Telnet is a way to log in to your server
and make live changes, rather than uploading files. It is
often referred to as a shell account, or having shell access.
Telnet connects you to the UNIX operating system, which looks
very similar to DOS. You may download telnet software from
almost any download site on the Web. If you are using Windows®
95/98, there is a built in telnet program that you may use
- Go to Start --> Run --> type in telnet.
Please note: All UNIX and Telnet commands
are case sensitive.
UNIX is an operating system with a
"command line" interface. Essentially, this means that there
are no windows and no mouse interaction - everything is typed
in manually. If your command is executed successfully, UNIX
will prompt you for another command without giving you an
error. However, if an error does occur, UNIX will tell you.
The command line usually has three
components: the command to run, the filename to use the command
on, and any number of switches the command can use for various
options. Switches are most commonly used with a hyphen preceding
them. For example, some switches for the command "ls"
are:
$ ls -l
(dash-ell, long format)
$ ls -a (dash-Ay, show all files)
Directory
Structure
In UNIX (through telnet), it is extremely
important to know where you are on the server. UNIX is not
very communicative, so you must always be sure you are in
the correct directory when making changes. In order to navigate
through your server, here are a few commands you should know.
pwd
= Print Working Directory
ls = List files in directory
cd [directory path] = change into a certain directory
more <filename> = view a file named filename
one page worth of text at a time.
man <commandname> = display the manual for the
given command
UNIX Commands
Navigation
- cd
[directory path] - Change directories. Example: cd
/httpd/htdocs
- pwd
- Display the directory you are currently in
- ls
- List directories
- ls
-f - Short directory list
- ls
-l - Detailed directory list: shows file protection,
date, groups and size
- ls
-a - List all files, including hidden files
- cd..-
Move up one directory level
File Utilities
- cp
<filename> <newfilename> - Copy old file
to new file
- mv
<filename> <newfilename> - Rename a file
or directory, or move a file or directory
- mkdir
- Create a new directory
- rm
<filename> (rm -r <directoryname>)- Delete
a file or directory
- chmod
<newpermissions> <filename> - Change the
attributes (permissions) on a file or directory
Help and Information
- man
<commandname> - System command information
- man
[program name] - Manuals and instructions for a given
program. Example: man perl
- whereis
<filename> - Find out what directory a file is
in
- apropos
<keyword> - Find documentation
Getting System Information
- date
- Gives you the date
- daytime
- Tells you the time in words
- time
- Displays a 24-hour clock
- ps
-aux - Provides all processes currently being executed
by all users
Printing (Display) to screen
- cat
<filename> - Show the whole file
- more
<filename> - Show the file one screen (page) at
a time
- <SPACE>
For next screen (page down) - Note: hit the space bar,
do not type "<space>"
- q
- To quit
- h
- For help
Misc
- CTRL+S
- Stop the screen display
- CTRL+Q
- Resume the screen display
- CTRL+D
- EOF (End of File) at the terminal
- ps
- List processes
- kill
<processID> - Stop a specific process number found
with 'ps'
Where can I learn more?
Check out these UNIX tutorials and
reference guides to help you learn more about basic UNIX commands
and how they are used.
- Examware.com
- Unix
is a Four Letter Word
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