All UNIX and Linux systems and partitions provide TELNET access. A TELNET server is a background process that runs on a managed system and allows terminal emulators to access the services of that system across a network. Terminal emulators communicate with the TELNET server through the TELNET transport protocol. Figure 3–4 shows a system managed using a TELNET connection.

TELNET servers support various display protocols. Operations Sentinel supports the ANSI X3.64 display protocol only.

TELNET provides a means for gathering information about the operating environment of the system. Operations Sentinel treats a TELNET connection as if it were a true console by providing logging, alarms, status monitoring services, and automation. The TELNET connection is available only when the TELNET server of the managed system is up.

This interface does not permit users to control the console boot process, but they can access the system as soon as the TELNET server starts on the managed system and multi-user mode is enabled.