What is Telnet

The Telnet protocol is often thought of as simply providing a facility for remote logins to computer via the Internet. This was its original purpose although it can be used for many other purposes.

It is best understood in the context of a user with a simple terminal using the local telnet program (known as the client program) to run a login session on a remote computer where his communications needs are handled by a telnet server program. It should be emphasised that the telnet server can pass on the data it has received from the client to many other types of process including a remote login server.

Some practical uses of Telnet include:

• Telnet is a Protocol that lets you use the power of the Internet to connect you to databases, library catalogs, and other information resources around the world.
• Telnet lets you connect directly to another computer on the Internet and run programs on the computer (provided you have access permission (Username and Password).
• Theoretically you have a lot of power at your fingertips. Your dumb terminal or very old PC can run programs on the worlds most powerful computers.
• Several Telnet Clients exist on most platforms telnet on UNIX/DOS, NiftyTelnet/BetterTelnet PPC on Macs etc.

Telnet may have a few practical drawbacks also

• Telnet is old. It is text based only.
• You have to know how to run programs at the other end.
  • Different Computer System
  • Different Commands, Directory Structures
  • Different Language -- Programming and ``spoken''