TECHNICAL BULLETIN #35 - Rev 1.01 (08/28/98) ============================================================================== TITLE : Using Long Distance Dialing Codes with PROCOMM PLUS 2.01 PRODUCT : PROCOMM PLUS 2.01 (DOS) ============================================================================== Long Distance Dialing Codes (LD Codes) are used to dial number sequences that exceed the limit of the number field in PROCOMM PLUS' Dialing Directory or the modem's command buffer. This document: * Describes LD Codes and lists some uses for them * Walks you through the process of configuring LD Codes for PROCOMM PLUS * Gives an example of how to use LD codes This document assumes you are using a Hayes AT-command compatible modem and have PROCOMM PLUS for DOS (version 2.0x or earlier). WHAT ARE LD CODES? LD Codes are letters that can be used in a dialing string to represent an imbedded dialing sequence. These letters can added to any dialing directory entry whenever a particular sequence is needed. The most common uses for LD Codes are: * Calling Card Dialing * Security Code Dialing * Adding Long Distance Prefixes DEFINING AND USING LD CODES. To create and use LD codes, * Define the entire dialing sequence * Separate the dialing sequence into 2 or more parts, e.g., the actual number and 1 or more LD Codes * Create the LD Codes and include them in you Dialing Directory entry NOTE: If you have already completed these steps but have found that your number sequence is too long for your modem's dialing buffer, proceed to the next section, "Dialing sequences that exceed 40 characters." 1. DEFINE THE ENTIRE DIALING SEQUENCE A typical dialing sequence consists of three parts: * Actual phone number If you were calling the Quarterdeck BBS, for example, it would be 1 (573) 875-0503 (or 15738750503). This includes any long distance prefixes that may be needed. * Additional Dialing Codes These might include a Security code, Credit Card number, etc. * Pause characters (commas) and other characters (#,*, etc.). The pause character, typically a comma, is used to set the timing of the call so the modem waits for the appropriate moment, e.g. a tone or computer operator, to send each section of the dialing sequence. The first step is to write down the entire dialing sequence. For example, an employee calling the DATASTORM Public BBS from within her office building who needs to dial a 6 digit security code after the number might create this dialing sequence: Phone number = 15738750503 Pause 4 seconds for security code tone Enter security code = 123456 Dialing sequence = 15738750503,,123456 In this sequence, you'll notice there are two commas. When a modem processes the comma, it pauses for a predefined length of time, typically two seconds. These commas, therefore, cause the modem to pause four seconds before sending out the security code. Once you have defined the sequence, the next step is to separate it into sections. 2. SEPARATE THE DIALING SEQUENCE Typically, the phone number comprises one section and the remaining characters are divided into logical blocks. For the above example, the sequence could be divided as follows: Phone #: 15738750503 Codes and pauses: ,,123456 With the sequence now logically divided, you may create the LD Codes. 3. CREATE THE LD CODES AND INCLUDE THEM IN YOUR DIALING DIRECTORY Typically, any sequence which is not part of the actual phone number should be put into an LD Code. In the example given above, the codes and pauses sequence would be represented by an LD code. To enter the sequence into an LD code, a. Alt-D from the terminal screen to enter the dialing directory. b. P to bring up the LD Codes entry screen. c. To create or revise an LD Code, highlight the desired line using the cursor keys. d. Press R, to revise. The cursor will appear in the selected LD Code content field. e. Enter the appropriate sequence into this code. When finished, press ENTER. To create or modify another code, go back to step 3. To return to the Dialing Directory, press ESC. The final step is to define the phone number field for the appropriate Dialing Directory entry. The phone number field should represent the entire dialing string, using a combination of numbers and LD Codes. For example, if the phone number is 573-875-0503 and LD Code A=12345,, (security code), the phone number field would be: 573-875-0503A DIALING SEQUENCES THAT EXCEED 40 CHARACTERS A dialing sequence of more than 40 characters may exceed the buffer limitation of your modem. If this happens, the modem will not dial and will return an ERROR message. There is, however, a way around this situation. Place a semicolon (;) at the end of a dialing sequence to cause the modem to return to Command State after dialing the sequence. The modem will then be ready to dial another sequence. For example, if you need your modem to dial a sequence of 45 numbers, divide the sequence into a 20 character block and a 25 character block. You can send these to the modem as follows: ATDT12345678901234567890; After dialing this sequence your modem should return an OK message. This means its buffer is clear and the modem is ready to receive another command. At this point, send the second dial sequence: ATX1DT1234567890123456789012345 Notice how the first sequence ends with a semicolon and the second sequence does not. After the second sequence dials, your modem will wait for a handshake from the modem it's dialing. The following example, using an MCI calling card, demonstrates how to automate credit card dialing. CREDIT CARD DIALING EXAMPLE 1. DEFINE THE DIALING SEQUENCE Office Dialout Prefix: 9, Actual Phone Number: (573) 875-0503 MCI Phone Number: 1 (800) 674-7000 Calling Card Number: 573 443 3282 9999 Five Commas Needed: one after the nine, three after MCI number, and one after Calling Card number Dialing Sequence: 9,18006747000,,,57344332829999,5738750503 You'll notice that the total number of characters above is 41. This sequence cannot, therefore, be sent to the modem as one sequence. 2. SEPARATE THE DIALING SEQUENCE This particular dialing sequence could be divided as follows: Dialing Code A: 9,18006747000 Dialing Code C: ,,,57344332829999, Actual Phone #: (573) 875-0503 Dialing Code B: ;^M~~~~~~~~~~ATX1DT (Sequence Interrupt String) Dialing Code B, the Sequence Interrupt String, provides some delay, allowing the modem to reset itself. The phone number field of the Dialing Directory entry should look like this: ABC(573)875-0503 The tilde (~) character tells PROCOMM PLUS to pause for a 1/2 second before sending any additional characters to the modem. By using them, you allow the modem enough time to dial the first sequence, clear its buffer and return to Command State, upon which it will return an OK message. At this point, the second sequence can be sent. Without this delay, the modem will abort the dialing process and return a NO CARRIER message as soon as it receives the next character. "X1" allows the modem to dial even if it has no dialtone. ========================================================================== To ensure that you have the latest version of this document, compare its revision number to that of the same document on any of our support sites. This technical bulletin may be copied and distributed freely as long as it is distributed in its entirety and it is not distributed for profit. Copyright (c) 1996 Quarterdeck All rights reserved. ==========================================================================