Index of /netwaresl/ACSS_COM/NMP2_01

      Name                    Last modified       Size  Description


[DIR] Parent Directory        23-Apr-2005 03:10      -  
[   ] DISK1.EXE               04-Jan-1993 03:50   538k  
[   ] DISK2.EXE               06-Jan-1994 03:50   225k  
[TXT] FILE_ID.DIZ             07-Jan-1994 18:17     1k  
[TXT] NCSIAPPS.TXT            04-Jan-1993 03:50    12k  
[   ] NMP2.EXE                07-Jan-1994 16:42   776k  

January 6, 1994

                               NMPı

              Network Modem Program, Second Generation

                    Network Products Corporation



NMPı Introduction

    The NMPı is a high-performance software communication server that allows 
the sharing and pooling of MODEMs, serial connections to host computers, or 
other asynchronous communication devices on a network.  

    Virtually any asynchronous serial device can be shared, thus saving the 
cost and difficulty of connecting a modem and telephone-line to every network 
workstation, or the cost and difficulty of providing a host connection to each 
network workstation.  When multiple NMPıs are used, or when a multiport 
communication server is used, groups of asynchronous devices can be pooled 
permitting a user to choose from a group of devices without the necessity of
specifying a particular device.     


Network Products Corporation

    Network Products Corporation (NPC) pioneered the field of asynchronous 
network communication servers.  Formed in 1985, NPC is dedicated to developing 
products that provide essential connection capabilities between LANs and other 
devices.

    Network Products Corporation was the original OEM manufacturer and 
supplier of Novell's NACS/NASI communication server and Gateway 
Communications G-Asynch communication server. 


NCSI, an Industry Standard

    NCSI (Network Communication Services Interface), pronounced "NEX-see", is 
an industry standard terminate & stay resident program (TSR) manufactured by 
Network Products Corporation that interfaces the client workstation with
the network communication server.  

    NCSI provides network users with naming services that allow the pooling 
of asynchronous communication resources.  NCSI's naming service permits 
assigning a descriptive name to a port or group of ports, thus greatly 
reducing confusion over a port's function.  Additionally a NCSI user can 
either choose from a virtual pool of asynchronous devices, or choose a 
specific device.  Similar devices can be pooled together, letting a user 
choose a resource by the type.  NCSI can support up to 9 simultaneous 
connections on the client workstation allowing the user to run multiple 
communication sessions concurrently. NCSI also provides higher data transfer 
rates than many other network communication server interfaces.  NCSI supports 
Novell's NetWare, Banyan Vines, and 100% compatible NetBIOS networks including 
Microsoft's Lan Manager, Windows-for-Workgroups, and IBM's PC Lan.

    NCSI is supported by a wide variety of communication application 
manufacturers and does not rely on a proprietary Network Products application 
for use.  A list of supported applications is included in this archive. 
For an updated list, contact the NPC BBS at the number given below.

    NCSI provides the application designer with a standard interface for 
network asynchronous communication services.  NCSI also supplies the 
application designer with primitives that allow server port parameters to be 
changed from within the application.   


Shareware NMPı

    The NMPı is shareware.  If you use it regularly you should register it.  
Registration is accomplished by buying a retail copy, either directly from 
Network Products Corporation or from one of its resellers.  Registered users 
get a professionally printed manual, the latest production software, and 
technical support.  

    To purchase a copy of the NMPı from Network Products Corporation 
call (800) 638-7765 or (818) 441-6504.  You may also contact NPC by fax at 
(818) 441-6894.  The current retail price of the NMPı is $49.00.  A shipping 
and handling fee, as well as any applicable sales tax, will be added to your 
order.

    The most current copy of the shareware version of the NMPı may be 
downloaded from NPC's BBS at (818) 441-6933.  The EBBS supports v.32bis.
Set your communication software for 8 data bits, 1 stop bit and no parity.  

    This shareware copy of the NMPı is fully functional.  It is complete and 
is not crippled in any way.  The only limitation it has, compared to the 
commercially-sold version shipping as of the date listed at the top of this 
file, is that only one copy may be run on a single network.  When copies are 
ordered from NPC, multiple NMPıs can be run on a network allowing virtual 
modem pools to be established.


Getting Started

1.    Format two diskettes.  Change to the directory containing the 
DISK1.EXE and the DISK2.EXE files.  Create the NMPı program diskette
by typing:  
				
    DISK1 <destination drive> 

where <destination drive> is the drive containing one of the newly
formatted diskette.  Label this diskette "NMPı Program Utilities". 
				
Create the NCSI program diskette by typing: 

    DISK2 <destination drive> 

where <destination drive> is the drive containing the second newly
formatted diskette.  Label this diskette "NCSI Program Utilities".

2.    Place the "NMPı Program Utilities" diskette in a drive.  
Change to that drive and at the root type "INSTALL". 
			   
3.    The NMPı installation program guides you through the installation.               


Using The NMPı

    Load the NMPı server by going to the machine that has the modem attached 
you wish to share.  Switch to the directory containing the NMPı server 
software and type:

    NMP

The server will load in memory and stay resident.  Be sure that the user 
running the machine hosting the NMPı does not run software that uses the same 
COM port that the NMPı is using.

    The NMPı may be removed from memory if it was the last TSR program loaded.  
Type the command SERV-REL.  This will down the NMPı and remove it from memory 
if possible.

    Load NCSI.EXE, the client interface, on any workstation that will be used 
to access the NMPı by typing:

    NCSI
							   
on the workstation that is going to use the NMPı.  

    NCSI is a TSR interface and can be removed from memory by running the 
program NCSI-REL.  To obtain information on the command-line switches 
supported by NCSI, type NCSI /?.  NCSI can be loaded high, but it is best to 
avoid memory-optimization programs, as most misinterpret NCSI's memory needs.

    After loading NCSI, load and run your NCSI-compatible application.  The 
self extracting file that this README file was in includes a minimal 
communications utility named NTERM that is NCSI aware.  

    The network versions of most major communications applications also offer 
support for the NCSI interface.  There is also a variety of remote-control 
and special-purpose applications that also use the NCSI interface.  If your 
favorite application is not on the list, contact your software manufacturer 
to check availability of a NCSI compatible version.  A list of NCSI compatible 
applications is included in this package.  A copy of the current list is also 
available for download from the NPC BBS.  Follow the instructions given above 
to access the NPC BBS.

    NOTE:  When using the NMPı and NCSI on NETBIOS and Vines networks you 
    may not "see" the NMPı from the client workstation until both the NMPı 
    and NCSI have been running for a minute.

    The NMPı server can also run as a dedicated communication server.  This 
may enhance performance in some installations, but precludes using the 
communication server for any other task.  To use the NMPı as a dedicated
communication server, simply type:

    NMPD


Testing The NMPı

1.    Load the NMPı on the workstation with the modem that will serve as the 
communication server.

2.    Load NCSI on the client workstation that will access the communication 
server.

3.    Load BTTY and at the NCSI 1:1> prompt type CONNECT [PORT_NAME] where 
[PORT_NAME] is the general or specific name on the NMPı server.  If the name
was not changed during installation the command would simply be CONNECT PORT.

4.    If the connection to the port is successful, BTTY will report it is 
connecting to the port and leaving the command interpreter.

5.    If a modem is connected to the port type AT and press enter to see if
the modem responds "OK" or "0".  If not, try typing ATZ or AT&F.  If these
do not work, check that the modem is on, that cabling is good, and that the
NMPı is configured to access the correct COM port.  If a device other than
a modem is connected to the serial port, check for a login or other prompt 
from the host.    


NMPı Named Ports

    NCSI searches for available ports by name.  Each port on each 
communication server has a general name and a specific name.  Any specific
port can be used by specifying the specific name in the communication 
application accessing the server.  When multiple servers or servers with 
multiple ports reside on the network, it is possible to simply use a port
that is not in use, without knowing which are availble.  When multiple ports
share the same general name, and the general name is specified in the 
communication application for use, NCSI will search for an available port
and attach to it.  It is possible to establish naming useful conventions such 
as "MODEM" and "MINI" to allow users to use a generic type of asynchronous
service.  Users don't need to know if a certain port is available, just that
they want to use a "MODEM".  

    When configuring the NMPı communication server, either upon installation
or when using CCONFIG, the port names will show in the Asynch Port 
Configuration window with the convention GENERAL_NAME:SPECIFIC_NAME.



Utilities

    The NMPı comes with a set of utilities which provide great flexibility in
the use of the NMPı.  Major utilities provided include extensive on-line help 
that should assist with the use of the utility.  The primary utilities are:

CCONFIG, which configures the NMPı.  Run CCONFIG.EXE in the same directory
containing the NMP executables and configuration file.

CCONSOLE, which allows the remote management and configuration of the NMPı
server.  The default supervisor password is the word "SUPERVISOR".

NTERM, a limited NCSI-compatible terminal-emulation communication application. 
NTERM support VT-100 ANSI terminal emulation and XMODEM transfer protocols.
NMPı/NCSI ports are chosen in NTERM's configuration menu.

CLIST, lists NPC communication servers on the network.  CLIST /A will show
server ports on the network, their general and specific names and the status
of the port.

BTTY, a NCSI-compatible teletype emulator.  Useful for testing the NMPı server
because of its simplicity.  Type HELP at the "NCSI 1:1>" prompt for help.  
Hitting the f10 key exits the program.


NCSI and Windows

    To use NCSI with a compatible Windows application, load NCSI prior to 
loading Windows.  NCSI can be loaded in a DOS session in enhanced-mode Windows 
by supplying NCSI with the "-w" command-line switch.  If using NCSI-compatible 
DOS applications while in Windows, place the VNCSI.386 file located on the 
NCSI Program Utilities diskette in the \WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory and modify 
the SYSTEM.INI file so that the "network=" setting under "[386Enh]" section
contains a comma after the last entry and then VNCSI.386.

	
Windows COMM.DRV Replacement
	
    Many Windows applications that have not specifically been designed to
operate with NCSI can also use the NMPı server.  A replacement for the Windows
COMM.DRV is contained in the same subdirectory that contains the NCSI 
utilities BTTY, CLIST, etc.  NCSI must be loaded before starting Windows.
Copy the current COMM.DRV file in the \WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory to a safe 
location and replace the file with the COMM.DRV supplied.  Add a line to the 
WIN.INI file in the format:

    [NCSI]
    PORT="GENERAL_PORT"

where "GENERAL_PORT" is the general port name of the NMPı server.  If the name  
of the port has not been changed, the line would simply be:

    PORT=PORT

Choose any COM port for the application in the application's setup.  The port 
specified in WIN.INI will be used instead of utilizing that COM port specified 
in the application.  When using NCSI in this fashion nearly any application, 
including many FAX software applications, can share the NMPı server.


Using Third-Party Applications

    Third-party applications that are NCSI-aware require setup to use the 
NMPı.  Some applications support NCSI in slightly different ways.  In general, 
choose a NCSI or NASI (Novell's name for NCSI) service instead of a COM port 
and specify a service by it's name.  For additional information on using 
specific applications, refer to your application documentation or contact your 
application manufacturer.


Further Information

    For additional information on using the NMPı, you may wish to consider
registering your NMPı.  For information on registering, please contact 
Network Products.


The Network Products Family of Gateways

    The NMPı is one of a family of modem sharing and network communications
products available from NPC.  Other products include the ACSı, a dedicated 
communication server offering exceptional performance available in 4, 16 or 32 
port versions; the ACSı/SA, a self contained, 2 port, communication server 
that requires only a network connection site for operation, available in 
ethernet or arcnet for NetWare IPX, Microsoft's Lan Manager, and Windows-for-
Workgroups networks; and the XCSı, an X.25 gateway that provides network 
workstations access to an X.25 packet-switched network.  For more information 
about NPC products, call (800) 638-7765 or (818) 441-6504.  You may also 
contact NPC by fax at (818) 441-6894.


Developing for NCSI    
	
    NPC supplies developer's with a developer's kit that includes sample
source-code in C, Basic, & Assembly which can be cut and pasted into the
developer's own application.  Technical assistance, co-marketing arrangements,
and other services are also supplied by NPC.  Please contact NPC for more 
information.


License and Trademark Information

    The NMPı name, software, and it's associated files are protected by the 
copyright laws of the United States and international copyright treaties.  
This software is a shareware version of commercial software available from 
Network Products Corporation and it's resellers and may be used only to 
determine suitability of the commercial software.  You may reproduce and 
distribute copies of these files so long as all files including this README 
file are distributed together.  No fee shall be charged for the copying or 
distribution of these files without written consent from Network Products.  
You may not receive any payment, commercial benefit, or any consideration for 
the reproduction, distribution, or use, either alone or in combination with 
any other software or hardware, of this software without written consent from 
Network Products Corporation.
																		  
NMPı, ACSı, ACSı/SA, Network Modem Program, Asynchronous Communications 
Server, Second Generation, and Asynchronous Communications Server Second 
Generation/Stand Alone are trademarks of Network Products Corporation.

NCSI and XCSı are registered trademarks of Network Products Corporation.

IBM, NetWare, Novell, Lan Manager, Microsoft, Windows, Windows-for-Workgroups, 
and MS-DOS are trademarks or registered trademarks of International Business 
Machines Corporation, Novell, Inc., and Microsoft Corporation..

All other names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
owners.


THE FILE OR THE FILES CONTAINED THEREIN MAY NOT BE DISASSEMBLED, REVERSE-
ENGINEERED, NOR ALTERED IN ANY WAY.  EXCEPT AS RESTRICTED BY LAW, THE SOFTWARE 
PROGRAMS CONTAINED IN THE FILE AND ALL ASSOCIATED FILES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" 
WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.