Miami Computing & Information Services (MCIS) announces configuration
changes in its current version of the Kermit telecommunications software on
Miami University's DEC OpenVMS system, MiaVX1.  VMS Kermit, Version 5A(189),
will be changed to negotiate bit and parity mode in file transfers.  This,
and changes in other parameters, will improve overall download performance.
These changes will be implemented on Monday, 23 January 1995.
 
     Previously, VMS Kermit has forced file transfer in seven bit / even
parity / one stop bit (7/E/1) mode, due to a bug in MS-Kermit for DOS.
In anticipation of MCIS' forthcoming release of newer versions of desktop
Kermit clients for Apple Macintosh and DOS-compatible systems, VMS Kermit
is being reconfigured to negotiate a mutually agreeable bit and parity mode.
 
     One incompatibility with MS-Kermit 3.11 has been identified:  binary
files that have been retrieved using the File Transfer Protocol (ftp)
result in error messages if downloaded using VMS Kermit following this change.
Persons experiencing such problems can access the old, forced 7/E/1
configuration of VMS Kermit by typing OLDKERMIT at the $ command line prompt.
 
     Please refer any comments or questions, and report any problems
encountered, to the MCIS Help Desk (by e-mail at [log in to unmask] or by
phone at 529-7900).  Thank you.
 
--
                          John B Harlan
        Campus Wide Information Systems (CWIS) Coordinator
         [& MCIS Client Services Liaison for DEC OpenVMS]
                    Miami University (Ohio USA)
                        [log in to unmask]
               URL: http://WWW.MUOhio.Edu/~HarlanJB/