TELNET on PSUVM

What is TELNET?

TELNET is the name of the procedure for creating a
connection with a remote computer.  Through TELNET you can
access computing resources worldwide.

TELNET may be run from any Internet-connected microcomputer,
workstation or mainframe computer.  This document is
intended for persons using TELNET from PSUVM.


What do I need?

To use TELNET from PSUVM you need two things: (1) an account
on PSUVM, and (2) the Internet name or IP address of the
remote computeryou wish to connect with.  Think of TELNET as
a telephone and the address as the phone number of someone
you want to call.

If you wish to use a private computer account on th remote
computer you will also need that account information (userid
and password).


How do I use TELNET?

Using TELNET from PSUVM is quite easy.  Lets assume that you
want to connect with LIAS to check on the availabl-ility of
a book.

From the PSUVM command line (or from the PSUMENU command
line) enter the following command:

     telnet lias.psu.edu

You will now be connected with LIAS.  You will be able to
run LIAS as if you were at any LIAS terminal.  The one
exception is that you must type in such LIAS commands as
NEXT and PREV.

When you are ready to exit from LIAS (terminating your
TELNET session), press PF4 and type the word quit.

Logging onto a private account on a remote computer works
exactly the same way.  However, you will be prompted to
enter a password.  When netering your password you may press
pf3 to supress onscreen echo of your password.


What about TELNET ports?

In some cases you may need to TELNET to a specific 'port' on
th remote computer.  For example, the University of Michigan
operates a public database of weather conditiond for the
U.S. and Canada available through TELNET.

To access this databse you must TELNET to port 3000 of
system madlab.sprl.umich.edu.  The TELNET command for this
would be:

     telnet madlab.sprl.umich.edu 3000


Transparent mode -vs- line mode?

Unless the remote system you connect with is another VM/CMS
mainframe, you will be connected to the remote system in
LINE MODE.

Basically, line mode means that you will not have full-
screen editing capabilities.  For example, if you TELNET
into a remote unix system, you will not be able to use the
vi text editor in full-screen line mode.

If the remote system is anouther VM/CMS aminframe, you will
be connected in transparent mode.  This means that full-
screen editing capabilities are completely supported.


Online TELNET help?

An online help file for PSUVM TELNET may be accessed by
entering the command:

     HELP TELNET

and selecting the topic VM TELNET.

While in an active TELNET session, a TELNET command summary
may be displayed by pressing PF4 and entering the TELNET
command ?.


Other sources of help?

When using TELNET to access a remote computer, there are
many levels where the user may require assistance.

If help is needed with (1) the use of your local
microcomputer/termianl to access PSUVM, or (2) with the use
of the TELNET command on PSUVM you may ger assistance by
calling:

     CAC Help Desk
     12 Willard Building
     (814) 863-1035
     (9:00am - 4:30pm M-F)
     (7:00pm - 11:00pm Sun-Th)
     email: HELPDESK

If, however, you require assistance with the use of the
remote computer system, your options are very limited.  If
you have a private account on the remote computer, you may
try calling the User Support group or system administrator
for that computer.

If you are using a publicly accessible database or similar
public system, your only choice will be to use any online
help built into that system.  Public TELNET access is
provided as a priviledge for remote users - typically no
consulting assistance is provided.


How do I find out what is available?

There is no one simple clearinghouse for information on
resources available via TELNET.  Most current users of
TELNET-accessible resources learn of them from colleagues or
from online conferenceing systems (such as PSUVM's NETNEWS
system) or electronic mail-based conferences (such as CRTNET
or EDUTEL).

If you can use anonymous FTP (please see handout on
anonymous FTP if you do not know what this is) you can
acquire copies of lists of TELNET-available resources
maintained by volunteers at other computer sites.

Following is a short list of such lists you might want to
get via anonymous FTP:

(1) "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Internet" is available
from otc1.psu.edu in subdirectory /pub/otcdoc.  Look for the
file hitchhkr.txt.

(2) "The Internet Resource Guide" is available from
otc1.psu.edu in subdirectory /pub/otcdoc.  Look for the file
resguide.txt.

(3) "Library Resources on the Internet" is available from
dia.ucop.edu in subdirectory /pub/internet.  Look for file
libcat-guide.


Hardcopy Info?

An excellent document titled "Zen and the Art of the
Internet" is available to serve as an introduction to TELNET
and other aspects of the Internet.  This document is
available via two routes.

(1) It may be purchased at Gnomon Copy, Kinkos, and the Penn
State Bookstore in State College.

(2) It is available in Postscript form on the PSUVM file
server PCLIB.  It may be downloaded from PCLIB and copied to
any Postscript printer for printing.  It is located in PCLIB
under the 'PCINFO' library and the 'Hints and Miscellaneous
Text' subdirectory.


About this Handout...

This handout is produced as part of the Office of Computer
and Information Systems Internet training initiative.

Questions and/or suggestions regarding this document ahould
be directed to:

     Gerry Santoro
     (gms@psuvm.psu.edu)
     (814) 863-7896