Telnet - character-based terminal session

Although graphic interfaces were invented under Unix in the early 1980's, Unix is fundamentally a character-based operating system.  Consequently, most things not requiring a graphic interface can be done at the command line.

The telnet command makes it possible to run a Unix command line session on any server for which you have login permissions, from anywhere on the Internet.

Connecting from a PC

Many Windows PCs and Macintoshes have telnet programs. On Windows systems, telnet might be found in the START menu under a heading like 'Internet tools'.

Also, on most Windows systems, telnet is usually available from the DOS command line.  For example, to connect to ccu.umanitoba.ca, type at the DOS prompt:
 

C:>telnet ccu.umanitoba.ca

which will either open up a window, or the telnet session will run in the DOS window.

Connecting from another Unix system

Below is an example of a telnet session from one Unix server to another:
 

{brassica:/home/plants/frist}telnet ccu.umanitoba.ca
Trying 130.179.16.10...
Connected to merak.cc.umanitoba.ca.
Escape character is '^]'.

SunOS 5.6

login: frist
Password: 
Last login: Wed Dec 15 16:39:27 from ncd1.plants.umanitoba.ca
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
                     B I R C H  ANNOUNCEMENTS

Nov. 14, 1999  GenBank 114.0 is now online. Note that sequences in the
               RNA division have been incorporated into other divisions.
               See BIRCH Website under 'Databases, GenBank'

BIRCH WWW site: http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~psgendb
For a current list of PROGRAMS see:  $doc/MASTER.asc
For a list of recent CHANGES, updates etc. see: $doc/WHATSNEW.asc
NEWSGROUP: man.molbio - discussions of BIRCH, general mol. bio. in Manitoba 
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
{merak:/home/plants/frist}

At this point the user can type any Unix command or run any program not requiring a graphic interface. When finished, simply type 'logout'.
To see the telnet manual page, type 'man telnet.

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SUGGESTIONS for topics to be added to this list are welcome! Send email to psgendb@cc.umanitoba.ca