NCSA Telnet is a Macintosh application that allows you to access remote computers over UOnet and the Internet. With NCSA Telnet, you can use the resources of any remote host on the Internet, provided you have an account on that computer or it allows guests to log in. This handout explains how to configure and use NCSA Telnet.

Requirements for Using NCSA Telnet [Back to Top]

To run NCSA Telnet, you must be using at a computer that is connected to the Internet, as most computers on campus are. You can use your home computer if you have established a connection using a Macintosh PPP or Slip dial-in client.

Installing NCSA Telnet [Back to Top]

If you installed the UO Network Applications package, you'll find NCSA Telnet in the Network Applications folder on your hard drive. You can also obtain NCSA Telnet from the CC Public Domain server on UOnet.

Running NCSA Telnet [Back to Top]

If you obtained NCSA Telnet from the UO, it comes with several "icons" (or documents) that specify connection information for various UO host computers, like GLADSTONE and DARKWING. If you open the NCSA Telnet folder, inside the Network Applications folder, you'll see these icons.

To launch NCSA Telnet, locate the icon for the host to which you want to connect and double-click it.

NCSA Telnet opens and displays the log-in screen for the host you specified.

Note: If you use this connection document all the time, you can drag it to your desktop or place it in your Apple Menu Items folder for easier access.

If you want to connect to a host that you don't have a connection icon for, double-click the NCSA Telnet icon and NCSA Telnet opens. (The only indication that NCSA Telnet has opened is the new menu bar along the top of the screen.)

Establishing a Connection [Back to Top]

1. If you already see a screen like the one in the preceding picture, you're ready to type your username and password.

2. If you don't see the login screen, pull down the File menu and select "Open Connection."

3. Enter the host name as shown above and click Connect.

You'll now see the log-in screen for the host you selected.

Saving a Connection Icon [Back to Top]

If you want to create a connection icon for a remote host that does not come with the UO Network Installer Package,

1. First, open a connection to the remote computer.

2. Pull down the File menu and select "Save Set..."

3. Save the file to some location on your hard drive.

4. The next time you want to access this host, just double-click the connection icon.

Customizing Your Settings [Back to Top]

For typical UO users, the preconfigured NCSA Telnet settings are sufficient. You can modify many of the settings if you have special considerations. For example, to change the default session that opens when you launch NCSA Telnet,

1. Select "Preferences" from the Edit menu and drag to "Sessions."

2. Enter a new address for the default host and click OK.

3. The next time you open NCSA Telnet, the new host name appears in the connection box.

Need Help? [Back to Top]

If you need help, contact the Microcomputer Support Center consultants (Room 202 Computing Center; phone: 346-4412; e-mail: microhelp@oregon.uoregon.edu), Monday to Friday, 9 am- 5 pm. Or visit our Web site at http://micro.uoregon.edu.