This page describes making a direct
connection to a host computer over the ViewStation's serial line.
Serial Connections with Local Terminal Emulators
The
ViewStation uses the Serial Terminal Window as its serial interface.
This window can use either Serial Port 1 or 2 (RJ11 or DB25) with an
HDSterm window to simulate a VT320 character-based terminal connected
directly to a host. This serial connection behaves as if it were a
VT320 terminal connected to the remote host computer. This terminal
emulation window allows you to do VT320 terminal commands from the
ViewStation. If the host is not running the X Window system, the HDSterm
window is a simple VT320 port.
The HDSterm window is a DEC VT320 terminal emulation client
running on the ViewStation, so you can use it (starting from Setup
Mode) anytime you want to open a serial terminal window.
Similarly, other HDS ViewStation terminal emulation local
clients have the same type of connection, a direct serial line to the
host and the appropriate emulation, whether IBM 3270 or Tandem 6530,
and so on, running on the ViewStation.
ViewStation Serial Terminal Window
You open the
serial terminal window on the ViewStation screen by clicking on the
Serial Terminal Window button in the Main Menu of Setup Mode. This
opens an HDSterm window with VT320 terminal emulation. You are first
asked to specify the Serial Port 1 or 2 (RJ11 or DB25) you want to use.
If you haven't selected terminal mode for that port (in the
Communications Options menu), you are prompted to do so.
An
HDSterm window, labeled "Terminal" opens for your terminal mode
connection. At this point, you can log into your host computer, or
initiate a command sequence to your modem, or whatever you do on the
serial connection.
If you want to open a TCP connection
with PPP after your serial connection is established, go to the the
Serial Options pull-down menu in the window's title bar. This menu has
five entries, Start PPP, Start SLIP, Start CSLIP, Short Break, and
Hangup. You can use the appropriate commands to open your connection to
the modem or computer. Note that PPP, or other protocol, must be
running on your host. Other TCP settings, such as gate ways and routing
information, should be in place on your host. If you want to hangup the
modem, click on the Hangup button. Use the Commands pull-down menu to
close the window.
If you are using a server code version without HDSterm, you
can generate Break and Hangup signals from the keyboard. With focus in
the Terminal window, the Pause key creates a short BREAK (drops the
data line for 300 ms.) and the Shift-Pause key creates a long BREAK
(drops DTR and the data line for 3.0 secs.).
This HDSterm window can be used as a permanent,
character-based (VT320-type) terminal. Most frequently it is used to
open a modem connection, or some other terminal function, and then
convert the connection to PPP, SLIP, or CSLIP communications which
could then run an X-based IP connection over the serial line.
Serial Connection Example
This section describes an example of
making a direct serial connection. It is only an example; some settings
or methods may be different on your host system.
For a host connection: Make sure your communications parameters
on both the host and the ViewStation's serial port are correct. This
includes the cable pin assignments and connection, the baud rate,
data/parity bits, etc.
When you open the Serial Terminal window, you will get a login
prompt from your host automatically. On some systems, you may have to
hit a carriage return once or more.
For a Modem connection: Make sure your communications
parameters on both the modem and the ViewStation's serial port are
correct. This includes the cable pin assignments and connection, the
baud rate, data/parity bits, etc. When you open the Serial Terminal
window, give the modem commands to open the connection, such as (for
Hayes-compatible modems): atdt 6102778300
You may need to do some additional modem configuration with
other modem commands. Check your modem's manuals for more details about
the commands you can use. From that point, the modem will connect to
the host computer and you will get a login prompt.
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