Changes to Modem Pools
Penn's CLI modem service (215-898-0834), characterized by the annex prompt, will be modified on May 18, 1999.
- New, year 2000-compliant server software will display a different prompt--"HiPer" rather than "annex"--to users, and provide fewer functions than were available previously.
- Because of the changes to the server software, existing scripts that automate the dial-in procedure will not work as of May 18.
- Session limits similar to those in place for Penn's PPP dial-in services will also come into effect.
Note also that the CLI modem service will be discontinued after June 30, 2000. Current users of the CLI service are encouraged to migrate to the regular or express PPP service as soon as they can. For those not yet able to migrate to PPP, details of upcoming changes to the CLI Pool follow.
Those who use PPP software to dial in to Penn's regular PPP service (215/573-4777) and the express PPP service (215/573-9773) will not be affected by these changes.
Details of changes to the CLI service:
- Although the wording of the screen prompts has changed, login works essentially the same way as before. After your software dials the CLI service and negotiates a connection, you enter your PennNet ID and password at the prompts, as before. But you now enter commands at the HiPer prompt, which replaces the annex prompt. To log on to pobox e-mail, for example, enter "telnet pobox" at the HiPer prompt. To terminate a session, type "logout" at the HiPer prompt.
- The rlogin command works somewhat differently than before. To reach a service that requires a user ID and password, enter "rlogin <hostname> login_name <username>". For example, to reach the pobox account with the user name "elaine", type "rlogin pobox login_name elaine" at the HiPer prompt, then the account password and terminal type (vt100) when prompted.
- Fewer commands and functions are available at the HiPer prompt (type "?" to see the options). You cannot, for example, use the finger and ping commands, nor can you be logged on to more than one host at a time.
- To terminate a modem session and disconnect, type "logout" or "exit" at the HiPer prompt, not "hangup."
- Variable session limits (1 hour at the peak times of 6 p.m. to midnight; 4 hours at off-peak times) have been put in place. Sessions initiated during off-peak hours that extend into peak time will be terminated after four hours or at 7 p.m., whichever comes first. As before, you must monitor your connection time. The system cannot issue an alert before terminating your session.
- If you use scripts that automate the dial-in procedure, they will no longer work and must be recreated. See your local support provider if you need assistance with scripts. Better still, migrate to the regular or express PPP modem service as soon as you can.
- Remember that 10-digit dialing becomes mandatory on June 5, 1999. Take the opportunity now to change the CLI dial-in number from 898-0834 to 1-215-898-0834 (the "1" is optional if you dial in from the 215 area code).
--Information Systems & Computing
Almanac, Vol. 45, No. 30, April 27, 1999