Hi all, A client has installed a number of site controllers linked to fuel dispensers in distant retail sites to provide automated fuelling services. Communication between the site controllers and a central front end processor (FEP) is via telephone links with modems attached to RS232 interfaces at both ends.
I have a strong desire to implement a new, open and robust front end processor using Debian GNU/Linux primarily for automated remote data acquisition or data download/transfer from the controller to the FEP. So far, I've managed to get hold of the non-standard protocol specifications for communication between the FEP and site controller. The communication scheme is basically the exchange of well formatted message blocks eg. STX - Start of text, , EOT, ACK - Acknowledgment, NAK, ENQ etc. with both binary and ASCII values. My dilemma is on how to send these messages from within a C program and over a telephone link. For example, what interface should I look at in this case - the modem or serial port? I have read Serial port and Modem HOWTOs and also Serial programming for POSIX operating systems but still can't deduce the best way to apprroach the problem. Are there any APIs in Linux for programming the modem/serial port or is making low level i/o system calls the only way out? Grateful for any guidance on the best way to proceed. Thanks and regards, -- Alphonse Ogulla Nairobi, Kenya -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
