K e r m i t   9 5

K95 2.0 GUI now in Beta test: CLICK HERE for details.

Kermit 95 1.1.21 Includes SSH v1/v2 and FTP Clients

Platforms: Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP
Version: 1.1.21
Released: 2 April 2002
Announcement: CLICK HERE

This page last updated: Wed May 29 18:50:09 2002

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Kermit 95 (K95 for short): 32-bit communications software for Microsoft Windows® 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows NT (4.0 and later), Windows 2000, and Windows XP from the Kermit Project at Columbia University, that offers you text-based terminal connections to Unix, VMS, and many other kinds of hosts, allowing you to interact directly with their shells and applications, to transfer files, and, if desired, to automate interactions and file transfers by scripting. Here's the short list of K95's features:

• Internet Virtual Terminal Connections: SSH, Telnet, Rlogin, SSL/TLS.
• Internet Security: SSH v1/v2, Kerberos 4/5, X.509 Certificates / PKI, and SRP
• Built-in FTP and HTTP Internet clients
• Active and Passive FTP modes.
• HTTP and SOCKS4 firewall traversal.
• Persistent connections through NATs.
• Modem and serial port connections.
• 40 different terminal emulations.
• Kermit, XYZMODEM, and "ASCII" file-transfer protocols.
• An Internet-accessible service for remote access.
• International character-set translation including Unicode.
• Numeric and alphanumeric paging.
• Full scripting and automation of all the above.
• Easy graphical one-time setup of all your connections.

AND . . .   Super-responsive technical support: we stand behind our products and support them vigorously. We don't ignore your e-mail; TRY IT and see for yourself. CLICK HERE to see what users say about our technical support. QUICK LINKS:

• PRICING AND LICENSING OPTIONS
• REVIEWS
• NEW SCREEN SHOTS
• WHAT'S NEW IN THE CURRENT RELEASE
• PREVIEW OF THE NEXT RELEASE
• PATCHES
• THE OS/2 VERSION

What sets Kermit 95 apart from other Windows communications packages? Its unique combination of security options, connection methods, protocols, character-sets, customizability, and scriptability, plus the sheer number and accuracy of its terminal emulations. And we don't only "do Windows" -- we also provide compatible software for Linux, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, Solaris, AIX, HP-UX, VMS, and lots of other platforms. Learn the Kermit command and scripting language once, use it on many kinds of connections and on many kinds of computers and operating systems: past, present, and future.

How does K95 compare with other Windows-based SSH clients? K95 has more features -- connection methods, security methods, emulations, protocols, character sets, scripting -- than free ones such as PuTTY and TeraTerm. It also has more features than many of the commercial ones such as SecureCRT, SecureNetTerm, and SSHWinClient, yet costs less than any of them in single quantity, and far less in higher quantities. CLICK HERE for a comparison table.

Kermit 95 is used all over the world in the academic, government, corporate, and nonprofit sectors. In academia, K95 allows students, faculty, and staff to access central and departmental text-based services and applications on Unix, VMS, IBM, and other platforms:

• Kermit 95 at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• Kermit 95 at the State University of New York
• Kermit 95 at the University of Oregon [PDF]
• Kermit 95 at Indiana University of Pennsylvania
• Kermit 95 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Kermit 95 at the University of Georgia
• Kermit 95 at Duquesne University
• Kermit 95 at Drew University

In the private sector, K95 is a favorite of consultants, system integrators, and makers of high-tech equipment, who bundle it with their products or services. In the health-care industry, it's widely used for insurance claim submission as well as in hospital information systems and laboratories; in the retail market, it's used for inventory, POS, and EDI applications; in libraries for catalog access and back-office work; in any large organization, it's a handy network monitoring and management tool. It's popular internationally for its comprehensive character-set support. In every sector, its security features make it ideal for remote maintenance of secure websites and for any critical or sensitive text-based applications -- as well as for such simple tasks as reading your e-mail without catching a virus.

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  FEATURES

(Click for detail)

Kermit 95 is Year-2000 ready and Euro compatible. It has two major components:

THE DIALER

The graphical Dialer configures and launches all your connections (dialed or network, secure or clear-text, terminal or FTP) by means of menus, buttons, and dialog boxes so you don't have to deal with complicated initialization files, macro definitions, commands, or "syntax" of any kind. The Dialer can configure as many different connections as you want, and can manage multiple simultaneous active connections. For added convenience, the Dialer can create desktop or Start-menu shortcuts for your most frequently used connections.

THE CONNECTION ENGINE

The actual work -- communications, file transfer, scripting, etc -- is done by the text-mode K95.EXE program, similar to its cousins on UNIX, VMS, and MS-DOS, which is normally (but need not be) launched from the Dialer pushbutton-style to make each of your connections automatically with all the appropriate settings and desired customizations. The graphical Dialer removes the need to interact directly with the command prompt in most cases. Yet all the commands are there in case you need them . . . or if you want to script them. K95.EXE runs in Console window at present, but will run in a GUI window in Version 2.00, coming soon.

Thus the Dialer configures, organizes, launches, and manages your connections, and K95 does all the real work. K95's capabilities include:

CONNECTIONS

Internet: SSH v1/v2 (Windows only) - New
Internet: TELNET (incoming too)
Internet: FTP - New
Internet: RLOGIN
Internet: HTTP
Internet: Internet Kermit Serice
Modem dial-out and dial-in:

• Built-in modem database and dialing
• Microsoft Telephony (TAPI)
• RFC2217 Telnet modem server dialing - New
  

Direct serial connections
DECnet and LAT:

• In Windows 95/98/ME/NT/XP/2000, PATHWORKS-32 7.0 or later is required.
• In OS/2, DEC PATHWORKS 2.0 or later (which is no longer a product) is required.

TES32 (Windows only): (InterConnections Inc TES32 required, which is no longer a product)
NETBIOS (OS/2 only)
IBM OS/2 Named Pipes (OS/2 only)
IBM OS/2 Warp Server Redirected Communication Ports (OS/2 only)

SECURITY

SSH v2 and v2 connections (next item) as well as Secure Telnet and FTP connections using Kerberos IV, Kerberos V, SRP, SSL/TLS, or public/private key-pair protocols for authentication and encryption when the host is equipped with compatible servers. (Presently available in the USA and Canada only due to USA export law, pending export license; SSH and Kerberos not available for OS/2.) (CLICK HERE for a survey of secure Telnet and FTP servers.) K95 1.1.21 is compatible with all the latest OpenSSH, OpenSSL, Kerberos, and SRP libraries and interfaces, and supports Telnet Forwarding of Authorized X Windows System session data over secure connections

THE NEW SSH CLIENT

Based on OpenSSH 3.0.2p1, K95's built-in SSH client supports SSH versions 1.3, 1.5, and 2.0 and with a full range of authentication methods including password, public/private key pairs, Kerberos 4, Kerberos 5 GSSAPI, and SRP, as well as with external SSH agents. Like all K95's other connection methods, it is fully scriptable. It supports all the same terminal emulations and features as K95's Telnet, Rlogin, and modem clients: character sets, key mapping, scrollback, mouse actions, etc, and is fully integrated into the K95 Dialer as well as K95 itself. CLICK HERE to read about Kermit 95's new SSH client.

THE NEW FTP AND HTTP CLIENTS

A highly functional FTP client implementation including:

• Secure Kerberos 4/5, SSL, TLS, or SRP connections as well as traditional non-secured ones.
• Automatic per-file text/binary mode switching.
• Recursive directory-tree uploads.
• Atomic file movement.
• Character-set conversion including to/from Unicode.
• Flexible file selection (name, name list, name pattern, date, type, size, exception list).
• Update and recovery modes.
• Timestamp preservation when downloading.
• File collision options for downloading.

The HTTP 1.1 implemenation includes:

• Secure HTTPS connections as well as non-secured HTTP ones.
• Support for both one-shot and persistent connections.
• Ability to establish proxies for firewall traversal.
• Access to header information such as timestamps.

Both HTTP and FTP are fully scriptable, allowing (for example) automated secure updating of (or from) remote Web or file archive sites.

MODEM DIALING

An intelligent phone-list that understands the difference between international, long-distance, local, toll-free, and internal PBX calls, and adjusts itself according to your location; that allows multiple phone numbers for a single service; and that can be told how many times and how frequently to redial if the connection is not made. North American 10-digit dialing is supported. Numeric and alphanumeric paging too.

REMOTE ACCESS

Kermit 95 allows remote text-mode or client/server access to your PC in several different ways:

• Windows Internet Kermit Service
• Host Mode
  
• Direct Kermit-to-Kermit connections by serial port, dialup, or Internet.

What's a Terminal??? Click here to find out.

TERMINAL EMULATION

Emulation of 40 different types of terminals including ADM-3A (New); ANSI-BBS; Avatar/0+; AT386; BeBox ANSI; Data General DASHER D200, D210; Data General DASHER D217 in native and Unix modes; DEC VT52; DEC VT100, VT102, VT220, VT320 with color extensions; Hazeltine 1500; Heath/Zenith 19; Hewlett Packard 2621A; HPTERM; IBM HFT and AIXTERM; IBM 3151; Linux console; Microsoft VTNT; QNX ANSI and QNX Console; SCOANSI; Siemens Nixdorf BA80 and 97801-5xx; Televideo TV910+, TV925, TV950; Volker Craig VC404; Wyse 30, 50, 60, 160, and 370. Tektronix, Sixel, ReGIS, and other graphics emulations are not presently included. CLICK HERE for a gallery of K95 terminal screens. Terminal emulation features include:

• URL hot spots, automatically highlighted, ready for clicking
• 80/132 columns and a selection of screen heights
• Fast screen updates even on encrypted connections
• Compatibility with speech and Braille devices
• Full color in ANSI, VT, and similar emulations
• Virtually unlimited and instantaneous scrollback
• Horizontal scrolling
• Fullscreen/windowed mode switching
• Copy/paste, print, searching, and bookmarks in the scrollback buffer
• Host-directed and local printing
• Fully customizable key maps per terminal type
• PCTERM, EMACS, Word Perfect, Russian, and Hebrew keyboard modes
• User- and host-configurable function keys
• Import/export MS-DOS Kermit key mapping files
• DEC LKxxx keyboard support
• Integrated mouse functions: copy/paste/transmit, cursor steering, URL activation
• Character-set conversion in both directions
• Unicode-based terminal sessions for many languages at once (Windows NT/2000/XP only)
• Compose Key for Latin-1 and Latin-2 characters
• Unicode Compose Key - New
• Ctrl/CapsLock and Esc/Grave swapper included (Windows 95/98/ME only)
• Versatile printer control, including bidirectional printers and built-in Text/PostScript conversion
• Pop-up context-sensitive help, debugging, much more
• A perfect VTTEST score within the limitations of Windows Console windows.

FILE TRANSFER

In addition to its new built-in FTP and HTTP clients, Kermit 95 includes the following file-transfer protocols and features for use within terminal sessions over any of its connection methods -- serial or network, secure or clear-text:

• The fastest and most advanced implementation of the Kermit protocol available anywhere: Sliding windows, long packets, control-character unprefixing, locking shifts, character-set translation, an update feature, recovery of failed transfers from the point of failure, automatic per-file text/binary mode switching, recursive directory-tree transfer, timestamp preservation, Kermit Streaming Protocol, and much more.
• Internet Kermit Server and Client - New
• Integrated X/Y/ZMODEM licensed from Online Solutions Oy, Jyvaskyla, Finland
• Auto-download for both Kermit and Zmodem
• Autoupload for Kermit transfers
• Batch uploads and downloads including an update feature
• "ASCII" (non-protocol) file capture and upload
• Background as well as foreground file transfers
• Long filenames

FILE MANAGEMENT

Kermit 95's command screen is similar to a Windows Command Window, allowing you to obtain directory listings; copy, rename, and delete files; create and remove directories; search for text in files; display files on the screen, and so forth, but with more commands and options than Windows, a friendlier interface (file and keyword lists on demand, file and keyword completion, built-in help) and full scriptability. The same file management features are also available for managing remote files over a Kermit (or, to some extent, an FTP) client/server connection, and many of them are tied into the file transfer process itself; for example, providing the ability to atomically "move" a file from one computer to another.

INTERNET KERMIT SERVICE

Internet Kermit Service (IKS) is an Internet file-transfer and management client/server protocol similar to FTP but with more features, security, and automatability. It is described in Internet RFCs 2839 and 2840. Kermit 95 can act as both an IKS client and (in Windows NT/2000/XP only) an IKS server, allowing controlled and manageable remote access to your PC from the Internet. For further information see the Windows IKS User Guide, the Windows IKS Administrator Guide, and the Unix IKS User Guide, Unix IKS Administrator Guide.

AUTOMATION

K95's command and script language allows not only for the automation of routine or complicated tasks, but also an unparalleled degree of customizability so you can tailor it to fit into any setting. The same intuitive and portable language is in widespread use on hundreds of other platforms: Automatic programmed interactions with other computers, services, or devices: wait for strings or patterns (one or more simultaneously), respond with other strings; make decisions based on the success or failure of any command, host input, or other criteria. Macros, block structure, built-in and scoped user-defined variables and arrays, associative arrays, string manipulation and arithmetic functions, date-time arithmetic, user-defined functions, file manipulation and access, IF-ELSE, FOR, WHILE, SWITCH, GOTO, and much more. You can even have Kermit write scripts for you by watching and recording your interactions with the host. CLICK HERE for an introduction.

CHARACTER SETS

Character-set conversion during both terminal emulation and (a unique feature of the Kermit protocol) file transfer: All major West European, East European, Greek, Cyrillic, and Hebrew character sets are supported, plus Unicode UCS-2 and UTF-8. And, for file transfer only, also various Japanese Katakana and Kanji character sets (JIS, Shift-JIS, EUC). CLICK HERE for a list. In Windows 95/98/ME and OS/2, non-Roman character sets are supported in the terminal emulator only when the corresponding national version of the operating system is installed; in Windows NT/2000/XP, however, the only limit is what's in your selected font.

DOCUMENTATION AND SUPPORT

A user-friendly online manual manual plus (with shrinkwrapped retail copies only) a comprehensive technical reference manual, also available separately. Technical support via telephone and e-mail plus a public newsgroup, patches, and updates, available free of charge to registered users.

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  HOW TO GET IT

(Click for a larger view)

Kermit 95 1.1.21 is available for Windows 95, 98, ME, NT 4.0, 2000, and XP on Intel and compatible PC platforms only. The OS/2 version is not yet available.

The Windows NT PowerPC edition of K95 was frozen at version 1.1.16 after Windows NT itself was discontinued for the PowerPC. The Alpha/NT edition was frozen at version 1.1.20 after Alpha/NT was discontinued by Compaq and Microsoft. The Windows NT 3.5x version is also frozen at 1.1.20. Kermit 95 is not available for Windows CE or Pocket PC.

Kermit 95 1.1.21 is available in the following ways:

1. As a downloadable patch (free of charge) to version 1.1.20, which may be applied to:
   • Any shrinkwrapped or other single-seat retail copy of Kermit 95 (except the PowerPC and Alpha versions, which have been discontinued).
   • Any Bulk Right-to-Copy or Academic Site license copy whose maintenance is current (including Lifetime Academic Site Licenses).

   CLICK HERE to access the K95 1.1.21 upgrade patch.

2. In single or small quantities as a shrinkwrapped retail package. Until further notice, new retail shrinkwrap orders from any source (the Kermit Project, Amazon, or any other retail distributor) will be filled with version 1.1.20, which can then be patched up to 1.1.21 as in (1). CLICK HERE to order direct from Kermit Project.

3. Low-cost Bulk Right-to-Copy licenses of 100 seats or more. All new bulk license orders will be filled by the latest release, no patching required. CLICK HERE for the Bulk Right-to-Copy License order form.

4. Omnibus Licenses, a new form of the bulk license that allows mixing and matching of K95 with other Kermit programs such as C-Kermit or MS-DOS Kermit for commercial redistribution to customers or clients. 100 seats minimum. CLICK HERE for the Omnibus License order form.

5. Super-low-cost Academic Site Licenses. All new academic site orders will be filled by the latest release, no patching required. CLICK HERE for the Academic Site License order form.

6. Coming Soon:   A new, discounted, 100% Electronic Order and Delivery option, complete with Try-And-Buy. Download a time-expiring trial version, then if you like it pay for and register it with secure Web transactions.

Export License Pending

SSH, Kerberos, SSL/TLS, SRP, and other security options are available only in the United States and Canada due to US export law. An export license application is pending. Until it is granted, a separate edition of Kermit 95 1.1.21 with the security options removed will be delivered to other countries. When the license is granted, K95 1.1.21 owners in non-embargoed countries will be able to order or patch up to the secure version. This is a matter of USA law, which governs the New York based Kermit Project.

The Shrinkwrapped Package

As noted, the shrinkwrapped package remains at 1.1.20, released 2 April 2000, published by Manning Publications of Greenwich CT. It includes the Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP and OS/2 versions of Kermit 95 for all supported platforms and the Kermit 95 manual on CDROM, plus the C-Kermit 7.0 CDROM and the Second Edition of Using C-Kermit in PDF format. We hope that Kermit 95 2.00 will be ready soon enough that production of Version 1.1.21 shrinkwraps won't be necessary. In any case, it doesn't make sense to produce new a shrinkwrapped version until we have an export license.

You can order Kermit 95 direct from Columbia University (other sources are listed below).

    The Kermit Project
    Columbia University
    612 West 115th Street
    New York NY  10025-7799
    USA
    Fax:   +1 (212) 662 6442  or  +1 (212) 663 8202
    Voice: +1 (212) 854 3703
    Email: kermit@columbia.edu

You may order shrinkwrapped copies in any quantity; the quantity discount schedule is shown on the printed order form. Retailers or resellers should order direct from the publisher (next section) to obtain the reseller discount. For larger quantities, consider the bulk and academic licenses, which have a much lower per-unit cost.

• ORDER FORM for shrinkwrapped copies
• BULK AND SITE LICENSE information
• BULK LICENSE ORDER FORM
• ACADEMIC SITE LICENSE ORDER FORM

Contact us if you have questions. E-mail works best.

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OTHER SOURCES

The publisher:

Manning Publications Co.
209 Bruce Park Avenue
Greenwich CT  06830  USA
Fax:   +1 (203) 661 9018
Voice: +1 (203) 629 2078
Email: orders@manning.com
Web:   http://www.manning.com/kermit/index.html

Major Web-based retailers:

Amazon.Com
Barnes & Noble
FatBrain

Other North American retailers

Include selected branches of Micro Center, Datatrac, Computer Market Place, CS Business Systems, NDS, Softmart, Software Spectrum, Software Connections, Sunbelt Computers.

Serving the United Kingdom:

Software Paradise
Avenue House
King Edward Avenue
Caerphilly CF83 1HE
UNITED KINGDOM
Voice: +44 (0) 2920 887521
Fax:   +44 (0) 2920 862209
Email: info@softwareparadise.co.uk
Web:   http://www.softwareparadise.co.uk

Serving Australia and New Zealand:

Corinthian Internet Services
PO Box 71
Artarmon, NSW 2064
AUSTRALIA
Voice:  +61 2 99064333
Fax:    +61 2 99061556
E-mail: sales@cis.net.au
Web:    http://www.cis.net.au

Also serving Australia:

On-Line Computing Pty Ltd
Level 2
14-16 Rowland Street
Subiaco, WA 6008
AUSTRALIA
Voice:  +61 8 9381 3000
Fax:    +61 8 9388 1746
E-mail: rod@olc.com.au
Web:    http://www.olc.com.au/products/kermit95.htm

Serving Germany and Austria:

Georg Fischer
Amselweg 7
D-89281 Herrenstetten
GERMANY
Telefon: +49-8337-8646
Telefax: +49-8337-9118
Email:   G-F-I@T-Online.de (E-mail works best)
Web:    (coming soon...)

Serving Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Russia, Belorus, Lithuania, Estonia, Bulgaria, and Slovakia:

CLICO Centrum Oprogramowania, Sp. z o.o.
Al. 3-go Maja 7
PL-30-063 Krakow
POLAND
Voice: +48 12 6325166
Fax:   +48 12 6323698
Email: support@clico.pl
Web:   http://www.clico.pl/software/kermit/k95.html
Brochure: clico.pdf

Serving Israel:

ThinkCom Ltd. - Thinking of Communications Solutions.
P.O.B 1350 (29 Hauman Street)
Jerusalem 91013
ISRAEL
Voice: +972 (2) 6788800
Fax:   +972 (2) 6788500
Email: oren@thinkcom.com - Oren Yehezkely, General Manager
       oren@isdn.co.il
Web:   http://www.ThinkCom.com/ (English)
       http://www.isdn.co.il (Hebrew)

If your software outlet does not carry Kermit 95, ask them to order it. Stores may order the Kermit 95 shrink-wrapped package from the publisher, Manning Software, directly.

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THE FUTURE

We continue to develop Kermit 95 actively to meet your needs. Lots of changes and features are on tap for future releases. NOTE: The features listed below are not in the current Kermit 95 release.

• The next release will run in a GUI window (rather than a Console window), allowing:
  • Flexible font selection, including Unicode fonts.
  • Unicode fonts supported even in Windows 95 and 98 and ME.
  • Corner or Edge Drag to change screen dimensions or font size.
  • Scrollback via scrollbars.
  • True underlining and double-high/wide characters.
  • Clean exit when clicking [x] box in Win 9x/ME.
  • CLICK HERE for a preview of the GUI release.

• Other items under consideration for subsequent releases include:
  • Tektronix, Sixel, and other graphics terminal emulations (GUI required)
  • VT3xx and/or Wyse soft character sets (GUI required)
  • Handling of Unicode combining sequences (GUI required)
  • Drag-and-drop or other graphical forms of file transfer (GUI required)
  • More and more and more graphical dialogs (GUI required)
  • IBM Mainframe 3270 terminal emulation
  • IBM AS/400 5250 terminal emulation
  • VT420, VT520, and DECterm emulation
  • TVI 955 emulation
  • X terminal emulation
  • Windows CE / Pocket PC support
  • Easier embedding in other Windows applications

Feel free to let us know your priorities and to send us additional suggestions and comments.

Jeffrey Altman, Max Evarts, Christine Gianone, Frank da Cruz
The Kermit Project, Columbia University

Member, Software Information Industry Association.

Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Windows NT is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. OS/2, Warp, and Merlin are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation. Kerberos is a trademark of Massachusetts Institute of Technology. SRP is a trademark of Stanford University.

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