Yep, except they're called file-flags. I use them all the time, even when I
used to have a *nix machine (I had shell scripts that created file-flags as
required; they duplicated .Bat files for the same purposes).

File-flags are the temporary files in Argus {Home Directory}. By means of
file-flags, external programs or system operator can force Argus to do
something. Argus periodically scans the Home Directory for file-flags,
and, after detection deletes the file-flag.
nodelist.ok ----------------- Compile the nodelist. Identical
to Compile Nodelist item of Tool menu (Shift-F6).
exit.now ---------------------- Exit Argus. Identical to Exit
item of System menu (Alt+X).
password.ok ----------------- Import auxiliary password file.
dupovr.ok ----- Import auxiliary dial-up node overrides file.
ipovr.ok ------- Import auxiliary TCP/IP node overrides file.
close.linename ------ Close a line. E.g. if the line is named
"Line4", the flag should be named "close.Line4"
open.linename --------------------------------- Opens a line.
close.ip ------------------------------- Close TCP/IP daemon.
open.ip --------------------------------- Open TCP/IP daemon.
active.linename -- Indicates that a line is currently active,
i.e. opened.
active.ip --------- Indicates that TCP/IP daemon is currently
active i.e. opened.
current.ip --------------- Indicates that at least one TCP/IP
connection is currently opened.

Please note that "close.linename" & "open.linename" flags are deleted only
in case of successful open / close operation. E.g. open.line1 flag will
not be deleted until the line actually opens with a valid serial port.

I think that's all of them. When using Argus, they're created in the Argus
'home' directory. With Radius (& Taurus?) they're created in the 'flags' dir,
specified in the paths config.

Here's an example batch file that you won't find in any documentation. It used
to be fired up from the cron (when I was non-ICM) or I would run it from a menu
item/icon/command-prompt:

"Start_ip.bat"...
-----8<-----C-U-T--H-E-R-E----->8-----
:TOPofBAT
:: program: Start_IP.Bat [ver 6.xx.xx]
:: * Variables used throughout this series of batch files:
CALL M:\BINKLEY\BINKBATS\THIS_ENV.BAT %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9
:: MUST be run in the Win9x GUI, otherwise stop now...
IF NOT [%IS_WIN_Q%]==[YES_SIR] GOTO FULLSTOP
IF NOT [%WINVER%]==[WIN95] GOTO FULLSTOP
ECHO.
ECHO Start the Argus TCP/IP daemon!
IF NOT EXIST %SEMA4DIR%\active.ip TYPE foobar.$$$>%SEMA4DIR%\open.ip
GOTO FULLSTOP
:FULLSTOP
ECHO.
CALL THIS_ENV.BAT U
-----8<-----C-U-T--H-E-R-E----->8-----

If you're curious about what that This_Env.Bat doover does, it can be found
via:

http://members.dodo.com.au/~colgilly/dos_bats.html

Although the webpages specify a Binkley/BinkD config, most of the batch files
are still used with Radius, and, some more! (like the above one).