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
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