File Transfer Between a Mac or Windows PC and CMS via TCP/IP

Revision Date: 12/22/95. E. Kleban
Problem: I am using a Macintosh or PC running MS Windows, and I am connected to the Internet. I want to transfer files between my microcomputer's disks and my mainframe disk space.

You can either use FTP for this purpose (see item on FTP), or special easy-to-use file transfer tools for the mainframe. We will discuss the special tools here, first for the Macintosh and then for MS Windows.

Macintosh: we assume you are using Brown University's TN3270 program to connect to the mainframe.
If you are using some other software to connect to the mainframe you may have to use FTP for your file transfer. Please read the material on using FTP with our mainframes. TN3270 is available from the UNET user services personnel free of charge.

TN3270 for the Mac uses either FTP on the mainframe or two simple mainframe commands, RMAC and WMAC, for file transfer. If you want to use FTP with TN3270, you must turn on FTP access in the Network menu of TN3270. We urge users to keep FTP access turned OFF unless needed. Run the FTP program on the mainframe to do the file transfer. Refer to the TN3270 documentation for more information.

RMAC and WMAC are preferred for their ease of use and security. RMAC ("read Mac") is for upload from the Mac to the mainframe and WMAC ("write Mac") is for download. Refer to the online mainframe help files: HELP RMAC and HELP WMAC for details.

The format of RMAC is: 

   RMAC fn ft fm  or RMAC fn ft fm (BINARY

where "fn ft fm" is the normal three part name of a mainframe file. This will be the name of the file once it is transferred from the Macintosh. The user of the RMAC command is presented with a standard Macintosh file selection dialog box and can locate the desired Mac file and double-click on it to send it.

The BINARY option is needed for non-text files. Mac binary files are not usable (normally) on the mainframe, but you may wish to upload them to store them or send them elsewhere. RMAC will only send the data fork of a Macintosh file, so if you have a file (say a program) that has both a resource and a data fork, you must first compress the file on the Mac using tools such as Stuffit or Compactor before transferring it. Please note that word processor files are binary unless they have been explicitly saved as text on the Mac.

The format of WMAC is: 

    WMAC fn ft fm                                              
or  WMAC fn ft fm (BINARY                                                       
or  WMAC fn ft fm (PRINT

where "fn ft fm" is the mainframe file you want to send down to your Macintosh. You will be presented with a dialog box to let you select the disk and folder where the file will go and what name to use for it on the Mac. The BINARY option must be used if the file is not plain text.

The PRINT option sends the file to the current printer for the Macintosh. The file must be text to use the PRINT option. WMAC can also be used from within mainframe mail to download and/or print letters. When you are viewing a letter on the mainframe you can type WMAC to save the letter on your Mac or WMAC (PRINT to print it.

MS Windows: we assume you are using the licensed commercial product Host Explorer to connect to the mainframe.
If you are using some other software to connect to the mainframe you may have to use FTP for your file transfer. Please read the material on using FTP with our mainframes. Host Explorer is available for UNET account holders free of charge. Please contact the UNET user services personnel.


(Under construction)