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 computer you 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 the 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 availability 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 (terminate 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 entering your password you may press PF3 to suppress onscreen echo of your password.
What about TELNET ports?

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

To access this database 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 another VM/CMS mainframe, 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/terminal to access PSUVM, or (2) with the use of the TELNET command on PSUVM you may get assistance by calling:

CAC Help Desk12 Willard Building(814) 863-1035email: HELPDESK

If, however, you require assistance with use of the remote computer system, your options may be 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 try to use any online help built into that system. Public TELNET access is provided as a privilege for remote users Ñ 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 conferencing systems (such as PSUVMÕs 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 that you might want to get via anonymous FTP:

(1) ÒThe HitchhikerÕs Guide to the InternetÓ is available from otc1.psu.edu in subdirectory /pub/otcdoc. Look for the file hitchhkr.txt.

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

(3) ÒLibrary Resources on the InternetÓ is available from dla.ucop.edu in subdirectory /pub/internet.  Look for the file libcat-guide.


Hardcopy Info?

An excellent document titled ÒZen and the Art of the InternetÓ 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, KinkoÕs 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 ÔPCINFOÕ library and the ÔHints and Miscellaneous TextÕ subdirectory.