1. What's MS-DOS Kermit?
2. Installing Kermit
3. Configuring Kermit
4. How to use Kermit
5. Additional configuration
6. When you have problems
7. Keyboard use with remote hosts
8. For more information

Kermit is a terminal emulation and file transfer program for IBM Personal Computers and compatibles. As a terminal emulator, it can be used to connect to remote computers using a dialup modem. As a file transfer program, it can be used to copy files from and to any remote computer that supports the Kermit file transfer protocol. You need an internal or external Hayes-compatible modem.

When used for terminal emulation, Kermit emulates a VT320 terminal. Kermit will also support Tektronix 4010 graphics output from remote computers.

UFK is customized version of Kermit that is set up for calling UF campus computers. It can be obtained at no charge at the UF Computing Help Desk in room E520 CSE. Bring in any 3.5" or 5.25" diskette and we will exchange it for a diskette containing UFK. Kermit is copyrighted by the Columbia University board of trustees, but it can be freely copied and distributed as long as the copyright information is preserved.

Installing Kermit

You can use Kermit directly from the distribution diskette or you can copy it to your hard disk. We suggest you copy it to your hard disk. Put the UFK distribution diskette in diskette drive A: and type these commands:

MKDIR C:\UFK

COPY A:*.* C:\UFK

Configuring Kermit

If you will be calling from off-campus, you have a 2400 baud modem on communications port 1 (COM1), your modem does not have the newer compression features, and you do not have the call-waiting feature on your phone, you can use Kermit without additional configuration. Otherwise, you will have to do a configuration procedure.

The configuration procedure asks you questions about your modem and computer configuration and you should be prepared to answer these questions. If you start the procedure but can't answer a question, you'll be able to stop the procedure and do it later.

To configure the copy of Kermit on your hard disk, type these commands:

C:

CD \UFK

CONFIG

If you don't have a hard disk, or you don't want to copy Kermit to your hard disk, you can configure the diskette copy by typing these commands:

A:

CONFIG

How to use Kermit

Type these commands to run the copy of Kermit on your hard drive:

CD \UFK

UFK

Type these commands to run Kermit directly from the diskette:

A:

UFK

You will be shown a selection of campus services that you can connect to from your computer. Pick the service you want as instructed by the screen menu.

To terminate the connection to the remote computer, log out from the remote computer. Then type Alt-Q by holding down the Alt key while you press the Q key.

If you want to call a computer that isn't in the menu, you can use the UFK DIAL command to dial any remote service, for example:

CD \UFK

UFK DIAL 1,305-555-1234

Warning: The method for connecting to campus computers sometimes changes and this could require changes in the configuration of Kermit. Make sure you get the latest version of the UFK.

Additional configuration

If you are an experienced DOS user, you might want to run Kermit without first changing to the UFK directory. If there is a directory normally in your DOS path, we recommend that you copy the UFK BAT file to this directory. For example, if C:\BAT is in your default path, type this command:

COPY C:\UFK\UFK.BAT C:\BAT

Then you can type UFK at any time to run Kermit.

When you have problems

If you're having problems connecting to a service, pay particular attention to the messages you see on the screen. Some of them will look like this:

ERROR nn - message text

If you don't understand the message, make a note of the complete text and call the UF Computing Help Desk at 392-HELP.

Keyboard use with remote hosts

The Kermit terminal emulator supports, as much as possible, the capabilities of a VT320 interactive terminal, which is an enhanced version of a VT100 terminal. The keyboard of a VT320 includes a keypad to the right of the keyboard that is similar but not identical to the keypad on the IBM keyboard. Some remote hosts use these keys for special functions. You'll need to know what key to press on your keyboard to send the equivalent VT key.

Refer to the diagrams on the right to determine what PC key you press to generate the desired VT320 code. The VT320 keys are mapped differently for standard PC keyboards and extended keyboards.

For standard IBM keyboards, you must keep NumLock on for correct operation.

Extended IBM PC keyboards have a cluster of keys just above the cursor keys that are similar to a cluster of keys on VT320 terminals. If you have an extended keyboard, these keys can be used in editors on CIRCA VAXes and some other hosts.

For more information

An alternate keyboard mapping for users of NERDC services such as VM or LUIS can be selected during configuration. This key mapping is described in the Using MS-DOS Kermit handout available at the UF Computing Help Desk in E520 CSE.