==  NCSIport.EXE  ==

Preliminary installation guide.

Network Products Corporation
1440 West Colorado Boulevard
Pasadena, CA  91105

Voice:          818-441-6504
Facsimile:      818-441-6894
In the US:      1-800-NET-PRO5

BBS Number:     818-441-6933

CIS 75300,1105
Internet 75300.1105@compuserv.com


========
Overview
========

NCSIport is a Windows application that redirects Windows comm calls to
NCSI, allowing 16 bit Windows applications that are not modem-pool-aware
to access the NCSI interface without need for modification by the
vendor.  Thus even non-NCSI compatible Windows applications can use an
NPC communication server.

It supercedes all previous Network Products comm port replacements,
including the NPC COMM.DRV v1.0 and all versions of NCSI.DRV.  If you
have been running any of these drivers you should remove them and
restore the Windows COMM.DRV.  If you are using the NPC COMM.DRV you can
do this by deleting the NPC COMM.DRV and renaming or reinstalling the
Windows COMM.DRV.  If you are using one of the versions of NCSI.DRV you
should change the line comm.drv=ncsi.drv in your SYSTEM.INI file to
comm.drv=comm.drv.

NCSIport does not replace the comm.drv, but handles only the ports that
are specified by NCSI.INI as redirected to NCSI.  The standard comm.drv
handles any non-redirected ports.

Many applications include native support for NCSI.  Most commercial
terminal emulation and remote control applications include this support.
These packages DO NOT require NCSIport.  If possible, it is better to use
the NCSI-compatible version of an application with NCSI.  Generally an
application that supports NCSI natively provides a more robust and
feature-rich environment than an application used with NCSI through
NCSIport.

Development of this comm port redirector was driven by the demand for
FAX via NCSI and the lack of network support in certain communication
applications.  NCSIport allows NPC modem/asynchronous-port and X.25
communication server access while maintaining the original functionality
of the COMM.DRV supplied with Windows.  It will support multiple
sessions of either local serial ports, network ports, or both.

Users not possessing a Network products compatible server may download
the NMP2 network modem sharing package from our BBS or Compuserve.  On
our BBS the file name is NMP2.EXE.  This product is shareware and is a
fully functional modem pooling software package for a Novell, NetBIOS,
or BANYAN network enviroment.


===========
Conventions
===========

The  is simply a superscripted numeral 2 to indicate "second
generation." A 2 is sometimes used instead of  after a product acronym,
but the meaning is the same.


=================
Quick Start Guide
=================

This Quick Start assumes a machine with two physical COM ports and a
standard Windows installation.  Other configurations, and details on
the usage of NCSIport, will be covered in future documentation.

At this time installing NCSIport is a manual process.

1. Copy NCSIport.exe to a conveniently accessable directory.  Copy
PROCHOOK.DLL and NCSI.DLL to the WINDOWS directory.

2. In Windows, run File Manager.  Locate NCSIport.exe.  Select the file,
and drag it to the desired program group.  If you wish to make the
redirect ports available each time you start Windows, you can place
NCSIport in the STARTUP group.

3.  Copy NCSI.INI to your Windows user subdirectory, usually C:\WINDOWS.

4. In the [386Enh] section of SYSTEM.INI, add the lines

Com3AutoAssign=0
Com4AutoAssign=0

if they are not there already. This will allow com3 and com4 to become
available for redirection.

5. In the [ports] section of WIN.INI add the lines

COM3:=9600,n,8,1,p
COM4:=9600,n,8,1,p

This will allow some applications, such as TERMINAL, to "see" comm ports
3 and 4.

6. Exit and restart Windows.

7. In Windows, double-click the NCSIport icon.  Select Ports on the menu
bar.  Select the port you wish to be redirected to NCSI.  A checkmark
will appear beside either the word Normal or NCSI, depending on whether
or not the port is to be redirected or handled by the Windows comm.drv.
Click on NCSI so the port is redirected, as desired.  A list of
available NCSI ports will appear.  Select the port you wish to use for
the redirected output.

8. In your communications application specify the redirected port, e.g.
COM3, and it will now use the communication server instead of a physical
COM3 port.

9. You may wish to set the Minimize option in the NCSIport Startup menu
and add NCSIport to your STARTUP group.  This will make the redirected
port(s) available each time your start Windows without requiring manual
startup.



=========
Operation
=========

NCSIport stores default connection information in NCSI.INI.	 It is not
necessary to reselect the network port when using NCSIport.  It will
use the previous selection.  Entries in NCSI.INI can be changed by
making the changes through NCSIport or by editing NCSI.INI directly.


The NCSIport is designed for use with Windows programs that make
standard COM calls using the Microsoft recommended methods.  While we
claim many applications should work fine with the driver, Network
Products is not responsible for the compatibility of any communication
applications and cannot guarantee correct operation.




====================================
Trademark  and Copyright Information
====================================

NCSIport is copyrighted by Network Products Corporation.  All software
manufactured by Network Products Corporation is copyrighted according to
national copyright laws and international copyright treaties.
Unauthorized duplication is a violation of Federal and international
copyright laws.

NCSI and Network Modem Program are registered trademarks of Network
Products Corporation.

NMP, ACS, +INS, ACS/SA, and XCS are trademarks of Network Products
Corporation.  The numeral 2 designation is commonly used by NPC in place
of the  designation.

Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

NetWare is a registered trademark of Novell, Inc.

All other product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective owners.

