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-
-
- _______________________________________________________________________________
-
- DEC Terminal Server Basics
- Written by Mad Hacker {the original} on 09/10/88
-
- A Telecom Computer Security Bulletin File
- Volume One, Number 1, File 11 of 12
- _______________________________________________________________________________
-
-
- This is the A B C's of using a DEC terminal server. A DEC terminal server can
- be quite a handy thing if you know a few of it's basic commands. Ok enough
- said, time to log in....
-
-
- LOGGING INTO THE DECSERVER:
-
- To login to the DECserver you may be required to enter a login password. But
- to tell the truth, most DECservers are not password protected. It seems that
- most people don't think of a DECserver as a possible weak link in their
- security. I guess they feel that the server is not a computer and so it is not
- a thing that needs to be protected. This is a very serious mistake! Many
- computer systems have been compromised by the lax security of the external
- devices hooked to them, in this case, the DECserver.
-
- If you need to log in, this is how to do it.
-
- 1. Press <RETURN> twice; a number sign (#) appears along with an audible beep.
-
- 2. Enter the login password. For example, to log in with the password HACKER
-
- <RETURN> <RETURN> enter <RETURN> twice
-
- # HACKER type the password (which is not echoed)
-
- 3. If you make a mistake, the prompt reappears (and the "beep") to let you
- try again. You have several chances to enter the correct password.
-
- 4. If you use a dial-in modem, you have 60 seconds to respond to the #
- prompt with the correct password. If you don't, the server disconnects
- your modem.
-
- If you do not need to enter a login password, {that is how most are setup},
- just press <RETURN> twice and you are in.
-
- When you log in, an introductory line of text appears...
-
- DECserver 200 Terminal Server V1.0 - LAT V5.1
-
- If your port does not have a permanent username defined, enter your name (1 to
- 16 keyboard characters) after the following text appears...
-
- Please type HELP if you need assistance
-
- Enter username> MAD_HACKER
-
- The Local> prompt appears after you type your username.
-
- If your port does have a permanent username, here's what you see...
-
- Please type HELP if you need assistance
-
- Local>
-
-
-
- USING ONLINE HELP:
-
- Online help is documentation about DECserver commands that is stored in server
- memory. You can see this documentation interactively on your terminal while
- you are using the DECserver. The HELP command gives you access to online help.
- You can use it in one of two ways:
-
- You can type HELP at the Local> prompt...
-
- Local> HELP
-
- This generates a succession of HELP "frames", "menus", and prompts. Frames
- are made up of the information that can fit on one or more terminal screens.
- Menus are lists of topics you can choose from.
-
- Alternatively, you can specify topics and subtopics when you enter the HELP
- command. For example...
-
- Local> HELP SET PORT
-
- This command produces online documentation that describes the SET PORT command.
-
-
- SOME DEFINITIONS:
-
- The primary function of the DECserver is to allow you to connect to "services"
- offered on your network. A service can be a computer system that you can use
- just as though your terminal were attached directly to the system, or it can
- be a function offered by such a system. In addition, services can be set-up
- to allow access to printers, out-dial modems, personal computers and terminal
- switches. To connect to a service, you only need to know the service name.
- _______________________________________________________________________________
-
- A NOTE ABOUT OUT-DIALS CONNECTED TO A DECserver:
-
- When an outdial modem is put on the DECserver and some local hacks find
- it, well you get the picture.....the company that own's it will often get
- a 100-500 page bill from the phone company. After that happens, the company
- that is the proud owner of a $5000.00 phone bill will often decide to
- password protect the DECserver. On the other hand, the out-dial may be run
- off a flat rate SPRINT or WATS line. If that is the case the out-dial will
- live a long and non-password protected life... :-)
- _______________________________________________________________________________
-
- DEFINITIONS CONTINUED:
-
- A "service node" is a computer system or server that offers services.
-
- A "session" is a connection to a service. You can have one or more simul-
- taneous sessions with one service, or more than one service. The connection
- you are using at any one time is called your "current session". Your other
- sessions are inactive, but can be resumed by using server commands or session
- switches.
-
- "Service mode" is your environment when you interact with a service. For
- example, if the service is a computer system, your environment is the same as a
- terminal directly wired to the system. You can all use the system's commands
- and resources.
-
- "Local mode" is your environment when you interact with the DECserver
- using commands entered at the Local> prompt.
-
-
-
- CONNECTING TO A SERVICE:
-
- Use the local mode SHOW SERVICES command to display a list of services you can
- use.
-
- Local> SHOW SERVICES
-
- To connect to a service (establish a session with the service) enter the
- DECserver CONNECT command with the name of the service you want. For example,
- for a service called MEGA-SYSTEM, enter the following command:
-
- Local> CONNECT MEGA-SYSTEM
-
- This command places you in service mode in an active session with the service
- MEGA-SYSTEM. In this case, MEGA-SYSTEM is a CRAY with 200 GIG on-line.
-
-
-
- RETURNING TO LOCAL MODE FROM A SERVICE SESSION:
-
- To return to local mode without ending your session, press <BREAK> or press
- your local switch character. Both these characters are, in effect, DECserver
- commands that instruct the server to go back to local mode.
-
- The <BREAK> character must be set up to permit this (by default it is), and
- the local switch character must be defined (by default it is not).
-
- Use the HELP command for more details on setting up the <BREAK> character and
- local switch character.
-
- *** NOTE ***
-
- Some modems interprets the <BREAK> character as a command to end
- your dial-in connection. If you are using one of these modems,
- do not use <BREAK> to return to local mode.
-
- Your session, now inactive, is still your current session because it is the
- session your were using most recently.
-
-
-
- RESUMING YOUR SERVICE SESSION FROM LOCAL MODE:
-
- To resume your current session (and service mode) while your are in local
- mode, enter the DECserver RESUME command.
-
- Local> RESUME
-
- You go back to where you left off when before returning to local mode.
-
-
-
- DISCONNECTING FROM A SERVICE:
-
- To end your current session while in service mode, use the command that
- terminates whatever process you are using. For example, you can terminate a
- session on a VAX/VMS system by typing the VMS LOGOUT command. Refer to the
- documentation for the service node that offers the service.
-
- To end your current session while in local mode, enter the DECserver DISCONNECT
- command.
-
- Local> DISCONNECT
-
- You cannot resume a service session after you end the connection with
- DISCONNECT.
-
-
-
- CONNECTING TO A SECOND SERVICE:
-
- The DECserver allows you to have several sessions at one time, to the same or
- to different services. To connect to a second (or subsequent) service, simply
- enter another CONNECT command from local mode, specifying the name of the
- service. For example, to connect to the service OUT-DIAL, enter the following
- command:
-
- Local> CONNECT OUT-DIAL
-
- To resume one of your non-current sessions, use the FORWARDS command to switch
- to your next session, or the BACKWARDS command to switch to your previous
- session. Alternatively, you can use the RESUME command and specify the session
- number. You can find this number from the SHOW SESSIONS display:
-
- Local> RESUME SESSION 2
-
- To disconnect a particular session, use the DISCONNECT command and specify the
- session number. For example:
-
- Local> DISCONNECT SESSION 1
-
-
-
- LOGGING OUT OF THE DECSERVER:
-
- To logout from the DECserver, enter the DECserver LOGOUT command (in local
- mode).
-
- Local> LOGOUT
-
- LOGOUT disconnects all sessions. A DECserver message appears verifying the
- logout.
-
- Well that is about it for now. There are a number of other nice commands but
- you should be able to find your way around now. Happy Hack'n....
-
-