TECHNICAL BULLETIN #75 - Rev 1.10 (9/03/96)

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TITLE   : File Transfer Basics
PRODUCT : Procomm Plus
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This document describes the basic steps involved in transferring a file from
one computer to another using Procomm Plus.

WHAT IS A FILE TRANSFER?
A file transfer is a procedure that allows you to move information from one
computer system to another.  When you use Procomm Plus to connect your
computer to another computer, one way of exchanging information between the
two computers is by typing on your keyboard.  A file transfer takes the
concept of communicating with another computer system a step further.

A file transfer allows you to move files stored on your computer's hard drive
(or on floppy disks, CD ROM drives, etc.) to the system to which you are
connected.  Any kind of information available as a file on your disk drive
can be sent to the other computer, including text documents, graphics, and
actual programs.  You can also retrieve the same types of files from another
computer and save them on your disk drive.

WHAT IS A FILE TRANSFER PROTOCOL?
A file transfer works by sending information back and forth between each
computer, but the information is not displayed on the screen of either system.
Instead, this information is diverted from the disk drive of one computer
through the connection line and then stored on the disk drive of the other
computer.  Your communication software accomplishes this by using a special
program called a "file transfer protocol".

The process of transferring data using a file transfer protocol is a two-sided
process.  Both your computer and the other computer must use this program,
which is capable of recognizing and communicating with its counterpart across
the phone line, whether sending data to the other computer or receiving data
from it.  If only one side activates its file transfer protocol, no
information will be sent.

Although there are many different file transfer protocols in use, the most
commonly used ones fall into one of the following groups:  the X-Y-ZMODEM
group, the ASCII group, the Kermit group, the IND$FILE group, or the CIS-B+
group.  These five groups allow you to transfer any kind of data file to just
about any other kind of computer to which you can connect.  The main
limitation you will run across is that most computers you connect with will
only have a few protocols to choose from.  Your choice of protocol will be
narrowed by the fact that the same protocol has to be available on your
computer and the computer to which you are connected.  Any protocols that
aren't available on both computers can be eliminated, simplifying your choice.

The X-Y-ZMODEM group of protocols allow you to transfer any kind of data on
your computer's disk drive.  There are a number of technical differences
between all of the protocols in this group, but the only thing you really need
to worry about is to select them in reverse alphabetical order.  If the system
you are connecting with allows you to use ZMODEM, then select it.  If ZMODEM
isn't available, use one of the YMODEM protocols.  If XMODEM is the only
protocol available, use XMODEM.  If other protocols are available, it is still
usually best to use one of the X-Y-Z protocols.

If you are connecting to a mainframe or minicomputer, the only protocols
available may be Kermit or, in the case of IBM mainframes, IND$FILE.
Obviously, in this case you must use whichever protocol available.

Since CIS-B+ is optimized for use on the CompuServe Information Service,
select this protocol when you desire to transfer a file with that service.

The ASCII and RAW ASCII protocols are for special situations involving files
that only contain text information.  In general, ASCII and RAW ASCII cannot be
used to transfer binary files (programs and data files) because these
protocols don't incorporate any error detection features.  The most common use
of the ASCII protocols is to send electronic mail messages that you have
composed in text format prior to calling into another computer system with
Procomm Plus.

RECEIVING A FILE FROM ANOTHER COMPUTER USING ZMODEM
ZMODEM is the most popular file transfer protocol available, particularly on a
computer Bulletin Board Service (BBS).  The steps below illustrate a file
transfer in which you will receive (download) a file from another computer
(BBS) to your computer.  Some of the steps below assume that you are
connecting to the Quarterdeck BBS.  If you choose to use another BBS for this
example, please note that some of the prompts and responses may be different.

1. Call into the computer that you want to receive a file from and complete
   the log on process. The number for the Quarterdeck BBS is 573.875.0503.
Most
   BBSs will ask you a number of questions the first time that you log on.

2. Once you are logged on to the BBS, select the appropriate menu items to
   examine the files available for downloading.  On the Quarterdeck BBS, press
   <F> at the Main Menu go to the File Transfer Menu.  At the File Transfer
   Menu, press <D> to go to the listing of available libraries.  Most computer
   systems will have the available files grouped into libraries of related
   subjects.  Select any library that interests you by typing the library
   number and pressing <Enter>. Whenever you are in a file library on the
   Quarterdeck BBS, you will see the following menu which lists the different
   available options: <A>rea, <D>ownload, <P>rotocol, <E>xamine, <N>ew,
<L>ist,
   or <H>elp Selection or <CR> to exit:

3. First locate a file that you want to download.  On the Quarterdeck BBS,
   type L to list the description of each file in the library.  Once you find
   a file that you want to download, write down the name of the file, or use
   the File Clipboard feature of Procomm Plus to make a note of the file name.

Note:  If the BBS needs to display more information than will fit in one
screen, you will see a -More- prompt at the bottom of the screen; press <space
bar> to continue.

4. Once you have located the file you want, select a file transfer
   protocol.  On the Quarterdeck BBS, type P for protocol. Now type Z for
ZMODEM.

5. If Procomm Plus is not currently set to ZMODEM, you will need to tell
   Procomm Plus that you want to use the ZMODEM protocol.  Click on the file
   transfer protocol pop-up box on the Quick Change Bar, located just above
   the Status Line, and select ZMODEM from the list.

6. Next, instruct the system to send a file to you.  On the Quarterdeck BBS,
   press <D> to select the "<D>ownload" option.  Type the name of the file
   you want to receive, press <Enter>, and the file transfer should
   automatically start. If the transfer does not start, but you see the
   message Awaiting Start Signal, click on the receive file (download)
   icon near the top of the screen (the icon with the arrow pointing
   into the file folder).

Note:  If you had to click on the receive file icon, you should enable the
Automatic Download Start option.  Activate the Current Setup window and select
the Options group.  Activate the General Options and check the Automatic
Download Start option.  However, some file transfer protocols, such as YMODEM,
always require you to click on the receive file icon to begin the transfer.
In addition, some file transfer protocols, such as XMODEM, require you to
enter a name for the file at two different points.  For these protocols, you
will receive an additional prompt for file name once you click on the receive
file icon.  You can retype the same file name that you typed earlier or type a
different name.

7. As the file transfer begins, Procomm Plus will open up a window that
   indicates the progress of the transfer as the file is sent to your
   computer. When the transfer is complete, an alarm will beep and the window
   will disappear.

8. You can continue to explore the BBS, or log off of the BBS and examine
   the file you downloaded.

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  This technical bulletin may be copied and distributed freely as long as it
       is distributed in its entirety and it is not distributed for profit.
           Copyright (c) 1996 Quarterdeck  All rights reserved.
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