It is sometimes necessary to use a serial channel defined for dial-out communications (an AUX port) for dial-in remote support. To accomplish this, you need an unused PC terminal or a port that is defined as a multiuser terminal. The following steps will allow you to dial into the AUX channel and will result in the operating system "duplexing" that AUX channel with the free PC terminal or serial channel. When you dial into the AUX port you will actually be using the free station or port.

To make this happen, create the following HELP.BAT batch file:

TAKEOVER Ax R

FORCE @

Ax represents the aux number the modem is connected to. For example, if the modem is connected to COM1 then use A0; if COM2, then use A1. Because no user number is specified, the terminal on which this command is executed will be the terminal used when we dial into the AUX port. If you wanted to specify a different terminal, use TAKEOVER #XX Ax R where XX is the user number of the terminal you want to used with the AUX dialin.

Once this batch file is run, the terminal is put into a ready state and is disabled for other use until the AUX channel(Ax) dialin occurs. When you dial in and connect, you will next see the prompt of the ready terminal, just as if you had used TAKEOVER on it locally. Run your programs, file transfers, diagnostics, etc. and when you are ready to end the dialin session, use the ALT and SYSREQ key combination to terminate the session. Disconnect the modem with the F4 option on your CCITERM main menu. At this time the terminal you have been using is freed up for other use, as is the AUX serial channel you dialed in on.

If you wish to terminate the REMOTE option after it is invoked, use the following:

TAKEOVER #XX Ax R X

where XX is the user number where TAKEOVER Ax R was run, and x is the number of the AUX port being used. R represents R(emote) and the X(tract) simply reverses what was done.

Using the TAKEOVER REMOTE option works best (as does all remote access) with clean (not noisy) lines or with modems that are using MNP error correcting protocol. Noisy lines may result in garbage characters causing a disconnect after a connection is made.