Information for the System Administrator

Cisco Systems does not claim any responsibility for the functionality of individual communication software packages; however, as a courtesy to our customers, the README.DOC file provided with the Cisco DialOut Utility, Release 2.0, contains information on necessary configuration changes for some applications.

Cisco DialOut Utility Automated Installation Process

You can automate the installation process to make it easier to install the Cisco DialOut Utility via an automated installation system such as Microsoft's System Management Services or if the same Cisco DialOut Utility configuration is being installed on a large number of workstations. Follow these steps:

Step 2 Using any ASCII text editor, point to the \Dialout directory on your hard disk. Browse to the SETUP.W95 (for Windows 95) or SETUP.WNT (for Windows NT) file and open it.

Step 4 If the Cisco DialOut Utility installation files are to be stored in a new location, locate the program path and modify the path in the SETUP.EXE file. The default path is one of the following:

Windows 95—C:\Program Files\Cisco Systems\Dialout.W95
Windows NT—C:\Program Files\Cisco Systems\Dialout.WNT

If the Path option is left blank (unchanged) and the Retain value is set to Yes, SETUP.EXE uses the program path that was defined during the last installation or upgrade. If the Path option is not blank, the new installation uses the modified path, regardless of the Retain value.

Step 5 Locate the com port you want to update. Use the text editor to change the following entry in the SETUP.EXE file:

Step 6 Save the modified SETUP.W95 or SETUP.WNT file as ASCII (DOS) text and notify users of the location of the newly modified SETUP.EXE.

Step 7 Run the SETUP.EXE program. There are two options for running SETUP.EXE.

Make all the previously discussed modifications to the SETUP.W95 or SETUP.WNT file and run SETUP.EXE as usual.

Make all the previously discussed modifications to a copy of the SETUP.W95 or SETUP.WNT file that you have given a different name. Run SETUP.EXE with the name of the new SETUP.EXE file in the command line. For example:

Command-Line Options for Windows 95 and Windows 98

The Cisco DialOut Utility includes two command-line options that you can use with Windows 95 and Windows 98.

Execute Options One Time

To use the options on a one-time basis, at the MS-DOS prompt, change to the directory in which your Cisco DialOut Utility files are installed and enter:

/a—Always Test. Test all ports as during the first time logic, but without launching the Modem Wizard.

Execute Options at Startup

To execute these options every time the Cisco DialOut Utility is started, follow these steps:

Step 8 In the Target dialog box, enter the switch you want to use at the end of the following command line:

/a—Always test. Test all ports upon as during the first time logic, but without launching the Modem Wizard.

Step 9 Click OK. To have the switches take effect immediately, restart Windows.

Command-Line Options for Windows NT

The Cisco DialOut Utility includes two command-line options that you can use with Windows NT. Change to the directory in which your Cisco DialOut Utility files are installed and enter:

t—Start a trace file. A trace file is a list, similar to a debug file, of every event that has occurred while you were running the utility.

d—Start a debug log. The debug log has very detailed event information in hexadecimal code.

Sending Faxes with Multiple Pages

Under the test conditions within our laboratory, we have been successful at transmitting multiple fax pages, using simulated and public switched networks. However, your conditions might limit the number of fax pages that can be successfully transmitted. See the README.DOC file for more information on the effects of combined conditions on multiple faxes.

Adding Com Ports

These steps are required only if you will have more than one Cisco DialOut Utility com port:

Step 5 When you have finished adding your new com port options, restart Windows so that the system will recognize them.

Step 6 After you restart Windows, install or run your communications application.

Step 7 Remember to reassign your communication application to use the newly added com port and modem, or it will default to the original com port. You might need to restart Windows after you install or reconfigure an application. If you are not sure you are entering the correct com port when configuring your application, launch the Cisco DialOut Utility by double-clicking the minimized DialOut icon and pointing to the com port list. Cisco DialOut Utility displays, for example, Com 3 or Com 4. You are now ready to use communication applications with the new com port.

Dial-Up Networking Using a NAS on a Different Segment

If your NAS is not on the same network segment as your Cisco DialOut Utility and you are using Microsoft dial-up networking (PPP), follow these steps to manually add the route to the remote NAS' network.

route add IP address of the access server mask IP address of the default gateway

Note If you do not enter this information, Cisco DialOut Utility will return an Error 10054 (Connect - Reset).

Troubleshooting for the System Administrator

This section contains troubleshooting information for the System Administrator. It assumes that you have thorough knowledge of Microsoft Windows, the NAS, and dial-up networking and that you have already tried the steps listed in the "Troubleshooting Information" chapter.

Troubleshooting Checklist

The following list presents potential symptoms that might occur and probable solutions while using Cisco DialOut Utility:

Most issues that have been experienced are due to improper configuration and hardware setup. If you are experiencing difficulties, check NAS configurations, network interface cards (NICs), NAS cables, and modems. Make sure carrier lines are connected and on before requesting additional assistance.
Use the ping test to make sure your NAS is reachable.
Make sure your NAS has the correct Cisco IOS software image for the Cisco DialOut Utility. (See the README.DOC file for the correct image to select.)
Port contention can be an issue if, for example, you have only 4 ports with modems to handle 10 people trying to use the Cisco DialOut Utility software. Just as with telephone lines, if the line is in use, that port is unavailable.
Some computer systems, modems, and carrier lines might require 2 tries before an application can make a good connection. This can be caused by timing delays from noise on the line or by application and PC timing sensitivity.
Adding multiple modems from the same manufacturer of the same model might cause a com port mismatch. This is a Microsoft issue and can occur without the presence of the Cisco DialOut Utility. Enter show line or show users to determine if a line is hung. If you experience a hanging line and you are using a Cisco AS2509 or Cisco AS2511, turn the modem off and on to purge the modem settings. Clear line will almost always clear the trouble. See the section "Clearing Potential Line Problems" for instructions.
Excessive propagation delay over low-speed lines or lines with excessive noise can negatively affect the timing of Microsoft's fax and dial-up networking and can cause the connection to fail.

Clearing Potential Line Problems

To clear any potential line problems, do not reload the NAS; instead, follow these steps:

Connection Problems

If you experience connection problems while the Cisco DialOut Utility is running, follow these steps:

Step 3 Click Test All Com Ports. If the test fails, follow the directions on the screen. If the test passes but you still experience problems, reboot the computer. If the test fails, note the results and check NAS configurations, NICs, NAS cables, and modems. Make sure carrier lines are connected and on.

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