Extra! User Guide > File Transfer > Asynchronous File Transfer > Kermit File Transfer

Kermit File Transfer

Kermit, developed at Columbia University, is an error-correcting file transfer protocol. You can use Kermit to transfer binary and text data between various types of computers. Your personal computer and host, or remote computer, must run compatible versions of Kermit.

There are two modes of Kermit operation: Server and Non-Server (also called Interactive). A Server Kermit is one that can be completely controlled by an Interactive (Non-Server) Kermit. An Interactive Kermit must be given commands manually. Most host Kermits can be either Server or Interactive. Most personal computer Kermits can only be Interactive.

The Kermit provided with this emulator is Interactive and supports host Kermits that are either Server or Interactive.

If your personal computer Kermit and the host Kermit are Interactive versions, you must issue complementary commands to each computer to start a file transfer: a Receive command at one computer requires a Send command at the other. However, if the host is running Kermit as a Server, it takes all its file transfer commands in packets from the your local Kermit. From your personal computer, you can control when files are sent and received.

This application implements the standard Kermit protocol, including the large packet (up to 1K) and sliding windows options. The sliding windows option significantly increases the transfer rate.

To send files to a Kermit host

  1. Set your Kermit file transfer options.

  2. From the Tools menu, choose Transfer File, or choose the Transfer button on the toolbar.

    NOTE:The procedure for sending files with Kermit is the same regardless of whether your host Kermit is Server or Interactive.

To receive files from a Kermit host (Interactive)

You must have selected Interactive under Remote Kermit in the Kermit General page before you can transfer files with this method.

  1. Ensure the host Kermit is running in interactive mode, and issue the Send command on the host Kermit.

  2. From the Tools menu, choose Transfer File, or choose the Transfer button on the toolbar.

To get files from a Kermit Server

You must have selected Server under Remote Kermit in the Kermit General page before you can transfer files with this method.

  1. Ensure the host Kermit is running in server mode.

  2. From the Tools menu, choose Transfer File, or choose the Transfer button on the toolbar.

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