As per Relevance of the word transfer, we have this rfc below:











Network Working Group F. da
Request for Comments: 2839 J.
Category: Informational Columbia
May 2000

Internet Kermit

Status of this

This memo provides information for the Internet community. It
not specify an Internet standard of any kind. Distribution of
memo is unlimited

Copyright

Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2000). All Rights Reserved



This document describes a new file transfer service for the
based on Telnet Protocol for option negotiation and Kermit
for file transfer and management. The Internet Kermit
provides access to both authenticated and anonymous users. The
of Kermit protocol over a Telnet connection provides
advantages over FTP, including easy traversal of firewalls,
over multiple transports, and security via a combination of
Telnet authentication and encryption option negotiations,
significant functional benefits. While this document describes a
service for the Internet, the clients for this service already
on most platforms in the form of Telnet clients that support
Kermit file transfer protocol. These clients are available not
from Columbia University's Kermit Project but also numerous
parties

TABLE OF

1. INTRODUCTION ................................................ 2
2. BACKGROUND .................................................. 3
2.1. History ................................................... 3
2.2. Motivation ................................................ 4
3. THE INTERNET KERMIT SERVICE MODEL ........................... 7
3.1. Server-Side Kermit Server ................................. 7
3.2. Client-Side Kermit Server ................................. 8
3.3. Loosely Coupled Operation ................................. 9
4. SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS .....................................10
4.1. AUTHENTICATION ............................................10
4.1.1. Telnet Authentication ...................................10
4.1.2. Telnet over TLS option ..................................11



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4.1.3. Plaintext Authentication via Kermit REMOTE LOGIN ........11
4.1.4. Plaintext Authentication via Command Prompt .............11
4.1.5. Anonymous Login .........................................12
4.2. ENCRYPTION (PRIVACY) ......................................12
4.2.1 Telnet Encryption .......................................12
4.2.2 Telnet Start_TLS ........................................12
5. SERVICES ....................................................13
5.1. Features for System Administrators ........................13
5.2. Features for Users ........................................14
5.3. User Interface ............................................16
6. REFERENCES ..................................................18
7. AUTHORS' ADDRESSES ..........................................19
8. Full Copyright Statement ....................................20



This document describes an Internet Kermit Service (IKS)
provides an alternative to FTP for the transfer of files.
service is based upon both the TELNET protocol and the Kermit
transfer protocol

1.

The Internet Kermit Service

1. Provides direct access to Kermit file transfer and
services without requiring the user to first login to a
account

2. Provides Kermit file transfer and management services to
users

3. Provides services to all Telnet clients that support Kermit
transfer protocol via a simple, predictable, scriptable,
well-documented textual interface

4. Provides direct and tightly-coupled access to a Kermit server
requested via the Telnet Kermit Option [TKO].

This memo assumes knowledge of Transmission Control Protocol,
Telnet Protocol [TEL], the Kermit File Transfer Protocol [KER,PRF],
Telnet Kermit Option [TKO], and the commands and features of
software [CKB,CMG,K95].

The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT",
"SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and "OPTIONAL" in
document are to be interpreted as described in RFC 2119 [BCP].




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Definitions

Kermit
A software program that is ready to accept and act upon
in the form of well-defined Kermit packets [KER].

Kermit
A software program that receives requests through its
interface from a human user (or a script or other source)
translates them to command packets, which it sends to a
server, thus initiating a Kermit protocol transaction such as
transfer of one or more files

2.

2.1.

"Kermit" is the name of an extensible platform- and medium
independent file transfer and management protocol [KER,PRF] and of
suite of communications software programs that implement it
integrate it with other communications functions [CMG,CKB,K95].

The Kermit protocol was first developed at Columbia University in
York City in 1981 for transferring files without errors
diverse types of computers over potentially hostile
links. Since 1981, the Kermit Project at Columbia University
expanded the protocol, developed communications software
implements it upon key platforms, and worked with
programmers at other sites adapting Kermit protocol to
platforms or communication methods. The Kermit Project also
as the central point of Kermit software development, support
information, and distribution throughout the world

Kermit software is now available for nearly every computer
operating system in existence. The major features of the
popular Kermit programs are

- Connection establishment and maintenance for a variety
connection methods including direct serial, dialup, TCP/IP, X.25,
DECnet, and NETBIOS

- Terminal emulation

- Error-free transfer of both text and binary files, individually
in groups

- Character-set translation during both terminal emulation
text-mode file transfer -- a unique feature of Kermit software



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- Remote file management through the client/server protocol

- A powerful and portable scripting language allowing
automation of any task that can be performed manually

Kermit's command and script language is consistent across
platforms and communication methods, thus offering a unified
for accomplishing a wide range of communication tasks manually
under script control

A single Kermit program combines the functions of many
programs such as uucp, cu, tip, telnet, rlogin, ftp, iconv,
expect: it is a Telnet and Rlogin client that can also
files; it is a file transfer program that can also convert
sets; it is a dialout program that can use dialing directories
understands country codes and area codes; it is fully scriptable;
offers both client/server and interactive modes of operation. In
desktop versions (particularly for DOS, Windows, and OS/2) it
all the features of communications software that are usually
from Internet client software (key mapping, colors, scrollback,
functions, printer control, etc

Kermit software is widely used throughout the academic, government
and corporate spheres, both in the USA and internationally

In addition to the Kermit software developed and/or distributed
the Kermit Project at Columbia University, hundreds of other
products -- commercial, shareware, and freeware -- also include
level of support for the Kermit protocol. Thus there are hundreds
perhaps thousands, of independent and interoperable Kermit
implementations based upon the open Kermit protocol
[KER].

The Internet has formed the primary mechanism by which users
developers of Kermit software have collaborated to produce
and command sets that continually evolve to meet their needs
technology changes

2.2. Motivation

Kermit protocol and software makes connections from one computer
another and transfers data between them. Countless people "live"
Kermit all day long; as a customizable Telnet or Rlogin (or
communication) client with a wide selection of terminal
and convenience features, it is their window onto the Internet






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Others use it in more creative ways, including some that involve
parts of the Internet, e.g. in batch or cron jobs that update news
Web servers or fetch email, or to monitor routers, terminal servers
and hubs and dial pagers when faults are detected. It is used
vendors of telecommunications equipment for remote diagnosis
patching, and updates. Telecom managers often use Kermit scripts
configure PBXs, muxes, routers, or terminal servers. In the world
commerce, Kermit is widely used for financial transactions, EDI
medical claim submission, and so forth. It is used with
barcode readers in warehousing and inventory applications. It
found in US Postal Service sorting and scanning equipment.
connects many of the logistics and supply systems throughout
military. It is found in fast-food restaurant cash registers
milling and die-cutting machines, textile looms and cutters,
presses, and medical diagnostic equipment. It was the
backbone of the 1994 Brazilian national election -- the largest
history

And yet there has never been a strong, explicit connection of
with the Internet. In the early years, Kermit acted as a kind
do-it-yourself network, enabling ordinary users to make
that were not already there, and for some years was the
method of connecting a personal computer to the ARPAnet (e.g.
dialing a TAC).

Nowadays, however, with so many of the world's computers on
Internet, the role of Kermit software and protocol is changing
Kermit users on the network would like to have the features
functions, and interface they are accustomed to -- especially
automation features -- available for use in settings where
only tools like FTP are available -- and even more so in
where standard software like FTP can't be used

An Internet Kermit Service can fill this role, and augment the
transfer power and flexibility of other Internet applications such
Web browsers

- Like FTP, Kermit provides a service that can be accessed from
different platforms with a consistent set of commands, but
FTP, these commands include programming constructions such
variables, arrays, looping and selection mechanisms, and local
remote procedure calls

- Like FTP, Kermit provides both text- and binary-mode
transfer, as well as file management capabilities. But
also offers numerous features lacking from FTP, such





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character-set translation, flexible file selection mechanisms
attribute preservation, and so on (see Section 5.3 for a
list).

- Unlike standard FTP, Kermit can transfer data through
firewalls, proxies, and network address translators (NATs) on
single port

- Unlike FTP, Kermit can transfer data across a combination
transports (e.g. dial-up to a terminal server and thence to
Internet host).

- Authentication and data transfer can take place over
connections (mutually authenticated and encrypted)
established Telnet authentication and encryption options

- Unlike traditional Kermit use over Telnet, anonymous access
possible, and the considerable overhead of the intervening
server and pseudoterminal service is eliminated

Until now the primary obstacles to an Internet Kermit Service
been

- Issues of authentication, privacy, and anonymous access.
have been addressed in our implementation, as described Section 4
of this document

- Issues of coordination and control. A Kermit software program
be in any of several "modes": at its command prompt or menu
awaiting commands from the user; in terminal mode, in which
user's keystrokes are sent to the remote computer or service;
in protocol mode, in which two Kermit programs communicate
well-defined Kermit packets [KER]. Commands or operations
in one mode do not necessarily work in another. Until now, it
been the user's responsibility to switch modes at one or both
of the connection as needed. A companion document [TKO] to
one specifies a mechanism to closely couple the client and
via Telnet protocol negotiations, allowing each to know
other's state and to switch to the appropriate mode
so a valid and useful relationship obtains at all times

- Lack of a standard TCP port. The "registered" port 1649
assigned by IANA for this purpose (27 September 1995) and is
"Kermit". (renamed from "Inspect".)







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3. THE INTERNET KERMIT SERVICE

The Internet Kermit Service (IKS) uses a standard Telnet [TEL
connection, in which all Telnet rules apply. Unlike FTP,
requires additional TCP connections, IKS uses a single channel
both signaling and data transfer. The connection is multiplexed
(a) Telnet options, and (b) Kermit protocol messages. This
existing Telnet clients that also support the Kermit protocol
whether or not they support the Telnet Kermit Option [TKO], to
the IKS and take advantage of all relevant Telnet options
authentication and encryption

The system Internet services daemon (e.g. inetd) waits for
connection on the Kermit socket (1649) and then starts the IKS on
new connection. The IKS performs the familiar Telnet
including the Telnet Kermit option. Unlike a standard Telnet server
the IKS does not support the ability to present the user with
interactive system shell. The Kermit socket is used only for
transfer and management functions provided by Kermit file
protocol and the Kermit script language

Once the connection is established, the Telnet Kermit Option
negotiated in both directions. The results determine which of
following configurations is used by the Telnet client and Server

. Server-side Kermit Server (SKS
. Client-side Kermit Server (CKS
. No Kermit Server (NKS

Different procedures and functions apply to each configuration.
configuration may be changed at any time by Telnet Kermit
subnegotiations, which assure that the Telnet client and server
always in compatible states

The three configurations are described in the following sections

3.1. Server-Side Kermit

In the Server-Side Kermit Server (SKS) configuration, the
server is the Kermit server and the Telnet client is the
client. This configuration is used when both Telnet client and
support the Telnet Kermit Option and the IKS sends WILL KERMIT to
Telnet client and receives DO KERMIT from the Telnet client [TKO].

In this case, the IKS immediately starts a Kermit server and
this to the Telnet client with a Telnet KERMIT START-
subnegotiation




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The SKS configuration is appropriate when the user wishes to
only with the Telnet client's commands or menus

If authentication was not performed with one of the
Authentication Option protocols, the Kermit server rejects all
protocol operations (except REMOTE LOGIN, REMOTE HELP, REMOTE EXIT
BYE, or FINISH -- that is, the ones that request help, that log in
that close the connection, or that change the status of
connection) until

- A Kermit REMOTE LOGIN command successfully authenticates the user

- The login retry limit is reached

- A Kermit BYE or REMOTE EXIT command is received, which closes
connection

- A Kermit FINISH command or a Telnet KERMIT REQ-KERMIT-
subnegotiation is received to request the IKS exit from
server mode. At this point, the IKS can either exit and close
connection or issue an interactive login prompt, depending on
it was started or configured by the system administrator

Once the user is authenticated

- The Telnet client configures itself for Kermit client/
operation, with itself as the Kermit client, communicating
the server only by Kermit packets, and optionally adjusting
menus or commands to eliminate functions (such as
emulation) that make no sense in this context

- The relationship persists until the Telnet client and IKS agree
terminate the Kermit server via Kermit protocol commands (BYE
FINISH, or REMOTE EXIT), or by Telnet Kermit
subnegotiation, or by closing the connection

3.2. Client-Side Kermit

In the Client-Side Kermit Server (CKS) configuration, the
server is the Kermit client, and the Telnet client is the
server. This configuration is used when the IKS has sent WONT
or SB KERMIT STOP-SERVER, and the Telnet Client has sent WILL
and SB KERMIT START-SERVER, indicating that it is prepared to
and process Kermit protocol packets

In the CKS configuration, the Telnet client assumes the role
Kermit server by virtue of its ability to recognize and
Kermit protocol packets in its terminal emulator. Thus the



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client must not send WILL KERMIT or the KERMIT START-
subnegotiation unless its terminal emulator is capable of
Kermit packets

If the IKS is at top command level (as opposed to executing
script), or when it reaches top level after finishing a script,
issues its interactive command prompt

At this point, the user may type commands or send scripted
to the IKS command prompt. When a data-transfer command (such
SEND) is issued by the user at the IKS prompt, a Kermit packet
transmitted and recognized by the Telnet client, causing it
automatically perform the requested action (e.g. receive a file),
then resume its previous mode (terminal emulation or
execution) when the data transfer is complete

Thus, in the CKS configuration, data transfers are initiated by
IKS rather than by the Telnet client. This configuration is
when the user prefers the command interface or repertoire of
server to that of the client

If the IKS sends a Telnet KERMIT START-SERVER subnegotiation,
relationship switches automatically to Server-Side Kermit
(Section 3.1), in which the Telnet client is the Kermit client
the Telnet server is the Kermit server

If the Telnet client sends a KERMIT STOP-SERVER subnegotiation,
connection switches to No Kermit Server (Section 3.3) and the
issues its command prompt. At this point, neither side is a
server, and both sides may optionally disable Kermit
commands. Subsequent user action can designate one side or the
as the Kermit server, as desired

3.3. No Kermit

If both Telnet client and IKS send WONT KERMIT or SB KERMIT STOP
SERVER, or if the Kermit client and server are connected
multiple hosts or transports, thus precluding end-to-end
negotiation, a Kermit server is not known to be available. In
KERMIT STOP-SERVER case, the Kermit partners can later switch back
SKS or CKS, but in the other two cases, there is no such
and loose coupling characterizes the entire session

In the No Kermit Server (NKS) configuration, the IKS presents
command prompt to the Telnet client. As in the Client-Side
Server configuration, plain-text commands are issued to the IKS





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In the loosely coupled NKS configuration, the Telnet client does
know the state of the Telnet server, and so can not
adjust its commands and menus to present only valid choices,
automatically change its state to complement the server's; it is
user's responsibility to assure that the "mode" (command prompt
terminal emulation, server command wait) of each Kermit partner
appropriate for each action. Thus an Internet Kermit Server
as an ordinary remote Kermit program to any Telnet client that
not implement the Telnet Kermit Option, or in which this feature
disabled or can not be used

The NKS configuration allows successful manual operation of the
through Telnet clients that do not support the Telnet Kermit Option
The Telnet client might or might not support Kermit "autodownload
and "autoupload"; if it does not, then the user is forced to
issue command on both sides of the connection in the traditional
familiar manner [CKB,CMG,K95].

4. SECURITY

4.1.

Authentication is provided via one or more of the following methods

- The Telnet AUTHENTICATION option

- The Telnet START_TLS option

- Plaintext userid/password verification

4.1.1. Telnet Authentication

The use of one of the many Telnet authentication option
removes the need to transmit passwords in plaintext across
networks. In addition, the exchange of user
information often provides a shared secret that can be used with
Telnet Encryption Option protocols to encrypt the connection in
or both directions

Telnet authentication may also be used in conjunction with the
START_TLS option to negotiate end user identity over the
and host authenticated TLS channel

The IKS currently supports Kerberos 4, Kerberos 5, Secure
Password and Microsoft NTLM authentication methods via the
AUTH option





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4.1.2. Telnet over TLS

The Telnet START_TLS option provides for the negotiation
establishment of a TLS version 1 session after the initial
connection. The TLS connection provides host to
authentication via the use of X.509 certificate chains. TLS
supports optional client to host authentication using host
X.509 certificates which may be used to authenticate a
provided by the client or be mapped to a userid based upon
of the certificate

4.1.3. Plaintext Authentication via Kermit REMOTE

In the Server-Side Kermit Server configuration, if the client is
yet authenticated, the client must log in using a REMOTE
command, in which a Kermit packet containing user ID and password
clear text is sent from the Telnet client to the Telnet server,
then calls upon local mechanisms to authenticate the user.
packets other than login (or REMOTE HELP, REMOTE EXIT, FINISH,
BYE) packets are rejected (returned with an error message) until
user is authenticated. If the number of unsuccessful login
exceeds the limit, the connection is closed. Many Kermit
programs support this login method already

This method should be avoided whenever possible. If
passwords are used, they should only be sent after the Telnet START
TLS option has been negotiated (see 4.2.2). Otherwise, passwords
open to packet sniffing

4.1.4. Plaintext Authentication via Command

In the Client-Side Kermit Server and No Kermit Server configurations
the server presents the user with a plain-text interactive
that begins with the server issuing "Username:" and "Password:"
prompts, just as if the user were logging in to a
timesharing system such as VMS or UNIX. When a password is
required an empty response can be given. Invalid username-
combinations result in a new series of prompts up to the login
limit, and then disconnection

This method should be avoided whenever possible. If
passwords are used, they should only be sent after the Telnet START
TLS option has been negotiated (see 4.2.2). Otherwise, passwords
open to packet sniffing







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4.1.5. Anonymous

When the username is "anonymous" or "ftp", the IKS behaves like
anonymous ftp server, in a manner appropriate to the
platform. In UNIX, for example, access is restricted to a
area of the file system. A password might or might not be required
according to the preference of the site administrator

If privacy is desired the Telnet START-TLS option should be used (
4.2.2).

4.2. ENCRYPTION (PRIVACY

As the Internet becomes ever more public and susceptible
eavesdropping, it becomes increasingly necessary to provide
for private access to services. Telnet provides two such mechanisms

. Telnet Encryption
. Telnet START-TLS

4.2.1. Telnet Encryption

The Telnet Encryption option, although it has never achieved
status, has been used for years in conjunction with the Telnet
option in Telnet clients and servers that support Kerberos 4,
Kerberos 5, Secure Remote Password, and others. The IKS
supports the following encryption methods under the Telnet
option

. cast128_ofb64
. cast5_40_ofb64
. des_ofb64
. cast128_cfb64
. cast5_40_cfb64
. des_cfb64

4.2.2. Telnet over TLS

Transport Layer Security (TLS), the successor to Secure Sockets
(SSL), provides methods to implement Server authentication,
authentication, and Transport Layer encryption. Unlike
Encryption, Start-TLS does not require the use of
Authentication in order to provide a private channel. This
that it can be used in conjunction with plaintext passwords
anonymous connections






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5.

The Internet Kermit Service includes features for both users
system administrators. The IKS is incorporated into the 7.0
of Columbia University's C-Kermit software, which is the "master
Kermit software program in terms of features and command language
An overview of C-Kermit can be found at

http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/ckermit.
http://www.kermit-project.org/ckermit.

When C-Kermit is employed as an Internet Kermit Service, it may
all its functions to "real" users (those who are authenticated
specific users), and a safe subset of its functions to
users

The Internet Kermit Service resembles an FTP server in that
performs its own authentication and uses a well-defined protocol
communicate with its client, but differs from the FTP server by
offering (at the system manager's discretion) an interactive
interface to the Telnet client when it is in terminal mode. It
differs from FTP in restricting all protocol messages and
transfer to a single socket connection

An IKS has been deployed at Columbia University for worldwide
access to the Kermit FTP site

telnet://kermit.columbia.edu:1649/
telnet://ftp.kermit-project.org:1649/

5.1. Features for System

The system administrator can supply IKS configuration parameters
command-line options or in a configuration file, or both
combination. Such parameters include

. Whether anonymous logins are allowed

. The file system or root directory to which anonymous users
restricted

. Specification of permissions and other attributes to be
to files uploaded by anonymous users

. Whether to make session entries in system logs






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. Specific services to disable: reception of files, sending
files, sending of email, printing, changing of directories
getting directory listings, deleting files, etc (see
section).

. Whether access to the interactive command prompt is allowed

5.2. Features for

The IKS supports a wide range of services, including, but not
to, the following

. Authentication as a real user or anonymously

. Transmission of files to which read access is allowed

. Reception of files into directories or devices to which
access is allowed

. The ability to display a file on the client's screen

. Ability to list files

. Ability to change its working (default) directory

. Ability to delete files to which write or delete access
allowed

. Ability to rename and copy

. Ability to create and remove directories

. The ability to route received files to a specified printer, or
send them as email to a specified address list

. Client control of server parameter settings, within
established by the server system administrator

. Transmission of variables from client to server or vice versa

. Remote and local script execution

. Remote and local procedure execution








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File transfer features include

. Kermit text-mode transfers incorporate not only record-
conversion, but also character-set translation

. Kermit can switch automatically between text and binary mode on
per-file basis when sending groups of files

. A selection of file collision options, including "make backup
of existing file and accept incoming file", "reject
file", "accept incoming file only if newer than existing file",
etc

. Numerous methods for selecting the files to be transferred
including pattern matching, lists of filenames (or patterns),
exception lists, date and/or size ranges, etc

. Filename conversion and file renaming

. Automatic directory creation if elected and enabled

. Standard mechanisms for directory traversal, allowing
of entire directory trees or other file hierarchies even
unlike file systems such as VMS, UNIX, and Windows

. Atomic file movement: optionally, the source file can be
(or renamed, or moved) when and only when it has been
successfully

. Kermit can retain file attributes including time stamps
permissions (at the user's or system administrator's discretion),
even between unlike platforms

. Recovery of interrupted transfers from the point of failure

. File-transfer pipes and filters

Script programming features include

. Macros with parameter substitution

. Built-in and user-defined variables and arrays, with global
local scope








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. Built-in and user-defined functions. Built-in functions include

- String
- Arithmetic
- Date / time
- File

. Input search for multiple simultaneous targets

. IF-ELSE, WHILE, FOR, SWITCH, GOTO, C-like block structure

. Every command returns a completion status that may be tested
used as a basis for subsequent actions

5.3. User

The Internet Kermit Service uses the Kermit command and
language, as implemented in Columbia University's C-
communication software [CKB]. This program and its command
are portable to all known varieties of UNIX, as well as to
95/98/NT, OS/2, Digital (Open)VMS, Stratus VOS, Data General AOS/VS
Plan 9, OS-9, QNX, the Commodore Amiga, and other platforms.
C-Kermit command language is a superset of that of other
software programs including MS-DOS Kermit for DOS and Windows 3.x
IBM Mainframe Kermit for VM/CMS, MVS/TSO, CICS, and MUSIC, PDP-11
Kermit for RT-11, RSTS/E, RSX-11, and IAS, and dozens of other
programs

It is far beyond the scope of this document to enumerate, let
describe, the commands and services of C-Kermit; this is the
of a 600-page book [CKB], augmented by hundreds of pages of
material. A brief overview is included here

Commands are based on English words. There is no plan at present
support other natural languages (Italian, Portuguese, Norwegian
Russian, Hebrew, Japanese, Cherokee, etc) as alternative bases
command words, since this would reduce the portability of scripts
However, since the command language includes a macro capability
macros may be defined to provide selected commands in
languages if desired

Certain commands can apply either locally or remotely, for
"CD" (Change Directory). The convention is to prefix the
with the word REMOTE if it is to apply remotely. Example: "cd foo
changes to the "foo" directory on the computer where the command
given; "remote cd foo" sends a Kermit packet to the Kermit
requesting it to change its directory to "foo". The commands in
category include



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ASSIGN <variable> Assign a value to a variable
CD <directory> Change working directory
COPY <destination> Copy file(s
DELETE Delete file(s
DIRECTORY [ ] List file(s
EXIT
HELP [ ] Display help
MKDIR <directory> Create a
PRINT Print file(s
PWD Print working
RENAME Rename file(s
RMDIR <directory> Remove a
SET <parameter> Change a parameter's
TYPE Display the contents of a

As a convenience, REMOTE commands also have short synonyms: RASSIGN
RCD, RCOPY, RDELETE, and so forth

The basic file transfer commands are

SEND [ modifiers ] Send file(s) (to server
GET [ modifiers ] Get file(s) (from server

These commands take a file name, pattern, or list, plus
optional modifiers, including transfer mode specifiers (text
binary), file selectors (date, size, exception list), aliasing,
and path options, disposition specifiers, and so on

In addition to the commands listed above, the following commands
sent by the client to the server

REMOTE QUERY Get value of variable or
BYE Log out and close the
FINISH Request the server leave server

Like all Kermit client/server commands, these can be disabled
desired

Of course there are numerous other commands with purely local effect
such as the many scripting commands. These, plus all the
above, are fully documented in [CKB]. The repertoire grows
time, but never in a way that invalidates existing scripts

The system administrator can allow or forbid access to any of
features, and to the command language as a whole. In the
case, the IKS may be accessed only as a Kermit server, by
commands to the client




da Cruz & Altman Informational [Page 17]

RFC 2839 Internet Kermit Service May 2000


6.

[TKO] Altman, J. and F. da Cruz, "Telnet Kermit Option", RFC 2840,
May 2000.

[BCP] Bradner, S., "Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate
Levels", BCP 14, RFC 2119, March 1997.

[KER] da Cruz, Frank, "Kermit, A File Transfer Protocol",
Press/ Butterworth Heinemann, Newton, MA (1987). 379 pages
ISBN 0-932376-88-6.

[CKB] da Cruz, Frank, and Christine M. Gianone, "Using C-Kermit",
Second Edition, Digital Press / Butterworth-Heinemann, Woburn
MA (1997). 622 pages, ISBN 1-55558-164-1.

[CMG] Gianone, Christine M., "Using MS-DOS Kermit", Second Edition
Digital Press / Butterworth-Heinemann, Woburn, MA (1992). 345
pages, ISBN 1-55558-082-3.

[K95] Gianone, Christine M., and Frank da Cruz, "Kermit 95",
Publications, Greenwich CT, (1996). 88 pages, ISBN 1-884777-
14-7.

[PRF] Huggins, James K., "Kermit Protocol - Formal Specification
Verification", in Boerger, E., "Specification and
Methods", Oxford University Press (1995). ISBN 0-19-853854-5.

[FTP] Postel, J. and J. Reynolds, "File Transfer Protocol (FTP)",
9, RFC 959, October 1985.

[TEL] Postel, J. and J. Reynolds, "Telnet Protocol Specification",
STD 8, RFC854, May 1983, et seq.; "Telnet
Specification", STD 8, RFC855, May 1983, et seq

[IAN] Internet Assigned Numbers Authority
http://www.iana.org/numbers.
http://www.iana.org/assignment/port-













da Cruz & Altman Informational [Page 18]

RFC 2839 Internet Kermit Service May 2000


7. AUTHORS'

Frank da

EMail: fdc@columbia.


Jeffrey E.

EMail:jaltman@columbia.


The Kermit
Columbia
612 West 115th
New York NY 10025-7799

http://www.columbia.edu/kermit
http://www.kermit-project.org
































da Cruz & Altman Informational [Page 19]

RFC 2839 Internet Kermit Service May 2000


8. Full Copyright

Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2000). All Rights Reserved

This document and translations of it may be copied and furnished
others, and derivative works that comment on or otherwise explain
or assist in its implementation may be prepared, copied,
and distributed, in whole or in part, without restriction of
kind, provided that the above copyright notice and this paragraph
included on all such copies and derivative works. However,
document itself may not be modified in any way, such as by
the copyright notice or references to the Internet Society or
Internet organizations, except as needed for the purpose
developing Internet standards in which case the procedures
copyrights defined in the Internet Standards process must
followed, or as required to translate it into languages other
English

The limited permissions granted above are perpetual and will not
revoked by the Internet Society or its successors or assigns

This document and the information contained herein is provided on
"AS IS" basis and THE INTERNET SOCIETY AND THE INTERNET
TASK FORCE DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY WARRANTY THAT THE USE OF THE
HEREIN WILL NOT INFRINGE ANY RIGHTS OR ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE



Funding for the RFC Editor function is currently provided by
Internet Society



















da Cruz & Altman Informational [Page 20]








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