tn3270

   A special version of the Telnet program specifically designed for use with large IBM computers using 3270 and 327x series terminals. Most of the computers on the Internet use Unix, but if you ever encounter an IBM mainframe, you will definitely need tn3270.

   So how do you know when to use tn3270 rather than Telnet? It's time to load up tn3270 if you try to connect to an Internet host with Telnet and one of the following happens:

   • The on-screen messages are all in uppercase letters rather than the usual Unix mix of uppercase and lowercase letters.

   • You see VM or MVS anywhere in the login message. These are both names of IBM operating systems.

   • Your session is aborted before it really gets started.

   See also Telnet.