On Tue, 2 Sep 2003 13:20:33 +0300, Alphonse Ogulla <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>:
> 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. ..ok, your Debian FEP box is a linux box receiving "some kinda email", from the site controller boxes around the country? To produce bills? ..spec url? (Unless it is under a NDA) > 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 ..huh??? _Why_ "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 ..the ones over at http://tldp.org/HOWTO/HOWTO-INDEX/categories.html ? http://tldp.org/HOWTO/HOWTO-INDEX/hardware.html#HWMODEMS http://tldp.org/HOWTO/HOWTO-INDEX/hardware.html#HWSERIALPORT No need to re-invent the wheel etc, you're at the very worst just overlooking something obvious. ;-) > 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? ..http://tldp.org/HOWTO/HOWTO-INDEX/networking.html#NETPROTOCOLS Here, check out the "ppp" links. ..you're also supposed to have fun, helps get better ideas: http://tldp.org/HOWTO/HOWTO-INDEX/misc.html#MISCSPECIAL ;-) -- ..med vennlig hilsen = with Kind Regards from Arnt... ;-) ...with a number of polar bear hunters in his ancestry... Scenarios always come in sets of three: best case, worst case, and just in case. -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
