Telnet

A Geometry Forum workshop handout:

Telnet

the short version

When you Telnet, you actually log onto another remote computer; to do so, you need a communications program for remote terminal sessions and file transfers across the Internet. MacSamson is one such program.

To begin a Telnet session, double-click on MacSamson. A Telnet Session window will open and you will enter information for Host [port], Session Name, and Username.

The Host is the computer you will log in to. Each host on the Internet has a unique name and number; you can reach a known host by entering either its name or its number. For Forum workshops, you will first log in to forum (type forum on the Host [port] line). The IP address for forum is 130.58.72.2--you could type this number instead of forum, but it's sometimes easiest to use the name.
If you have multiple sessions running, the Session Name will help you identify them quickly in the title bar. If you're only running one session, you can leave it blank.
The Username is your identification. For Forum workshops, it's the username you have been using to get e-mail.

Connecting to Forum

You will be told the password assigned to Forum workshop participants. Your first step should be to change this to a password unique to you (in particular, one you can remember). First you must connect:

Enter forum on the Host [port] line.
Enter your Username (e.g., sarah).

You will see the following:

Name Resolution for (forum).
IP-Address = [130.58.72.2].
Connecting to [130.58.72.2:23]...
Opened connection.

ULTRIX V4.2A (Rev. 47) (forum)

(Notice the word ULTRIX above. Ultrix is one member of the family of UNIX operating systems --master control programs--used to control the sort of computer you are logging in to.)

After Password, type the Forum password you have been given and press return. A typical session would then show you a screen like this:

Last login: Sun Jul 3 12:33:56 from mac03.termigator
ULTRIX V4.2A (Rev. 47) System #2: Wed Apr 14 16:22:20 EDT 1993

12:51pm,forum,[~]%

You are now connected to forum.

Changing Your Password

Your next step is to change your password. A UNIX system password should be at least 6 characters long and should include at least one upper case letter (A-Z), digit (0-9), or punctuation character (such as . , or - ).

Passwords will NOT be accepted that:

Are less than 6 characters long.
Match anything in your UNIX account information, such as your login name or an item from your finger data entry.
Are found in the system's spelling dictionary--unless it has some uppercase letters other than the first character. For example, Explain would be rejected but exPlain would be accepted.
Have more than 3 repeated characters--thus aaa would be rejected.

A Sample Session

Here's a typical Telnet session in which you log in, change your password, and log out. For security reasons (in case someone is looking over your shoulder as you work) you won't see your password when you type it.

12:33pm,forum,[~]% passwd
Current password: geometry
New password (? for help): XxYyZz
New password (again): XxYyZz
Password changed for sarah
12:34pm,forum,[~]% lo

------------ (End of Session) ------------

Talk

If you want to Talk to someone at Forum, at the prompt,

12:33pm,forum,[~]%

to see who else is logged on type w. You might see yourself and

sarah p2 mac01.termigat 11:40pm

showing that Sarah is on, where she's connected, and the time. If you're (e.g.) Steve, you can now type

talk sarah

and the screen will divide into two windows, one for each user. A message will appear on Sarah's screen telling her to type

talk steve@mathforum.org

If Sarah follows these instructions, the two of you will be able to type at the same time and communicate 'live'.

Talk is sometimes an easier way to explain things than by using e-mail, and it's usually a lot cheaper than phone calls.

Following are two sample telnet sessions and more suggestions for places to telnet to.

Telnet Session to NASA

To begin a Telnet session to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), type

telnet spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov

at the 12:51pm,forum,[~]% prompt.

A typical session follows:

2:03pm,forum,[~]% telnet spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov
Trying 192.149.89.61...
Connected to spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov.
Escape character is '^]'.

W E L C O M E to NASA SPACELINK

NASA's Computer Information Service for Educators Managed by the NASA Education Division In Cooperation with the Marshall Space Flight Center

******IMPORTANT!******

Do not press RETURN until you have read the following information.
You are about to be asked to provide a Username and a Password.

If this is your first call to NASA Spacelink, Enter NEWUSER as your Username and enter NEWUSER as your Password.

If you have called before, enter your assigned Username and Password.
You may send Carriage Returns or Line Feeds but NOT BOTH.
You may now press RETURN, or
To redisplay this message press CONTROL-D.

AOS/VS II 2.20.00.66 / EXEC-32 2.20.00.07 3-Jul-94 13:04:14 @TCON17
Username: NEWUSER
Password:
--------
Last message change 24-Jun-94 1:35:20

***** IMPORTANT MESSAGES *****

Internet callers may try our FTP site. Username is anonymous and Password is guest. Address is 192.149.89.61 READ README!

Unused accounts are deleted after 90 days.

Network callers: For downloads please use Kermit instead of XMODEM or YMODEM.

Our modem line is 205-895-0028.

For info on the next Shuttle flight, enter STS-65 at the GO TO prompt. Remember the HYPHEN!

For launch schedule, enter MANIFEST at GO TO prompt.
--------

End of NASA telnet session.

Telnet Session to the Library of Congress

Here's a telnet session to LOCIS, the Library of Congress Information System. At the forum prompt, type

telnet locis.loc.gov

2:34pm,forum,[~]% telnet locis.loc.gov
Trying 140.147.254.3...
Connected to locis.loc.gov.
Escape character is '^]'.

L O C I S : LIBRARY OF CONGRESS INFORMATION SYSTEM

To make a choice: type a number, then press ENTER

Library of Congress Catalog
Federal Legislation
Copyright Information
Braille and Audio
Organizations
Foreign Law
* * * * * * * * *
Searching Hours and Basics
Documentation and Classes
Library of Congress General Information
Library of Congress Fast Facts
*Announcements* [New Interface for Some Files]
Comments and Logoff

Choice:
9
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS GENERAL INFORMATION
LC is a research library serving Congress, the federal government, the library community world-wide, the US creative community, and any researchers beyond high school level or age. On-site researchers request materials by filling out request slips in LC's reading rooms; requesters must present a photo i.d. Staff are available for assistance in all public reading rooms....

Choice:
1
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOG
CHOICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FILE

BOOKS: English language books 1968-, LOCI French 1973-, German, Portuguese, Spanish 1975-, other European languages 1976-77, non-European languages 1978-79. Some microforms 1984-.
BOOKS earlier than the dates above. Some PREM serials, maps, music, audiovisual items.
Combination of files 1 and 2 above (LOCI and PREM).
SERIALS cataloged at LC & some other LOCS libraries since 1973.
MAPS and other cartographic items LOCM (except atlases) cataloged at LC 1968- and some other research libraries 1985-.
SUBJECT TERMS and cross references form LCXR LC Subject Headings. NOTE: Choices 1,4, and 5, depending on commands used, also include ALL catalog files. See HELP screens.

More Telnet Sites

Tri-College Library: tripod.brynmawr.edu (sclib)
AMS: e-math.ams.com (e-math, e-math)
Teacher Pages: PSUPEN.PSU.EDU (username: TX)
micro MUSE: michael.ai.mit.edu (guest)
Newton: newton.dep.anl.gov
Chatback Trust and Chatback International network server: rdz.stjohns.edu (login: student) (Follow login instructions on screen.)
k12-ucs.umass.edu (guest, requires 3270 emulation)

Back to Table of Contents

Sarah Seastone
sarah@mathforum.org
November 27, 1994