Telnet

Telnet

About telnet

Telnet is software that allows users to remotely access another computer such as a server, network device, or other computer. With telnet, users can connect to a device or computer, manage a network device, setup a device, transfer files, etc.

    See the telnet definition for further information about the term telnet as well as related dictionary terms.

Telnet programs

In addition to using the telnet program that came included with your operating system, there are numerous telnet programs available. Users who use telnet often or want or need additional features should consider a third-party telnet program.

We highly recommend users consider the Van Dyke CRT program. A demo of this program can be found on our software download section.

Unix and Linux variant telnet

All variants of Linux and Unix such as Red Hat, Solaris, and FreeBSD, have the ability of telneting to a remote host through the command prompt. At the prompt type one of the below examples.

telnet <hostname>

or

telnet
open <hostname>

The hostname will be the domain, shell account or IP address.

If done properly you will either get to a prompt where you can perform the commands necessary or should receive a prompt for the username and password. If you have an account setup on the computer you are attempting to connect to, enter it now. If you do not have an account for the server, you can try connecting anonymously by entering your name and e-mail address as shown below.

username: anonymous
password: myname@myemail.com

If this feature is supported on the server you would then be logged in anonymously to that server.

Once connected you will be able to navigate through the command line just as if you were locally on the computer.

Additional information and syntax of the telnet command can also be found on our Unix and Linux telnet command page.

Microsoft Windows telnet

Microsoft has included telnet on Windows 3.11, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows NT, Windows 2000, and Windows XP.

Windows 3.11 users

To access Microsoft Telnet from Windows 3.11 open File Manager, open the Windows directory, and double-click on telnet.exe.

Other Microsoft Windows users

To access Microsoft Telnet from Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows NT,  Windows 2000, or Windows XP, click Start, Run, type "telnet" and press enter. Some setups of Microsoft Windows may prohibit users from running the telnet command. Check with your system administrator if you are unable to open the program.

Once you are in the telnet window, click the below version of Windows you are using for additional steps and information on how to use telnet.

Windows 3.11 users
Windows 95 users
Windows 98 users
Windows ME users
Windows NT users
Windows 2000 users
Windows XP users

Windows 3.11, 95, 98, ME, NT users

Once the telnet window is open, click on the Connect drop down option and select Remote System from the drop down menu. Once connected, type in the hostname that will be the either the domain, shell account or IP address for the computer you are attempting to connect to. The port should remain to telnet and the TermType should remain at vt100 unless you know that it is different.

Skip to the below what next section for additional information steps on what to do once connected.

Windows 2000 and XP users

Windows 2000 and Windows XP users will be able to navigate through Telnet using a command line similar to MS-DOS. If you have run the telnet command from the run line, type "open <address>" where <address> is the address of where you are attempting to connect.

Additional information and available commands for the Windows 2000 and Windows XP can also be found on the telnet command page.

Skip to the below what next section for additional information steps on what to do once connected.

What next

If done properly, you will either get to a prompt where you can perform the commands necessary, or should receive a prompt for the username and password. If you have an account setup on the computer you are attempting to connect to, enter it now. If you do not have an account for the server, you can try connecting anonymously by entering your name and e-mail address as shown below.

username: anonymous
password: myname@myemail.com

If this feature is supported on the server you would then be logged in anonymously to that server.