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New:  Software Archive   CK 9.0   EK 1.7   K95 source Popular resources:  history   postal   utf8
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February 2022: HTTP file download links from outside Columbia no longer work
Just months after the massive conversion of about 10,000 Kermit software download links from FTP to HTTP, the big browsers have done it again: Firefox, Chrome, Edge, and who knows how many other browsers, now permit cross-domain file downloads only from HTTPS (Secure — i.e. encrypted — HTTP) servers. The Kermit Project site at Columbia University has not yet been converted to HTTPS, so file download links pointing to Columbia from outside columbia.edu no longer work. The conversion of Columbia's remaining HTTP sites (such as this one) by Columbia technical staff is taking forever, there is no estimate of when it will be complete.

Until the Columbia Kermit site is converted to HTTPS, you can download Kermit software from the Kermit Software Archive at Columbia University (not the one at kermitproject.org), in which case you are following a link from Columbia to Columbia, which still works (as of 13 February 2023).

January-October 2021: Columbia University FTP service discontinued
Traditionally downloads of Kermit and other software from Columbia University was by FTP (ARPANET/Internet File Transfer Protocol), and the Kermit Project website included about 10,000 FTP links. These stopped working in early 2021 when top browsers such as Chrome and Firefox removed support for FTP downloads. Columbia's FTP server was retired on 13 October 2021. As of September 2021, the Columbia Kermit website has had most of its FTP links converted to HTTP. Any FTP links that remain are either to external sites or they are in old pages that are no longer relevant (e.g. instructions for downloading long-superseded Kermit software releases). If you encounter a nonfunctional link, please let me know and I'll fix it if possible.

As of 22 July 2021, the following pages have been fixed:

  • index.html (this page, updated each time changes are made)
  • archive.html (the Kermit software archive as of 2011)
  • mskermit.html (MS-DOS Kermit)
  • ek.html (Embedded Kermit)

On 23 July 2021, the following pages that contained FTP URLs were fixed:

30-31 July 2021:

1 August 2021:

Frank da Cruz, founder and manager of the Columbia University Kermit Project 1981-2011.

1 July 2011... The Kermit Project at Columbia University canceled
The Columbia University Kermit Project website and software archive were frozen on 1 October 2011, but remain available as a public resource. A new Kermit Project website has been established outside of Columbia at www.kermitproject.org for the continued development of C-Kermit, G-Kermit, E-Kermit, and Kermit 95.    The complete 30-year software archive as of 2011 remains housed at Columbia, accessible through this page.    CLICK HERE to visit the New Kermit Project website at kermitproject.org.

See the announcement here. Kermit software and documentation remain available at the Kermit website and archive, as always, but with changes described here. C-Kermit and E-Kermit have been published with an Open Source license and the source code for Kermit 95 (except for portions to which Columbia does not have publication rights) have been too. Kermit 95 executables and install packages will not be distributed in a free and open manner because they include strong encryption, whose export is controlled by the United States Government.* For Kermit customers who cannot use open source licenses, and would like to continue to purchase copies of the software as they have previously done, please contact techventures@columbia.edu and mention Kermit in the subject line. Technical support is no longer available from Columbia University effective July 1, 2011. The pages of the Kermit website have been updated to reflect the new support and licensing status of the Kermit software. See the Transition Roadmap (button just below) for the latest and most accurate information.

* Kermit 95 can become free open-source software; the job is already half done. If you are a Windows programmer, feel free to join the effort; CLICK HERE for details.

Cancellation announcement   Transition roadmap   Visit the new Kermit Project website

The Kermit Project

On 29 April 2011 the Kermit Project turned 30 years old, initiated at Columbia in 1981 as a way to set up microcomputers as terminals to our central mainframes and allow files to be transferred reliably back and forth so students could archive their files on floppy diskettes (read history here). Since then, as one of the world's first distributed volunteer-based software development projects, Kermit has evolved into an all-purpose cross-platform tool for transport-independent communication, file transfer and management, and automation. [Read more...]

Kermit software versions

All Kermit software programs are built around the Kermit File-Transfer Protocol designed at Columbia in 1981 and refined and extended over the years, which allows two software programs on each end of a communication connection to transfer both text and binary files correctly and completely [Read more...]  In addition, many Kermit programs also make connections over various communication media and act as a terminal. And in many cases they also include a built-in programming language to allow any communication procedure, any dialog, and any file-transfer or -management task to be fully automated.

The most popular Kermit programs are listed in the table below. Unless otherwise noted, all of these can make TCP/IP network connections (clear-text or secured by Kerberos IV, Kerberos V, or SSL/TLS), direct serial-port connections, and dialed modem connections, and can accept incoming connections of all these types. They can conduct interactive terminal sessions. They can transfer files with Kermit or FTP protocol. Those that can make Internet connections support the Telnet, Rlogin, FTP, and HTTP protocols unless otherwise noted. Their operation can be automated using the script programming language. And they can convert among a wide variety of text character sets in both terminal sessions and file transfer. [Read more...]

What is Kermit?   Kermit security methods   The Kermit script language   The Kermit FTP client

Program/Link Platform Description
Kermit 95
2.1.3
K95 retail shrinkwrap
MS Windows, IBM OS/2
FAQ
Since 1995. Supports all 32-bit versions of Microsoft Windows as well as OS/2 Warp. Runs on 64-bit Windows versions in 32-bit mode. Emulates over 40 different terminals including VT100, VT220, VT320, ANSI, HP, IBM, Linux Console, Sun Console, QNX, AT386, SCO ANSI, SNI 97801, Televideo, Wyse, and many others. Also supports XYZMODEM file transfer and SSH security in addition to Kerberos and SSL/TLS. As of 30 March 2011 the K95 manual is available online and as of 20 July 2011, the source code is too. As of 2023-2024 a new free, open-source version called C-Kermit for Windows (CKW) is in Beta Test.
C-Kermit
9.0.302
Using C-Kermit, 2nd Ed.
Unix, VMS, VOS, OS-9, AOS/VS, others
FAQ
Since 1985. Supports hundreds of 32-bit and 64-bit Unix varieties (Linux, Mac OS X, Solaris, AIX, HP-UX, FreeBSD, NetBSD, SCO, many others) as well as VMS on VAX, Alpha, and IA64. Older versions available for 16-bit Unix versions as well as for other operating systems including Stratus VOS, OS-9, AOS/VS, Atari ST, Commodore Amiga, and Apple Macintosh. The Unix version can make ssh connections using the external Unix SSH client, and has optional built-in support for SSL/TLS and Kerberos security. C-Kermit is also the basis for Kermit 95.   A newer version is in development at New Kermit Project website.
MS-DOS Kermit
3.14, 3.15, 3.16
Using MS-DOS Kermit, 2nd Ed.
MS-DOS, PC-DOS, Windows 3.x Since 1982. For DOS 2.0 or later and 16-bit Microsoft Windows versions through 3.11. Includes built-in TCP/IP stack. Emulates 15 terminals, including DEC VT100, 220, 320; Data General DASHER, Wyse50, ANSI text terminals as well as Tektronix and DG color graphics. Does not include encryption; TCP/IP supports Telnet only. Version 3.14 fits on a single diskette (which was included in the back of the book). Not for 32-bit or 64-bit Windows.
G-Kermit
1.00
Unix Since 1999. Simple and fast Kermit protocol implementation written to satisfy the demand for a GPL Kermit file-transfer program for Unix. File transfer only, remote end only; no making connections, no terminal emulation, no scripting, no character-set conversion.   A newer version is available at New Kermit Project website.
E-Kermit
1.7
E-Kermit for embedding
(Any) Since 2004. Super-compact and efficient Kermit protocol code for embedding. File transfer only, no security, no making connections, no terminal emulation, no scripting, no character-set conversion. This is not a complete communication application, just a "subroutine" that executes the Kermit file transfer protocol suitable for embedding in other programs or in chips or devices. Source code now available.    Newer version available at New Kermit Project website.
IBM Mainframe Kermit
4.3.2
An IBM Card
VM/CMS, MVS/TSO, OS/390, CICS, MUSIC Since 1982. Kermit file transfer for IBM mainframe operating systems. Far end only, no making connections, no terminal emulation. Extensive character-set conversion capabilities supporting many Country Encoded EBCDIC code pages.
And all the others... MULTICS, DTSS, NOS, GCOS, MUMPS, RT-11, Cray, RSX-11, TOPS-10, TOPS-20, OS/8, MPE, CP/M-80, CP/M-86, iRMX-86, ISIS, PICK, UCSD p-System, Flex, IDRIS, Xelos, TISP, PRIMOS, Sperry VS9, Nonstop, TRSDOS, Soviet mainframes, ..... About 180 Kermit programs spanning 30 years in 36 different programming languages. As of 18 August 2011, every Kermit program ever written by or submitted to the Kermit Project is archived and cataloged HERE.

Resources

Link Description
cancellation.html Announcement of the cancellation of the Kermit Project
transition.html Cancellation roadmap
kermit.html What is Kermit? Overview.
ckututor.html C-Kermit tutorial
k95tutor.html Kermit 95 tutorial
ckscripts.html The Kermit script language - tutorial and samples
ftpclient.html Kermit's secure scriptable FTP client
ftpscripts.html How to automate FTP sessions
security.html Internet security methods supported by Kermit software
FAQ Frequently asked questions
iksd.html The Internet Kermit service
manuals.html Kermit Books (published manuals)
biblio.html Kermit Bibliography
news Kermit News Issues 1986-1994
csetnames.html Kermit character-set names
csettables.html Character-set tables
utf8 UTF-8 Unicode character-set sampler
em-apex Kermit Assists in Storm Tracking
nasa Kermit Supports NASA on the International Space Station
postal International Postal Addressing
timeline Columbia University Computing History 1754-2005
Creative uses for Kermit Notes from the underground

The Kermit Project / Columbia University / kermit@columbia.edu / 30 September 2011 / Updated: Thu Jan 18 15:46:37 2024