Using the MSS Interactive Connections
5 - 5
5.2.1.3 Backward and Forward Switches
The Backward and Forward commands, when entered in local mode, allow
users to navigate through current sessions. The Change Backward Switch
and Change Forward Switch commands deÞne keys that can be used to
switch sessions without returning to local mode. The MSS intercepts and
processes these switch keys; it does not pass them to the remote host.
No backward or forward switch keys are enabled by default. They must be
explicitly deÞned using the commands in Figure 5-8. To specify a control
character, precede it with a carat (^).
Figure 5-8: DeÞning Switches
A userÕs open sessions can be thought of as a list from the earliest to the most
recently created. Forward refers to a more recent connection, while backward
refers to a session started earlier. The list is also circular; going forward from
the most recently created session takes you to the earliest session, and going
backward from the earliest session resumes the most recent session. For
example, user Bob connects to host Thor. He then breaks to local mode and
connects to host Duff. After working, he breaks and connects to host Conan.
His session list, shown with the Show Session command, would be:
1. Thor
2. Duff
3. Conan
In the example, Conan is the current session. The current session is either the
session to which a user is currently connected, or the last session the user was
in before entering local mode.
If Bob presses the backward key while working in Conan, he will resume his
session on Duff. If he presses the forward key while working in Conan, he
will move to his session on Thor.
Local>> CHANGE BACKWARD SWITCH ^B
Local>> CHANGE FORWARD SWITCH ^F