How to Connect to Telnet Servers

Telnet is a program that helps to connect to a remote computer (telnet server), which is typically either a UNIX machine or a web server. Telnet opens a terminal on the local machine and allows a user to perform tasks on the remote server or even fully control it. Telnet uses TCP/IP network protocol.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Server network name or server IP address Your user name/password on the server.

1. In Windows XP, click "Start" then "Run." Type "cmd" and press "Enter." The new window (MS-DOS shell) should appear.
   
   In Linux, click the right mouse button on Desktop and select "Open Terminal" in pop-up menu. A new terminal (shell) should appear.

2. In the shell opened in Step 1 type, telnet < machine network name > or telnet <IP address> and press "Enter." Examples include: telnet blue.org or telnet 135.57.57.49.

3. Type < your user name> (press "Enter") and type <your password> (press "Enter") to establish the Telnet connection. The remote machine command prompt should appear.

4. To finish the telnet session on the remote machine type "logout" and press "Enter."

Tips & Warnings

• Telnet poses a network security risk since it does not encrypt data sent over.