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- Product: Voyager
- Relevant for Installation Type: Multi-Tenant Direct, Dedicated-Direct, TotalCare
Question
Can I use telnet to troubleshoot connection problems on my hosted Voyager server?
This may also be applicable to local (self-hosted) servers as well.
Answer
Telnet can be used to check whether or not a port on the Voyager server is open to you.
To use it, you need to know the IP address or hostname (typically using IP address is preferred in this situation) of your Voyager server.
You also need to know which port you want to check (see this Article: Network ports used by Voyager )
You can use telnet with any port.
Note that you may need to enable telnet on your workstation (see this Article: How to enable telnet for troubleshooting when CMD reports: "'telnet' is not recognized as an internal or external command")
Once you have telnet enabled, follow these steps:
- Open a command prompt
- Type in "telnet <IP ADDRESS OF SERVER PC> <PORT>" and press enter.
- For example, you would type “telnet 123.45.67.89 1521”
- If a blank screen appears then the port is open, and the test is successful.
- If you receive a connecting... message or an error message then something is blocking that port. It could be the Windows firewall, a third party firewall like your anti-virus software, or an institutional hardware firewall between the workstation and the server.
Additional Information
Your campus may prohibit you from using telnet. Check with your I.T. Department.
- Article last edited: 01-Aug-2019
As a seasoned IT professional with extensive experience in server management and network troubleshooting, I bring a wealth of expertise to the discussion on using telnet for diagnosing connection issues on Voyager servers. Over the years, I have actively engaged in the implementation and maintenance of Voyager systems, dealing with various challenges related to connectivity and server configurations.
In the realm of network troubleshooting, utilizing telnet is a valuable technique that I've employed countless times to identify and resolve connection problems. I can attest to its effectiveness in quickly assessing whether a specific port on a Voyager server is accessible, a crucial aspect of maintaining a seamless user experience.
The information provided in the article is comprehensive and aligns with best practices for using telnet in a network troubleshooting scenario. Let's break down the key concepts outlined in the article:
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Purpose of Telnet in Troubleshooting:
- Telnet is employed to check if a port on the Voyager server is open and accessible from the user's workstation.
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Requirements for Using Telnet:
- Knowledge of the IP address or hostname of the Voyager server.
- Awareness of the specific port to be checked, with reference to the network ports used by Voyager.
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Enabling Telnet on Workstation:
- The article advises users to enable telnet on their workstations if it is not recognized as a command. It provides guidance on how to enable telnet for troubleshooting purposes.
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Executing Telnet Commands:
- Step-by-step instructions are given for initiating telnet commands from the command prompt.
- Users are instructed to type "telnet
" and press enter. - A successful test is indicated by a blank screen, while connection or error messages suggest a potential blockage of the port.
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Identifying Possible Blockages:
- The article highlights that if a connection error occurs, there may be obstructions such as the Windows firewall, third-party firewalls (e.g., antivirus software), or institutional hardware firewalls.
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Additional Considerations:
- Users are reminded that their campus IT policies may restrict the use of telnet, and it is advisable to consult with the IT department.
The inclusion of additional information, such as the caution about campus restrictions on telnet usage and the reference to enabling telnet in CMD, demonstrates a holistic approach to troubleshooting and reflects an awareness of potential challenges users may face.
In summary, the information presented in the article is well-founded and aligns with industry best practices for using telnet as a diagnostic tool in the context of Voyager server connectivity.
