Message-Id: <199603012153.PAA22938@library.wustl.edu> Date: Fri, 1 Mar 1996 16:37:26 EST From: Selden Deemer <mailto:LIBSSD@EMUVM1.bitnet> Subject: Telnet destinations To: Multiple recipients of list WEBCAT-L <mailto:WEBCAT-L@WUVMD.WUSTL.EDU>
Has anybody come up with a viable solution for handling scripted telnet connections through a Web browser?We have defined a number of "Information Gateway" resources in our OPAC, most of which are restricted to use by current students, faculty, and staff. We handle connections to these by launching telnet on our host, then running a connection script that takes care of login/password verification required by the remote host (suppressing all of this information from display to the user).
However, doing the same thing through a Web browser runs into problems because the customary approach is to launch a telnet client on the user's machine, along with a hostname or IP number for the destination. Has anybody figured out how to pass a login script to the client, so that the user doesn't have to login manually? This problem will go away as more info providers offer native WWW or Z39.50 services, but I suspect that the need for basic Telnet connections will persist for several more years.
In talking with others about this problem, I've encountered two responses:
1) It's technically impossible; 2) It *must be possible, but I don't know how to do it.
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