This section describes the various ways that HOUSE/290 and the Comm Engine can be applied.

Default Operation

Default operation is for operation of the CP290 interface from a single computer. HOUSE/290 is set to start-up the Comm Engine in the background. All operations can be done through HOUSE/290 and the Comm Engine does in most cases not require attention. The Comm Engine can be made visible by accessing the windows list (press CRTL-ESC) and showing it by right-clicking on it's name. By default, the Comm Engine is automatically closed whenever HOUSE/290 is closed.

Network Operation

For operation over a LAN or peer-to-peer network, HOUSE/290 needs to be configured differently. Install the CP290 at one of the workstations or server. Install the Comm Engine at the same computer where you installed the CP290. Start up the Comm Engine (CP290CE.EXE) separately from HOUSE/290. Leave the Comm Engine running so HOUSE/290 can access it. HOUSE/290 can not start-up the Comm Engine over a network, it must be done manually.

Install HOUSE/290 on any other computer on the network. Start up H290MAIN.EXE and configure it so the Comm Engine does not start automatically. Fill in the computer name where HOUSE/290 can find the Comm Engine. After you changed the computer name inside H290MAIN.EXE, you must disconnect and then reconnect to the Comm Engine. This will establish communications between the two programs.

Operation with your own REXX Program

If you want to use your own REXX programs to access the CP290 functions, simply start the Comm Engine and use your REXX program to communicate via the named pipe to the Comm Engine. Remember that only one program can access the named pipe at one time. See the section on REXX Examples for a sample REXX program.