HostWerks | Support | Using Telnet

Using Telnet

Telnet is a communication protocol used to issue commands on a remote host. It is built into Mac OS X, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, and Windows 2000. All accounts have telnet initially disabled. We will enable telnet on accounts upon Customer Request. You may change the master password of your account via telnet. If you wish to change your password but do not wish to use telnet, please use e-mail to notify us. If you use a pre-OS X Macintosh computer, telnet client software is available at VersionTracker. You can start telnet with Windows 95, 98, NT, or 2000 by following these steps:

* Click on the "Start" button
* Click on "Run"
* Type "telnet" in the box
* Click on "OK"
* (The telnet window appears)
* Click on "Connect"
* Click on "Remote System"
* Where it says Host Name, type in "yourdomain.com"
* Click on "OK"
* You will receive a "log-in:" prompt (type your userid)
Cobalt Linux Release 4.0 (Fargo)
Kernel 2.0.34C52_SK on a mips
log-in:

* You will be prompted for your password (the characters will not be printed to the screen)
Cobalt Linux Release 4.0 (Fargo)
Kernal 2.0.34C52_SK on a mips
log-in:
Password:

* You should receive a prompt like the following:

[username]$

* You are now connected via a Unix telnet session and can run any standard Unix command

To view a directory's contents, type: dir

To change directories, type: cd directoryname

To change back to the previous directory, type: cd ..

To delete a file, type: rm filename

To delete a directory and all of its contents, type: rm -rf directoryname
(Unix does not have undelete and the rm command is irreversible)

To create a new directory, type: mkdir newdirectoryname

To edit a file, type: pico filename
(a list of editor commands will be at the bottom of the screen)

To rename a file (or directory), type: mv oldfilename newfilename
To move a file from one directory to another, type: mv old/directory/path/file.name new/dir/path/file.name

To copy a file to another directory, type: cp old/dir/file new/dir/file
To copy a file with a new name (e.g. to backup a file before editing), type: cp file file.old

To change your master password, type: passwd
To finish telnet, type logout

(If you will be idle more than 30 minutes, please use the logout command as open log-ins increase the CPU load and take up bandwidth unnecessarily. Your cooperation in helping us to provide the best service possible is appreciated.)

(Unix can be a powerful and versatile operating system but, at first, it will seem cryptic and complicated. We recommend getting a book or taking a course on its use. We like SAMS Teach Yourself UNIX in 24 Hours...)

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