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the other elements of the Net |
Telnet is a TCP/IP protocol, that is a set of rules that allows two computers to exchange information. Telnet protocol is a way to log on from your computer to a remote one. This is used, for example, to search databases or libraries. The World Wide Web's http protocol and the file transfer protocol (ftp) can also be used to request specific files from remote computers. But the difference is that the user is not logged on to that particular computer. Telnet is the usual way to connect to computers which host MOOs and MUDs, and generally to servers hosting multi-user communication like IRC and other chat programmes. There are some databases to which you only can access using telnet. Besides, if your local Internet provider allows it, telnet is another way to check your email account from wherever you are. Where to get it?To use telnet you need a software which is often referred to as "client". Different kind of telnet "client" are easy to find on the Net and are usually for free. The most used telnet client for Apple Computers is produced by the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) which is available on the Web for free at the NCSA Website. There are some other web sites where users of Windows 3.x, Windows 95 and Mac can download shareware versions of telnet. For example Tucows, Intersoft or IBM's ICE. Select the version you need, follow the instructions relating to your operating system and telnet will be easily installed. Today some operating systems come with a telnet application, which, in the case of Windows 95, is called Microsoft Telnet. Getting started
How does telnet work? Although there are lots of different clients, all of them operate based on the same principles. To start the telnet program you double-click on the telnet icon. You may also type the command in the address field of your web browser as follows:
Sometimes you have to select a command called "open connection", in order to tell the programme that you want to establish a connection, i.e. run a telnet session. Once the program is launched, a dialogue box will appear. That's where you have to specify the computer you want to connect to. The telnet address is the address of the server you want to connect to. There are two ways of writing a telnet address: the first is a domain name format that looks like an email address, but which does not have the username and @ sign. For example: "YALEINFO.YALE.EDU", "library.qut.edu.au", or "cybernet.cse.fau.edu". The second way to write a telnet address is in the Internet Protocol (IP) address format: 120.118.36.5, or 123.132.77.3. In some cases the IP address format might be required. Below you can find some tips on how to find telnet addresses. Another information that you need to provide is the "port ID", which refers to the specific directories on the server to which you want to access. You may leave this area empty unless you know the specific ID. By filling these fields and hitting the connect/go/ok button you are telling your telnet client to contact the remote computer. The next step is logging on to the remote computer. Log onAfter you have told telnet which computer you want to access, a new window will appear. It displays the commands that your computer sends to the remote computer, as if you were directly typing while sitting on that computer. The window will first display something like the following example from a connection to Yale University:
telnet YALEINFO.YALE.EDU 7000 It means that your telnet program is trying to access the host computer and it also shows the escape character. It is a good idea to take note which is the "escape character". Once you are connected you will be requested for:
Fill in both and you will be logged on. How do you get this information? The first time you access any telnet site you will be logged on as a guest and no password will be required. Just your name for identification. If you want to become a "member" or "citizen" you have to provide a user´s ID and a password. Sometimes, they will send you the password or in other cases the password might also be publicly known. Then you will receive a notification (in most cases via email) that you were accepted. Most of the public accessible telnet servers will provide information in their welcome page regarding the procedures to access that particular server. It is always a good idea to read these instructions.The following is the Meridian Moo welcome message, a Moo which allows users to have access as guests.
WELCOME TO MERIDIAN! connect (name) (password) : to connect to your character connect guest : to visit as a guest who : to see who is logged in now @quit : to disconnect now or later Making use of a telnet siteAfter you have logged on a public access telnet server, a menu of possible actions and commands will be shown. This is a very simple way to get to know how to control a telnet session. Read the menu carefully! If you don't understand it, search for the help option in the menu, or try typing "help" or question mark (?) at the command prompt. Below is what Meridian Moo displays once you are connected as a guest:
connect guest Once you are finished, quit by using the appropriate escape character. Public access telnet sitesThere are many public telnet sites. Try Hytelnet, a huge database of telnet accessible libraries throughout the world. Finally, enjoy your telnet sessions and remember that patience might also be of some help! Did telnet help you do your job? Please tell us about it! |
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