modem is attached to. You also need to be able to tell what operating system you're using; i.e., MS-DOS version number, Windows version, OS/2, Macintosh System number, or whatever operating system you are using. In addition, you should be able to tell them what communications software you are using--windows 95/98 Dial-up Networking, Trumpet, HyperTerminal, Kermit, Termy, MacSLIP, or whatever. The University of Florida Center for Instructional and Research Computing Activity (CIRCA) can evaluate your needs and assist you in obtaining, installing, and configuring appropriate software. CIRCA offices are located in room 520, Computer Science Engineering (132 HUB). Call the UF Computing Help Desk at (352) 392-HELP for current information regarding available software packages. A set of software is provided for sale in the form of the UF Software CD. Contact the Technology Hub ( ) for information on current pricing and availability. Hardware The UF Computing Help Desk can also consult with you regarding the purchase of appropriate computers and/or modems to use for dial-up computing. Contact their offices in room 132 HUB or call (352) 392-HELP ( [email protected]). The UF Technology Hub also offers a variety of computer systems and modems for sale at competitive prices. Contact the Technology Hub ( ) for information on current pricing and availability. General Technical Information The Usenet newsgroup alt.winsock maintains an extensive FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) list regarding installing and running PPP software on an IBM-style PC. Connect to ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/ as userid "anonymous". The FAQ files (the FAQ is in several pieces) are in directory /pub/usenet/alt.winsock. Appendix 1: Modem Setup Strings NOTE: Your communication software will automatically send the proper setup string to your modem, if: (1) you are using a modem supported by your software, and (2) you have set the parameters properly in the software's setup and configuration menus. The following section is for users who are using unsupported modems or want to understand their modem's setup string. 23

24 Customizing Your Modem Setup String Many of the most recently introduced high-speed modems use hardware flow control as their default setting, and do not require any additional commands in the setup string unless the modem's memory has been altered from the factory defaults. To reset your modem to its factory defaults, start your terminal emulation software and enter: AT&F&W Your modem should respond with "OK" on the next line, indicating that the modem has been reset to its factory default settings. Give these settings a try before you try going further; they will usually work fine. If you experience lockups or see "garbage" (Xjkjfjxxxxxxxxghghghghgh, etc.) on the screen after connecting to CNS, there s a good chance your modem settings, in particular your modem s flow control settings, are wrong. Most communications programs have a menu or other section where you can enter a custom modem setup string. A basic modem setup string always starts with ATZ or AT&F. To set the flow control, add the command strings specified in your modem s documentation. For example, to set a Hayes Optima Smartmodem for hardware flow control, you might add "&C1 &D2 &K3" to the modem setup string, where "&K3" is the command that specifies hardware flow control. A typical modem setup string for a Hayes Optima Smartmodem using RTS/CTS hardware flow control might look something like: AT&F&C1&D2&K3 where "&F" resets the modem to factory defaults just before the flow control changes (&C1 &D2 &K3) are sent. "&K3" is the factory default setting for this particular modem, but this setting may have been changed by any communication software that you have used. Although hardware flow control is the default for Hayes modems, other modem manufacturers often use different defaults. The command set for your modem will probably be quite different than the example used here. A US Robotics Courier HST modem would not accept the Hayes Optima string above. It would need a string like: AT&F E1 V1 X4 B0 &B1 &D2 &H1 &R2 A Multitech Multimodem would use: AT&FV1X4&C1&D2&E1&E4&E15$BA0 and a ZOOM VX might use: AT&F AT V1 X4 &C1 &D2 &K3 %C1 \N3 Dial-Up 101: A Beginner's Guide for CNS As you can see by these examples of "Hayes-compatible" modems, the command sets among various modem manufacturers can be very different. A few modems even use a hardware switch to set flow control. You will have to refer to the instructions that came with your modem and terminal emulation software for the exact setup string commands. In addition to the modem setup string, you must also remember to change the flow control setting in your terminal emulation software from XON/XOFF (software) to RTS/CTS (hardware) flow control. For example, Kermit uses the command: 24

25 SET FLOW-CONTROL RTS/CTS to set hardware flow control within the software. Refer to the documentation for your terminal emulation software. Your Comments are Welcome We welcome your comments and suggestions on this and all UFIT documentation. Please send your comments to: UFIT 2046 NE Waldo Rd, Suite 2100 Gainesville Florida (352) UF Information Technology 25

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