Telnet Tips
Telnet is a tool that lets you log in to other computers over the Internet. Telnet is text-based; there's no pointing or clicking. All your navigation is done via the keyboard.
When you telnet into your virtual server, you will be connected remotely to the Unix operating system. Thus, you can type in Unix commands and manipulate your website. For more information on Unix commands we have a Unix Tutorial.
For those of you who have a PC, you may have used DOS at some point. DOS is based on Unix. In DOS you typed in commands at the C:\> prompt, in Unix you'll usually see a % prompt.
If you're going to Telnet in from a SLIP / PPP account (via modem using Windows or Macintosh graphical software) look for an icon on your screen labelled "Telnet" (or possibly "Terminal") to start a Telnet session. Using Windows, there should be a Telnet.exe file in your Windows directory.
If you don't have the software already installed, here are some Telnet programs that you can download through your Web browser.
CRT (Windows) -- Very nice software. This is shareware, not freeware, but well worth the price.
Note: If you're a subscriber to Prodigy or America Online, Telnet may be out of your reach. Check in the "Internet" area of AOL or Prodigy to see if Telnet is available. If you can dial into your Online Service using a Winsock connection, you should be able to use it.
Connecting with Telnet is relatively simple. You need to know your domain name, your UserID, and your password.
With Telnet, what you are trying to do is log on to the remote Unix server. It won't let just anybody on, you need to have an account on the server.
First, make sure your terminal emulation is set to VT100, and your port should be set to 23.
The first thing you need to login is your host name, which is your domain name. You can also use your IP address or UserID.ntx.net as the host name.
The Telnet software will attempt to connect to your server. Once connected, you'll need to use your UserID for the login field. Then enter your password when it asks.
When you first log in, you are in your home directory. This is /drv1/web/home/UserID
You can return to your home directory any time by simply typing: cd
The files for your virtual server are in your website directory. This is /drv1/web/sites/UserID. We have made a link to that, so you don't have to type it in all the time. Just type cd website to go to your website directory.
Type pwd to see your current directory at any time.
For more information on Unix commands we have a Unix Tutorial.
Well... that kind of depends on what you need. Once connected and past the Telnet prompt, then you are actually connected to our server. This means that you can run a number of different programs (called 'shells') which will perform a variety of different functions. It would take us years to go through all the programs and possibilities! Most often, you will install or set 'permissions' for special programs you want to run on your web site. For more information on Unix commands we have a Unix Tutorial.
The phrase "terminal emulation" may sound like a fatal disease, but it's important to understand. Because there are many different types of computers out there, your Telnet software has to act just like (or emulate) the real terminals that are connected to the host computer you wish to access.
Each Telnet program (or client) allows you to specify the type of terminal to use before you connect. It's usually best to try VT100 emulation, but if the screen looks jumbled or keys will not function properly, try ANSI.