Serial HOWTO: Communications Programs And Utilities

15. Communications Programs And Utilities

15.1 List of Software

Here is a list of some communication software you can choose from, available via FTP, if they didn't come with your distribution.

ecu - a communications program
C-Kermit - portable, scriptable, serial and TCP/IP communications including file transfer, character-set translation, and zmodem support
gkermit Tiny GPLed kermit run only from the command line. Can't connect to another computer
gtkterm - a simple gtk terminal, X-based
minicom - telix-like communications program
pppd - establishes a ppp connection on the serial line
seyon - X based communication program
xc - xcomm communication package
term and SLiRP offer TCP/IP functionality using a shell account.
screen is another multi-session program. This one behaves like the virtual consoles.
callback is where you dial out to a remote modem and then that modem hangs up and calls you back (to save on phone bills).
mgetty+fax handles FAX stuff, and provides an alternate ps_getty.
ZyXEL is a control program for ZyXEL U-1496 modems. It handles dialin, dialout, dial back security, FAXing, and voice mailbox functions.
SLIP and PPP software (if not in your Linux distribution) can be found at ftp://metalab.unc.edu/pub/Linux/system/network/serial.

15.2 kermit and zmodem

For use of kermit with modems see the Modem-HOWTO. One can run zmodem within the kermit program. To do this (for ttyS3), add the following to your .kermrc file:


define rz !rz < /dev/ttyS3 > /dev/ttyS3
define sz !sz \%0 > /dev/ttyS3 < /dev/ttyS3

Be sure to put in the correct port your modem is on. Then, to use it, just type rz or sz <filename> at the kermit prompt.

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