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KERMIT(1) KERMIT(1)
NAME
kermit - C-Kermit 8.0: transport- and platform-independent interactive and script-
able communications software.
This document is intended to give the beginner sufficient information to
make basic (if not advanced) use of C-Kermit 8.0. Although it might be
rather long for a Unix manual page, it’s still far shorter than the C-Kermit
manual, which should be consulted for advanced topics such as customization,
character-sets, scripting, etc. We also attempt to provide a clear struc-
tural overview of C-Kermit’s many capabilities, functional areas, states,
and modes and their interrelation, that should be helpful to beginners and
veterans alike, as well as to those upgrading to version 8.0 from earlier
releases.
This document is also available as a Web page at:
http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/ckututor.html
DESCRIPTION
C-Kermit is an all-purpose communications software package from the Kermit Project
at Columbia University that:
· Is portable to many platforms, Unix and non-Unix alike.
· Can make both serial and network connections.
· Can conduct interactive terminal sessions over its connection.
· Can transfer text or binary files over the same connection.
· Can convert character sets in the terminal session.
· Can convert character sets during text-file file transfer.
· Is customizable in every aspect of its operation.
C-Kermit is a modem program, a Telnet client, an Rlogin client, an FTP client, an
HTTP client, and on selected platforms, also an X.25 client. It can make its own
secure Internet connections using IETF-approved security methods including Kerberos
IV, Kerberos V, SSL/TLS, and SRP and it can also make SSH connections through your
external SSH client application. It can be the far-end file-transfer or
client/server partner of your desktop Kermit client. It can also accept incoming
dialed and network connections. It can even be installed as an Internet service on
its own standard TCP socket, 1649 [RFC2839, RFC2840].
And perhaps most important, everything you can do "by hand" (interactively) with C-
Kermit, can be "scripted" (automated) using its built-in cross-platform transport-
independent script programming language, which happens to be identical to its
interactive command language.
This manual page offers an overview of C-Kermit 8.0 for Unix ("Unix" is an operat-
ing system family that includes AIX, DG/UX, FreeBSD, HP-UX, IRIX, Linux, Mac OS X,
NetBSD, OpenBSD, Open Server, Open Unix, QNX, Solaris, SunOS, System V R3, System V
R4, Tru64 Unix, Unixware, Xenix, and many others). For thorough coverage, please
consult the published C-Kermit manual and supplements (see DOCUMENTATION below).
For further information about C-Kermit, Kermit software for other platforms, and
Kermit manuals, visit the Kermit Project website:
http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/
This is a longer-than-average manual page, and yet it barely scratches the surface.
Don’t be daunted. C-Kermit is a large and complex package, evolving over decades of
practice and experience, but that doesn’t mean it’s hard to learn or use. Its most
commonly used functions are explained here with pointers to additional information
elsewhere.
SYNOPSIS
kermit [ filename ] [ options ] [ {=,--,+} text ] ]
or:
kermit URL
If the first command-line argument is the name of a file, interactive-mode commands
are executed from the file. The ’=’ (or "--") argument tells Kermit not to parse
the remainder of the command line, but to make the words following ’=’ available as
\%1, \%2, ... \%9. The "+" argument is like "=" but for use in "kerbang scripts"
(explained below). A second command-line format allows the one and only argument to
be a Telnet, FTP, HTTP, or IKSD URL.
Order of execution:
1. The command file (if any).
2. The initialization file, if any, unless suppressed with -Y.
3. The customization file (if it is executed by the initialization file).
4. The command-line URL (if any, and if so, execution stops here).
5. Command-line options (if any).
6. Interactive commands.
Some command-line options can cause actions (such as -s to send a file); others
just set parameters. If any action options are included on the command line, Kermit
exits when finished unless also given the -S ("stay") option. If no action options
are given, no initialization or command files contained an EXIT or QUIT command,
and no fatal errors occurred, Kermit issues its prompt and waits for you to type
commands.
Bear in mind that C-Kermit can be built with selected features disabled, and
also that certain features are not available on all platforms. For example,
C-Kermit can’t be built with TCP/IP support on a platform that does not have
TCP/IP header files and libraries (and even if Kermit does include TCP/IP
support, it can’t be used to make TCP/IP connections on a computer that does
not have a TCP/IP stack installed). If your version of lacks C-Kermit a fea-
ture mentioned here, use its SHOW FEATURES command to see what might have
been excluded.
C-Kermit has three kinds of commands: regular single-letter command-line options,
extended-format command-line options, and interactive commands.
Like most Unix commands, C-Kermit can be be given options on the command line. But
C-Kermit also can be used interactively by giving it commands composed of words,
which are more intuitive than cryptic command-line options, and more flexible too.
In other words, you don’t have to use C-Kermit’s command-line options, but they are
available if you want to. (By the same token, you don’t have to use its interactive
commands either -- you can use either or both in any combination.)
C-Kermit is generally installed in the PATH as "kermit", and therefore is invoked
by typing the word "kermit" (lowercase) at the shell prompt, and then pressing the
Return or Enter key. If you wish to include command-line options, put them after
the word "kermit" but before pressing Return or Enter, separated by spaces, for
example:
$ kermit -s ckermit.tar.gz
(’$’ is the shell prompt; "kermit -s ckermit.tar.gz" is what you type, followed by
Return or Enter.)
OPTIONS
Here is a list of C-Kermit’s single-letter command-line options, which start with a
single dash (-), in ASCII ("alphabetical") order. Alphabetic case is significant
(-A is not the same as -a). Action options are tagged "ACTION".
-0 (digit zero) 100% transparent Connect state for "in-the-middle" operation:
8 bits, no parity, no escape character, everything passes through.
-8 (digit eight) Connection is 8-bit clean (this is the default in C-Kermit
8.0). Equivalent to the EIGHTBIT command, which in turn is a shortcut for
SET TERMINAL BYTESIZE 8, SET COMMAND BYTESIZE 8, SET PARITY NONE.
-9 arg (digit nine) Make a connection to an FTP server. Equivalent to the FTP
OPEN command. Argument: IP-address-or-hostname[:optional-TCP-port]. NOTE:
C-Kermit also has a separate FTP command-line personality, with regular FTP-
like command-line syntax. More about this below.
-A Kermit is to be started as an Internet service (IKSD) (only from
inetd.conf).
-B Kermit is running in Batch or Background (no controlling terminal). To be
used in case Kermit doesn’t automatically sense its background status.
Equivalent to the SET BACKGROUND ON command.
-C arg Interactive-mode Commands to be executed. Argument: Commands separated by
commas, list in doublequotes.
-D arg Delay before starting to send in Remote mode. Equivalent to the SET DELAY
command. Argument: Number of seconds.
-E Exit automatically when connection closes. Equivalent to SET EXIT ON-DISCON-
NECT ON.
-F arg Use an open TCP connection. Argument: Numeric file descriptor of open TCP
connection. Also see: -j, -J.
-G arg (ACTION) Get file(s) from server, send contents to standard output, which
normally would be piped to another process. Argument: Remote file specifi-
cation, in quotes if it contains metacharacters. Also see: -g, -k.
-H Suppress program startup Herald and greeting.
-I Tell Kermit it has a reliable connection, to force streaming to be used
where it normally would not be. Equivalent to the SET RELIABLE ON command.
-J arg (ACTION) "Be like Telnet." Like -j but implies -E. Argument: IP host-
name/address optionally followed by service. NOTE: C-Kermit also has a sep-
arate Telnet command-line personality, with regular Telnet-like command-line
syntax. More about this below.
-L Recursive directory descent for files in -s option.
-M arg My user name (for use with Telnet, Rlogin, FTP, etc). Equivalent to the SET
LOGIN USER command. Argument: Username string.
-O (ACTION) (Uppercase letter O) Be a server for One command only. Also see:
-x.
-P Don’t convert file (Path) names of transferred files. Equivalent to SET
FILE NAMES LITERAL.
-Q Quick Kermit protocol settings. Equivalent to the FAST command. This is the
default in C-Kermit 7.0 and later.
-R Remote-only (this just makes IF REMOTE true).
-S Stay (enter command parser after action options).
-T Force Text mode for file transfer; implies -V. Equivalent to SET TRANSFER
MODE MANUAL, SET FILE TYPE TEXT.
-V Disable automatic per-file text/binary switching. Equivalent to SET TRANS-
FER MODE MANUAL.
-Y Skip (don’t execute) the initialization file.
-a arg As-name for file(s) in -s, -r, or -g. Argument: As-name string (alternative
filename). When receiving files, this can be a directory name.
-b arg Speed for serial device. Equivalent to SET SPEED. Argument: Numeric Bits
per second for serial connections.
-c (ACTION) Enter Connect state before transferring files.
-d Create a debug.log file with detailed debugging information (a second -d
adds timestamps). Equivalent to LOG DEBUG but takes effect sooner.
-e arg Maximum length for incoming Kermit file-transfer packets. Equivalent to SET
RECEIVE PACKET-LENGTH. Argument: Length in bytes.
-f (ACTION) Send a FINISH command to a Kermit server.
-g arg Get file(s) from a Kermit server. Argument: File specification on other
computer, in quotes if it contains metacharacters. Equivalent to GET. Also
see: -a, -G, -r.
-h (ACTION) Print Help text for single-letter command-line options (pipe thru
’more’ to prevent scrolling).
-i Force binary (Image) mode for file transfer; implies -V. Equivalent to SET
TRANSFER MODE MANUAL, SET FILE TYPE BINARY.
-j arg Make a TCP/IP connection. Argument: IP host name/address and optional ser-
vice name or number. Equivalent to the TELNET command. Also see: -J, -F.
-k (ACTION) Receive file(s) to standard output, which normally would be piped
to another process. Also see: -r, -G.
-l arg (Lowercase letter L) Make a connection on the given serial communications
device. Equivalent to the SET LINE (SET PORT) command. Argument: Serial
device name, e.g. /dev/ttyS0.
-m arg Modem type for use with the -l device. Equivalent to the SET MODEM TYPE com-
mand. Argument: Modem name as in SET MODEM TYPE command, e.g. "usrobotics".
-n (ACTION) Enter Connect state after transferring files (historical).
-p arg Parity. Equivalent to the SET PARITY command. Argument: One of the follow-
ing: e(ven), o(dd), m(ark), n(one), s(pace).
-q Quiet (suppress most messages). Equivalent to SET QUIET ON.
-r (ACTION) Receive file(s). Equivalent to the RECEIVE command. Argument:
(none, but see -a)
-s arg Send file(s). Argument: One or more local file specifications. Equivalent
to the SEND command. Also see: -a.
-t (Historical) Xon (Ctrl-Q) Turnaround character for half-duplex connections
(used on serial linemode connections to old mainframes). Equivalent to SET
DUPLEX HALF, SET HANDSHAKE XON.
-v arg Window size for Kermit protocol (ignored when streaming). Equivalanet to SET
WINDOW-SIZE. Argument: Number, 1 to 32.
-w Incoming files Write over existing files. Equivalent to SET FILE COLLISION
OVERWRITE.
-x (ACTION) Enter server mode. Equivalent to the SERVER command. Also see: -O.
-y arg Alternative initialization file. Argument: Filename.
-z Force foreground behavior. To be used in case Kermit doesn’t automatically
sense its foreground status. Equivalent to the SET BACKGROUND OFF command.
Extended command-line options (necessary because single-letter ones are about used
up) start with two dashes (--), with words rather than single letters as option
names. If an extended option takes an argument, it is separated from the option
word by a colon (:). Extended options include:
--bannerfile:filename
File to display upon startup or IKSD login.
--cdfile:filename
File to be sent for display to the client when server changes directory
(filename is relative to the changed-to directory).
--cdmessage:{on,off}
Enable/disable the server CD message feature.
--help
Prints usage message for extended options.
--helpfile:filename
Designates a file containing custom text to replace the top-level HELP com-
mand.
--nointerrupts
Disables keyboard interrupts.
--noperms
Disables the Kermit protocol file Permissions attribute, to prevent trans-
mission of file permissions (protection) from sender to receiver.
--version
(ACTION) C-Kermit prints its version number.
Plus several other IKSD-Only options described at:
http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/iksd.html
See the file-transfer section for examples of command-line invocation.
COMMAND LANGUAGE
C-Kermit’s interactive command language is the subject of a 622-page book and
another several hundred pages of updates, far too much for a manual page. But it’s
not hard to get started. At the shell prompt, just type "kermit" to get C-Kermit’s
interactive command prompt:
$ kermit
(/current/directory) C-Kermit>
Begin by typing "help" (and then press the Return or Enter key) for a top-level
overview, read it, and go from there. Your second command should probably be
"intro" (introduction). Note the prompt shows your current directory (unless you
tell Kermit to prompt you with something else).
Interactive commands are composed mainly of regular English words, usually in the
form of imperative sentences, such as:
send oofa.txt
which tells Kermit to send (transfer) the file whose name is oofa.txt, or:
set transfer mode automatic
which sets Kermit’s "transfer mode" to "automatic" (whatever that means).
While typing commands, you can abbreviate, ask for help (by pressing the "?" key
anywhere in a command), complete keywords or filenames (with the Tab or Esc key),
and edit your typing with Backspace or Delete, Ctrl-W, Ctrl-U, etc. You can also
recall previous commands, save your command history, and who knows what else. Give
the INTRO command for details.
C-Kermit has hundreds of commands, and they can be issued in infinite variety and
combinations, including commands for:
· Making connections (SET LINE, DIAL, TELNET, SSH, FTP, ...)
· Breaking connections (HANGUP, CLOSE)
· Transferring files (SEND, GET, RECEIVE, MOVE, RESEND, ...)
· Establishing preferences (SET)
· Displaying preferences (SHOW)
· Managing local files (CD, DELETE, MKDIR, DIR, RENAME, TYPE, ...)
· Managing remote files (RCD, RDEL, RMKDIR, RDIR, ...)
· Using local files (FOPEN, FCLOSE, FREAD, FWRITE)
· Programming (TAKE, DEFINE, IF, FOR, WHILE, SWITCH, DECLARE, ...)
· Interacting with the user (ECHO, ASK, ...)
· Interacting with a remote computer (INPUT, OUTPUT, ...)
· Interacting with local programs (RUN, EXEC, PTY, ...)
· Logging things (LOG SESSION, LOG PACKETS, LOG DEBUG, ...)
And of course QUIT or EXIT to get out and HELP to get help, and for programmers:
loops, decision making, variables, arrays, associative arrays, integer and floating
point arithmetic, macros, built-in and user-defined functions, string manipulation,
pattern matching, block structure, scoping, recursion, and all the rest. To get a
list of all C-Kermit’s commands, type a question mark (?) at the prompt. To get a
description of any command, type HELP followed by the name of the command, for
example:
help send
The command interruption character is Ctrl-C (hold down the Ctrl key and press the
C key).
The command language "escape character", used to introduce variable names, function
invocations, and so on, is backslash (. If you need to include a literal backslash
in a command, type two of them, e.g.:
get c:\k95\k95custom.ini
Command Files, Macros, and Scripts
A file containing Kermit commands is called a Kermit command file or Kermit script.
It can be executed with Kermit’s TAKE command:
(/current/dir) C-Kermit> take commandfile
(where "commandfile" is the name of the command file). Please don’t pipe a command
file into Kermit’s standard input (which might or might not work); if you have Ker-
mit commands in a file, tell Kermit to TAKE the file.
In Unix only, a Kermit command file can also be executed directly by including a
"kerbang" line as the first line of the file:
#!/usr/local/bin/kermit +
That is, a top line that starts with "#!", followed immediately by the full path of
the Kermit executable, and then, if the Kermit script is to be given arguments on
the command line, a space and a plus sign. The script file must also have execute
permission:
chmod +x commandfile
Except for the " +" part, this is exactly the same as you would do for a shell
script, a Perl script, etc. Here’s a simple but useless example script that regur-
gitates its arguments (up to three of them):
#!/usr/local/bin/kermit +
if defined \%1 echo "Argument 1: \%1"
if defined \%2 echo "Argument 2: \%2"
if defined \%3 echo "Argument 3: \%3"
if defined \%4 echo "etc..."
exit
If this file is stored in your current directory as "commandfile", then:
./commandfile one two three four five
prints:
Argument 1: one
Argument 2: two
Argument 3: three
etc...
This illustrates the basic structure of a standalone Kermit script: the "kerbang
line", then some commands. It should end with "exit" unless you want the Kermit
prompt to appear when it is finished. \%1 is the first argument, \%2 the second,
and so on.
You can also create your own commands by defining named macros composed of other
Kermit commands (or macros). For example:
define mydelete {
local trash
assign trash \v(home)trashcan/
if not defined \%1 end 1 "Delete what?"
if wild \%1 {
end 1 "Deleting multiple files is too scary"
}
if not exist \%1 end 1 "I can’t find \%1"
if not directory \m(trash) {
mkdir \m(trash)
if fail end 1 "No trash can"
}
rename /list \%1 \m(trash)
}
define myundelete {
local trash
assign trash \v(home)trashcan/
if not defined \%1 end 1 "Undelete what?"
if wild \%1 {
end 1 "Undeleting multiple files is too hard"
}
if not directory \m(trash) end 1 "No trash can"
if not exist \m(trash)\%1 {
end 1 "I can’t find \%1 in trash can"
}
rename /list \m(trash)\%1 .
}
These sample macros are not exactly production quality (they don’t handle filenames
that include path segments, they don’t handle multiple files, etc), but you get the
idea: you can pass arguments to macros, and they can check them and make other
kinds of decisions. If you put the above lines into your initialization or cus-
tomization file (explained below), you’ll have MYDELETE and MYUNDELETE commands
available every time you start Kermit, at least as long as you don’t suppress exe-
cution of the initialization file. (Exercise for the reader: Make these macros gen-
erally useful: remove limitations, add trashcan display, browsing, emptying, etc.)
Kerbang scripts execute without the initialization file. This to keep them portable
and also to make them start faster. If you want to write Kerbang scripts that
depend on the initialization file, include the command
take \v(home).kermrc
at the desired spot in the script. By the way, \v(xxx) is a built-in variable (xxx
is the variable name, "home" in this case). To see what built-in variables are
available, type "show variables" at the C-Kermit prompt. To see what else you can
show, type "show ?". \m(xxx) is a user defined variable (strictly speaking, it is a
macro used as a variable).
Command List
C-Kermit has more than 200 top-level commands, and some of these, such as SET,
branch off into hundreds of subcommands of their own, so it’s not practical to
describe them all here. Instead, here’s a concise list of the most commonly used
top-level commands, grouped by category. To learn about each command, type "help"
followed by the command name, e.g. "help set". Terms such as Command state and
Connect state are explained in subsequent sections.
Optional fields are shown in [ brackets ]. "filename" means the name of a single
file. filespec means a file specification that is allowed to contain wildcard char-
acters like ’*’ to match groups of files. options are (optional) switches like
/PAGE, /NOPAGE, /QUIET, etc, listed in the HELP text for each command. Example:
send /recursive /larger:10000 /after:-1week /except:*.txt *
which can be read as "send all the files in this directory and all the ones under-
neath it that are larger than 10000 bytes, no more than one week old, and whose
names don’t end with ".txt".
Basic Commands
HELP Requests top-level help.
HELP command
Requests help about the given command.
INTRODUCTION
Requests a brief introduction to C-Kermit.
LICENSE
Displays the C-Kermit software copyright and license.
VERSION
Displays C-Kermit’s version number.
EXIT [ number ]
Exits from Kermit with the given status code. Synonyms: QUIT, E, Q.
TAKE filename [ parameters... ]
Executes commands from the given
LOG item [ filename ]
Keeps a log of the given item in the given file.
[ DO ] macro [ parameters... ]
Executes commands from the given macro.
SET parameter value
Sets the given parameter to the given value.
SHOW category
Shows settings in a given category.
STATUS Tells whether previous command succeeded or failed.
DATE [ date-and/or-time ]
Shows current date-time or interprets given date-time.
RUN [ extern-command [ parameters... ]
Runs the given external command. Synonym: !.
EXEC [ extern-command [ params... ]
Kermit overlays itself with the given command.
SUSPEND
Stops Kermit and puts it in the background. Synonym: Z.
Local File Management
TYPE [ options ] filename
Displays the contents of the given file.
MORE [ options ] filename
Equivalent to TYPE /PAGE (pause after each screenful).
CAT [ options ] filename
Equivalent to TYPE /NOPAGE.
HEAD [ options ] filename
Displays the first few lines of a given file.
TAIL [ options ] filename
Displays the last few lines of a given file.
GREP [ options ] pattern filespec
Displays lines from files that match the pattern. Synonym: FIND.
DIRECTORY [ options ] [filespec ]
Lists files (built-in, many options).
LS [ options ] [ filespec ]
Lists files (runs external "ls" command).
DELETE [ options ] [ filespec ]
Deletes files. Synonym: RM.
PURGE [ options ] [ filespec ]
Removes backup (*.~n~) files.
COPY [ options ] [ filespecs... ]
Copies files. Synonym: CP.
RENAME [ options ] [ filespecs... ]
Renames files. Synonym: MV.
CHMOD [ options ] [ filespecs... ]
Changes permissions of files.
TRANSLATE filename charsets [ filename ]
Converts file’s character set. Synonym: XLATE.
CD Changes your working directory to your home directory.
CD directory
Changes your working directory to the one given.
CDUP Changes your working directory one level up.
PWD Displays your working directory.
BACK Returns to your previous working directory.
MKDIR [ directory ]
Creates a directory.
RMDIR [ directory ]
Removes a directory.
Making Connections
SET LINE [ options ] devicename
Opens the named serial port. Synonym: SET PORT.
OPEN LINE [ options ] devicename
Same as SET LINE. Synonym: OPEN PORT.
SET MODEM TYPE [ name ]
Tells Kermit what kind of modem is on the port.
DIAL [ number ]
Tells Kermit to dial the given phone number with the modem.
REDIAL Redials the most recently dialed phone number.
ANSWER Waits for and answers an incoming call on the modem.
AUTHENTICATE [ parameters... ]
Performs secure authentication on a TCP/IP connection.
SET NETWORK TYPE { TCP/IP, X.25, ... }
Selects network type for subsequent SET HOST commands.
SET HOST [ options ] host [ port ]
Opens a network connection to the given host and port.
SET HOST * port
Waits for an incoming TCP/IP connection on the given port.
TELNET [ options ] host
Opens a Telnet connection to the host and enters Connect state.
RLOGIN [ options ] host
Opens an Rlogin connection to the host and enters Connect state.
IKSD [ options ] host
Opens a connection to an Internet Kermit Service.
SSH [ options ] host
Opens an SSH connection to the host and enters Connect state.
FTP OPEN host [ options ]
Opens an FTP connection to the host.
HTTP [ options ] OPEN host
Opens an HTTP connection to the host.
PTY external-command
Runs the command on a pseudoterminal as if it were a connection.
PIPE external-command
Runs the command through a pipe as if it were a connection.
Using Connections
CONNECT [ options ]
Enters Connect (terminal) state. Synonym: C.
REDIRECT command
Redirects the given external command over the connection.
TELOPT command
Sends a Telnet protocol command (Telnet connections only).
Ctrl-\C
"Escapes back" from Connect state to Command state.
Ctrl-\B
(In Connect state) Sends a BREAK signal (serial or Telnet).
Ctrl-\!
(In Connect state) Enters inferior shell; "exit" to return.
Ctrl-\?
(In Connect state) Shows a menu of other escape-level options.
Ctrl-\Ctrl-\
(In Connect state) Type two Ctrl-Backslashes to send one of them.
SET ESCAPE [ character ]
Changes Kermit’s Connect-state escape character.
Closing Connections
HANGUP Hangs up the currently open serial-port or network connection.
CLOSE Closes the currently open serial-port or network connection.
SET LINE (with no devicename)
Closes the currently open serial-port or network connection.
SET HOST (with no hostname)
Closes the currently open serial-port or network connection.
FTP CLOSE
Closes the currently open FTP connection.
HTTP CLOSE
Closes the currently open HTTP connection.
EXIT Also closes all connections. Synonym: QUIT.
SET EXIT WARNING OFF
Suppresses warning about open connections on exit or close.
File Transfer
SEND [ options ] filename [ as-name ]
Sends the given file. Synonym: S.
SEND [ options ] filespec
Sends all files that match.
RESEND [ options ] filespec
Resumes an interupted SEND from the point of failure.
RECEIVE [ options ] [ as-name ]
Waits passively for files to arrive. Synonym: R.
LOG TRANSACTIONS [ filename ]
Keeps a record of file transfers.
FAST Use fast file-transfer settings (default).
CAUTIOUS
Use cautious and less fast file-transfer settings.
ROBUST Use ultra-conservative and slow file-transfer settings.
STATISTICS [ options ]
Gives statistics about the most recent file transfer.
WHERE After transfer: "Where did my files go?".
TRANSMIT [ options ] [ofilename ]
Sends file without protocol. Synonym: XMIT.
LOG SESSION [ filename ]
Captures remote text or files without protocol.
SET PROTOCOL [ name... ]
Tells Kermit to use an external file-transfer protocol.
FTP { PUT, MPUT, GET, MGET, ... }
FTP client commands.
HTTP { PUT, GET, HEAD, POST, ... }
HTTP client commands.
Kermit Server
ENABLE, DISABLE
Controls which server features can be used by clients.
SET SERVER
Sets parameters prior to entering Server state.
SERVER Enters Server state.
Client of Kermit or FTP Server
[ REMOTE ] LOGIN [ user password ]
Logs in to a Kermit server or IKSD that requires it.
[ REMOTE ] LOGOUT
Logs out from a Kermit server or IKSD.
SEND [ options ] filename [ as-name ]
Sends the given file to the server. Synonyms: S, PUT.
SEND [ options ] filespec
Sends all files that match.
RESEND [ options ] filespec
Resumes an interupted SEND from the point of failure.
GET [ options ] remote-filespec
Asks the server to send the given files. Synonym: G.
REGET [ options ] remote-filespec
Resumes an interrupted GET from the point of failure.
REMOTE CD [ directory ]
Asks server to change its working directory. Synonym: RCD.
REMOTE PWD [ directory ]
Asks server to display its working directory. Synonym: RPWD.
REMOTE DIRECTORY [ filespec... ]
Asks server to send a directory listing. Synonym: RDIR.
REMOTE DELETE [ filespec... ]
Asks server to delete files. Synonym: RDEL.
REMOTE [ command... ]
(Many other commands: "remote ?" for a list).
MAIL [ options ] filespec
Sends file(s) to be delivered as e-mail (Kermit only).
FINISH Asks the server to exit server state (Kermit only).
BYE Asks the server to log out and close the connection.
Script Programming
DEFINE, DECLARE, UNDEFINE, UNDECLARE, ASSIGN, EVALUATE, SEXPRESSION, ARRAY,
SORT, INPUT, OUTPUT, IF, FOR, WHILE, SWITCH, GOTO, ECHO, ASK, GETC, GETOK,
ASSERT, WAIT, SLEEP, FOPEN, FREAD, FWRITE, FCLOSE, STOP, END, RETURN, LEARN,
SHIFT, TRACE, VOID, INCREMENT, DECREMENT, ... For these and many more you’ll
need to consult the manual and supplements, and/or visit the Kermit Script
Library, which also includes a brief tutorial. Hint: HELP LEARN to find out
how to get Kermit to write simple scripts for you.
Many of Kermit’s commands have synonyms, variants, relatives, and so on. For exam-
ple, MSEND is a version of SEND that accepts a list of file specifications to be
sent, rather than just one file specification, and MPUT is a synonym of MSEND. MOVE
means to SEND and then DELETE the source file if successful. MMOVE is like MOVE,
but accepts a list of filespecs, and so on. These are described in the full docu-
mentation.
Use question mark to feel your way through an unfamiliar command, as in this exam-
ple:
C-Kermit> remote ? One of the following:
assign directory kermit print rmdir
cd exit login pwd set
copy help logout query space
delete host mkdir rename type
C-Kermit> remote set ? One of the following:
attributes file retry transfer
block-check receive server window
C-Kermit> remote set file ? One of the following:
character-set incomplete record-length
collision names type
C-Kermit> remote set file names ? One of the following:
converted literal
C-Kermit> remote set file names literal
C-Kermit>
This is called menu on demand: you get a menu when you want one, but menus are not
forced on you even when know what you’re doing. Note that you can also abbreviate
most keywords, and you can complete them with the Tab or Esc key. Also note that ?
works for filenames too, and that you can use it in the middle of a keyword or
filename, not just at the beginning. For example, "send x?" lists all the files in
the current directory whose names start with ’x’.
INITIALIZATION FILE
In its default configuration, C-Kermit executes commands from a file called .kermrc
in your home directory when it starts, unless it is given the -Y or -y command-line
option. Custom configurations might substitute a shared system-wide initialization
file. The SHOW FILE command tells what initialization file, if any, was used. The
standard initialization file "chains" to an individual customization file, .myk-
ermc, in the home directory, in which each user can establish her/his own prefer-
ences, define macros, and so on.
Since execution of the initialization file (at least the standard one) makes C-Ker-
mit take longer to start, it might be better not to have an initialization file,
especially now that Kermit’s default startup configuration is well attuned to mod-
ern computing and networking -- in other words, you no longer have do anything spe-
cial to make Kermit transfers go fast. So instead of having an initialization file
that is executed every time Kermit starts, you might consider making one or more
kerbang scripts (with names other that .kermrc) that do NOT include an "exit" com-
mand, and invoke those when you need the settings, macro definitions, and/or
scripted actions they contain, and invoke C-Kermit directly when you don’t.
To put it another way... We still distribute the standard initialization file since
it’s featured in the manual and backwards compatibility is important to us. But
there’s no harm in not using it if you don’t need the stuff that’s in it (services
directory, dialing directory, network directory, and associated macro definitions).
On the other hand, if there are settings or macros you want in effect EVERY time
you use Kermit, the initialization file (or the customization file it chains to) is
the place to put them, because that’s the only place Kermit looks for them automat-
ically each time you start it.
MODES OF OPERATION
Kermit is said to be in Local mode if it has made a connection to another computer,
e.g. by dialing it or establishing a Telnet connection to it. The other computer is
remote, so if you start another copy of Kermit on the remote computer, it is said
to be in Remote mode (as long as it has not made any connections of its own). The
local Kermit communicates over the communications device or network connection,
acting as a conduit between the the remote computer and your keyboard and screen.
The remote Kermit is the file-transfer partner to the local Kermit and communicates
only through its standard input and output.
At any moment, a Kermit program can be in any of the following states. It’s impor-
tant to know what they are and how to change from one to the other.
Command state
In this state, Kermit reads commands from:
· Your keyboard; or:
· A file, or:
· A macro definition.
You can exit from Command state back to Unix with the EXIT or QUIT command
(same thing). You can enter Connect state with any of various commands (CON-
NECT, DIAL, TELNET, etc). You can enter file transfer state with commands
like SEND, RECEIVE, and GET. You can enter Server state with the SERVER com-
mand. The TAKE command tells Kermit to read and execute commands from a
file. The (perhaps implied) DO command tells Kermit to read and execute com-
mands from a macro definition. While in Command state, you can interrupt
any command, macro, or command file by typing Ctrl-C (hold down the Ctrl key
and press the C key); this normally brings you back to the prompt.
Shell state
You can invoke an inferior shell or external command from the Kermit command
prompt by using the PUSH, RUN (!), EDIT, or BROWSE command. While the infe-
rior shell or command is active, Kermit is suspended and does nothing.
Return to Kermit Command state by exiting from the inferior shell or appli-
cation.
Connect state
In this state, which can be entered only when in Local mode (i.e. when Ker-
mit has made a connection to another computer), Kermit is acting as a termi-
nal to the remote computer. Your keystrokes are sent to the remote computer
and characters that arrive over the communication connection are displayed
on your screen. This state is entered when you give a CONNECT, DIAL, TELNET,
RLOGIN, or IKSD command. You can return to command state by logging out of
the remote computer, or by typing:
Ctrl-\c
That is: Hold down the Ctrl key and press the backslash key, then let go of
the Ctrl key and press the C key. This is called escaping back. Certain
other escape-level commands are also provided; type Ctrl-\? for a list. For
example, you can enter Shell state with:
Ctrl-\!
To send a Ctrl-\ to the host while in Connect state, type two of them in a
row. See HELP CONNECT and HELP SET ESCAPE for more info.
Local file-transfer state
In this state, Kermit is sending packets back and forth with the other com-
puter in order to transfer a file or accomplish some other file-related
task. And at the same time, it is displaying its progress on your screen and
watching your keyboard for interruptions. In this state, the following sin-
gle-keystroke commands are accepted:
X Interrupt the current file and go on to the next (if any).
Z Interrupt the current file and skip all the rest.
E Like Z but uses a "stronger" protocol (use if X or Z don’t work).
Ctrl-C Interrupt file-transfer mode (use if Z or E don’t work).
Kermit returns to its previous state (Command or Connect) when the transfer is com-
plete or when interrupted successfully by X, Z, E, or Ctrl-C (hold down the Ctrl
key and press the C key).
Remote file-transfer state
In this state, Kermit is exchanging file-transfer packets with its local
partner over its standard i/o. It leaves this state automatically when the
transfer is complete. In case you find your local Kermit in Connect state
and the remote one in File-transfer state (in which it seems to ignore your
keystrokes), you can usually return it to command state by typing three
Ctrl-C’s in a row. If that doesn’t work, return your local Kermit to Command
state (Ctrl-\ C) and type "e-packet" and then press the Return or Enter key;
this forces a fatal Kermit protocol error.
Remote Server state
This is like Remote File-transfer state, except it never returns automati-
cally to Command state. Rather, it awaits further instructions from the
client program; that is, from your Local Kermit program. You can return the
Remote Server to its previous state by issuing a "finish" command to the
client, or if you are in Connect state, by typing three Ctrl-C’s in a row.
You can tell the server job to log out and break the connection by issuing a
"bye" command to the client.
Local Server state
Like Remote-Server state, but in local mode, and therefore with its file-
transfer display showing, and listening for single-key commands, as in Local
File-transfer state. Usually this state is entered automatically when a
remote Kermit program gives a GET command.
C-Kermit, Kermit 95, and MS-DOS Kermit all can switch automatically from
Connect state to Local File-transfer state when you initiate a file transfer
from the remote computer by starting Kermit and telling it to send or get a
file, in which case, Connect state is automatically resumed after the file
transfer is finished.
Note that C-Kermit is not a terminal emulator. It is a communications appli-
cation that you run in a terminal window (e.g. console or Xterm). The spe-
cific emulation, such as VT100, VT220, Linux Console, or Xterm, is provided
by the terminal window in which you are running C-Kermit. Kermit 95 and MS-
DOS Kermit, on the other hand, are true terminal emulators. Why is C-Kermit
not a terminal emulator? CLICK HERE to read about it.
MAKING CONNECTIONS
Here is how to make different kinds of connections using interactive Kermit com-
mands (as noted above, you can also make connections with command-line options).
Note that you don’t have to make connections with Kermit. It can also be used on
the far end of a connection as the remote file transfer and management partner of
your local communications software.
Making a Telnet Connection
At the C-Kermit command prompt, simply type:
telnet foo.bar.com
(substituting desired hostname or address). You can also include a port
number:
telnet xyzcorp.com 3000 ;
If the connection is successful, Kermit automically enters Connect state.
When you logout from the remote host, Kermit automatically returns to its
prompt. More info: HELP TELNET, HELP SET TELNET, HELP SET TELOPT. Also see
the IKSD section below.
Making an Rlogin connection
This is just like Telnet, except you have to be root to do it because Rlogin
uses a privileged TCP port:
rlogin foo.bar.com
More info: HELP RLOGIN.
Making an SSH Connection
Unlike Telnet and Rlogin, SSH connections are not built-in, but handled by
running your external SSH client through a pseudoterminal. Using C-Kermit
to control the SSH client gives you all of Kermit’s features (file transfer,
character-set conversion, scripting, etc) over SSH.
ssh foo.bar.com
More info: HELP SSH, HELP SET SSH.
Dialing with a Modem
If it’s an external modem, make sure it is connected to a usable serial port
on your computer with a regular (straight-through) modem cable, and to the
telephone jack with a telephone cable, and that it’s turned on. Then use
these commands:
set modem type usrobotics ; Or other supported type
set line /dev/ttyS0 ; Specify device name
set speed 57600 ; Or other desired speed
set flow rts/cts ; Most modern modems support this
set dial method tone ; (or pulse)
dial 7654321 ; Dial the desired number
Type "set modem type ?" for a list of supported modem types. If you omit the
SET MODEM TYPE command, the default type is "generic-high-speed", which
should work for most modern AT-command-set modems. If the line is busy, Ker-
mit redials automatically. If the call does not succeed, use "set dial dis-
play on" and try it again to watch what happens. If the call succeeds, Ker-
mit enters Connect state automatically and returns to its prompt automati-
cally when you log out from the remote computer or the connection is other-
wise lost.
You can also dial from a modem that is accessible by Telnet, e.g. to a
reverse terminal server. In this case the command sequence is:
set host ts.xxx.com 2000 ; Terminal-server and port
set modem type usrobotics ; Or other supported type
set dial method tone ; (or pulse)
dial 7654321 ; Dial the desired number
If the terminal server supports the Telnet Com Port Option, RFC 2217, you
can also give serial-port related commands such as SET SPEED, SET PARITY,
and so on, and Kermit relays them to the terminal server using the protocol
specified in the RFC.
More info: HELP SET MODEM, HELP SET LINE, HELP SET SPEED, HELP SET FLOW,
HELP DIAL, HELP SET DIAL, HELP SET MODEM, HELP SET CARRIER-WATCH, SHOW COM-
MUNICATIONS, SHOW MODEM, SHOW DIAL.
Direct Serial Port
Connect the two computers, A and B, with a null modem cable (or two modem
cables interconnected with a null-modem adapter or modem eliminator). From
Computer A:
set modem type none ; There is no modem
set line /dev/ttyS0 ; Specify device name
set carrier-watch off ; If DTR CD are not cross-connected
set speed 57600 ; Or other desired speed
set flow rts/cts ; If RTS and CTS are cross-connected
set parity even ; (or "mark" or "space", if necessary)
set stop-bits 2 ; (rarely necessary)
set flow xon/xoff ; If you can’t use RTS/CTS
connect ; Enter Connect (terminal) state
This assumes Computer B is set up to let you log in. If it isn’t, you can
run a copy of Kermit on Computer B and follow approximately the same direc-
tions. More info: As above plus HELP CONNECT.
With modems or direct serial connections, you might also have to "set parity even"
(or "mark" or "space") if it’s a 7-bit connection.
Of the connection types listed above, only one can be open at a time. However, any
one of these can be open concurrently with an FTP or HTTP session. Each connection
type can be customized to any desired degree, scripted, logged, you name it. See
the manual.
NOTE: On selected platforms, C-Kermit also can make X.25 connections. See the man-
ual for details.
TRANSFERRING FILES WITH KERMIT
There is a widespread and persistent belief that Kermit is a slow protocol. This
is because, until recently, it used conservative tuning by default to make sure
file transfers succeeded, rather than failing because they overloaded the connec-
tion. Some extra commands (or command-line options, like -Q) were needed to make it
go fast, but nobody bothered to find out about them. Also, it takes two to tango:
most non-Kermit-Project Kermit protocol implementations really ARE slow. The best
file-transfer partners for C-Kermit are: another copy of C-Kermit (7.0 or later)
and Kermit 95. These combinations work well and they work fast by default. MS-DOS
Kermit is good too, but you have to tell it to go fast (by giving it the FAST com-
mand).
Furthermore, all three of these Kermit programs support "autodownload" and "autou-
pload", meaning that when they are in Connect state and a Kermit packet comes in
from the remote, they automatically switch into file transfer mode.
And plus, C-Kermit and K95 also switch automatically between text and binary mode
for each file, so there is no need to "set file type binary" or "set file type
text", or to worry about files being corrupted because they were transferred in the
wrong mode.
What all of these words add up to is that now, when you use up-to-date Kermit soft-
ware from the Kermit Project, file transfer is not only fast, it’s ridiculously
easy. You barely have to give any commands at all.
Downloading Files
Let’s say you have Kermit 95, C-Kermit, or MS-DOS Kermit on your desktop
computer, with a connection to a Unix computer that has C-Kermit installed
as "kermit". To download a file (send it from Unix to your desktop com-
puter), just type the following command at your Unix shell prompt:
kermit -s oofa.txt
(where oofa.txt is the filename). If you want to send more than one file,
you can put as many filenames as you want on the command line, and they can
be any combination of text and binary:
kermit -s oofa.txt oofa.zip oofa.html oofa.tar.gz
and/or you can use wildcards to send groups of files:
kermit -s oofa.*
If you want to send a file under an assumed name, use:
kermit -s friday.txt -a today.txt
This sends the file friday.txt but tells the receiving Kermit that its name
is today.txt. In all cases, as noted, when the file transfer is finished,
your desktop Kermit returns automatically to Connect state. No worries
about escaping back, re-connecting, text/binary mode switching. Almost too
easy, right?
Uploading Files
To upload files (send them from your desktop computer to the remote Unix
computer) do the same thing, but use the -g (GET) option instead of -s:
kermit -g oofa.txt
This causes your local Kermit to enter server mode; then the remote Kermit
program requests the named file and the local Kermit sends it and returns
automatically to Connect state when done.
If you want to upload multiple files, you have have use shell quoting rules,
since these aren’t local files:
kermit -g "oofa.txt oofa.zip oofa.html oofa.tar.gz"
kermit -g "oofa.*"
If you want to upload a file but store it under a different name, use:
kermit -g friday.txt -a today.txt
Kermit Transfers the Old-Fashioned Way
If your desktop communications software does not support autoupload or
autodownload, or it does not include Kermit server mode, the procedure
requires more steps.
To download a file, type:
kermit -s filename
on the host as before, but if nothing happens automatically in response to
this command, you have to switch your desktop communications software into
Kermit Receive state. This might be done by escaping back using keyboard
characters or hot keys (Alt-x is typical) and/or with a command (like
RECEIVE) or a menu. When the file transfer is complete, you have to go back
to Connect state, Terminal emulation, or whatever terminology applies to
your desktop communications software.
To upload a file, type:
kermit -r
on the host (rather than "kermit -g"). This tells C-Kermit to wait passively
for a file to start arriving. Then regain the attention of your desktop
software (Alt-x or whatever) and instruct it to send the desired file(s)
with Kermit protocol. When the transfer is finished, return to the Connect
or Terminal screen.
If File Transfer Fails
Although every aspect of Kermit’s operation can be finely tuned, there are
also three short and simple "omnibus tuning" commands you can use for
troubleshooting:
FAST Use fast file-transfer settings. This has been the default since C-
Kermit 7.0 now that most modern computers and connections support it.
If transfers fail with fast settings, try . . .
CAUTIOUS
Use cautious but not paranoid settings. File transfers, if they work,
will go at medium speed. If not, try . . .
ROBUST Use the most robust, resilient, conservative, safe, and reliable set-
tings. File transfers will almost certainly work, but they will be
quite slow (of course this is a classic tradeoff; ROBUST was C-Ker-
mit’s default tuning in versions 6.0 and earlier, which made every-
body think Kermit protocol was slow). If ROBUST doesn’t do the trick,
try again with SET PARITY SPACE first in case it’s not an 8-bit con-
nection.
Obviously the success and performance of a file transfer also depends on C-Kermit’s
file transfer partner. Up-to-date, real Kermit Project partners are recommended
because they contain the best Kermit protocol implementations and because we can
support them in case of trouble.
If you still have trouble, consult Chapter 10 of Using C-Kermit, or send email to
kermit-support AT columbia.edu.
Advanced Kermit File-Transfer Features
Obviously there is a lot more to Kermit file transfer, including all sorts
of interactive commands, preferences, options, logging, debugging, trou-
bleshooting, and anything else you can imagine but that’s what the manual
and updates are for. Here are a few topics you can explore if you’re inter-
ested by Typing HELP for the listed commands:
Logging transfers:
LOG TRANSACTIONS (HELP LOG)
Automatic per-file text/binary mode switching:
SET TRANSFER MODE { AUTOMATIC, MANUAL } (HELP SET TRANSFER).
Cross-platform recursive directory tree transfer:
SEND /RECURSIVE, GET /RECURSIVE (HELP SEND, HELP GET).
File collision options:
SET FILE COLLISION { OVERWRITE, BACKUP, DISCARD, ... } (HELP SET
FILE).
Update: Transfer only files that changed since last time:
SET FILE COLLISION UPDATE (HELP SET FILE).
Filename selection patterns:
(HELP WILDCARD).
Flexible file selection:
SEND (or GET) /BEFORE /AFTER /LARGER /SMALLER /TYPE /EXCEPT, ...
Character-set conversion:
SET { FILE, TRANSFER } CHARACTER-SET, ASSOCIATE, ...
File/Pathname control:
SET { SEND, RECEIVE } PATHNAMES, SET FILE NAMES.
Atomic file movement:
SEND (or GET) /DELETE /RENAME /MOVE-TO
Transferring to/from standard i/o of other commands:
SEND (or GET) /COMMAND
Recovery of interrupted transfer from point of failure:
RESEND, REGET (HELP RESEND, HELP REGET).
Non-Kermit File Transfer
You can also use C-Kermit to transfer files with FTP or HTTP Internet proto-
cols; see below.
On a regular serial or Telnet connection where the other computer doesn’t
support Kermit protocol at all, you have several options. For example, if
your desktop communications software supports Zmodem, use "rz" and "sz" on
the host rather than Kermit. But if Kermit is your desktop software, and you
are using it to make calls or network connections to other computers that
don’t support Kermit protocol (or that don’t have a good implementation of
it), then if your computer also has external X, Y, or Zmodem programs that
are redirectable, Kermit can use them as external protocols. HELP SET PROTO-
COL for details.
You can also capture "raw" data streams from the other computer with LOG
SESSION (HELP LOG and HELP SET SESSION-LOG for details), and you can upload
files without any protocol at all with TRANSMIT (HELP TRANSMIT, HELP SET
TRANSMIT).
KERMITâ€â€™S BUILT-IN FTP AND HTTP CLIENTS
Kermit’s FTP client is like the regular Unix FTP client that you’re used to, but
with some differences:
· It has lots more commands and features.
· Each FTP command must be prefixed with "ftp", for example "ftp open", "ftp
get", "ftp bye", etc (this is not strictly true, but until you’re more
familiar with it, it’s best to follow this rule).
· Commands like "cd", "directory", etc, execute locally, not on the server.
Use "ftp cd", "ftp dir", etc, to have them act on the server.
· You can have an FTP session and a regular Kermit serial or Telnet session
open at the same time.
· FTP sessions can be fully automated.
Pending publication of the next edition of the manual, the Kermit FTP client is
thoroughly documented at the Kermit Project website:
http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/ftpclient.html
You also can use HELP FTP and HELP SET FTP to get descriptions of Kermit’s FTP-
related commands.
The HTTP client is similar to the FTP one, except you prefix each command with HTTP
instead of FTP: HTTP OPEN, HTTP GET, HTTP PUT, HTTP CLOSE, etc. Type HELP HTTP for
details, or visit the to view the manual supplements. HTTP connections can be open
at the same time as regular serial or Telnet connections and FTP connections. So
Kermit can manage up to three types connections simultaneously.
INTERNET KERMIT SERVICE
C-Kermit can be configured and run as an Internet service (called IKSD), similar to
an FTP server (FTPD) except you can (but need not) interact with it directly, plus
it does a lot more than an FTP server can do. The TCP port for IKSD is 1649. It
uses Telnet protocol. C-Kermit can be an Internet Kermit Server, or it can be a
client of an IKSD. You can make connections from C-Kermit to an IKSD with any of
the following commands:
telnet foo.bar.edu 1649
telnet foo.bar.edu kermit ; if "kermit" is listed in /etc/services
iksd foo.bar.edu
The IKSD command is equivalent to a TELNET command specifying port 1649. For more
information about making and using connections to an IKSD, see:
http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/cuiksd.html
You can run an Internet Kermit Service on your own computer too (if you are the
system administrator). For instructions, see:
http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/iksd.html
SECURITY
All of C-Kermit’s built-in TCP/IP networking methods (Telnet, Rlogin, IKSD, FTP,
and HTTP) can be secured by one or more of the following IETF-approved methods:
· MIT Kerberos IV
· MIT Kerberos V
· SSL/TLS
· Stanford SRP
For complete instructions see:
http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/security.html
And as noted previously, you can also make SSH connections with C-Kermit if you
already have an SSH client installed.
ALTERNATIVE COMMAND-LINE PERSONALITIES
When invoked as "kermit" or any other name besides "ftp" or "telnet", C-Kermit has
the command-line options described above in the OPTIONS section. However, if you
invoke C-Kermit as "telnet" or "ftp", it changes its command-line personality to
match. This can be done (among other ways) with symbolic links (symlinks). For
example, if you want C-Kermit to be your regular Telnet client, or the Telnet
helper of your Web browser, you can create a link like the following in a directory
that lies in your PATH ahead of the regular telnet program:
ln -s /usr/local/bin/kermit telnet
Now when you give a "telnet" command, you are invoking Kermit instead, but with its
Telnet command-line personality so, for example:
telnet xyzcorp.com
Makes a Telnet connection to xyzcorp.com, and Kermit exits automatically when the
connection is closed (just like the regular Telnet client). Type "telnet -h" to get
a list of Kermit’s Telnet-personality command-line options, which are intended to
be as compatible as possible with the regular Telnet client.
Similarly for FTP:
ln -s /usr/local/bin/kermit ftp
And now type "ftp -h" to see its command-line options, and command lines just like
you would give your regular FTP client:
ftp xyzcorp.com
but with additional options allowing an entire session to be specified on the com-
mand line. Finally, if Kermit’s first command-line option is a Telnet, FTP, IKSD,
or HTTP URL, Kermit automatically makes the appropriate kind of connection and, if
indicated by the URL, takes the desired action:
kermit telnet:xyzcorp.com
Opens a Telnet session
kermit telnet://olga AT xyzcorp.com
Ditto for user olga
kermit ftp://olga AT xyzcorp.com/public/oofa.zip
Downloads a file
kermit kermit://kermit.columbia.edu/kermit/f/READ.ME
Ditto for IKSD
kermit iksd://kermit.columbia.edu/kermit/f/READ.ME
(This works too)
kermit http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/index.html
Grabs a web page
LICENSE
C-Kermit has an unusual license, but a fair and sensible one since the Kermit
Project must support itself out of revenue: it’s not a BSD license, not GPL, not
Artistic, not commercial, not shareware, not freeware. It can be summed up like
this: if you want C-Kermit for your own use, you can download and use it without
cost or license (but we’d appreciate it if you would purchase the manual). But if
you want to sell C-Kermit or bundle it with a product or otherwise distribute it in
a commercial setting EXCEPT WITH AN OPEN-SOURCE OPERATING SYSTEM DISTRIBUTION such
as Linux, FreeBSD, NetBSD, or OpenBSD, you must license it. To see the complete
license, give the LICENSE command at the prompt, or see the COPYING.TXT file dis-
tributed with C-Kermit 7.0 or later, or download it from
ftp://kermit.columbia.edu/kermit/c-kermit/COPYING.TXT
Send licensing inquiries to kermit AT columbia.edu.
BUGS
See the following files for listings of known bugs, limitations, workarounds, hints
and tips:
ckcbwr.txt
General C-Kermit bugs, hints, tips.
ckubwr.txt
Unix-specific C-Kermit bugs, hints, tips.
Report bugs and problems by email to:
kermit-support AT columbia.edu.
Before requesting technical support, please read the hints here:
http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/support.html
and also read the C-Kermit Frequently Asked Questions:
http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/ckfaq.html
OTHER TOPICS
There’s way more to C-Kermit than we’ve touched on here -- troubleshooting, cus-
tomization, character sets, dialing directories, sending pages, script writing, and
on and on, all of which are covered in the manual and updates and supplements. For
the most up-to-date information on documentation (or updated documentation itself)
visit the Kermit Project website:
http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/
There you will also find Kermit software packages for other platforms: different
Unix varieties, Windows, DOS, VMS, IBM mainframes, and many others: 20+ years’
worth.
DOCUMENTATION AND UPDATES
The manual for C-Kermit is:
Using C-Kermit
Frank da Cruz and Christine M. Gianone, Second Edition, Digital Press / But-
terworth-Heinemann, Woburn, MA, 1997, 622 pages, ISBN 1-55558-164-1. This is
a printed book. It covers C-Kermit 6.0.
The C-Kermit 7.0 Supplement
http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/ckermit2.html
The C-Kermit 8.0 Supplement
http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/ckermit3.html
Visit C-Kermit home page:
http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/ckermit.html
to learn about new versions, Beta tests, and other news; to read case studies and
tutorials; to download source code, install packages, and prebuilt binaries for
many platforms. Also visit:
http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/scriptlib.html
The Kermit script library and tutorial
http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/newfaq.html
The Kermit FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions about Kermit)
http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/ckfaq.html
The C-Kermit FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions about C-Kermit)
http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/telnet.html
C-Kermit Telnet client documentation
http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/security.html
C-Kermit security documentation (Kerberos, SSL/TLS, etc)
http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/cuiksd.html
Internet Kermit Service user documentation
http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/iksd.html
Internet Kermit Service administrator documentation
http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/studies.html
Case studies.
http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/support.html
Technical support.
http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/k95tutorial.html
Kermit 95 tutorial.
comp.protocols.kermit.misc
The Kermit newsgroup (unmoderated).
FILES
COPYING.TXT
C-Kermit license.
~/.kermrc
Initialization file.
~/.mykermrc
Customization file.
~/.kdd Kermit dialing directory (see manual).
~/.knd Kermit network directory (see manual).
~/.ksd Kermit services directory (see manual).
ca_certs.pem
Certificate Authority certifcates used for SSL connections.
ckuins.txt
Installation instructions for Unix. Also at http://www.columbia.edu/ker-
mit/ckuins.html.
ckcbwr.txt
General C-Kermit bugs, hints, tips.
ckubwr.txt
Unix-specific C-Kermit bugs, hints, tips.
ckcplm.txt
C-Kermit program logic manual.
ckccfg.txt
C-Kermit compile-time configuration options.
ssh (in your PATH) SSH connection helper.
rz, sz, etc.
(in your PATH) external protocols for XYZmodem.
/var/spool/locks (or whatever)
UUCP lockfile for dialing out (see installation instructions).
AUTHORS
Software
Frank da Cruz and Jeffrey E Altman,
1985-present, with contributions from hundreds of others all over the world.
Documentation
Frank da Cruz and Christine M Gianone
Address
The Kermit Project - Columbia Univerity
612 West 115th Street
New York NY 10025-7799
USA
E-Mail kermit AT columbia.edu
Web http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/
User Manuals OCTOBER 2002 KERMIT(1)
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