File Transfer Between PC and Host

The following sections describe how to use the file transfer option to transfer files between the PC and host and how to configure file transfer.

Before starting

Before this option is selected, you must have already prepared the host computer to be ready to either send or receive the file(s).

You need to find out which file transfer programs are available on the host and select one of those to run. For example, to send a file to a UNIX host which has a version of KERMIT, you should start “KERMIT” on the host and tell it to “RECEIVE” the file. KERMIT will usually display a message such as:

KERMIT READY TO RECEIVE, PLEASE START THE UPLOAD PROCEDURE

At this time you should select HostAccess’s Start file transfer option. It is important that you select the correct protocol in HostAccess to match the file transfer program which is running on the host.

Multiple file transfers

If you specified on the host multiple file transfers to be sent to HostAccess, the first file will be renamed to that specified in the Local File box. Subsequent files will use their own names. If you specified a full path to a local directory, then all the files received will be placed in that directory.

Starting file transfer

To send or receive files:

  1. Start the file transfer program on the host; set it to send or receive a file or files.

  2. Select HostAccess’s Start File Transfer option from the System menu or from the toolbar button.

    Note: When running an IBM3270 emulation, an IND$FILE transfer will be automatically initiated. Refer to Advanced HostAccess - IND$FILE transfer.

  1. Highlight the file transfer Protocol. This must match the host’s protocol.

  2. Enter the PC file to be sent or received in the Local File box; you can also use the Browse button to select the file to be sent. You can also specify the name you wish it to have on the host in the Remote File box. If this box is left empty, the file will be transferred with its own name.

  3. Select the Send To Host or Receive from Host button under Direction.

  4. Select the type of data to be transferred (binary or text), by selecting either Binary or Text in the Type group. Binary files are files such as executables (i.e. .exe), programs and documents with formatting. Text files are usually plain text files.

  5. Start the file transfer by selecting Send.

Wildcards may be used when selecting the file to be sent. This may result in multiple files being sent to the host. When multiple files are sent, only the first one will be renamed to the file name specified in the Remote File box. Subsequent files will be sent with their own names before sending multiple files, check that the host file transfer program can handle them. To check that the file transfer parameters for the selected protocol are configured correctly, select the Configure button.

Configuring File Transfer

Use the File Transfer option from the Configure menu to configure the various parameters used when transferring files.

The following file transfer protocols are available: Kermit, Keyfile, ZModem, XYModem, RPC-DDE and Proprietary.

You should not usually need to alter these parameters; HostAccess’s file transfer process is completely automatic. However, if you encounter file transfer errors, adjusting these parameters may help.

Note: Check with your system administrator before adjusting any of these parameters.

See File Transfer between UNIX and DOS.

HostAccess also supports file transfer between UNIX and DOS (the UNIX system must have a C compiler available) and between a PICK host and DOS. For this, you must have the host files installed, see your installation instructions.

Kermit

Timeout: The time (seconds) HostAccess waits for a response from the host before assuming the last block has been lost and must be re-sent. This may need to be increased for slow machines.

Retries: The number of times HostAccess should attempt to recover from an error, re-sending a data block. Increase this setting for “noisy” lines, or modems without error checking.

XYModem

Timeout: The time (seconds) HostAccess waits for a response from the host, before assuming the last block has been lost and must be re-sent. This may need to be increased for slow machines.

Retries: The number of times HostAccess should attempt to recover from an error, re-sending a data block. Increase this setting for “noisy” lines, or modems without error checking.

ZModem

Timeout: The time (seconds) HostAccess waits for a response from the host, before assuming the last block has been lost and must be re-sent. This may need to be increased for slow machines.

Retries: The number of times HostAccess should attempt to recover from an error, re-sending a data block. Increase this setting for “noisy” lines, or modems without error checking.

Proprietary

Timeout: The time (seconds) HostAccess waits for a response from the host, before assuming the last block has been lost and must be re-sent. For slow machines, this may need to be increased.

Retries: The number of times HostAccess should attempt to recover from an error, re-sending a data block. Increase this setting for “noisy” lines, or modems without error checking.

Window Size: The number of concurrent file transfer data blocks HostAccess will send to/receive from the host. If you are running over a Wide Area Network (WAN), you may notice some speed improvements by increasing this parameter.

RPC/DDE

RPC/DDE is for HostAccess’s RPC (remote procedure call) mechanism. This sets up the way HostAccess will manage an RPC session to a PICK host.

Timeout: The time (seconds) HostAccess waits for a response from the host, before assuming the last block has been lost and must be re-sent. For slow machines, this may need to be increased.

Retries: The number of times HostAccess should attempt to recover from an error, re-sending a data block. Increase this setting for “noisy” lines, or modems without error checking.

Window Size: The number of concurrent file transfer data blocks HostAccess will send to/receive from the host. If you are running over a Wide Area Network (WAN), you may notice some speed improvements by increasing this parameter.

Keyfile

Keyfile is HostAccess’s own file transfer protocol.

When the keyfile transfer is started, HostAccess will prompt for a Keyfile name. HostAccess will then simply pass the characters in this file to the host. The keyfile holds the bootstrap program and the editing commands to enter the program into a file on the host. It also has the commands needed to compile and run the bootstrap program.

Char Delay (ms) and Line Delay (ms): The time to wait between each character and line. They are only valid if Echo Pacing is set off.

Echo Pacing: If set, HostAccess waits for an echo to be returned from the host before sending each character. This adds some reliability to Keyfile transfer.

Control Characters Used

HostAccess uses a few control characters during file transfer to or from DOS. These control characters must be allowed to pass through the network unchanged, and they are listed below if you need to load the host routines:

ASCII Value

Usage

002

Start of text

005

Compression delimiter (file transfer)

006

Record separator (file transfer)

013

Carriage return