Subject: Time: 5:04 PM
OFFICE MEMO Modem/Comm Server response summary Date: 9/19/94
I'm posting a summary and list of responses I receive to my posting shown below.
Original Posting:
================================
Subject: Modem/Comm Servers Date: 8/29/94
I have a network of 70+ Sun workstations. The users want access to a
modem pool providing dial-in "terminal" access via Telnet shell and dial-out
access to connect to BBS, commercial information systems (MCI, CIS, etc.), and
Internet shell providers.
Anyone willing to share solutions or approaches used to establish a
communication server & modem pool meeting the above requirements. More
specifically, what methods are used for workstations to "attach" to network
modems (i.e. Telnet, rlogin, etc.).
================================
Response Summary:
There are two general approaches used:
Approach 1) Sun/Unix workstation with serial interfaces
Approach 2) Specialized hardware, typically a communication server such as a terminal server
Comments on approach 1: integrates well with Unix workstations; can use available Unix communication tools; good for Internet connectivity; can take advantage of the Unix development environment to tailor to your needs; doesn't provide easy "pooling" of shared modems, must develop your own "pool" manager; security as good as your Unix system.
Comments on approach 2: numerous hardward options most which provide telnet and rlogin access to modem pools; problem is no Unix tools exist to support BBS common protocols (XMODEM, KERMIT, etc.) via a telnet lan session; feature rich communication tools are more readily available for PC & Mac systems.
*** I still haven't located a Unix based communication tool which connects to a shared modem via the Telnet/Rlogin port and provides commonly used file transfer protocols.
================================
Responses follow:
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From: System Administrator - David R (9/13/94)
To: Kevin Adams
Mail*Link(r) SMTP RE>Modem/Comm Servers
Please post a summary to your original question on modem/comm
servers.
Thanks in advance,
David Rossman
UNIX Systems Administrator E-Mail: sysadmin@odetics.com
Odetics, Inc.
1515 S. Manchester Ave. Voice: (714) 774-5000
Anaheim, CA 92802-2907 FAX: (714) 774-9432
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From: Bernard Drolet (8/31/94)
To: Kevin Adams
Mail*Link(r) SMTP RE>Modem/Comm Servers
Hi,
I'm installing a communication server from Cisco. I'm able
to define a pool of modem and you can access it via telnet,
rlogin, lat, ...
What I'm using, is a Cisco-500CS that has 16 ports.
So when you wan to get in, you call a number and enter directly on
the com/server. After that, you can telnet,rlogin,lat or else
to a other machine in our network.
To get out, you just do a telnet com/server and if there is a
line to get out, you're directly connect on the modem (so
you have to use the ATZ, ATDT, ...) to establish a connection.
If you have any better solution (like a software to go
over this to define dialing directory and etc.., I would appreciate
if you send me all the information you will receive!)
Thanks, and I hope I helped!
-- - Bernard Drolet, system administrator- E-Mail: drolet@dmi.usherb.ca
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From: Joe Minarik (8/30/94) To: Kevin Adams
Mail*Link(r) SMTP RE>Modem/Comm Servers
Hi Kevin,
I'm also interested in doing the same thing. I would be very gratefull if you could pass along any info you come across.
Thanks,
-Joe Minarik joem@dnt.dialog.com
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From: Clay Luther (8/30/94) To: Kevin Adams
Mail*Link(r) SMTP RE>Modem/Comm Servers
Hmmm...I don't know. We haven't really done that (yet). We use the LanRover for support dial-outs (which are usually just telnet-like login sessions on a remote unix box) and in-coming ppp/slip/ipx/ara/telnet connections.
> How do you support Kermit/Xmodem and other file transfer protocols via your Telnet session? > > -------------------------------------- > Date: 8/30/94 11:45 AM > To: Kevin Adams > From: Clay Luther > > We telnet to the LanRover, login in, then connect out. > > > > > > From mailserver2.clix.com!Kevin_Adams.OC@clix.portal.com Mon Aug 29 19:37 CDT 1994 > > Date: 29 Aug 1994 17:12:50 -0800 > > From: "Kevin Adams" <Kevin_Adams.OC@mailserver2.clix.com> > > Subject: Re: Modem/Comm Servers > > To: "Clay Luther" <clay@cliff.inetinc.com> > > > > Reply to: RE>>Modem/Comm Servers > > I'm familiar with Shiva's AppleTalk products. How does the Shiva support dial-out from a Sun workstation? Does it also provide a Telnet dial-in shell? > > > > -------------------------------------- > > Date: 8/29/94 4:44 PM > > To: Kevin Adams > > From: Clay Luther > > > > > From sun-managers-relay@ra.mcs.anl.gov Mon Aug 29 16:47 CDT 1994 > > > Date: 29 Aug 1994 10:09:00 -0800 > > > From: "Kevin Adams" <Kevin_Adams.OC@mailserver2.clix.com> > > > Subject: Modem/Comm Servers > > > To: "Sun Managers BBS" <sun-managers@eecs.nwu.edu> > > > > > > Subject: Time: 9:39 AM > > > OFFICE MEMO Modem/Comm Servers Date: 8/29/94 > > > I have a network of 70+ Sun workstations. The users want access to a modem pool providing dial-in "terminal" access via Telnet shell and dial-out access to connect to BBS, commercial information systems (MCI, CIS, etc.), and Internet shell providers. > > > > > > Anyone willing to share solutions or approaches used to establish a communication server & modem pool meeting the above requirements. More specifically, what methods are used for workstations to "attach" to network modems (i.e. Telnet, rlogin, etc.). > > > > We are using a Shiva LanRover/8...works very nicely. > > > > > > > > Clay Luther clay@inetinc.com Quantum Mechanics means > > Systems Administrator (214) 578-6189 you can have your cake > > Inet, Inc. Plano, Texas and eat it, too. > > GCS d H- s:+>s g+(!) p1 au+ a29 w+ v+(?) C++ ULSX++++$ P+++ L++ 3- E N++ K--- > > W M+ V-- -po+ Y+ t+ 5+ j- R+++(+) G''' tv b !D B- e+ u* h- f r++ n+ y+ > > > > > > > > > > > Clay Luther clay@inetinc.com Quantum Mechanics means > Systems Administrator (214) 578-6189 you can have your cake > Inet, Inc. Plano, Texas and eat it, too. > GCS d H- s:+>s g+(!) p1 au+ a29 w+ v+(?) C++ ULSX++++$ P+++ L++ 3- E N++ K--- > W M+ V-- -po+ Y+ t+ 5+ j- R+++(+) G''' tv b !D B- e+ u* h- f r++ n+ y+ > > > >
Clay Luther clay@inetinc.com Quantum Mechanics means Systems Administrator (214) 578-6189 you can have your cake Inet, Inc. Plano, Texas and eat it, too. GCS d H- s:+>s g+(!) p1 au+ a29 w+ v+(?) C++ ULSX++++$ P+++ L++ 3- E N++ K--- W M+ V-- -po+ Y+ t+ 5+ j- R+++(+) G''' tv b !D B- e+ u* h- f r++ n+ y+
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From: Clay Luther (8/30/94) To: Kevin Adams
Mail*Link(r) SMTP RE>Modem/Comm Servers
We telnet to the LanRover, login in, then connect out.
> From mailserver2.clix.com!Kevin_Adams.OC@clix.portal.com Mon Aug 29 19:37 CDT 1994 > Date: 29 Aug 1994 17:12:50 -0800 > From: "Kevin Adams" <Kevin_Adams.OC@mailserver2.clix.com> > Subject: Re: Modem/Comm Servers > To: "Clay Luther" <clay@cliff.inetinc.com> > > Reply to: RE>>Modem/Comm Servers > I'm familiar with Shiva's AppleTalk products. How does the Shiva support dial-out from a Sun workstation? Does it also provide a Telnet dial-in shell? > > -------------------------------------- > Date: 8/29/94 4:44 PM > To: Kevin Adams > From: Clay Luther > > > From sun-managers-relay@ra.mcs.anl.gov Mon Aug 29 16:47 CDT 1994 > > Date: 29 Aug 1994 10:09:00 -0800 > > From: "Kevin Adams" <Kevin_Adams.OC@mailserver2.clix.com> > > Subject: Modem/Comm Servers > > To: "Sun Managers BBS" <sun-managers@eecs.nwu.edu> > > > > Subject: Time: 9:39 AM > > OFFICE MEMO Modem/Comm Servers Date: 8/29/94 > > I have a network of 70+ Sun workstations. The users want access to a modem pool providing dial-in "terminal" access via Telnet shell and dial-out access to connect to BBS, commercial information systems (MCI, CIS, etc.), and Internet shell providers. > > > > Anyone willing to share solutions or approaches used to establish a communication server & modem pool meeting the above requirements. More specifically, what methods are used for workstations to "attach" to network modems (i.e. Telnet, rlogin, etc.). > > We are using a Shiva LanRover/8...works very nicely. > > > > Clay Luther clay@inetinc.com Quantum Mechanics means > Systems Administrator (214) 578-6189 you can have your cake > Inet, Inc. Plano, Texas and eat it, too. > GCS d H- s:+>s g+(!) p1 au+ a29 w+ v+(?) C++ ULSX++++$ P+++ L++ 3- E N++ K--- > W M+ V-- -po+ Y+ t+ 5+ j- R+++(+) G''' tv b !D B- e+ u* h- f r++ n+ y+ > > > >
Clay Luther clay@inetinc.com Quantum Mechanics means Systems Administrator (214) 578-6189 you can have your cake Inet, Inc. Plano, Texas and eat it, too. GCS d H- s:+>s g+(!) p1 au+ a29 w+ v+(?) C++ ULSX++++$ P+++ L++ 3- E N++ K--- W M+ V-- -po+ Y+ t+ 5+ j- R+++(+) G''' tv b !D B- e+ u* h- f r++ n+ y+
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From: R.M. Bownes III (8/30/94) To: Kevin Adams
Mail*Link(r) SMTP RE>Modem/Comm Servers
->From sun-managers-relay@ra.mcs.anl.gov Mon Aug 29 17:06 EDT 1994 ->Date: 29 Aug 1994 10:09:00 -0800 ->From: "Kevin Adams" <Kevin_Adams.OC@mailserver2.clix.com> ->Subject: Modem/Comm Servers ->To: "Sun Managers BBS" <sun-managers@eecs.nwu.edu> -> -> Subject: Time: 9:39 AM -> OFFICE MEMO Modem/Comm Servers Date: 8/29/94 ->I have a network of 70+ Sun workstations. The users want access to a modem pool providing dial-in "terminal" access via Telnet shell and dial-out access to connect to BBS, commercial information systems (MCI, CIS, etc.), and Internet shell providers. -> ->Anyone willing to share solutions or approaches used to establish a communication server & modem pool meeting the above requirements. More specifically, what methods are used for workstations to "attach" to network modems (i.e. Telnet, rlogin, etc.). -> -> ->
We use Xylogics terminal server extensivly. Like about 40 of them. Our use is dialin only, however, I've nothing but praise for the boxes. We use them for dialin telnet, slip, and ppp connections supporting a large userbase.
I know that they have dialin/out capability, however, as I said, we only use the inbound. Other sites I know of use the outbound as well, just telnet to the comm server and ask for a port. You're handed to a modem. Ship it the ATDT string and you're off. There are other ways of connecting as well.
iii
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From: Nino Margetic (8/30/94) To: Kevin Adams
Mail*Link(r) SMTP RE>Modem/Comm Servers > I have a network of 70+ Sun workstations. The users want access to a modem pool providing dial-in "terminal" access via Telnet shell and dial-out access to connect to BBS, commercial information systems (MCI, CIS, etc.), and Internet shell providers.
*** I'd be interested hear about the proposed solutions - could you please summarize, or forward any relevant replies
Thanks.
-- Nino Margetic <nino@well.ox.ac.uk> The Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford. Tel: +44 865 740 005 Fax: +44 865 742 196 ---
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From: Brett Lymn (8/29/94) To: Kevin Adams
Mail*Link(r) SMTP RE>Modem/Comm Servers According to Kevin Adams: > >Anyone willing to share solutions or approaches used to establish a communication server & modem pool meeting the above requirements. More specifically, what methods are used for workstations to "attach" to network modems (i.e. Telnet, rlogin, etc.). >
Get an Annex terminal server from Xylogics. They are very easy to set up and have lots of security features and logging. You can access dialout modems by telnetting to the annex box or set up what they call an rtelnet session that makes one of the ports on the annex look like local serial device on the workstation.
-- Brett Lymn, Computer Systems Administrator, AWA Defence Industries =============================================================================== "Aha! Pronoun problems. It's not `shoot you, shoot you', it's `shoot me, shoot me'. So, go ahead, shoot ME, shoot ME <BLAM>... You're Despicable" -- Daffy Duck
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From: uucp@ucs.att.com (8/29/94) To: Kevin Adams
Mail*Link(r) SMTP RE>Modem/Comm Servers >From rkh Mon Aug 29 15:40:31 0400 1994 remote from eng.ucs.att.com Received: from eng.ucs.att.com by ucs.ucs.att.com; Mon, 29 Aug 1994 15:40 EDT Received: from eng by ucssrv.ucs.att.com (4.1/SMI-4.1) id AA24707; Mon, 29 Aug 94 15:40:38 EDT Received: from b45083s.ucs.att.com by eng (4.1/SMI-4.1) id AA00876; Mon, 29 Aug 94 15:40:37 EDT From: "Bob Halloran" <rkh@eng.ucs.att.com> Message-Id: <9408291540.ZM332@eng.ucs.att.com> Date: Mon, 29 Aug 1994 15:40:31 -0400 In-Reply-To: @ulysses.ucs.att.com:sun-managers-relay@ra.mcs.anl.gov "Modem/Comm Servers" (Aug 29, 2:58pm) References: <9408291858.AA00832@eng> X-Mailer: Z-Mail (3.0.1 23feb94) To: Kevin_Adams.OC@mailserver2.clix.com Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Length: 2069
On Aug 29, 2:58pm, you wrote: > Subject: Modem/Comm Servers > > I have a network of 70+ Sun workstations. The users want access to a > modem pool providing dial-in "terminal" access via Telnet shell and dial-out > access to connect to BBS, commercial information systems (MCI, CIS, etc.), > and Internet shell providers. > > Anyone willing to share solutions or approaches used to establish a > communication server & modem pool meeting the above requirements. More > specifically, what methods are used for workstations to "attach" to network > modems (i.e. Telnet, rlogin, etc.). >-- End of excerpt from @ulysses.ucs.att.com:sun-managers-relay@ra.mcs.anl
We've been using the Xylogics Annex III terminal server for about 18 months now with good results. On inbound, you can connect by rlogin or telnet, including tn3270 to mainframes. It also supports PPP, SLIP and ARA (remote Appletalk). We're also testing their latest beta release, which allows for dialup IPX as well. Ports support up to 57.6Kbit/s. They also include a thorough security package in source form, so you can be as paranoid as you wish about clearing dial-in users for access to your network.
For outbound, they include an 'rtelnet' utility which associates a port on the Annex to a pseudo-tty, after which you can use cu, tip, etc. We use this now from a Sun for small volume outdial file transfers with some of our vendors, and it works fine. The only gotcha in your case would be the need to get this utility out to the workstations, which could be done with something like an auto-apps mount. The only problem then is contention for the available ports.
You can also define a pool of modems and associate an IP address with them; you can then telnet to that address and get the next available outbound modem in the group. Unfortunately, you can't use a pool address for the rtelnet utility, which means people may tend to hardcode 'favorite' port numbers into scripts, etc.
Hope this helps.
Bob Halloran AT&T Universal Card Services Jacksonville FL 32256 rkh@ucs.att.com
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From: rath@ka3jsd.pgh.pa.us (8/29/94) To: Kevin Adams
Mail*Link(r) SMTP RE>Modem/Comm Servers Hi Kevin,
I am running a hybrid Sun / Intergraph network here. Our Field Sales folks wanted remote access to the network and I came up with an excellent solution. Look at a Livingston Portmaster Communications Server. It is a Dialup router that allows Terminal Sessions from ascii terminals or pc's running vt100 emulation. It also provides SLIP and PPP network connections. It can also be used for lan-to-lan connections.
There are 2 models a 10 port model and a 10 port (expandable to 30 port) model. I have a PM-2e with 10 ports installed. I purchased our two from Capella Networking (Doug Stolz is the contact). I don't have Doug's phone number here at home, But I'll drop you a note with it tomorrow. Livingston's number direct is (800) 458-9966
If you would like to discuss this further feel free to contact me at my office (412) 925-4696 8:00 - 4:30 EST
Regards, Dave Rath Manager, Engineering & Network Services Robertshaw Controls Co. rath@ka3jsd.pgh.pa.us
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From: raoul@MIT.EDU (8/29/94) To: Kevin Adams
Mail*Link(r) SMTP Modem/Comm Servers
Yes. Get flexfax, from sgi.com:/sgi/fax. Use it to install and configure modem polls on appropriate Sun's for dial-in and fax-in/fax-out. Install kermit on those same sun's for dial-out. Install faxtool and ghostscript for reading/sending the faxes with a nice graphic interface.
Set up default files setting up kermit and faxtool to use the right modems and servers on whichever systems you use, and have your users rsh or telnet to those systems to dial-out.
Nico Garcia raoul@athena.mit.edu
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From: Ed Romascan (8/29/94) To: Kevin Adams
Mail*Link(r) SMTP RE>Modem/Comm Servers ---------- X-Sun-Data-Type: text X-Sun-Data-Description: text X-Sun-Data-Name: text X-Sun-Content-Lines: 10
Kevin -
We offer a line of SBus terminal servers that provide dial in/out access. I've attached a sunflash describing our products. If you need more info contact sales@magma.com.
Regards,
Ed Romascan ---------- X-Sun-Data-Type: default X-Sun-Data-Description: default X-Sun-Data-Name: sunflash.nroff X-Sun-Content-Lines: 85
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********************************* For more information contact MAGMA at:
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------------------------------------------------------------ _/ _/ _/ _/_/_/ _/ _/ _/ _/_/ _/_/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/_/ _/_/ _/ _/ _/ _/_/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/_/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/_/_/_/ _/ _/_/_/ _/ _/ _/ _/_/_/_/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/_/_/ _/ _/ _/ _/ ------------------------------------------------------------ Ed Romascan email: ed@magma.com MAGMA Tel: (619) 457-0750 6725 Mesa Ridge Road #100, Fax: (619) 457-0798 San Diego, CA 92121 ------------------------------------------------------------
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From: Ricardo Gonzalez (8/29/94) To: Kevin Adams
Mail*Link(r) SMTP RE>Modem/Comm Servers
> From sun-managers-relay@ra.mcs.anl.gov Mon Aug 29 13:43:04 1994 > Sender: sun-managers-relay@ra.mcs.anl.gov > Date: 29 Aug 1994 10:09:00 -0800 > From: "Kevin Adams" <Kevin_Adams.OC@mailserver2.clix.com> > Reply-To: "Kevin Adams" <Kevin_Adams.OC@mailserver2.clix.com> > Followup-To: junk > Subject: Modem/Comm Servers > To: "Sun Managers BBS" <sun-managers@eecs.nwu.edu> > Content-Length: 657 > > Subject: Time: 9:39 AM > OFFICE MEMO Modem/Comm Servers Date: 8/29/94 > I have a network of 70+ Sun workstations. The users want access to a modem pool providing dial-in "terminal" access via Telnet shell and dial-out access to connect to BBS, commercial information systems (MCI, CIS, etc.), and Internet shell providers. > > Anyone willing to share solutions or approaches used to establish a communication server & modem pool meeting the above requirements. More specifically, what methods are used for workstations to "attach" to network modems (i.e. Telnet, rlogin, etc.). > > >
Hi Kevin:
My name is Ricardo Gonzalez, and I work for Divicom in Milpitas. At the present time I am implementing a remote access mechanism to allow users to dial in from home, and connect to our network. After researching different modem servers I made a decision to go for Telebit's Netblazer which can support 10 modems. It comes with several levels of security which include: user ID/Password, callback, supports Kerberos authentication, and IP source/destination filtering. Since 28.8K modems are becoming rather inexpensive, I will be implementing this kind in our setup. Hence, we'll establish 28.k connections from home. The netblazer can also become a PPP/SLIP server. With the proper software in the user's home computer he/she can establish multi-windows connections to his/her work's network. I will be using Age's Xoftware for windows with a bundled TCP/IP stack. During the installation of this software, it asks if you want direct, or modem connectivity. By selecting modem you have a link from home to work. Multiple telnet sessions can be established, and multiple windows opened at once instead of the old boring terminal emulation supported with non PPP/Slip .
I hope this information helps. Also, you can download some information about Telebit's Netblazser specs by calling their telefax system at (408) 745-3310 .
Good luck ( If you need some details, E-mail me at ricardo@divi.com )
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From: Dave Fetrow (8/29/94) To: Kevin Adams
Mail*Link(r) SMTP RE>Modem/Comm Servers
I went the simple route. The terminal server is a pile of tty ports directly attached to a workstation (appropriately named "uhura"). In our case it's a SCSI device and doesn't even require an Sbus (fortuneately enough becuase Uhura is an ELC).
I've liked this very much because it means I didn't have to learn very much new to get things running. Ours is made by Pacific Peripherals, is several years old, has never given any problems and handles 19,200 bps quite well.
--
-Dave Fetrow mail: SC-32 (Biostat), University of Washington, Seattle, Wa. 98195 USA phone: (206)-685-2376
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From: Jake Mahon (8/29/94) To: Kevin Adams
Mail*Link(r) SMTP RE>Modem/Comm Servers I have a pool of telebits (configured to support dialin/dialout) on a single host. I currently require users to login to the comm host to dial out.
I have a simple shell script that prompts the user for a filename, does some quick checks, and calls /usr/bin/cu. Everything the user sees on the screen gets /usr/bin/tee'd into the file they specified. This often means editing out control chars before their captured data can be printed/mailed/etc.
It's rather rudimentary, but it works. If you learn of a better way, please share. Thanks.
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