97 lines
5.2 KiB
Plaintext
97 lines
5.2 KiB
Plaintext
IPXCTRL1.ZIP
|
|
Remote node control utility for the IPX protocol ver 1
|
|
Jay Hackney 05/19/94
|
|
gt3314a@prism.gatech.edu
|
|
|
|
First things first:
|
|
Although I have tested this program to the greatest extent possible with
|
|
my equipment and found it stable, I cannot guarantee that it will not
|
|
crash your system, spoil your mood, or give your spouse a social
|
|
disease. Furthermore, I cannot take responsibility if it does. You use
|
|
this at your own risk!
|
|
I encourage the free distribution of this package. This file must
|
|
remain a part of the package. This package may not be distributed for
|
|
profit. No fee (other than for distribution) may be charged for this
|
|
package.
|
|
|
|
What it does:
|
|
This system is made up of two parts: a memory resident program that runs
|
|
on the node you wish to control (MINION.EXE), and a normal executable
|
|
that can be run on any other node on the network (MASTER.EXE).
|
|
MASTER.EXE can provide invisible control to any node running MINION.EXE.
|
|
Multiple MASTERs can control a single MINION. All keypresses (except
|
|
for a few, I'll get to that later) on a MASTER are sent to its selected
|
|
MINION which in turn fools its host into thinking they came from its
|
|
keyboard. MINIONs also send copies of their hosts' video memory to their
|
|
corresponding MASTERs. A MASTER's screen is updated a little faster than
|
|
twice a second. An ALT-ESC to a MASTER will disconnect it from its
|
|
MINION and let you choose another MINION or quit.
|
|
This system runs entirely independently of any network software you may
|
|
or may not have. All that is required is an IPX driver and the necessary
|
|
hardware. As a result of this, references to network nodes can only be
|
|
made by node addresses. This system was originally designed for people
|
|
developing software under a network and system administrators, neither
|
|
of whom this limitation should cause difficulty.
|
|
|
|
Why I developed this:
|
|
Frankly, my desk is just too small. I'm trying to develop a bit of
|
|
software to run under a network and I don't have room on my desk for
|
|
three keyboards and monitors. I looked around a bit and could not find
|
|
anything that provided these services so I wrote it myself. This is the
|
|
primary intent of this system. I assume it may be useful to network
|
|
administrators and employers as well.
|
|
|
|
Limitations:
|
|
* The TSR in this version requires 13k of conventional
|
|
memory. I think this is damn good for having been written
|
|
in Turbo C, but there is room for improvement (the IPX
|
|
itself only takes 7k). If there is a next version, it
|
|
will be written in assembler.
|
|
* Control-C does not get transfered to the MINION. After
|
|
little thought, I decided it would not be too cool to
|
|
generate a 23h from the TSR. Suggestions always welcome.
|
|
* Rebooting the MINION has not been tested. The code is in
|
|
place but my network won't allow it. It should work. Then
|
|
again, lots of things SHOULD work.
|
|
* This version is limited to five nodes. That means that
|
|
any MINION can only have up to five MASTERs. MASTERs only
|
|
have the option of controlling the first five MINIONs that
|
|
respond to its 'ping'. No special reason for it. That's
|
|
all I needed.
|
|
* A node can not be a MASTER and be a MINION at the same. I
|
|
don't suggest you try it, it ain't pretty. It is a bug.
|
|
One I don't see reason to fix, I might add. If you
|
|
disagree, by all means, let me know.
|
|
* The TSR fails to fool some applications when faking the
|
|
keypresses. I don't know why. I suspect the application
|
|
is using some goofy BIOS call to get keypresses. I've only
|
|
noticed this with Mefford's DirMagic. If I get enough
|
|
reports of this, I may be able to find a way around it.
|
|
* The MINIONs currently only support the 80x25 color text
|
|
mode. The next version will most likely cover 80x43/50
|
|
and possibly B/W modes. If someone wants to get ambitious
|
|
and tackle the graphics modes, let me know and we'll work
|
|
something out.
|
|
|
|
What I ask:
|
|
If you have e-mail capability, please drop a bit of mail to tell me
|
|
who/where you are and what you think. This is my first public program
|
|
and I'd be interested to see how it gets around. I am very willing to
|
|
make changes to suit individual needs. If this doesn't quite get it for
|
|
you, or a change here and there could help, let me know. E-mail,
|
|
snailmail, call my grandmother.
|
|
If you are a private user, I ask nothing of you. Use, enjoy, hire me if
|
|
I ever come begging for a job. If this falls into commercial or
|
|
government use, I might suggest a donation. A small "scholarship", if
|
|
you will :-).
|
|
|
|
How to contact me:
|
|
I am currently a student at Georgia Tech. I emphasize 'currently'.
|
|
My projected graduation is 1997, barring GPA crises which may postpone
|
|
or kill graduation alltogether. Beyond that I don't know how to contact
|
|
myself.
|
|
Jay Hackney
|
|
33314 Georgia Tech Station
|
|
Atlanta, GA 30332
|
|
internet: gt3314a@prism.gatech.edu
|