Configure Connection

Form tabs

Use this form to configure the protocol with which you will connect to a server.

Protocol	The protocol you will use to connect to the server:
	TCP/IP	TCP/IP connections
	UDP/IP	UDP/IP connections
	Windows Modem	Windows (TAPI) modem connections (Windows)
	FirstClass Modem	FirstClass modem connections (Windows)
	ISDN (CAPI) Adapter	ISDN (CAPI) connections (Windows)

Note

For information on the protocol to use, see Configuring connections.

FirstClass chooses the appropriate fields to display based on the value at "Protocol". For information on the fields displayed on this tab, see:

Settings tab (TCP/IP or UDP/IP)

Use this tab to specify connection information if you are using TCP/IP or UDP/IP.

Port number	The TCP/IP or UDP/IP port on the server. If you change the default, you are changing it for every settings file that uses the TCP/IP or UDP/IP connection.
Proxy port	The port used to connect to the proxy server, if you connect through a proxy server. The default value of 1080 is the normal proxy server port.
Proxy IP address	The proxy server's IP address, if you connect through a proxy server. If you don't use a proxy server, leave this at 0.0.0.0.
Buffer size	Specify between 6000 and 64000. The larger the buffer, the better the download performance, but the more memory you will need on the computer where the FirstClass client is installed. The default of 10000 is normally adequate.

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Settings tab (Windows modem)

Use this tab to specify connection information if you are using a Windows (TAPI) modem.

Windows (TAPI) modem to use for connection	Only applicable if you have multiple TAPI modems configured on your computer. The modem to use for this connection. If you don't see the modem you need in this list, click Modems Control Panel.
Modems Control Panel	Lets you add your modem to the list displayed at "Windows (TAPI) modem to use for connection".
Script	Your connection script file, if you require a special connection script to connect to the server.
Line to use	If this field is displayed, this device supports multiple lines or channels. Choose the one you want for this connection.
Modem Setup Dialing Properties	Modem Setup and Dialing Properties are only necessary if you need to reconfigure your TAPI modem. These buttons open Windows modem setup forms as described in your Windows documentation.

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Settings tab (ISDN)

Use this tab to specify connection information if you are using ISDN.

ISDN (CAPI) adapter to use for connection	Only applicable if you have multiple ISDN adapters configured on your computer. The adapter to use for this connection.
Script	Only applicable if you require a special connection script to connect to the server. Your connection script file.
ISDN options	If you have not received the appropriate protocol values from your administrator, try accepting the defaults first. If the connection doesn't work, try choosing Transparent at "B2 protocol".

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Settings tab (FirstClass modem)

Use this tab to specify connection information if you are using a FirstClass modem.

Connection	Modem	The type of modem you are using. Modem files are not installed by default with the client. To put your modem type in this field, download the appropriate modem file from the Conferences/Software Libraries section of FirstClass Online or the Downloads section of our web site. If your modem does not appear in these areas, choose a compatible modem with the same speed as your modem. For example, if you have a V.32bis modem, choose Hayes Compatible 14400.
	Port	The port to which your modem is connected (for example, COM2).
	Phone	Your phone line type:
		Tone	A touch tone phone.
		Pulse	A dial phone.
	Speaker	Whether you want the modem speaker turned on during dialing and negotiation. Some modems are not affected by this choice.
	Script	Only applicable if you require a special connection script to connect to the server. Your connection script file.
Cable options	H/W handshake	Turns hardware handshaking on or off. Turn on hardware handshaking if you are using a high-speed modem or a modem that supports data compression or error correction, or are unsure what to pick. If your modem supports hardware handshaking, and On is recommended in the Comments section, accept the default On.
	DTR hangup	Turns DTR hangup on or off. When DTR hangup is on, the DTR (Data Terminal Ready) pin is used to tell the modem when to hang up. Choose this if you are unsure what to pick.
	Carrier detect	Specifies whether your modem supports carrier detection. If you are unsure what to pick, choose On.
Speed options	Auto speed	Turns auto speed on or off. When auto speed is turned on, FirstClass sets the speed of the serial port to the speed reported in the CONNECT message from the modem. If you aren't using hardware handshaking, choose On. If you are unsure what to pick, choose Off.
	Baud rate	The speed at which FirstClass will try to make the connection. This is the speed between your computer and your modem, not the modem-to-modem speed. If you are using hardware handshaking, this speed is typically two to four times higher than the rate used without hardware handshaking.

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Advanced tab

Use this tab to specify advanced connection information, including modem options and the information to trace.

Link options	Window	Only affects UPD/IP and modem connections. The size of the sliding window, in packets. Choices are:
		Auto	Your computer will determine the largest possible window size. We recommend this choice unless your connection fits one of the special cases described for the other choices.
		8	Choose this if you are connected over a link with long delays, such as a Wide Area Network (WAN) or satellite link. This choice trades off slower file transfers for better response to commands.
		16	Choose this on medium or slow connections, such as dialup.
		32	Choose this to get the best performance on fast 10MB or 100MB Local Area Networks (LANs).
	Packets	Only affects UPD/IP and modem connections. The maximum packet size. You may need to set this if you are communicating over multiple network types. Larger packets are more efficient, but will slow down the response to other commands while file transfers are in progress. Packet size choices are:
		Auto	We recommend this choice unless your connection fits one of the special cases described for the other choices.
		232	This will improve response to commands at the expense of file and text transfer speed.
		512	Choose this for slower dialup connections to prevent file transfers from slowing down response too much. This is the best choice for dialup IP.
		1024	This is the best choice for maximum file transfer performance on fast 10MB or 100MB networks.
	Lock	Whether to decrease the packet size if transmission errors are encountered. Choices are:
		None	Allows FirstClass to change the packet size. We recommend this choice.
		size	Locks the packet size at the size you choose.
	Encrypt	Whether to encrypt transmitted data. Note Remember that the level of security you choose will be used by default for all of your settings files which use this connection protocol. If you want to override this default for a particular settings file, update "Encryption" on the Service Setup form. Choices are:
		Off	Doesn't encrypt data. Choose this if you are using a modem that supports V.42bis or MNP 5 compression (because encrypted data can't be compressed).
		Fast	FirstClass standard encryption, which encrypts data at a basic level. This is most frequently used on networks when you want a fast connection and aren't particularly concerned about security.
		Secure	CAST 128 encryption, which encrypts data in a more secure manner than Fast. It is equivalent to the security used, for example, when you do banking on the Internet. The first time you log in with secure encryption, you might find that it takes a little longer than normal to connect. You won't notice this slowdown on subsequent connections.
Trace options	The events for which you want trace information. Selecting "Packets sent" or "Packets received" may decrease your link speed significantly, because FirstClass must then write a great deal of data to disk.

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