What is Telnet?
Telnet allows the user to log in to a remote computer. When you use telnet, it is as if your keyboard and screen are connected to the remote computer.
Telnet is important for two reasons: First, you can use it to access a remote computer on which you have an account. Second, the Internet has many public resources which you access via telnet.
To use telnet, you run a telnet client program on your computer. This program uses the Internet to connect to the remote computer. The telnet client acts as an intermediary between you and the other computer. Everything you type on your keyboard is
passed on to the other computer. Everything the other computer displays is sent to your computer where it appears on your screen. As a result, your keyboard and screen seem to be connected directly to the remote computer.
Telnet is actually the oldest of the various Internet services. The first service provided on the Arpanet was "remote login", that is, "telnet." Telnet is really a service that connects to a remote Internet computer and emulates a VT-100 terminal, the
standard for connect to UNIX computers.
Basic Concepts
In telnet terminology, your computer is called the LOCAL computer. The other computer, the one to which your telnet client connects, is called the REMOTE computer.
In general, there are two ways to use telnet. First, you can connect to any computer on the Internet for which you have a shell account. When you do, you will see the standard login: and password: prompts. You can now log in and use the
computer in the usual manner.
Second, there are many public resources which you can access via telnet. Some of these do not require a password. As soon as your telnet client makes the connection, you can start working with the remote computer. Many public library catalogs are set
up in this manner.
Other public services do require passwords. The first time you connect to one of these systems, you will be asked to choose a user name and password. From then on, you would log in using whatever name and password you have chosen.
Using Your Telnet Client
Using a telnet client program is relatively simple. All you do is start the program, tell it the name of the remote host to which you want to connect. Once the connection with the host is established, you will see whatever message that computer
displays as part of the starting procedure. If you connect to a UNIX computer which expects you to log in, it will start by displaying the line:
login:
Type in the appropriate user name and press ENTER. You will then see the line:
password:
Type in the password and press ENTER. You will now be logged in. Once your telnet client starts, there is nothing special to remember or do. Just log in to the remote computer and start work.
Connecting to a Specific Port Number
Within the Internet, many of the hosts offering telnet access to public services require you to specify a specific PORT NUMBER when you make the connection. The port number identifies the type of service that you are requesting. The term PORT refers to
a connection between two devices or systems.
How to use telnet from within Netscape
To telnet to a remote computer from within Netscape, make sure you have a telnet application defined within Netscape's General Preferences, Apps. Then, you can either enter the telnet address in the location input field (replace http://xxxxx with
telnet://xxxx) or you can click on File, choose Open Location, type the remote computer's address in the location input field, click on Open. From this point on, follow the instructions on the screen. Note the telnet drop down menus.
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Telnet Exercises
