There are two common Internet Protocols you will probably need to use no matter how you access the Internet. They are FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and Telnet. FTP is used to move files from one computer on the Internet to another, while Telnet allows a user to actually run programs on another computer somewhere on the Internet and see the output on their local machine. There are many other Internet commands, but to include all of them would take several books.
Telnet: run programs on another computer. Syntax: Telnet [[ComputerName] PortNumber] or Telnet [[ComputerAddress] PortNumber]
In the above syntax ComputerName is the Name of the Remote Computer, like cyber.gate.net or the actual numerical Internet address (e.g. 98.100.102). PortNumber is an optional Internet port on the remote computer (in most cases the port number is not needed). After issuing this command you will usually be asked to login to the remote computer by providing a UserID and Password. See "An Online Session," beginning on page 21, for an example of using Telnet.
FTP: move files Syntax: FTP [[ComputerName] PortNumber]
ComputerName is the Name of the Remote Computer, like ftp.eddie.mit.edu and PortNumber is an optional Internet port on the remote computer. In most cases the port number is not needed. After issuing this command you will usually be asked to login to the remote computer by providing a UserID and Password. In many cases FTP sites allow what is called "Anonymous FTP". Anonymous FTP allows any user to login in and access files at the FTP site. You usually will respond to the UserID prompt with the ID "Anonymous" and provide your Internet Mailing address as your password. Once you are connected to the FTP site, you will need a few commands to actually transfer any files. You can get a complete list of FTP commands once you are connected by typing help at the ftp> prompt. The basic commands needed are as follows:
Command Parameter Action
pwd Find out what the Current Directory is.
cd newdir Change to another directory.
dir filespec List files in the current directory.
binary Change file transfer mode to Binary. Use this for programs.
ASCII Change file transfer mode to ASCII. Use this for text files.
get filespec Retrieve a file from a remote machine.
put filespec Send a file to a remote machine.
See "An Online Session," page 21, for an example of using FTP.