I've never used SSH or Telnet. Do I have it?
Mac | Windows | At an Internet cafe, library (or similar)?
OS X: Both Telnet and SSH software are built in to OS X. We recommend SSH for better security. Establish your network connection if necessary, then open the Terminal application (you can find this in the Utilities folder inside your Applications folder) and type the command ssh acs.bu.edu or telnet acs.bu.edu. Enter your login name and password when prompted.
Note: if you are using SSH and your BU
login name is not the same as your OS X "short username"
then you should use the command ssh yourbulogin@acs.bu.edu
-- just substitute your BU login name for yourbulogin.
OS 9 and earlier: Even if you have never used an SSH or
Telnet application on your Mac, you may find that one has been
installed on your computer. Do a "Find" for the word ssh or
telnet. You may find an SSH or Telnet application such as
NiftyTelnet SSH, BetterTelnet or NCSA Telnet. If you can't find
any Telnet or SSH program on your computer, you can download
one from BU and from lots of shareware sites on the Web.
| Some
Telnet and SSH programs used on the Mac |
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 NiftyTelnet SSH |
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To use a Telnet or SSH program open the program and choose File->New Connection from the menu. Complete the host/session box with acs.bu.edu and enter your BU login name and Kerberos password when prompted.
Windows Users: A very basic Telnet application is already installed on your computer.
- Go to the Start menu and choose Run.
- Type telnet acs.bu.edu and click on OK. Log in and give your password.
If you can't locate this program or if you prefer to use another, you can install free SSH or Telnet programs as explained on the PCSC's Telnet and SSH page.
Internet cafes, libraries, and the like...: Often you will not be able to run Telnet and, therefore, access Pine or other UNIX applications from public, paid locations such as Internet cafes because these machines are "locked down." If you run into this restriction, you will have to use one of BU's Web-based mail programs OR forward your BU mail to another Web-based mail address.
