IPXFER 4.00 Shareware release =========== The Files =========== SENDNET.EXE : The Sendnet file server RECNET.EXE : The receiver (or client) README.1ST : This file. ============== New Features ============== 1) With this version it is now possible to transfer sub-directories, a feature that has been requested over and over since the release of the original IPXFER. 2) Another requested feature is the ability to have more than one receiving computer. The Sendnet program is actually an event driven multitasking server. It is capable of supporting up to 10 connections (registered only, the shareware version supports only 4) and does not require that all of the receivers be syncronized. The receivers can request different files and may connect to the server at any time. =========== Bug fixes =========== The only major bug that I was aware of in the last release of IPXFER was the timing problem that was often encountered when connecting two computers of vastly different speeds. This would sometimes cause a transfer to crash, leaving you with incomplete files. This has been fixed. ====== Bugs ====== DO NOT use the terminate function if the receiver is still transferring files, I have had reports that this will often crash the server. The terminate button was designed for times that the receiver either aborts or crashes. I will attempt to track down this bug, but it was not designed to be used to abort a transfer. If you need to stop a transfer, for any reason, pressing the ESC key on the receiver will cuase the transfer to be aborted without any ill side effects. Please let me know if you find any others. ============= Limitations ============= Also, due to the massive amount of overhead that was generated by going to the multi-user version of the server, transfers have slowed down a bit, instead of 200-250k/sec, you will now typically get 150-200k/sec. Finally, the "Show Details" button on the server connections window is currently disabled... I am considering dropping the feature due to the amount of extra processing that it will have to do to display the same information that the receiver is already displaying. ================== Future additions ================== 1) Any really good user suggestions 2) IPXFER 4.1 is currently in the works. It will allow users to connect to the server via a device driver, therefor giving the direct access to the server via a DOS drive letter. Do note that this access will be read-only, but will add a great deal of functionality to IPXFER. At this time, it is only planned to be included in the registered version of IPXFER. ======= USAGE ======= Sendnet: You will notice that sendnet now has a turbo-vision interface. You will note that I have conformed to the standards of an event driven environment, allowing you to perform what ever tasks to the server without effecting the transfers in progress. So, go ahead, open the status windows and move them around the screen, take a glance at the about box, your transfers will just keep plugging away. I have now added an extra feature to the sendnet server. By specifying the command line option "-q", the server will enter "quick" mode. When running in quick mode, the server will wait for the first connection and then allow up to the maximum number of connection to connect, once the last connection has terminated, the server will exit to DOS. NOTE: If one of your receivers should happen to crash during a transfer, simply reconnect and begin again. The server will automatically detect that it is the same computer and reset the connections for it. INFO: The "terminate" function should not be used unless a receive is aborted or it crashes and you do not wish to re-connect it. If a receiver is terminated during an active transfer, the server may crash when the receiver continues to bombard it with requests for file packets. Recnet: If you have used the original IPXFER, you will notice that you now specify the filespecs at the receiving end. This is what allows you to have the individual computers recieving different files. Note that all of the files/sub-dirs you are receiving are placed in the directory that you started in. You could in fact transfer a hard drive from one to another with a: RECNET *.* -s started from the root directory, with the server being started in the root as well. You should also note that it is NOT possible to specify the directory on the server from which to transfer the files. (eg: RECNET C:\*.* -s) The command line options that are available in the shareware version of Recnet are: -s : transfer subdirectories -y : overwrite all files without prompting -p : skip all files that already exist on the local machine -h : display usage screen Note that the -p option will override the -y option if used together. ============== REGISTRATION ============== If you register IPXFER, you will receive a new copy of the Sendnet and Recnet. The registered version supports up to 10 connections and has several command line switches for the receiver that add to its usefulness. It will also entitle you to free upgrades with in the 4.x series of IPXFER. Registration of IPXFER is US$20. To register, mail a check or money order to: Jackson Software Joshua Jackson 4168 Americana Dr. #204 Cuyahoga Falls, Oh 44221 USA The registered copy can be obtained through either Snail mail or EMail, please specify which along with the appropriate adrress. Josh jayjay@salamander.net