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- Using remote host computers via Telnet
- ---------------------------------------
-
-
-
- Understanding Telnet
-
- The one common element across the disparate environments of the
- Internet is the TCP/IP software protocol suite, the basis of
- communications.
-
- Telnet, the terminal-handler portion of the TCP/IP protocol suite,
- is the cornerstone of this striking communications technology.
- Telnet handles the remote login to another Internet host, so it is
- useful to know something about the way it works.
-
- Telnet operates in a client/server environment in which one host
- (the computer you are using, running Client (User) Telnet)
- negotiates opening a session on another computer (the remote host,
- running Server Telnet). During the behind-the-scenes negotiation
- process, the two computers agree on the parameters governing the
- session. One of the first things they settle is the terminal type
- to be used -- in general, a line-by-line network virtual terminal,
- for simplicity's sake. Virtual terminal, in this context, refers to
- a set of terminal characteristics and sequences that both sides of a
- network connection agree to use to transmit data from terminals
- across the network, regardless of the terminal used.
-
- Finding Telnet Commands
-
- Try typing "help" or "?" at the Telnet prompt to get a list of
- the commands available in your Telnet software.
-
- Using Local versus Remote Commands
-
- Once you have established a remote session, all commands you
- type will be sent to the Server Telnet on the remote host for
- execution.
-
- If you want a Telnet command issued in the remote environment to
- be acted on locally by your client Telnet, on most systems you
- would normally precede the command with an escape sequence (a
- predetermined character or combination of characters that
- signal your Telnet software to execute the command that follows
- locally). For example, in NCSA Telnet for pc-compatible
- microcomputers, the F10 key is the escape character that alerts
- Telnet to execute locally the next command you type (to turn
- local echo on or off, or to toggle capture on or off, etc.).
-
- The Telnet escape sequence by itself followed by <cr> returns you
- temporarily to your local operating environment. On UNIX systems,
- the escape sequence is usually the control key (CNTL) and left bracket
- ([) pressed simultaneously.
-
-
- Logging On
-
- TELNET <host>
- or
- TELNET <cr> followed by OPEN <host> at the prompt.
-
- The basic command set is simple. You also need to know either the
- machine domain name or the machine Internet address (a series of
- numbers). The numbers will always work; the names will work if
- they are in a software table available to your version of Telnet.
-
- IBM systems that use TN3270 may require you to type a carriage
- return, "DIAL VTAM," or just "VTAM" in response to the first
- prompt from the remote system.
-
-
- Logging Off
-
- LOGOFF or LOGOUT (also try QUIT, END, EXIT, STOP, etc.)
-
- CLOSE, prefixed by the escape sequence.
-
- ABORT, prefixed by the escape sequence--use as a last resort!
-
- To exit the remote system, first try that system's logoff
- command. To determine what the appropriate logoff command is,
- check the menus, help, and welcome screens when you first log on.
- Oftentimes, the logoff information is listed there but not always
- easy to retrieve later.
-
- Logging off the remote system may return you to your primary
- operating environment (all the way out of Telnet), or you may
- be left in Telnet. If so, type "quit".
-
- But some information systems have no graceful exit for remote
- users. In that case, you have two options --- CLOSE or ABORT.
-
- CLOSE should be your next choice after LOGOFF. If you are
- unable to CLOSE the connection normally (e.g., if your remote
- session is hung), try the Telnet ABORT command to drop your
- connection locally.
-
- ABORT will return control to you in your local environment, but
- it may not properly terminate your session on the remote machine.
- Since this can leave the port on the remote machine busy for an
- indefinite period even though you are no longer using it, ABORT
- should be used only as a last resort.
-
- In either case, you can also try escaping back to your local
- environment and then issuing the termination commands. If one
- method doesn't work, try the other.
-
- Other commands may allow you to control your communications environment.
- Investigate the help systems both in your local Telnet and on the
- remote system at the outset.
-
-
- Using the BREAK Key
-
- Don't be hasty with the Break key. Too many Breaks may cause
- your Telnet session to be dropped!
-
- There is no standard BREAK key across versions of Telnet and in
- remote information systems. Telnet is based on the concept of a
- network virtual terminal, in which the control functions (breaks,
- etc.) are communicated with characters regardless of terminal type
- (rather than line conditions, used in the terminal server
- environment). Your local Telnet receives your break and sends out
- a character sequence which is reinterpreted on the other end,
- hopefully as the break you intended.
-
- Your Break may not always be understood by the remote system, so
- you should try HELP or ? when you begin (at the Telnet prompt)
- to determine what your version of Telnet uses as BREAK.
-
- Tips: In UNIX, CNTL-C may work for BREAK. In the Mac environment,
- BREAK may be a click down menu option or a character combination.
- In NCSA Telnet (a popular PC version), BREAK is F10 followed by a
- lower case letter "b".
-
-
- Using the Backspace Key
-
- The backspace character may not be recognized by the remote
- system. Investigate in your local Telnet how to set an erasing
- backspace. Type ? at the Telnet prompt, or SET ? for a list of
- possibilities.
-
-
- Adjusting the Settings to your Needs
-
- Most Telnet programs have the ability to SET or TOGGLE many of
- these settings on and off. Erasable backspace, local echo,
- carriage return interpretation (<cr> or <cr><lf> -- i.e.,
- carriage return or carriage return with line feed), and the
- escape character you use to return to the local environment are
- things that you can usually SET or TOGGLE at the Telnet prompt.
- Type ? and use Telnet's internal help system to change a setting.
-
-
- Using Function Keys
-
- Remember that special function keys are local implementations
- and have no significance in a remote session. Function keys
- such as INSERT, DELETE, ERASE END-OF-FIELD, PF, and PA keys may
- not be recognized in the remote environment. Even though
- function keys and control key combinations may have significance
- on the remote system, they may vary from those on your local
- system.
-
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