changes for version 1.4

when prior connection is hung it will now only pause 5 seconds after resetting it
before dialing ... prior versions paused the entire timeout time...

for errors other than known errors i.e. prior hung, busy etc.. 
there is now better error reporting, it will lookup the text message and
include that in the description.

fixed bug in startrascl (command line version) that reported problems with 
registry params when they were ok.. this problem was not in the service version.


New version 1.3 is it's own service and does not require the srvany program any longer
to run.

(C) 1995 L. Kahn
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Startras is a program to keep the ras connection to an internet service
provider up all day.
For users like me that have 24 hour connections this is usefull since otherwise
you have to have the ras phone book open with a readial entry to force it to redial.

It also has a built in fix to workaround a bug in the https server whereas it
hangs when the ras line goes down.
This allows it to bring up your internet connection without even logging into your machine.

Used in conjunction with smtp/nntp etc. servers when your system boots up NT it
will connect to the internet and get your mail/news etc without having to log
in.

You must also have a working script (switch.inf) for the phone book entry you
are using, and be using PPP as your protocol or this program will not work correctly.



there are now 3 programs in this distribution


inst.exe - installs/removes the service - see below
startrascl.exe - runs from command line
startras.exe  - runs as a service



-------------- INST.exe------------------------
This program installs/removes the service including all necessary registry keys.  
After installation you must go into the control panel/service manager and set the 
account/password under which the service will run.  And also set the startup type... 
(probably should be automatic which is the default).

NOTE: If you are running ras server with a startup type of automatic as show in the
service manager this will hang the "ras conection service" ... There are two ways to
resolve this problem:

1. set it to a startup type of manual, or
2. go into the registry editor regedit32 and modify the DependOnService key for the
"ras connection service"... Add the keyword RemoteAccess so now the setting should read

Key Name:          SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Ras Connection Service
Class Name:        <NO CLASS>
Last Write Time:   5/4/95 - 11:43 PM
Value 0
  Name:            DependOnService
  Type:            REG_MULTI_SZ
  Data:            TcpIp
                   Afd
                   LanManWorkstation
                   RemoteAccess



to get help on the INST program simply type it without any parameters and the follwing help
comes up:
------------------------------------------------------------------
Installs or removes the Startras service.  When the Startras service
Startras is a program to keep the ras connection to an internet service
provider up all day.

For users like me that have 24 hour connections this is very useful, since
Startras will run as a service and NOT require you to log in to bring up
and maintain your internet connection.
You must be using PPP and have a working RAS Phone book entry and script in
the switch.inf file in order for this program to work correctly.

To install the Startras service,
type INST <path> "Ras Phone book entry name" timeout machinename [Y]
Where:
    path    Absolute path to the Startras service, startras.exe.  You must
            use a fully qualified path and the drive letter must be for a
            fixed, local drive.

The Ras Phone book entry name comes from your RASDIAL phonebook. 
The timeout is the time to wait (in seconds) before checking to see
if the connection went down and reestablishing it (recommended minimum is 60),
and the machine name is the name of an NT machine (retrieved via hostname) 
to send status messages to.

NOTE: status messages are also generated in the Application log.
The last optional parameter is whether to stop and restart
an https server to get around an http bug each time the line is brought
back up.
For example, INST i:\winnt\system32\startras.exe "Interpath Class C" 60 ambra Y

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


To remove the server just type "inst remove" and the service will be removed.

Further warning: if you move the directory where startras resides you must deinstall (inst remove)
and reinstall the service.  Similiarly if you screw up your parameters to the inst program you
must then deinstall/remove and reinstall it.


-------------- startras.exe------------------------
This is the "ras connection service" program that is the main service...

-------------- startrascl.exe------------------------

This is a command line version of the "ras connection service" that you
can use to double check your settings...  It still requires the service
to be installed and reads the startup parameters from the registry but
runs as a command line/ie console program instead of a service.

I recommend you run this program from the command line before installing it
as a service to make sure you have all your parameters correct and the 
service is installed correctly.

------------------- NOTES -----------------------------

When the service is running it sends status messages to the machine name that
you specified in the inst program parameter.  This need not be the local machine
if for instance you work on another machine and want to receive status message
on the line activity.  This must be a Windows NT machine name not an Internet 
machine name... I.e. the name of the machine returned when you run the
hostname command.

Status messages also go to the application log on the machine on which the
ras connection service is running.


Future enhancments:

I will be adding the links to the nt 3.51 on demand dialing api's as soon
as microsoft tells me where they are.   This will not be usefull for 24 hour
connect customers like me, but will make the program usefull for users
who wish to have on-demand dialing.  To terminate the link you will still have
to go to the phonebook and hang up the connection when this is implemented.



Good luck

I can be reached at kahn@drcoffsite.com
or lgk in private forum drcoffsite in internet phone

No promises on support.


Source code:

At this point source code is not being released...