Prolbem downloading file with kermit and zmodem

[Mika_13]

Hi,

ok, what i want to do seems quite simple: dial into a Mailbox, send username und password, wait for a file to be transfered with zmodem-protokoll, logoff.

My first approach to do this job is the following kermit-script:

define LINE /dev/cul1p2
define PHONENUMBER 0123456789
define SPEED 19200
define MODEM microlink


define usage exit 1 {
Usage: do_download userid password
}

; check commandline
if not def \%1 usage
if not def \%2 usage

; here we go...
set line \m(LINE)
if fail exit 1
set speed \m(SPEED)
if fail exit 1
set modem \m(MODEM)
if fail exit 1
set escape-character ^C
set dial ignore-dialtone on
; dial in
dial \m(PHONENUMBER)
if fail exit 1
; send username
output \%1\13
; send password
output \%2\13
connect
; wait for mailbox to start zmodem-filetransfer. Mailbox will hangup after that.
exit 0

The problem is, that this script works fine, if i start it from a shell by hand.
But if i put it into my crontab-file, nothing happens after the dial-in. no filetransfer, nothing. After a timeout, the connection get's closed and that's all.
Any indeas? Maybe kermit is the problem and i should use a different way.

The system is a rp3440 with HP-UX 11.11

Regards
Dirk Mika

[Muthukumar_5]

Try to get debug informations of the file execution in crontab and as well as get cron log information to the execution of this script.

--
Muthu

[Arunvijai_4]

Hello,

Check /var/adm/cron/log for more information.

-Arun

[Mika_13]

The cronlog says nothing special. The script is executed as expected.
it is working rigth upto the dialin. The only difference between starting it from a shell and beeing started by cron is that the filetransfer is not started.

Regards
Dirk Mika

[Arunvijai_4]

It could be due to shell variables. have you exported variables anytime ?

-Arun

[Mika_13]

Hmm, shell variables can be a reason. of course there are lots of variables exportet, when starting the script in a shell.

and the environment of the cron-deamon is quit "small".

i will check if there is any variable, which could have an influence.

Regards.

[Jean-Yves Picard]

Hello,

you didn't mention the exact command you enter via crontab.
I mean, did you set the -B (batch option) ?

Jean-Yves

[Mika_13]

no i do not use the -B option. As far as i know it is only to force background (batch) operation when kermit is not able to detect it by itself.

it will give it a try.

Regards.

[Mika_13]

just did a test with the -B option but with no effect.

it didn't make a difference.

[Darren Prior]

Hi Dirk,

I wonder if there's a problem reading the commandline? Try hardcoding the username and password as a temporary test, and removing the commandline handling code.

regards,

Darren.

[Mika_13]

Hi,

i tried it with user and pass harcoded but with no success. Same result.

This ist the output i get, starting it by hand:
Trying: 0123456789...
Device: /dev/cul1p2, modem: microlink, speed: 19200
Dial timeout: 70 seconds
To cancel: type your interrupt character (normally Ctrl-C).
Call complete: "CONNECT 33600/LAPM/V42BIS".
Connecting to /dev/cul1p2, speed 19200.
The escape character is Ctrl-\ (ASCII 28, FS)
Type the escape character followed by C to get back,
or followed by ? to see other options.
----------------------------------------------------

**B0
----------------------------------------------------
Receiving: NOLDT.BEF
Bytes received: 130/ 130 BPS:244

Transfer complete
----------------------------------------------------
sz 3.45 03-28-97 finished.
+++
Closing /dev/cul1p2...OK

And this is what i get from the cronjob:
Connecting to /dev/cul1p2, speed 19200.
The escape character is Ctrl-\ (ASCII 28, FS)
Type the escape character followed by C to get back,
or followed by ? to see other options.
----------------------------------------------------
(Back at byzmy6)
----------------------------------------------------
Closing /dev/cul1p2...OK


*************************************************
Cron: The previous message is the standard output
and standard error of one of your crontab commands:

Regards
Dirk Mika

[Mika_13]

Hi again,

finally i found a solution, although i do not actually know the real cause.

This ist the script, which works for me:

define LINE /dev/cul1p2
define PHONENUMBER 0123456789
define SPEED 19200
define MODEM microlink

define usage exit 1 {
Usage: do_download userid password
}

; check commandline
if not def \%1 usage
if not def \%2 usage

; here we go...
set line \m(LINE)
if fail exit 1
set speed \m(SPEED)
if fail exit 1
set modem \m(MODEM)
if fail exit 1
set escape-character ^C
set dial ignore-dialtone on
; dial in
dial \m(PHONENUMBER)
if fail exit 1
; send username
output \%1\13
; send password
output \%2\13
; start rz to receive file with z-modem
redirect rz
; close connection
close
exit 0