Thread: CLI & 56k Usage Questions

  1. #1
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    CLI & 56k Usage Questions

    I have a few questions for you guys. I haven't programmed for a while, but I used to do a lot of socket programming (windows and unix sockets), ddos tools and file servers, etc. I've also done opengl in c++ for video games, and a lot of scripting for the web (msql, perl, php, etc). I'm still learning shellcode and reading books on it.

    Either way, there aren't many tech jobs in my area.

    I'm proposing an application to my company in two to three months. My main register workstation operates on some linux/unix distro (don't know which), but I need to find a dialup application, and program a separate application which would automatically dial into the store's intranet switch somewhere over in Ohio, and we would have access to their inventory system and online catalog for customers. Here's the thing..we're still on 56k. I have no issues working in lower bandwidth, but I've never done much in this regard.

    1. How can I find out what specific distro & shell version I'm using? I can offer command line prompt results if you ask.
    2. Can you recommend any resources or particular techniques / methods of accomplishing this goal? I don't expect a raise out of this, but I might get a nice IT position when it goes through.

    I'm still a college student, so a job like that would be nice.

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    1. How can I find out what specific distro & shell version I'm using? I can offer command line prompt results if you ask.
    The output of "uname -a" would probably give you that information.

    2. Can you recommend any resources or particular techniques / methods of accomplishing this goal? I don't expect a raise out of this, but I might get a nice IT position when it goes through.
    First, I would recommend not making any promises to the company. It sounds like you are little inexperienced, so I would do the work before telling anyone about it. As for using a modem on Linux, this link should give you the information you need.
    bit∙hub [bit-huhb] n. A source and destination for information.

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    No worries man. I've been programming for years. I attended Digipen in Seattle, and had a few contracts programming for Microsoft.

    I got tired of staring at a computer screen, so I chose to work in the electrical engineering sector as an intern, and a retail assistant manager full time. I've got a busy, but rewarding schedule.

    Mind you, I don't live near the Seattle or Redmond areas anymore. That's why getting an IT job is going to be easy once I get back into the *nix world. There's a decent demand, but not much experience.

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    spurious conceit MK27's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by mezmiro2005 View Post
    I need to find a dialup application, and program a separate application which would automatically dial into the store's intranet switch somewhere over in Ohio,
    Are you saying the 56k modem is already there and working on the linux box? In that case, you are just connecting thru the web and it does not matter about the modem/hardware level -- what you want to do is write something to communicate using HTTP with the Ohio server.

    If the connection is not a web connection, what protocol are you going to be using? You realize that will mean dropping your web connection, since one modem can only maintain one connection (unlike a network card).

    If the connection is a web connection, but the modem is not in use and you need a "dialup application" for this purpose, wvdial works well. HOWEVER, you MAY have a lot of difficulties getting a normal 56k modem* to work under linux, and in fact for many of them it is not possible (be warned!)

    * unless you specifically buy an old school "hardware controlled" modem, ALL contemporary dial-ups are "winmodems" that require software control, ie. drivers, and they probably do not exist for linux (since hardware control modems work fine and are the normal choice for *nix systems).
    Last edited by MK27; 11-09-2009 at 12:46 PM.
    C programming resources:
    GNU C Function and Macro Index -- glibc reference manual
    The C Book -- nice online learner guide
    Current ISO draft standard
    CCAN -- new CPAN like open source library repository
    3 (different) GNU debugger tutorials: #1 -- #2 -- #3
    cpwiki -- our wiki on sourceforge

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    Okay, here's the deal. The box is running on some unix / linux (to be determined), and the modem connection is used primarily for ringing credit card and debit card sales. The secondary use of the machine will be to access the web so we can look up our online inventory and setup orders there.

    When the machine rings a credit card sale, the modem dials out automatically for each sale. So there isn't a persistent connection to an isp right now.

    So what I need would be to dial to the isp, initialize a web connection, and utilize mozilla or something to access the store's website. Then eventually we can set it up more like a Kiosk.

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    Quote Originally Posted by mezmiro2005 View Post
    Okay, here's the deal. The box is running on some unix / linux (to be determined), and the modem connection is used primarily for ringing credit card and debit card sales. The secondary use of the machine will be to access the web so we can look up our online inventory and setup orders there.

    When the machine rings a credit card sale, the modem dials out automatically for each sale. So there isn't a persistent connection to an isp right now.

    So what I need would be to dial to the isp, initialize a web connection, and utilize mozilla or something to access the store's website. Then eventually we can set it up more like a Kiosk.
    But then you wouldn't be able to run credit card numbers while someone is looking up inventory. This seems like a pretty serious design flaw.
    bit∙hub [bit-huhb] n. A source and destination for information.

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    spurious conceit MK27's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by mezmiro2005 View Post
    Okay, here's the deal. The box is running on some unix / linux (to be determined), and the modem connection is used primarily for ringing credit card and debit card sales. The secondary use of the machine will be to access the web so we can look up our online inventory and setup orders there.
    I just want to re-iterate that bit about the modem, if (as it maybe sounds) you do not actually have this linux-box-with-56kmodem running. Like if you are just assuming you have some old computers you can use for this already (vs. one which you are already using this way)...

    The modem issue is a serious one w/ linux because nobody can be bothered anymore to keep writing drivers for them AND most manufacturers now exclusively make "winmodems". If you have a headache (or to save yourself one) order a HARDWARE CONTROLLED modem; stores don't carry them anymore, but some big companies like US Robotics still make them (I got one in Jan. for about $25 US brand new -- they should not be any more expensive, they look the same). With a hardware modem, you are guaranteed no problems. With a software ("win") modem, you must use some kind of hack driver in addition to the standard ppp/kernel modules, and you may well be out of luck.
    C programming resources:
    GNU C Function and Macro Index -- glibc reference manual
    The C Book -- nice online learner guide
    Current ISO draft standard
    CCAN -- new CPAN like open source library repository
    3 (different) GNU debugger tutorials: #1 -- #2 -- #3
    cpwiki -- our wiki on sourceforge

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    Quote Originally Posted by MK27 View Post
    I just want to re-iterate that bit about the modem, if (as it maybe sounds) you do not actually have this linux-box-with-56kmodem running. Like if you are just assuming you have some old computers you can use for this already (vs. one which you are already using this way)...

    The modem issue is a serious one w/ linux because nobody can be bothered anymore to keep writing drivers for them AND most manufacturers now exclusively make "winmodems". If you have a headache (or to save yourself one) order a HARDWARE CONTROLLED modem; stores don't carry them anymore, but some big companies like US Robotics still make them (I got one in Jan. for about $25 US brand new -- they should not be any more expensive, they look the same). With a hardware modem, you are guaranteed no problems. With a software ("win") modem, you must use some kind of hack driver in addition to the standard ppp/kernel modules, and you may well be out of luck.
    Considering the workstation already uses the modem connection to run credit cards, I think it's safe to say this is not an issue.
    bit∙hub [bit-huhb] n. A source and destination for information.

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    Okay, I did some digging today.

    uname -a popped out this result
    Linux reg1 2.4.21.9.EL #1 Thu Jan 8, 17:24.12 EST 2004 i686 i686 i386 GNU/Linux

    Apparently, it's a red hat distro. I had a tech guy for the pos register on the phone today. Almost hacked the root password and I didn't even ask for it. Weird stuff.

    Anyways, this comp is an HP (I can get the model number) with what appears to be Windows hardware. It has a 10/100 ethernet card, 2.6GHz cpu, 1gig of ddr2, a Broadcom 56k modem as well.

    Well, we can do sku checks because all of the warehouse sales are sent into our system before we open. So basically, local inventory cycles automatically, while warehouse inventory cycles at 9:00am daily.

    But yes, we cannot make phone calls on our line, and do credit auths simultaneously. We can use a 2nd phone line for faxes (and I could possibly hook this line up to the comp, save other phone for something else).

    Based on what I can see, the kernel version is -really- outdated. Isn't this before RH went commercial?

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