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Using Windows Telnet to Connect to STN

How can I connect to STN over the Internet from my Windows PC if I do not have STN Express?

The Windows 95, 98, and all newer versions include a telnet command that lets you connect to remote host computers, including STN, over the Internet.  These instructions explain how to connect to STN Columbus and capture a transcript using the Windows Telnet Client.

• CAS and STN do not control your ability to connect to other computers over the Internet. 
• Your organization's network and firewall could prevent you from making the connection. 
• For some Corporate Windows Domains, access to the telnet.exe (Windows Telnet Client) is restricted to those with Administrator Permissions. 
• If you have a dial-up ISP (Internet Service Provider), your ISP might prevent you from making a telnet connection. 
• Also, even if you can surf the Web, you might not be able to make a telnet connection (and vice-versa).  If you are not able to connect to STN using Windows telnet, contact your organization's help desk or computer support department.

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Step A: Run the telnet command.

1. Click the Start button in the task bar...
   
   
2. and select Run. The Run dialog box opens.
   
   
3. In the Open box, type telnet stnc.cas.org.  Telnet is the name of the command (the telnet program), and stnc.cas.org is the name of the STN Columbus STN server. You may also use telnet 134.243.5.32
4. Click OK or press <Return>.

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Step B: Log on to STN.

1. If you see the host name or IP address in the Telnet window's title bar, you are connected.  If you see Telnet - (None), you are not connected. If you can't connect, try these troubleshooting tips or contact your Help Desk or IT support.
2. The telnet window is blank when it opens. Press the [Enter] (or [Return]) key on your keyboard.  STN responds with the Welcome message and asks for your STN port letter.
3. Type the letter of your STN port (X), followed by the [Enter] key. (Customers in the academic program:  Your port letter is probably I, C, M, or Z.)
4. Type your STN loginid, followed by the [Enter] key.
5. Type your STN password, followed by [Enter].
6. Use terminal type 3.

If you cannot see the characters you type, or if you see each character twice, you'll still be able to log in.  Correct this typing problem by changing your preferences.

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Successful logon.

1. Upon successful logon, the login news is displayed, you are placed in your default file (usually the HOME file), and the STN arrow prompt (=>) is displayed. STN is ready to accept commands.

What are those rectangles in the telnet window?

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Capture a transcript / save a log file

1. To save a transcript of your session, go to the Terminal menu...
2. and select Start Logging to open the Open log file dialog.
    
3. If desired, navigate to a folder in which you want to save your log file.
4. Type the name of the file or accept the default name of telnet.log.
5. Click Open to begin logging.

Notes:

• You can start logging before you connect.
• Stop logging by selecting Stop Logging from the Terminal menu.
• Logging remains active until you stop logging or close the telnet window.
• By default, the log file is given a .log extension, but you may wish to use a .txt extension so that the file can easily be opened in a text editor or word processor after you close the telnet program.

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Telnet preferences

You need not be connected to STN or any other host to change your telnet preferences.

1. Go to the Terminal menu.
2. Select Preferences to open the Terminal Preferences dialog.
   
3. Change the Local Echo setting if you're having trouble with double characters or no characters as you type.
4. VT-100/ANSI is a good emulation for STN.
5. Click OK.

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What if I can't make the connection?

• If you have a dial-up Internet Service Provider (ISP)--you connect to the Internet using a modem--you must first connect to it before you use the telnet command.
• Sometimes the STN Columbus address 134.243.5.32 works even when the host name stnc.cas.org does not. To make another connection without exiting the telnet program, use the Connect menu.
• Does your organization have a firewall? A firewall is a computer that separates your organization's network from the Internet, and a firewall can prevent you from connecting to outside hosts. Contact your local network administrator or computer help line for assistance in navigating through your firewall.

What if I get connected but have other problems?

• If each letter appears twice when you type, or if no letters appear in the telnet window when you type, change your local echo setting.
• Do you want a copy of all your commands and displays? Start logging at the beginning of your session.
• What are those dark rectangles in the telnet window? The small rectangles represent characters that the telnet program cannot display. They're normal when connecting to STN through Windows telnet. The larger rectangle is the typing cursor.