The authors have updated their original work [1] to place greater emphasis on the networking capabilities (TCP/IP, DECnet, X.25, NetBIOS, and named pipes) that have been introduced into the Kermit file transfer and communications programs in recent years. This edition includes the features and capabilities that can be found in versions of C-Kermit up to 6.0.192 (released in September 1996). Version 6.0.192 is still current, and the book’s content will remain pertinent long after the next version (which was in alpha test phase as of December 1997) is introduced.

C-Kermit is available for a wide range of Unix, VMS, and other operating systems, and is commonly employed in conjunction with other Kermit implementations on other operating systems, including MS-Kermit for DOS, Kermit-95 for Windows 95 and Windows NT, and Kermit-370 for IBM mainframe operating systems. The examples that appear throughout the book illustrate the C-Kermit command variants used on different platforms (for example, the authors give filename formats for Unix and VMS), and sample sessions show communication with Kermit-370 and other implementations.

The early chapters provide some details (with diagrams) of typical Kermit connections, sources for Kermit software, command conventions, and so on. A whole chapter is devoted to dialing. The authors note that executives in the late 1990s do their dialing from laptop machines that travel with them. To meet their needs, Kermit now has an enhanced portable dialing directory arrangement, which can adjust dialing strings according to the system’s current location.

Chapter 6, “Using Networks,” explains the specific commands that are appropriate for each connection type. The structure of network directory files (which are analogous to dialing directory files) is also presented. The following chapter explains how entries in service directories can be used to pass login, dialup, and network details to dialing and network directory files. Chapter 8, “Terminal Connection,” deals with the C-Kermit commands used to establish, customize, and monitor connections.

Chapters 9 through 13 cover the transfer of files using the Kermit protocol. Basic upload and download commands for both text and binary files are presented first. Commands that can assist where problems are experienced are covered next; among these are parity, flow-control, and block-check specifications. The authors then discuss file transfers in which one machine is set up as a Kermit server, and discuss some parameters (including packet length, window size, and control-character prefixing) that can be adjusted to improve efficiency. Automatic upload, download, and command execution mechanisms are also discussed.

C-Kermit can also be used for file transfers with an external protocol such as Zmodem, or with no protocol (using special commands to control things such as the insertion of padding characters into zero-length lines). These are discussed in chapters 14 and 15.

Chapter 16 illustrates C-Kermit’s capabilities for translating the character sets used in the files it transfers. Those whose work involves Japanese, Hebrew, Cyrillic, and other non-ASCII character sets will find it useful.

The remaining three chapters are about Kermit command files, macros, and programming. The Kermit script language has some powerful capabilities and enables access to both built-in and user-defined variables and functions. Some examples of unattended file transfers and alphanumeric pager calls are provided.

Ten appendices cover everything from serial data connections to character-set tables to C programs for hexadecimal and shift-out/shift-in conversions. The book also contains a glossary and a bibliography.

The book is reasonably error-free, but readers may find it worthwhile to download the current list of changes, as suggested in the preface. If you use any of the operating systems on which C-Kermit runs, you will probably have occasion to use C-Kermit. This book will make it both easier and more efficient.