[ih] What does Telnet stand for?

[dhc2 at dcrocker.net (Dave CROCKER)]

On 1/11/2010 7:59 AM, Bernie Cosell wrote:
> On 11 Jan 2010 at 9:25, John Day wrote:
>
>> And just for the record, contrary to what many
>> textbooks say, the TELNET protocol is not a
>> remote login protocol.  It is a terminal device
>> driver protocol.
>
> Indeed it is: many of us have used telnet to send email, pick up our
> email, do usenet....


The /protocol/ is a terminal access protocol.  It defines an interactive channel 
designed for character or line interaction.

It's application to control channels for other protocols was specifically to 
simulate terminal access, in case it was desired to have humans type commands. 
This was enormously helpful for protocol debugging (and still is.)

Whether that terminal access required "login" is secondary to the nature of the 
mechanism defined by telnet.

d/
-- 

   Dave Crocker
   Brandenburg InternetWorking
   bbiw.net