How to Connect to a Telnet Server

Telnet is a program that allows to connect to and communicate with a remote server, sometimes referred to as a telnet server. You can execute the full range of commands on the remote sever using a telnet connection on your local computer. Telnet does not encrypt information (for example, passwords) sent over, and hence such a connection is not secure.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Log in to your user account in Windows XP/Vista or Linux.

2. Click "Start" in Windows XP/Vista. Click "Run" (only Windows XP). Type "cmd" and press "Enter" to open a command prompt window.
   In Linux, right-button click on Desktop and select "open (or new) terminal" to open a command prompt window

3. Type "telnet redorange.com" in the command prompt window and press "Enter." In this example, "redorange.com" is the name of the remote (telnet) server.

4. Type your username on the remote server and press "Enter." Then type your password (press "Enter") to establish the telnet connection. The remote machine command prompt will appear on the screen.

5. Type "logout" and press "Enter" to quit the telnet session.

Tips & Warnings

• Windows Vista does not have the "telnet" command by default.

References

• Telnet Command on Microsoft TechNet
• Installing Telnet in Windows Vista