Catlin, Phil
Wed, 19 Sep 2001 04:48:14 -0700
Michael (and others) An interesting little tidbit about the IBM MultiTech modems. When set as described below there is still a way to programatically select the AT command set and ASYNC operations. This is an extract from the help text on the AS/400 for an Asynchronous line description: *END - The END command string is generally used as the command to set most modems to ASYNC mode. For cases that do not use the END command string, you should enter the command string appropriate for that modem to set it to ASYNC mode. On OS/400 versions after V4R3 (?) the option to enter this command string on the line description was added. This means that you can use a modem that is normally used for synchronous communications for async jobs (in our case access to a paging company). This capability would allow Bob to choose ASYNC communications with Sterling or to dial out using PPP to Sterling's FTP site without requiring a separate modem (assuming that he purchased those comm modules for Gentran of course ;) ) (Note to Bob...Gentran won't automatically put the *END in the ASYNC line description, you would have to go back in and insert that manually and then remember to do it again if you ever changed the line description...) Phil C -----Original Message----- From: Michael Burbury [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2001 2:03 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Connecting To Sterling Commerce Dear sir, IBM have stated to me that they distribute the MultiTech modem worldwide under different IBM product codes, yet these modems are <mostly> all the same. If you pick up one of these modems and inspect the underside, you will notice a diagram specifying the DIP switches to set for Async and BiSync operation. Basically the switches for BiSync are as follows: 1 UP 2 UP 3 DOWN 4 DOWN 5 UP 6 UP 7 UP 8 DOWN 9 DOWN 10 UP 11 DOWN 12 UP 13 UP 14 UP 15 UP 16 UP This will set the modem to BiSync with V25bis dialing options. Then, on your AS/400 you will need to set the line/device/controller descriptions to perform V25bis dialing which is basically "CRM nnn-nnnn" <-- the number to dial. If you set your modem in this fashion, it will negate it's use for Async operation until the DIP switches are re-set. This is the best I could get from my personal friend who is an IBM guru aged 68 and retired. He also stated that finding support on protocols developed in 1973 may be quite difficult due to most help desk people being skilled on Internet based protocols only. You may wish to investigate a different method should you wish to obtain support from a local helpdesk (which usually employ people less than 25 years of age whom know nothing about any protocols other than IP). The V25bis command set manual is 2 inches thick and may be purchased from IBM if required. Also the line will be half duplex if you use a two wire phone line and full duplex if you use a 4 wire phone line and must be specified in your line/device/controller descriptions on the AS/400. If you wish, I can obtain sample line/device/controller descriptions for connecting to GE GXS. Lastly, if the modem does not connect within three dialing attempts, it will require manual intervention by the AS/400 system operator to re-set the line. This was one of the biggest problems with this method for our support people here in Australia. Best of luck, Michael Burbury GE ecXpress Australia. System Administration ======================================================================= To contact the list owner: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archives at http://www.mail-archive.com/edi-l%40listserv.ucop.edu/