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Telnet is a program that allows you log in to a computer over a network like the Internet. Telnet is text-based, like DOS. All your navigation is done via the keyboard at a command prompt.

When you telnet into your virtual server, you will be connected remotely to the Unix operating system. This means you can type in Unix commands, run programs, and manipulate your website the same as if you were sitting in front of the machine itself. For more information on Unix commands we have a Unix Tutorial to help you get started.

Many of you who have a PC and use DOS; DOS is based on Unix. In DOS you typed in commands at the C:\> command prompt, in Unix you'll usually see a % prompt.

Telnet is officially OBSOLETE. The Telnet protocol sends your username and password as PLAIN TEXT which is clearly visible on the network you are connecting from. If you trust anyone on your network, then I suppose Telnet is OK. If you have any any thoughts for Security, use an SSH and SFTP client to connect to your account. SSH will encrypt the data and the authentication information.

Telnet is no longer used, please use SSH (Secure Shell) instead, see below.

To Telnet in via the Internet using Windows or Macintosh graphical software look for an icon on your screen labeled "Telnet" or "Terminal" to start a Telnet session.

In Windows 95 or NT, you can simply go to a MS-DOS prompt, from your \windows directory, type telnet. Under Terminal -- Preferences, set Emulation to VT100/ANSI

 Secure Shell

All Im1 Web Hosting  servers have Secure Shell 2 (SSH2) installed. We Highly recommend downloading and installing one of the following clients on your machine and using Secure Shell to connect to your Virtual Server in place of Telnet. While it is not likely, it is possible that your user name and password could be "overheard" by a user on your local network (or your ISPs network). If you trust everyone on your network, use Telnet, otherwise download a ssh client from the list below. Im1 only recommends the clients below. There are many other SSH clients available. Use of other clients is at your own discretion. Amazingly, we have found some commercial products (not listed here) to have uncorrected bugs.

* F-Secure SSH for Mac is not available for trial- SSH Client 5.0 supports the Mac

Other SSH resources

Connecting with Telnet is relatively simple. You need to know your domain name, your UserID, and your password. See the New User page if you don't know what these are.

With Telnet, what you are trying to do is log on to the remote Unix server. It won't let just anybody on, you need to have an account on the server.

First, make sure your terminal emulation is set to VT100, and your port should be set to 23.

The first thing you need to login is your host name, which is your domain name. You can also use your IP address as the host name.

The Telnet software will attempt to connect to your server. Once connected, you'll need to use your UserID for the login field. Then enter your password when it asks.

When you first log in, you are in your home directory. This is /usr/local/www/data/UserID

You can return to your home directory any time by simply typing: cd

The files for your virtual server are in your website directory. This is /usr/local/www/data/UserID/public_html. We have made a "sym" link to that, so you don't have to type it in all the time. Just type cd public_html to go to your website directory.

Type pwd (as in print working directory) to see your current directory at any time.

For more information on Unix commands we have a Unix Tutorial.

Once connected and past the Telnet prompt, then you are actually connected to the server by way of a "shell" program. This means that you can run a number of different programs which will perform a variety of different functions. It would take us years to go through all the programs and possibilities! Most often, you will install or set 'permissions' for special programs you want to run from your web site. For more information on Unix commands we have a Unix Tutorial.

It's important to understand terminal emulation. Back in the days when UNIX gurus sat in Ivory Towers, users connected to Unix machines using equipment called "terminals". Terminals are still used by many companies today (even us), but have in most cases been replaced with PCs running software programs that appear to the Unix box to be a particular piece of hardware (like a DEC VT100). Because there are many different types of terminals out there, your Telnet software has to act just like (or emulate) the real terminals that are connected to the host computer you wish to access.

Each Telnet program (or client) allows you to specify the type of terminal to use before you connect. It's usually best to try VT100 emulation, but if the screen looks jumbled or keys will not function properly, try ANSI.