# kermit(9)

    Command:   kermit - transfer a file using the kermit protocol
    Syntax:    kermit
    Flags:     (many)
    Example:   kermit                   # Start kermit

         This is a slightly  lobotomized  kermit.   The  help  command,  the
    script facility, and the automatic dial support have been removed. The ?
    and ESC commands still work, so there is still reasonable built-in help.
    The  only  V7  kermit  feature  that does not work is the ability to see
    whether there are input characters waiting.  This means  that  you  will
    not be able to ask for status during a file transfer (though this is not
    critical, because kermit prints a dot every so often and  other  special
    characters whenever there is an error or timeout).

         Start kermit, and then type the  following  to  open  a  2400  baud
    session, for example:

            set line /dev/tty1
            set speed 2400
            connect

    (It is more convenient if you put these commands in .kermrc in your home
    directory, so that they get done automatically whenever you run kermit.)
    This will connect you to the modem or whatever on the serial port.   Now
    log into the other system.

         When you want to transfer files, run kermit on  the  other  system.
    To it, type

            server

    This puts its kermit into a  sort  of  'slave  mode'  where  it  expects
    commands from the kermit running on your MINIX system.  Now come back to
    the command level on  MINIX  kermit,  by  typing  the  escape  character
    followed  by c.  (Kermit will tell you the current escape character when
    you do the connect command.)   At  this  point  you  can  issue  various
    commands.  Your  kermit  will coordinate things with kermit on the other
    machine so that you only have to  type  commands  at  one  end.   Common
    commands are

            get filename
            put filename
            remote dir

    Filenames can include wildcards.  By default, kermit works in a  system-
    independent,  text  mode.  (In effect it assumes that the whole world is
    MS-DOS and converts end of line and file names  accordingly.)   To  send
    binary files, you will want to type

            set file type bin

    on both ends before starting any transfers.   This  disables  CR  LF  to
    newline  conversion.   If  both of your systems are some flavor of UNIX,
    you might as well put this in .kermrc on both ends  and  run  in  binary
    mode  all  the  time.   Also, if both systems are UNIX it is recommended
    that you use

            set file name lit

    on both ends.  This causes it to keep file names unchanged, rather  than
    mapping to legal MS-DOS names.

         Here is a typical .kermrc for use on MINIX:

            set line /dev/tty1
            set speed 1200
            set esc 29
            set file type bin
            set file name lit
            set retry 90
            set prompt MINIX kermit>
            connect

         On the other end of the line, for example, the host at  your  local
    computer  center  to which you want to transfer files, a typical profile
    might be:

            set rec packet 1000
            set fil name lit
            set fil type bin
            server

         Kermit has many other options and features.   For  a  pleasant  and
    highly readable description of it, see the following book:

       Title: Kermit: A File Transfer Protocol
       Author: Frank da Cruz
       Publisher: Digital Press
       Date: 1987
       ISBN: 0-932376-88

         For information about  recent  kermit  developments,  versions  for
    other systems, and so forth, please contact:

       Christine M. Gianone
       Manager, Kermit Development and Distribution
       University Center for Computing Activities
       Columbia University
       612 West 115th Street
       New York, N.Y. 10025

    Over 400 versions of kermit are available, so it is likely there is  one
    for  any  computer  your  MINIX  system might want to talk to.  Columbia
    University  also  publishes  a  newsletter  about  kermit  that  can  be
    requested from the above address.