Renex Async Protocol

NOTE The Renex Async Protocol (RAP ) driver is not available in BlueZone version 4.1. You must install BlueZone version 4.0 or earlier to support this feature.

The Renex Async Protocol (RAP) driver allows the connection of BlueZone emulation clients to Renex TMS and RPad Series Communications Controllers using the RAP 2 protocol. The driver provides a user interface to control a modem, store dial strings, and provide prompt/response scripting. Existing RLink for Windows users using the RAP 2 protocol who wish to convert to BlueZone, need only to install BlueZone, select the RAP driver and connect as usual, using the Rlink4 terminal type. No reconfiguration of the TMS or RPad Communications Controller is necessary other than turning on the BlueZone feature bit, after it is purchased.

Renex Async Protocol configuration consists of setting up the PC’s Communications settings, RAP and Compression Setup, and Auto-Script configuration.

Communications Tab

Options ----

Connection: This combo box is used to select the type of physical connection necessary for communication. Select Modem if you are using a modem to remotely connect or select Direct if a communications controller is connected directly to the computer's serial port.

The default connect is Modem.

Port: This combo box is used to select the serial port that will be used for connection with the communications device . The Comm Port selection must agree with where the device is physically connected.

The default port is COM1.

Baud Rate: This combo box is used to select the async port baud rate.

The default baud rate is 1200 bps.

IMPORTANT! Keep in mind the distance limitation of RS-232C, which is fifty (50) feet. Typically, as the distance of the cable increases, the corresponding speed should decrease to ensure proper signal strength. As a general rule, if the cable length doubles then the speed must be halved. For example, if you are communicating at 9600 baud over a fifty (50) foot cable, and you increase the cable length to 100 feet, then you should decrease the speed to 4800 baud.

Parity: Parity is a basic form of error-checking on an asynchronous link. It uses one (1) bit of each character to aid in error-detection. This combo box is used for indicating the choice of parity. The selections are None, Odd, Even, Mark, and Space.

None: Indicates that no parity is being used. If this is the case then eight (8) data bits should also be specified.

Odd: Indicates odd parity.

Even: Indicates even parity.

Mark: Indicates that the parity bit will always be set to 1.

Space: Indicates that the parity bit will always be set to 0.

The default Parity is None.

Data Bits: Use this option to determine the number of data bits contained in each ASCII character. In most cases, seven (7) bit words (if parity is required) or eight (8) bit words (with no parity) are used. The selections are 5, 6, 7, or 8.

The default Data Bits is 8.

Stop Bits: Specifies how many bits are used to indicate the end of any asynchronous character. The options are 1, 1.5, and 2.

The default Stop Bits is 1.

Flow Control ----

In addition to buffering capabilities, a Flow Control setting is available to prevent data loss.

XON/XOFF: Also referred to as software flow control, the ASCII characters DC1 (HEX 11) and DC3 (HEX 13) will be used to signal the host to stop and resume data transmission as needed.
RTS/CTS: Known also as hardware flow control (Request To Send/Clear To Send), if this option is enabled then the driver will drop RTS when it can no longer receive data and raise it again to resume. Also, the driver will cease to send data if the modem drops CTS and resumes sending data when it is raised again.

The default Flow Control is RTS/CTS.

Auto-Script ----

The Auto-Script group box is used to determine whether auto-scripting will be used during the host connection process.

Enable: Select to enable Auto-Script. The Auto-Script tab will appear at the top of the property sheet.
Disable: Select to disable Auto-Script. The Terminal Window will be used to manually connect to the host system.

The default Auto-Script is Disabled.

NOTE It is a good idea to first connect to the host system with the Auto-Script option disabled and write down any prompts received and any responses given during the process. This information can then be used to fill in the Prompt and Response edit boxes. Once this process is complete, select the Enable radio button to turn on Auto-Script. During the next session connection the RAP Driver will scan the incoming data stream for any prompts and respond with the appropriate response string.

Auto-Script Tab

Auto-Script ----

If Auto-Script is enabled then the TMS / RPAD Service Determination information will be used to access the host. If Auto-Script is disabled then the Terminal Window will be used to manually connect to the host system. Auto-Script configuration consists of entering a connection phone number and adding the prompts and responses needed to obtain a host banner screen.

Phone Directory ----

The Phone Directory group box contains controls for the displaying and editing of phone names and phone numbers for connection.

Name: The Name combo box is used to display a description of the phone entry. A maximum of thirty (30) entries may be saved.

Number: The Number combo box is used to display the phone number used for the currently selected phone entry.

Add: Press the Add button to add a new phone entry to the Phone Directory. The Phone Entry Add dialog will then display:

Edit: Press the Edit button to edit the currently selected phone entry. The Phone Entry Edit dialog will then display. The Phone Entry Edit dialog works identical to the Phone Entry Add dialog (See Phone Entry Add description above).

Delete: Press the Delete button to remove the currently selected phone entry from the Phone Directory.
Use Phone Name as Session Description: If enabled then the currently selected Phone Name will be used as the session's Session Description.

TMS / RPad Service Determination ----

AutoBaud Negotiation Time (seconds): This edit box is for determining the number of seconds to pause after modem connection. Although this number may be as low as two (2) or three (3) seconds, certain older modems need up to twelve (12) seconds to exchange protocol information and to determine maximum baud rate throughput.

The default AutoBaud Negotiation Time is three (3) seconds.

Initial Response on CONNECT (\r=<CR>): The Initial Response on CONNECT edit box is used to configure the initial character sequence that will be transmitted once the Auto-Baud Negotiation Time has expired. Users may enter \r each time that they need to signify a carriage return. In addition, each time a \p is entered will cause Auto-Script to pause for one second.

The default Initial Response is a carriage return, \r.

Prompt / Response List Box: Lists any text prompts received from the X.25 network or the Renex Communications Controller. To configure the Prompts and Responses press the Edit button.

NOTE It is a good idea to first connect to the host system with the Auto-Script option disabled and write down any prompts received and any responses given during the process. This information can then be used to fill in the Prompt and Response edit boxes. Once this process is complete, select the Enable radio button to turn on Auto-Script. During the next session connection the RAP Driver will scan the incoming data stream for any prompts and respond with the appropriate response string.

Case-sensitivity Comparisons: Used to govern the type of string comparisons made during the Auto-Script connection process. If this checkbox is enabled (checked), then case-sensitive string comparisons will be made with the Prompt strings and the incoming data stream.

Additional Modem Options ----

Modem Initialization String: The Modem Initialization String edit box may be used to enter a user-defined string which will be sent to the modem before the Dial Prefix is transmitted.

There is no default Modem Initialization String.

Dial Prefix: The Dial Prefix edit box is used to enter a sequence of characters that will be transmitted before the connection number is dialed.

The default Dial Prefix is ATDT.

RAP Setup Tab

RAP (Renex Asynchronous Protocol) is a full-duplex, packet communications protocol developed and implemented by Renex for use on asynchronous links. It allows for error-free terminal emulation and data transfer between a Renex Communications Controller and an attached PC implementing the protocol.

The RAP Setup dialog is used to configure RAP specific operating parameters as well as to invoke the Compression Setup dialog. The RAP Options group box contains controls for the configuration of RAP. Configuration options include Start Flag, End Flag, Shift Out, Retry Timeout, Max Frame Size, Transmit Limit, Transmit Window, RAP EAB/7 Color, Dynamic Parity Adjust, and Protected Data Ranges.

RAP Flags ----

Start Flag: The ASCII character (two hex digits) used to begin RAP packets.

The default Start Flag is 02 (ASCII STX).

End Flag: The ASCII character (two hex digits) used to signify the end of RAP packets.

The default End Flag is 03 (ASCII EXT).

Shift Out: The first of four (4) consecutive characters used to shift out of binary mode.

The default Shift Out Flag is 0C (ASCII FF).

Operating Parameters ----

EAB/7 Color: This checkbox should be enabled if the host system utilizes the 3270 Extended Data Stream and supports color attributes.

The default EAB/7 Color is Enabled.

NOTE The number of different colors and how the colors are displayed are largely dependent upon the host application. Enabling this option if the host does not support the 3270 Extended Data Stream will have no adverse effect.

Dynamic Parity Adjust: To establish a RAP session, the driver and the Renex Communications Controller must be set for the same parity and number of data bits. If this checkbox is enabled then the driver will automatically adjust its parity and data bits to match that of the controller's. If this option is disabled then no adjustment occurs.

The default Dynamic Parity Adjust is Enabled.

NOTE Dynamic Parity Adjust will only work if the driver is set for 7 data bits and the Renex Communications Controller is set for 8 data bits. This is most useful when using Public Data Networks, such as CompuServe. These networks typically require that you communicate in 7 bit, even parity mode.

Retry Timeout: The time out in seconds after which a retry will be attempted. This should be the maximum transmission time from the controller to the terminal under normal operating conditions + 2 seconds.

The default Retry Timeout is 3 seconds.

NOTE Transmission time from the controller to the terminal includes all delays from modems, networks, satellites, etc., but not delays due to abnormal re-transmissions.

Max Frame Size: Three (3) decimal digits specifying the maximum length of the data field of a frame. Set to 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024, or 2048

The default Max Frame Size is 256.

Transmit Limit: The maximum number of data frames which can be sent without acknowledgment. Any decimal value from 2 frames to 7 frames may be entered.

The default Transmit Limit is 7 data frames.

Transmit Window: The number of received data frames after which an unsolicited acknowledgment should be sent.

NOTE Any value from 1 to 7 frames may be entered, but for efficient operation, the value should not be more than the Transmit Limit value - 1 data frame.

The default Transmit Window is 3.

NOTE When using RAP it is recommended that 8 bit data with no parity be used for the most efficient operation over the data link. Although it is possible to run 7 data bits with a parity bit, the user may notice a slower response time.

Protected Data Ranges ----

Enable or disable these check boxes as necessary. When disabled these character values will be sent "as is" during communications. If enabled these character values will be protected.

The default Protected Character Ranges are disabled - OK to send.

Default: Press the Default button if you would like to reset all of the RAP options to their recommended, default values.

Compression: Press the Compression button to bring up the Compression dialog.

Compression Tab

The Compression Setup dialog is used to configure the RAP Driver for inbound and/or outbound data compression. Up to five (5) concurrent host sessions are separately configurable, 1K and 4K buffer sizes are supported.

Host Session ----

The Host Session radio buttons are used to select the active host session for configuration. The first session is identified by the letter A, the second session is B, and so on.

A through E

Inbound ----

This group is used to specify the inbound buffer size used for data compression.

No Compression: Select None to disable inbound data compression.
Compress - 1K buffer: Specifies that inbound data compression will be used with a buffer size of 1K.
Compress - 4K buffer: Specifies that inbound data compression will be used with a buffer size of 4K.

Outbound ----

This group is used to specify the outbound buffer size used for data compression.

No Compression: Select None to disable inbound data compression.
Compress - 1K buffer: Specifies that inbound data compression will be used with a buffer size of 1K.
Compress - 4K buffer: Specifies that inbound data compression will be used with a buffer size of 4K.

Trace Tab

Trace Options ----

These parameters specify the interfaces to be traced and the file name to which the trace file will be written. The trace files are in ASCII text format and may be viewed with Note Pad or Word Pad.

Trace Async Interface: Specifies whether the data transferred on the Async interface with the host should be traced.
Trace RUI Interface: Specifies whether the data transferred on the RUI interface with BlueZone should be traced.
ASCII Format: If enabled then the trace file data will be written in ASCII format.
Gemini Format: If enabled then the trace file data will be written in Gemini format.
Trace File: Specifies the path and filename of the file to receive the trace data.

Browse: Use to browse to the location of the trace file.

Start Trace: Starts the trace with the specified parameters.
Stop Trace: Stops the trace and closes the trace file.

Connecting to the Host System