Dumb Mode Guide Using Your Modem with Synchronous and Mainframe Computers Revision B January 1994 YML199-3 B ISBN 0 947206 89 2 Copyright This manual is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, by any means, be it electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of NetComm Limited. Disclaimer NetComm Limited accepts no liability or responsibility, for consequences arising from the use of this product. NetComm Limited reserves the right to change the specifications and operating details of this product without notice. Trademarks NetComm is a registered trademark of NetComm Limited SmartModem, ProRack and Cooee are trademarks of NetComm Limited Pocket Rocket is a registered trademark of NetComm Limited MNP is a registered trademark of Microcom Inc Microcom Networking Protocol is a trademark of Microcom Inc Hayes is a registered trademark of Hayes Microcomputer Products Inc IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation MS-DOS is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation ©1993 NetComm Limited ACN:002490486 PO Box 379, North Ryde, NSW, 2113, Australia Incorporated in New South Wales Australia Written by Bruce McKinnon Version: 250892 Dumb Mode Guide i Contents Introduction .......................................................................... 1 Conventions ........................................................................... 1 What is Dumb Mode? ........................................................... 3 Selecting Dumb Mode on Desktop Modems ........................... 3 Selecting Dumb Mode on ProRack Modems ........................... 4 Setting Up your Modem ......................................................... 4 Selecting Communications Speeds on Desktop Modems ......... 5 Selecting Communications Speeds on ProRack Modems ......... 6 Hints for Unix Computers and Multiplexers ........................... 7 I Want More Information ....................................................... 7 Leased Line Operation ............................................................ 8 Dialling in Dumb Mode ........................................................ 9 Dialling with a Telephone Handset ........................................ 9 Using the Talk/Data Button to Dial ..................................... 10 Using DTR to Dial .............................................................. 12 Answering Calls in Dumb Mode ........................................ 14 Automatic Answering .......................................................... 14 Manual Answering ............................................................... 16 The Option Switches .......................................................... 18 Modems with Rear Panel Option Switches ........................... 18 Modems without Rear Panel Option Switches ...................... 19 ProRack Modems ................................................................. 20 ii Dumb Mode Guide Introduction Welcome to the Dumb-Mode Guide. This guide shows you how to use your modem in "dumb mode". Before reading any further, you should install your modem -- refer to the Installation Guide provided with your modem. Conventions Throughout this guide, we use certain symbols, typestyles and conventions to help you. For example, you might find a line that looks like this: · Type: ATI3 What you actually type appears in a special typeface: ATI3 Whatever appears on your screen will also be displayed in this manual in this special typeface -- for example: messages: CONNECT When we want you to press the ENTER key, we use a symbol: (which means `and press ENTER') On some keyboards the ENTER key is labelled RETURN. You press RETURN or ENTER, as appropriate for your keyboard. The same is true for keyboards showing a symbol, rather than RETURN or ENTER. RETURN = ENTER = In some cases where the symbol might be confusing, we will tell you to `Press the ENTER key'. When you see the bullet (·), it usually starts an action statement. We want you to take some specific action, such as: · Switch your computer on · Type: ATI3 Dumb-Mode Guide 1 Note that we do not use a (.) full stop after an action statement. We do that to avoid confusion when you are asked to type commands and other information. When we list general information, we use a box (t), like this: t How to begin dialling t Using error-free communication When we have special information we want you to take NOTE of, we use a pointing finger (), like this: Before proceeding, complete both copies of the Warranty form. Information we want you to pay special attention to is placed in a WARNING box, like this: WARNING Regulations require that the modem, when operating in originate mode, waits no longer than 30 seconds for a carrier to be detected from a remote modem. 2 Dumb-Mode Guide What is Dumb Mode? Your modem has two methods of operating with your computer. The commonly used method is "smart mode", where the computer issues "AT" commands to the modem to make it dial and hang up (refer to the Modem User's Guide for an explanation of the AT commands). For computers which do not offer an asynchronous port or cannot communicate synchronously using V.25bis commands, dumb mode permits manual control of your modem. Selecting Dumb Mode on Desktop Modems To select Dumb mode: · Place front panel Option switch 4 in the Down position To select Smart mode: · Place front panel Option switch 4 in the Up position The Option switches and Mode and Talk/Data buttons Some modems also have rear panel Option switches -- check the rear panel of your modem. Details of the use of each Option switch is provided at the end of this guide. HINT: To restore the factory settings of your modem, switch it on holding the Mode button in, until the modem "beeps" twice. Dumb-Mode Guide 3 Selecting Dumb Mode on ProRack Modems To select Dumb mode on a ProRack modem: · Place front panel Option switch 6 in the On (or Left) position To select Smart mode: · Place front panel Option switch 6 in the Off (or Right) position ProRack Modem Option Switches Setting Up your Modem In most instances, your modem will need to be configured prior to entering Dumb mode. All configuration of your modem is performed using the AT commands. For example, if you wish to have your modem dial a stored telephone number when the computer asserts (or "raises") the DTR signal, you must first store the telephone number in the modem and select stored number dialling operation, using the AT commands. Details of how to use the AT commands are found in the Modem User's Guide. Detailed information about the commands supported by your modem are found in the Modem Reference Guide, available from Telesales or your modem dealer. 4 Dumb-Mode Guide Selecting Communications Speeds on Desktop Modems If you are dialling in Dumb mode, the communication speed it uses is dependant upon the setting of the front panel Mode LEDs. To change the speed at which your modem connects after dialling: · Place front panel Option switches 3 and 4 in the Down position (select Dumb mode) · Press the Mode button (located next to the front panel Option switches) until the correct speed is indicated on the front panel Mode LEDs Refer to the table printed on the bottom of your modem. It shows the meaning of each combination of the Mode LEDs. To change the speed at which your modem connects after answering an incoming call: · Place front panel Option switch 4 in the Up position (select Smart mode) · Connect your modem to a personal computer -- refer to the modem Installation Guide for details · Run a communications program (such as Cooee or MicroPhone) and enter "local mode" or "terminal mode" · Type: ATBx&W where "x" is a valid setting of the B command. For example, ATB13&W selects V.32 (9600 bps) mode. The B command is used to set the communications standard used by your modem. Refer to the Command Card, supplied with your modem, for a description of the B command. Dumb-Mode Guide 5 Selecting Communications Speeds on ProRack Modems If you are dialling in Dumb mode, the communication speed it uses is dependant upon the setting of the front panel Mode LEDs. To change the speed at which your modem connects after dialling: · Place front panel Option switches 5 and 6 in the On (or Left) position to select Dumb mode · Press the Mode button until the correct speed is indicated on the front panel Mode LEDs Refer to the table printed in your modem Installation Guide -- it shows the meaning of each combination of the Mode LEDs. To change the speed at which your modem connects after answering an incoming call: · Place front panel Option switch 6 in the Off (or Right) position to select Smart mode · Connect your modem to a personal computer -- refer to the modem Installation Guide for details · Run a communications program (such as Cooee or MicroPhone) and enter "local mode" or "terminal mode" · Type: ATBx&W where "x" is a valid setting of the B command. For example, ATB13&W selects V.32 (9600 bps) mode. The B command is used to set the communications standard used by your modem. Refer to the Command Card, supplied with your modem, for a description of the B command. 6 Dumb-Mode Guide Hints for Unix Computers and Multiplexers Many Unix computers and multiplexers which offer synchronous communications ports cannot cope with the response messages generated by the modem. For this reason, you may wish to switch off response messages before you connect your modem to the Unix computer or multiplexer. · Place front panel Option switch 4 in the Up position to select Smart mode For ProRack modems, place switch 6 in the Off (or Left) position. · Connect your modem to a personal computer, a Unix computer or a serial server -- refer to the modem Installation Guide for details · Run a communications program (such as Cooee or MicroPhone for Windows, or TIP or CU for Unix) and enter "local mode" or "terminal mode" · Type: ATE0Q1&N0&W · Exit the communications program This command switches off response messages and character echo, causes the modem to ignore characters sent to it from the host while dialling or answering, and saves the changes in the modem. If you are dialling from a synchronous multiplexer, or if you are using a "pseudo leaded line" application with SLIP, CSLIP or PPP, you must use stored number dialling. Refer to Synchronous Mode 2 in the Modem Reference Guide, which is available from Telesales. I Want More Information If you want more information about the AT commands supported by your modem, you may purchase the Modem Reference Guide. This book provides detailed information about the AT commands and S Registers supported by your modem, as well as information about how to use features such as synchronous mode, security and DES encryption. Dumb-Mode Guide 7 To purchase the Modem Reference Guide, call NetComm Telesales on (02) 888 5533. To assist with ordering please have the model name and number of your modem ready (these are found on the serial plate of your modem). Leased Line Operation Details of your modem's leased lines features are found in the Modem Reference Guide, available from Telesales or your dealer. 8 Dumb-Mode Guide Dialling in Dumb Mode There are three ways of dialling in dumb mode: t Use a telephone handset connected to the modem. t Store a telephone number in the modem and then have the computer raise the DTR signal. t Store a telephone number in the modem and then press the Talk/ Data switch. ProRack modems can dial only by raising the DTR signal to dial a stored telephone number. Dialling with a Telephone Handset Manual dialling requires a telephone handset be connected to the same phone line as your modem. Use a telephone cable with a "piggy-back" socket to connect your modem and telephone handset to the same phone line (refer to your Installation Guide for details). This form of dumb-mode dialling is not supported by ProRack modems. · Set up your modem in "smart mode", using the AT commands. · Place front panel Option switch 4 in the Down position (select Dumb mode) · Place front panel Option switch 6 in the Down position (select Originate mode) · Place front panel Option switch 3 in the Down position (disable auto-answering) Your modem cannot dial if auto-answer is enabled. · If necessary, use the Mode button to select the required communication speed The connection speed of the modem is indicated by the Mode LEDs. Refer to the table printed on the bottom of your modem; it shows the meaning of each combination of Mode LEDs. Dumb-Mode Guide 9 · Press the Talk/Data button to Talk (this button is located next to the front panel Option switches) · Using the telephone handset, dial the number · As ...