Linux in a Windows World

Summary

Remote text-mode logins have been around for a long time, and they remain useful tools, particularly for accessing Linux systems. Ordinary users can use text-mode logins to perform various tasks, but they may be more important as remote administrative tools, enabling you to handle tasks at a distance that would otherwise be tedious or require your physical presence. Telnet has long been a popular remote login protocol, but SSH has eclipsed it, at least in security-conscious circles, because of SSH’s support for encryption. Although Telnet variants with encryption are available, they’re harder to find than SSH. For the most part, remote text-mode access tools are best used to access Linux from clients that can run just about any OS, but text-mode login servers for Windows are also available. These tools are much more limited in their utility, however, because of the more GUI-centric nature of Windows user programs and system administration tools.