Starts the Asynchronous Terminal Emulation (ATE) program.
ate
The ate command starts the Asynchronous Terminal Emulation (ATE) program. The ATE program establishes a connection between a workstation and a remote computer. A workstation acts as a terminal connected to the remote computer. Using ATE the user can connect to, and exchange data with, remote databases and other systems.
Note: Users must be a member of the UNIX-to-UNIX Copy Program (uucp) group in order to use ATE. A user with root authority uses System Management Interface Tool (SMIT) to install individual users in groups.
ATE establishes the connection and allows users to record and control the session. After logging in to the remote system, users execute programs, issue commands, and use files on the remote system as a local user. ATE also enables a workstation to emulate a VT100 terminal.
The ATE program uses menus and subcommands. From the menus, users issue subcommands to connect to a remote system, receive and transfer files, and execute commands. The Unconnected Main Menu displays any time users issue the ate command. The Connected Main Menu displays when users press the MAINMENU_KEY (usually the Ctrl-V key sequence) while connected to another system. The connect subcommand makes the connection.
The ATE program supports three control key sequences: the CAPTURE_KEY (usually Ctrl-B), PREVIOUS_KEY (usually CTRL-R), and MAINMENU_KEY (usually CTRL-V). These control keys do not function until the ATE program is started. The control keys and other ATE defaults can be changed by editing the ate.def file format.
To start the ATE program, enter:
ate
The ATE Unconnected Main Menu displays.
| alter | Temporarily changes data transmission characteristics in the ATE program. |
| break | Interrupts current activity on a remote system. |
| connect | Connects to a remote computer. |
| directory | Displays the ATE dialing directory. |
| help | Provides help information for the ATE subcommands. |
| modify | Temporarily modifies local settings used for terminal emulation. |
| perform | Allows the user to issue workstation operating system commands while using ATE. |
| quit | Exits the Asynchronous Terminal Emulation (ATE) program. |
| receive | Receives a file from a remote system. |
| send | Sends a file to a remote system. |
| terminate | Terminates an ATE connection to a remote system. |
a [ l CharacterLength ] [ s StopBit ] [ p Parity ] [ r BaudRate ] [ d Device ] [ i DialPrefix ] [ f DialSuffix ] [ w Seconds ] [ a RedialAttempts ] [ t TransferProtocol ] [ c PacingType ]
Note: The default values of the alter subcommand flags can be permanently changed by editing the ate.def file format.
The alter subcommand is accessed from the Asynchronous Terminal Emulation (ATE) Connected or Unconnected Main Menu. Issuing the ate command from the command line displays the Unconnected Main Menu. The alter subcommand temporarily changes these data transmission characteristics:
The settings return to the defaults as defined in the ate.def file format when the user exits ATE.
When issued without flags from either of the ATE main menus, the alter subcommand displays the Alter Menu. To bypass the Alter Menu, enter the alter subcommand, followed by the appropriate flags, at the command prompt on either ATE main menu.
The alter subcommand can change more than one feature at a time. To change the value of more than one variable, type the first flag followed by the new value, followed by a space, then the second flag and second value, and so on.
To permanently change the settings affected by the alter subcommand, customize the ate.def file format.
The Alter Menu displays the current settings of the changeable characteristics with the alter subcommand. Enter the letter a after the command prompt on either the ATE Connected or Unconnected Main Menu to view the Alter Menu.
The Alter Menu contains the following columns:
To change the value of a variable, enter the flag (from the COMMAND column) and new value (from the POSSIBLE CHOICES column) at the command prompt on the Alter Menu.
To return to one of the ATE main menus from the Alter Menu, press the Enter key.
| a RedialAttempts | Specifies the maximum number of times the ATE program redials for
a connection. If the RedialAttempts variable is 0,
no redial attempt occurs.
Options: 0 (none) or a positive integer Default: 0 |
| c PacingType | Specifies the type of pacing protocol used.
Default: 0 (no pacing) Note: The PacingType variable has no effect when the xmodem protocol is used. The PacingType can be either of the following:
|
| d Device | Specifies the name of the asynchronous port used to connect to a
remote system.
Options: Locally created port names. The first 8 characters of the port name display in the Alter Menu. Default: tty0 |
| f DialSuffix | Specifies the dial suffix that must follow the telephone number when
autodialed with a modem. Consult the modem documentation for the proper dial
command.
Options: 0 (none) or a valid modem suffix. The first 8 characters display in the Alter Menu. Default: no default |
| i DialPrefix | Specifies the dial prefix that must precede the telephone number
when autodialed with a modem. Consult the modem documentation for the proper
dial commands.
Options: ATDT, ATDP, or other values depending on the type of modem used. The first 8 characters display in the Alter Menu. Default: ATDT |
| l CharacterLength | Specifies the number of bits in a data character. This length must
match the length expected by the remote system.
Options: 7 or 8 Default: 8 |
| p Parity | Checks whether a character was successfully transmitted to or from
a remote system. Must match the parity of the remote system.
For example, if the user selects even parity, when the number of 1 bits in the character is odd, the parity bit is turned on to make an even number of 1 bits. Options: 0 (none), 1 (odd), or 2 (even) Default: 0 |
| r BaudRate | Specifies the baud rate, or bits transmitted per second (bps). The
speed must match the speed of the modem and that of the remote system.
Options: 50, 75, 110, 134, 150, 300, 600, 1200, 1800, 2400, 4800, 9600, or 19200 Default: 1200 |
| s StopBit | Specifies the number of stop bits appended to a character to signal
the end of that character during data transmission. This number must match
the number of stop bits used by the remote system.
Options: 1 or 2 Default: 1 |
| t TransferProtocol | Defines the type of asynchronous protocol that transfers files during
a connection.
Options: p (pacing), or x (xmodem) Default: p |
| w Seconds | wait
Specifies the number of seconds between redial attempts. The wait period does not begin until the connection attempt times out or until it is interrupted. If the attempts flag is set to 0, no redial attempt occurs. Options: 0 (none) or a positive integer Default: 0 |
a
The Alter Menu is displayed.
r 9600
For the current session of ATE, the baud rate is changed to 9600 bps.
w 7
For the current session of ATE, the wait time for redial changes to 7 seconds.
a r 9600 w 5 a 1
For the current session of ATE, the baud rate changes to 9600 bps, the wait time for redial changes to 5 seconds, and the maximum number of redial attempts changes to 1 attempt.
b
The break subcommand sends a break signal to the remote system connected to the terminal by the Asynchronous Terminal Emulation (ATE) program. The break subcommand interrupts current activity on the remote system. Issue the break subcommand from the ATE Connected Main Menu.
Attention: The break subcommand may disconnect the current session. The system may lose data.
To interrupt the current session, at the remote system login screen, press the MAINMENU_KEY (usually the Ctrl-V key sequence). When the ATE Connected Main Menu displays, enter:
b
A break signal is sent to the remote system, and the ATE Unconnected Main Menu displays. Now exit the ATE program or issue other ATE subcommands.
c [ TelephoneNumber | PortName ]
The ATE connect subcommand enables users to connect to a remote computer using Asynchronous Terminal Emulation (ATE). Issue the connect subcommand from the ATE Unconnected Main Menu. The connection can be made between two machines connected by cable or by telephone line. Users establish connection in one of three ways:
If the system login is not disabled, attempts to connect to another computer return an error. To disable the workstation port that handles system login by remote users, a user with root authority must use the pdisable command. Once the workstation port is secure from remote logins, the user must then ensure the remote system is ready to receive calls.
No connection is established if the line is busy, if the party does not answer, or if the user specified an unrecognized number. If any of these conditions exist, a message is displayed.
If a busy signal is received while trying to connect to a remote workstation, press the PREVIOUS_KEY (usually the Ctrl-R key sequence), and enter the TelephoneNumber parameter again.
Once the connection is established, ATE displays a message indicating the name of the port used for the connection.
| PortName | Specifies the name of the port used for a direct connection. |
| TelephoneNumber | Specifies the telephone number used to establish a modem connection. |
c tty0
This command establishes a direct connection using port tty0. After connection is established, a message displays, followed by a login screen. Enter the requested login information and press the MAINMENU_KEY (usually the Ctrl-V key sequence) to display the ATE Connected Main Menu.
c
The ATE program prompts the user for information necessary to establish a manually dialed connection, such as a telephone number or modem to use. After connection is established, ATE displays a message giving the port name used for the connection, followed by a login screen. Enter the requested login information and press the MAINMENU_KEY (usually the Ctrl-V key sequence) to display the ATE Connected Main Menu.
c 2229999
This example dials the telephone number 222-9999. After connection is established, a message displays indicating the port used for the connection, followed by a login screen. Enter the requested login information and press the MAINMENU_KEY (usually the Ctrl-V key sequence) to display the ATE Connected Main Menu.
d
The ATE directory subcommand displays a dialing directory. Users establish a connection to a remote computer by selecting one of the directory entries from the displayed directory. The directory subcommand is issued from the ATE Unconnected Main Menu. The directory subcommand uses the information contained in the dialing directory to establish an automatically dialed (modem-dialed) connection.
When ATE starts, it checks the current directory for an ate.def file format. If an ate.def file format does not exist in the current directory, it creates one. The initial location of the dialing directory is /usr/lib/dir, but this value can be changed by editing the ate.def file format. If users specify a different dialing directory in the ate.def file format, that directory is used.
The dialing directory contains entries for remote systems called with the ATE program in the format:
Name Phone Rate Length StopBit Parity Echo Linefeed
These fields give the name of the entry (usually the person or company whose computer the phone number reaches), the telephone number, and other information the ATE program uses to establish the connection.
See "Dialing Directory File Format for ATE" in AIX 5L Version 5.2 Files Reference for more information about dialing directory entries.
When an entry displays on the screen using the directory subcommand, the entry is preceded by an entry number. Select the entry to establish a connection to by entering its entry number in response to a prompt.
To display a dialing directory, at the command line of the Unconnected Main Menu, enter:
d
The dialing directory specified in the ate.def file format displays and prompts the user for an entry number. Enter the number of the dialing directory entry to establish a connection with. ATE establishes the connection and displays a message indicating the port name used.
See How to Set up an ATE Dialing Directory in AIX 5L Version 5.2 System User's Guide: Communications and Networks.
h [ a ] [ b ] [ c ] [ d ] [ m ] [ p ] [ q ] [ r ] [ s ] [ t ]
The ATE help subcommand provides help information for the ATE subcommands. Issue the help subcommand from either the Unconnected or Connected Main Menu of ATE. Help information is available for all the ATE subcommands, and can be requested for several subcommands at the same time.
When issuing the help subcommand, ATE displays a description of each subcommand requested and instructions for using the subcommand. Help information for each subcommand displays individually, in the order requested. After reading each help message, press Enter to view the next page of help text. At the end of the help text, press Enter to return to the main menu.
Issue the help subcommand with the first letter of an ATE subcommand for help information. These are the names for the ATE subcommands:
| Name | ATE Subcommand |
|---|---|
| a | alter subcommand |
| b | break subcommand |
| c | connect subcommand |
| d | directory subcommand |
| m | modify subcommand |
| p | perform subcommand |
| q | quit subcommand |
| r | receive subcommand |
| s | send subcommand |
| t | terminate subcommand |
h c
Help information displays for the connect (c) subcommand. After viewing the help information, press the Enter key, and ATE displays the menu from which the help subcommand was issued.
h r s
The help information for the receive subcommand (r) displays first. After viewing the help information, press the Enter key. Help information for the send subcommand (s) displays. After viewing the help information, press the Enter key, and ATE displays the menu from which the help subcommand was issued.
m [ n CaptureFileName ] [ e ] [ l ] [ v ] [ w ] [ x ]
Note: The default CaptureFileName and the initial settings of the other modify subcommand flags can be permanently changed in the ate.def file format.
The modify subcommand is accessed from the Asynchronous Terminal Emulation (ATE) Connected or Unconnected Main Menu. The modify subcommand temporarily changes how ATE functions on the local system in the following ways:
The settings return to the default values as defined in the ate.def file format when the user exits ATE.
When issued without flags from either of the ATE main menus, the modify subcommand displays the Modify Menu. The Modify Menu can be bypassed by entering m (the modify subcommand abbreviation), followed by the appropriate flags, at the command prompt on either ATE main menu.
The modify subcommand can change more than one feature at a time. To change the name variable, enter the n flag followed by the new file name. All other variables are switches that can be turned on or off by typing the flag. Typing the flag switches, or toggles, the value.
To permanently change the settings affected by the modify subcommand, customize the ate.def file format in the directory running ATE.
The Modify Menu displays the current settings of the features changeable with the modify subcommand. To display the Modify Menu, enter the letter m after the command prompt on either the ATE Connected Main Menu or the ATE Unconnected Main Menu.
The Modify Menu contains the following columns:
To change the value of a flag other than the name flag, enter the flag (from the COMMAND column) at the command prompt on the Modify Menu. The flag value toggles to the alternate setting. To change the name of the capture file, enter the letter n (the name flag), followed by the new file name, at the prompt on the Modify Menu.
To return to the ATE Connected or Unconnected Main Menu from the Modify Menu, press the Enter key.
| e | echo
Displays the input typed by the user. With a remote computer that supports echoing, each character sent returns and displays on the screen. When the echo flag is on, each character is displayed twice: first when it is entered and again when it returns over a connection. When the echo flag is off, each character displays only when it returns over the connection. Options: On or off Default: Off |
| l | linefeed
Adds a line-feed character after every carriage-return character in the incoming data stream. Options: On or off Default: Off |
| n CaptureFileName | name
Specifies the file name for incoming data when the write flag is on, or when the CAPTURE_KEY (usually the Ctrl-B key sequence) is pressed during a connection. Options: Any valid file name. The first 18 characters display in the Modify Menu. Default: capture |
| v | VT100
The local console emulates a DEC VT100 terminal so DEC VT100 codes can be used with the remote system. With the VT100 flag off, the local console functions like a workstation. Options: On or off Default: Off Note: No keys on the console keyboard are remapped. In addition, some DEC VT100 codes, such as 132 columns, double-height and double-width lines, origin mode, and graphics characters generated from a 10-key keypad, are not supported. |
| w | write
Routes incoming data to the capture file (specified by the name flag) as well as to the display. The write command functions like the CAPTURE_KEY key sequence during a connection. Carriage return and line-feed combinations are converted to line-feed characters before being written to the capture file. In an existing file, data is appended to the end of the file. Options: On or off Default: Off |
| x | Xon/Xoff
Controls data transmission at a port using the Xon/Xoff protocol, as follows:
Options: On or off Default: On Note: If you use a variable value with any flag other than the name flag, the following error message displays:828-003 not 'command-name' command is not valid. Enter the first letter of a command from the list on the menu. |
m
The Modify Menu displays.
m l e
The values of the linefeed and echo flags are switched to the alternate settings. Display the Modify Menu to view the current settings of the flags.
m n schedule w X
Any data saved is now put into the schedule file, and the values of the write and Xon/Xoff flags are switched to the alternate settings. Display the Modify Menu to view the settings of the flags.
p [ Command ]
The ATE perform subcommand allows the user to issue workstation operating system commands while using Asynchronous Terminal Emulation (ATE). Issue the perform subcommand from the ATE Unconnected or Connected Main Menu. Command specifies a valid workstation operating system command.
p
ATE prompts the user to enter a command. ATE executes the specified command. After the command finishes, ATE displays the menu from which the perform subcommand was issued.
p cat mystuff
ATE executes the cat command, which displays the mystuff file. After the cat command finishes, ATE displays the menu from which the perform subcommand was issued.
q
The ATE quit subcommand exits the Asynchronous Terminal Emulation (ATE) program. Issue the quit subcommand from the ATE Unconnected or Connected Main Menu. Issuing the quit subcommand ends the ATE program and displays the command prompt.
To exit the ATE program, from the command line of either ATE main menu, enter:
q
The ATE program ends and the command prompt displays.
r FileName
The ATE receive subcommand enables your system to receive a file from a remote system. The ATE receive subcommand is issued from the ATE Connected Main Menu.
The ATE receive subcommand uses the xmodem file transfer protocol, which enables your system to receive data from a remote system, a block at a time, with error checking. The remote system must be set to send the file before your system can receive. Use the xmodem command with the -s flag on the remote system to enable the remote system to send the file. Then issue the receive subcommand. FileName names the file where the received data is stored.
To receive a file sent from the remote system, at the command line of the ATE Connected Main Menu, enter:
r myfile
The data is received from the remote system and is stored in the myfile file.
s [ FileName ]
The ATE send subcommand sends a file to a remote system. Issue the ATE send subcommand from the ATE Connected Main Menu once a connection is established. The ATE connect subcommand establishes the connection and prepares the remote system to receive files.
The send subcommand uses the xmodem file transfer protocol, sending data to a remote system, a block at a time, with error checking. Issue the xmodem command with the -r flag on the remote system to enable the remote system to receive the file. Then issue the send subcommand. FileName names the file to send to the remote system.
s
ATE prompts the user for the name of the file to send to the remote system.
s mystuff
The mystuff file is sent to the remote system.
t
The ATE terminate subcommand ends an Asynchronous Terminal Emulation (ATE) connection to a remote system and returns to the ATE Unconnected Main Menu. Issue the terminate subcommand from the ATE Connected Main Menu.
To terminate the current session, from the remote system login screen, press the MAINMENU_KEY (usually the Ctrl-V key sequence). When the ATE Connected Main Menu displays, enter:
t
A terminate signal is sent to the remote system, the session ends, and ATE displays the Unconnected Main Menu. Now issue other ATE subcommands or exit ATE.
| /usr/lib/dir | Contains the default dialing directory. |
The ate.def file format contains ATE default values.
ATE Overview in AIX 5L Version 5.2 System User's Guide: Communications and Networks describes the ATE program, its menus, and its control keys.
How to Edit the ATE Default File in AIX 5L Version 5.2 System User's Guide: Communications and Networks explains how to permanently change ATE defaults.
ATE Overview for System Management in AIX 5L Version 5.2 System User's Guide: Communications and Networks discusses tasks involved in managing ATE and lists the aspects of ATE that can be customized.