Using the MSS
Interactive Connections
5-2
If an attached serial device will be continuously transmitting data to the MSS, the MSS port access
should be changed to Access Remote (see Access Mode on page 4-8).
Each serial port only allows one connection at a time, except in the case of Multihost Mode (see
Multihost Mode on page 5-9).
Timing between serial signals (such as DSR, RTS, and CD) is not preserved, and the state of such
signals is not transmitted when using socket connections.
TCP/IP Socket Connections
The MSS supports TCP/IP socket connections to ports 2001-2006 and 3001-3006. Ports 2001-2004 and
3001-3004 are physical MSS serial ports, and ports 2005-2006 and 3005-3006 are installed modem cards.
To specify a connection to a socket, use the Telnet command followed by the MSS IP address (or
resolvable name) and the desired socket number.
Open a TCP session to port 300x to form a raw TCP/IP connection to the serial port. Use port 200x when
you need Telnet IAC interpretation.
Host Applications
The MSS can be used with applications on UNIX , Windows, Windows NT, OS/2, and Macintosh hosts,
and any other hosts that have a TCP/IP socket interface.
When a host application makes a socket connection to the MSS, it uses the socket as a data pipe to send and
receive data. The host application performs general read/write tasks, and works with the MSS as if it were
a directly-attached serial device.
Code Examples
The MSS distribution CD-ROM includes example code for TCP applications. Refer to the Readme file
included with the code examples for further information and instructions.
Interactive Connections
Interactive mode refers to entering commands at the Local> prompt. Users can enter commands to
configure the MSS, connect to remote services, manipulate a connection, or receive feedback. Interactive
use requires an input device, such as a terminal.
Outgoing Connections
The MSS can make outgoing connections to hosts on TCP/IP networks via one of its serial ports. It supports
Telnet and Rlogin connections, and environment strings added to the connection commands. See the
Command Reference
chapter of the MSS Reference Manual for more information.
Telnet
To start an outgoing Telnet session to a remote host on a TCP/IP network, type
Telnet
at the Local> prompt,
followed by either the host’s name or its numeric IP address.
Figure 5-1:
Opening a Telnet Connection
Note:
If you have configured a preferred host, no host name is required.
Local> TELNET 192.0.1.66
