TELNET/CMD, the Telnet client
The Telnet client allows you to logon to remote servers from your TRS-80. A minimum of 32KB RAM is required.
TELNET [-E] [-Q] [HOST [PORT]]
If HOST is omitted, TELNET will enter command-line mode rather than terminal mode. Type ? or HELP in command-line mode for a list of commands.
You can enter command-line mode from terminal mode by pressing <BREAK>. While connected to a server, simply press <ENTER> to reenter terminal mode from command-line mode.
The control key combination is <SHIFT><DOWN-ARROW>. For example you can enter CONTROL-C (interrupt) with <SHIFT><DOWN-ARROW>C. Be prepared for carpal tunnel syndrome.
It is recommended that you enable the advanced LDOS keyboard driver KI/DVR when using TELNET, to allow entering additional characters such as <CLEAR><ENTER> for underscore. For TELNET this applies whether or not you have a lowercase modification.
It is also recommended that you enter 80-column display mode prior to running TELNET, since many Telnet servers assume that as a minimum display width.
The -E switch initializes the Telnet client in echo mode, which means that it assumes the remote host will echo all input, and so the client will not print local keyboard input to the screen. This is nonstandard behavior for the host, but some require it anyway.
DIRE WARNING: This Telnet client does not implement credentials authorization or secure transmission of data. More precisely, when receiving a DO-AUTHENTICATION Telnet option, this client responds with WONT-AUTHENTICATION, thus rejecting the opportunity for secure communication. Otherwise Kerberos authentication would have to be implemented on the Model I, a total impracticality and likely impossible. What this means is that all data received and sent using TELNET, including account names and passwords, is transferred as plain text. This information can easily be intercepted and used by malicious third parties to access your accounts. You will have to hit <ENTER> when starting TELNET following a disclaimer to confirm your understanding of and agreement to this. You may use the -Q (Quiet) switch to bypass the warning once you are familiar with it. It is imperative that you not use TELNET to access servers outside your secure LAN for anything but trivial purposes, using accounts you don't care about, and using passwords that are not shared with any of your non-trivial logins.
Known issues: