Help for Telnet

Guide to Telnet and Web Browsers

Why do I need telnet as well as a Web browser?

  • While almost all resources provided by the Library are available using the Web, both InfoGate and Lexis/Nexis require telnet client software.

Telnet software is required whenever you try to link to a telnet URL. For example, the URL for InfoGate is telnet://catalogue.library.ubc.ca. If you do not have telnet software, following a telnet link will result in an error message like Unable to find application.

There are two requirements for a telnet link to properly work using Netscape. (Note that with Microsoft's Internet Explorer, release 3, telnet is available as part of the browser.)

  1. Step One: Install telnet client software on your computer
  2. Step Two: Configure Netscape so it knows where to find the telnet application

Step One: Install a telnet client software on your computer:

If you already have telnet software, proceed to Step Two.

Telnet software is available for almost every computer. We recommend:

Note: NetTerm must be purchased.

The Internet Startup Kit from ITServices includes HyperTerminal, an alternative telnet client for dial-in access.

Additional telnet software applications can be found at the Tucows collection of telnet client software.

Step Two: Configure your browser so it knows where to find the telnet application:

Internet Explorer uses the file associations of Windows itself. Find the list of file associations and set URL:Telnet Protocol to your telnet software.

The following applies to Netscape 4.x for any Microsoft Windows system. From the Netscape file menu:

  1. Click on Edit
  2. Click on Preferences
In the Preferences dialogue box:
  1. Click on Navigator
  2. Click on Applications
  3. Under Description, find the URL:Telnet Protocol. Click on Edit if you have specific telnet client software, click Application in the Handled by section, then browse to find you software.
  4. Click OK in all boxes

Last modified: Apr 29, 2002

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