On 11/13/2019 3:41 PM, Nigel Johnson via cctalk wrote:
No. While each end might be able to communicate with the local modem in command mode using different parameters, when they are in connected mode the modems will not convert anything, just pass the exact format along. So if one end is expecting 7E2 and the other is sending 8N1 there will be a 50% chance that parity errors will be received.

cheers

Nigel


On 13/11/2019 16:16, Grant Taylor via cctalk wrote:
On 11/13/19 1:31 PM, Fred Cisin via cctalk wrote:
But, stuff like commands to the modem didn't need much of that, and needed to be able to communicate in spite of wrong parameters.  It made sense for a modem to recognize a command, even with wrong parity, etc.

Okay....

Now I'm thinking that there are really two phases / modes of communications:  1) computer to modem commands, and 2) computer to computer via modem connection data.

I think my previous statement applies to #2.  I can see the value in #1 being more liberal in what it recognizes and accepts.

But, I'd still be surprised if the following would work for #2.

[A]---(7E2)---{modem}==={modem}---(8N1)---[B]

Would A and B be able to transfer data between each other with different (local) settings?





Jumping back in here:

Initially, tcpser's goal was to emulate enough of the "Hayes" command set so as to bridge old BBS applications so they could be once again used without modifying them and trying to make them aware of the Internet.  Over time, that mandate meant adding in support for S registers and & commands and such, since apps used those.

However, the actual line functionality of the modem was never attempted to be emulated, as doing so would defeat the purpose of the app.

Initially, I assumed everyone would set their BBS to 8N1, so as to maximize the utility of the connection (8 bit clean, etc.).

But, now, I have a Teletype Model 43 here, and it only does 7 bit ASCII. Fozztexx's mod helps, but it only cleans up parity while in command mode, which means I can atdt jammingsignal.com, but then when I connect, I can't log onto that Telnet BBS (that's the catchall name for such things) because parity gets in the way.

To be as useful as possible, I think the utility should detect parity in command mode, but then switch the entire data stream to that configuration, both command mode and data mode.

The alternative (since a PC can't sniff the serial stream like the Hayes did), is to allow parameters to set the specific parity and number of stop bits.  And, I think I'll do both.  Without parity and stop bits, sniff parity.  With it, lock in the parity and don't sniff.  That way, if folks want the purist behavior, they do tcpser -s1200,N,8,1 and sniffing can just do -s 1200

Jim

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Jim Brain
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www.jbrain.com

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