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# Introduction to MIF

This chapter covers these topics:

What is MIF? |
What you need before you start |
How to start MIF |

## What is MIF?

MIF (Machine Interface Format) is an Ascend-specific language that provides an alternative configuration interface for Ascend units. You can use a command line or write a MIF program that sets Ascend parameters rather than use the configuration menus to change one parameter after another. MIF programs provide a batch-processing method of changing a configuration or performing a series of actions.

The primary features of MIF are listed below:

- MIF is command-line driven

- It does not require the controlling computer to process asynchronous events

- It allows the controlling computer to enable asynchronous event reporting

## What you need before you start

To interface a MIF program with an Ascend unit, you need these items:

- A controlling computer

- VT-100 emulation software

- Connection to the Ascend unit

- An Ascend unit with an Ethernet interface (optional on some Ascend units)

The controlling computer can be the computer you would use to access the Ascend configuration menus. It is typically connected to the Ascend unit via the serial port (the Control port in an Ascend unit) and communicates with the device by using VT-100 emulation software.

## How to start MIF

You can start sending MIF commands to the unit in any one of the following ways:

- You can start MIF by selecting the Use MIF command in the Sys Diag menu.

          00-200 Sys Diag

          00-201 Restore Cfg

          00-202 Save Cfg

          >00-203 Use MIF

          00-204 Sys Reset

          00-205 Term Serv

          00-206 Upd Rem Cfg

- You can start MIF from any location in the configuration menus by typing the following four-key sequence in rapid succession (press each key in the sequence shown, one after the other, as quickly as possible):

  <ESC>[<ESC>!

  <ESC> is the escape key, [ is the left bracket key, and ! is Shift-1. Press these keys in the sequence shown, one after the other in rapid succession. You will see the MIF interface, where you can start entering MIF commands interactively.

- You can start MIF by using the appropriate transfer command (such as Send Text) in your VT-100 emulation program, provided that the first line in your MIF program contains the required escape sequence:

  <ESC>[<ESC>!

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