Interactive Connections Using the MSS
5 - 8
5.2.2.4 LAT
LAT devices broadcast their services to the network along with ratings, which
are estimates of how busy the services are. Ratings range from 0 to 255; a 255
rating means that the service can accept connections while a zero rating
means that the service is in use and connection attempts will be denied. By
default, connection attempts are made to the highest-rated service bearing a
given name.
To connect to a LAT service, type the word ÒLATÓ followed by the service
name. To view available LAT nodes and services, enter Show Nodes LAT or
Show Services at the Local> prompt. The example below shows how to
connect to the highest-rated service named modem on the network.
Figure 5-12: Connecting to a Service
Connections to particular hosts and ports can be forced if desired. Forcing a
connection in this way may be necessary if more than one host on a network
can provide a given service, or if the desired host does not have the highest
rating for that service. For example, the following command will attempt a
connection to a service named modem on port 5 of a VAX host named vax8.
Figure 5-13: Connecting to a SpeciÞc Port
NOTE: If the information supplied in the command is incorrect, or if
there is no such service on the specified host or port, the
connection will be refused.
If the MSS has been conÞgured to allow incoming LAT logins, the MSS will
also show up as a service on the network. Users can connect to the MSS from
another LAT-based server by typing the appropriate connection command.
Local> LAT modem
Local> LAT modem LN=vax8:LD=0005