1Net::Telnet(3) User Contributed Perl Documentation Net::Telnet(3)
2
6 Net::Telnet - interact with TELNET port or other TCP ports
7
9 "use Net::Telnet ();"
10 see METHODS or EXAMPLES sections below
12
14 Net::Telnet allows you to make client connections to a TCP port and do
15 network I/O, especially to a port using the TELNET protocol. Simple
16 I/O methods such as print, get, and getline are provided. More
17 sophisticated interactive features are provided because connecting to a
18 TELNET port ultimately means communicating with a program designed for
19 human interaction. These interactive features include the ability to
20 specify a time-out and to wait for patterns to appear in the input
21 stream, such as the prompt from a shell. IPv6 support is available
22 when using perl 5.14 or later, see "family()".
23 Other reasons to use this module than strictly with a TELNET port are:
25 • You're not familiar with sockets and you want a simple way to make
27 client connections to TCP services.
28 • You want to be able to specify your own time-out while connecting,
30 reading, or writing.
31 • You're communicating with an interactive program at the other end of
33 some socket or pipe and you want to wait for certain patterns to
34 appear.
35 Here's an example that prints who's logged-on to a remote host. In
37 addition to a username and password, you must also know the user's
38 shell prompt, which for this example is "bash$ "
39 use Net::Telnet ();
41 $t = new Net::Telnet (Timeout => 10,
42 Prompt => '/bash\$ $/');
43 $t->open($host);
44 $t->login($username, $passwd);
45 @lines = $t->cmd("who");
46 print @lines;
47 See the EXAMPLES section below for more examples.
49 Usage questions should be directed to the perlmonks.org discussion
51 group. Bugs can be viewed or reported at cpan.org on the Net::Telnet
52 page.
53 What To Know Before Using
55 • All output is flushed while all input is buffered. Each object
56 contains its own input buffer.
57 • The output record separator for "print()" and "cmd()" is set to "\n"
59 by default, so that you don't have to append all your commands with a
60 newline. To avoid printing a trailing "\n" use "put()" or set the
61 output_record_separator to "".
62 • The methods "login()" and "cmd()" use the prompt setting in the
64 object to determine when a login or remote command is complete.
65 Those methods will fail with a time-out if you don't set the prompt
66 correctly.
67 • Use a combination of "print()" and "waitfor()" as an alternative to
69 "login()" or "cmd()" when they don't do what you want.
70 • Errors such as timing-out are handled according to the error mode
72 action. The default action is to print an error message to standard
73 error and have the program die. See the "errmode()" method for more
74 information.
75 • When constructing the match operator argument for "prompt()" or
77 "waitfor()", always use single quotes instead of double quotes to
78 avoid unexpected backslash interpretation (e.g. '/bash\$ $/'). If
79 you're constructing a DOS like file path, you'll need to use four
80 backslashes to represent one (e.g. '/c:\\\\users\\\\bill>$/i').
81 Of course don't forget about regexp metacharacters like ".", "[", or
83 "$". You'll only need a single backslash to quote them. The anchor
84 metacharacters "^" and "$" refer to positions in the input buffer.
85 To avoid matching characters read that look like a prompt, it's a
86 good idea to end your prompt pattern with the "$" anchor. That way
87 the prompt will only match if it's the last thing read.
88 • In the input stream, each sequence of carriage return and line feed
90 (i.e. "\015\012" or CR LF) is converted to "\n". In the output
91 stream, each occurrence of "\n" is converted to a sequence of CR LF.
92 See "binmode()" to change the behavior. TCP protocols typically use
93 the ASCII sequence, carriage return and line feed to designate a
94 newline.
95 • Timing-out while making a connection is disabled for machines that
97 don't support the "alarm()" function. Most notably these include MS-
98 Windows machines.
99 • You'll need to be running at least Perl version 5.002 to use this
101 module. This module does not require any libraries that don't
102 already come with a standard Perl distribution.
103 If you have the IO:: libraries installed (they come standard with
105 perl5.004 and later) then IO::Socket::INET is used as a base class,
106 otherwise FileHandle is used.
107 Debugging
109 The typical usage bug causes a time-out error because you've made
110 incorrect assumptions about what the remote side actually sends. The
111 easiest way to reconcile what the remote side sends with your
112 expectations is to use "input_log()" or "dump_log()".
113 "dump_log()" allows you to see the data being sent from the remote side
115 before any translation is done, while "input_log()" shows you the
116 results after translation. The translation includes converting end of
117 line characters, removing and responding to TELNET protocol commands in
118 the data stream.
119 Style of Named Parameters
121 Two different styles of named parameters are supported. This document
122 only shows the IO:: style:
123 Net::Telnet->new(Timeout => 20);
125 however the dash-option style is also allowed:
127 Net::Telnet->new(-timeout => 20);
129 Connecting to a Remote MS-Windows Machine
131 By default MS-Windows doesn't come with a TELNET server. However third
132 party TELNET servers are available. Unfortunately many of these
133 servers falsely claim to be a TELNET server. This is especially true
134 of the so-called "Microsoft Telnet Server" that comes installed with
135 some newer versions MS-Windows.
136 When a TELNET server first accepts a connection, it must use the ASCII
138 control characters carriage-return and line-feed to start a new line
139 (see RFC854). A server like the "Microsoft Telnet Server" that doesn't
140 do this, isn't a TELNET server. These servers send ANSI terminal
141 escape sequences to position to a column on a subsequent line and to
142 even position while writing characters that are adjacent to each other.
143 Worse, when sending output these servers resend previously sent command
144 output in a misguided attempt to display an entire terminal screen.
145 Connecting Net::Telnet to one of these false TELNET servers makes your
147 job of parsing command output very difficult. It's better to replace a
148 false TELNET server with a real TELNET server. The better TELNET
149 servers for MS-Windows allow you to avoid the ANSI escapes by turning
150 off something some of them call console mode.
151
153 In the calling sequences below, square brackets [] represent optional
154 parameters.
155 new - create a new Net::Telnet object
157 $obj = new Net::Telnet ([$host]);
158 $obj = new Net::Telnet ([Binmode => $mode,]
160 [Cmd_remove_mode => $mode,]
161 [Dump_Log => $filename,]
162 [Errmode => $errmode,]
163 [Family => $family,]
164 [Fhopen => $filehandle,]
165 [Host => $host,]
166 [Input_log => $file,]
167 [Input_record_separator => $chars,]
168 [Localfamily => $family,]
169 [Localhost => $host,]
170 [Max_buffer_length => $len,]
171 [Ofs => $chars,]
172 [Option_log => $file,]
173 [Ors => $chars,]
174 [Output_field_separator => $chars,]
175 [Output_log => $file,]
176 [Output_record_separator => $chars,]
177 [Port => $port,]
178 [Prompt => $matchop,]
179 [Rs => $chars,]
180 [Telnetmode => $mode,]
181 [Timeout => $secs,]);
182 This is the constructor for Net::Telnet objects. A new object is
184 returned on success, the error mode action is performed on failure
185 - see "errmode()". The optional arguments are short-cuts to
186 methods of the same name.
187 If the $host argument is given then the object is opened by
189 connecting to TCP $port on $host. Also see "open()". The new
190 object returned is given the following defaults in the absence of
191 corresponding named parameters:
192 • The default Host is "localhost"
194 • The default Port is 23
196 • The default Family is "ipv4"
198 • The default Prompt is '/[\$%#>] $/'
200 • The default Timeout is 10
202 • The default Errmode is "die"
204 • The default Output_record_separator is "\n". Note that Ors is
206 synonymous with Output_record_separator.
207 • The default Input_record_separator is "\n". Note that Rs is
209 synonymous with Input_record_separator.
210 • The default Binmode is 0, which means do newline translation.
212 • The default Telnetmode is 1, which means respond to TELNET
214 commands in the data stream.
215 • The default Cmd_remove_mode is "auto"
217 • The defaults for Dump_log, Input_log, Option_log, and
219 Output_log are "", which means that logging is turned-off.
220 • The default Max_buffer_length is 1048576 bytes, i.e. 1 MiB.
222 • The default Output_field_separator is "". Note that Ofs is
224 synonymous with Output_field_separator.
225 • The default Localhost is ""
227 • The default Localfamily is "ipv4"
229 binmode - toggle newline translation
231 $mode = $obj->binmode;
232 $prev = $obj->binmode($mode);
234 This method controls whether or not sequences of carriage returns
236 and line feeds (CR LF or more specifically "\015\012") are
237 translated. By default they are translated (i.e. binmode is 0).
238 If no argument is given, the current mode is returned.
240 If $mode is 1 then binmode is on and newline translation is not
242 done.
243 If $mode is 0 then binmode is off and newline translation is done.
245 In the input stream, each sequence of CR LF is converted to "\n"
246 and in the output stream, each occurrence of "\n" is converted to a
247 sequence of CR LF.
248 Note that input is always buffered. Changing binmode doesn't
250 effect what's already been read into the buffer. Output is not
251 buffered and changing binmode will have an immediate effect.
252 break - send TELNET break character
254 $ok = $obj->break;
255 This method sends the TELNET break character. This character is
257 provided because it's a signal outside the ASCII character set
258 which is currently given local meaning within many systems. It's
259 intended to indicate that the Break Key or the Attention Key was
260 hit.
261 This method returns 1 on success, or performs the error mode action
263 on failure.
264 buffer - scalar reference to object's input buffer
266 $ref = $obj->buffer;
267 This method returns a scalar reference to the input buffer for
269 $obj. Data in the input buffer is data that has been read from the
270 remote side but has yet to be read by the user. Modifications to
271 the input buffer are returned by a subsequent read.
272 buffer_empty - discard all data in object's input buffer
274 $obj->buffer_empty;
275 This method removes all data in the input buffer for $obj.
277 close - close object
279 $ok = $obj->close;
280 This method closes the socket, file, or pipe associated with the
282 object. It always returns a value of 1.
283 cmd - issue command and retrieve output
285 $ok = $obj->cmd($string);
286 $ok = $obj->cmd(String => $string,
287 [Output => $ref,]
288 [Cmd_remove_mode => $mode,]
289 [Errmode => $mode,]
290 [Input_record_separator => $chars,]
291 [Ors => $chars,]
292 [Output_record_separator => $chars,]
293 [Prompt => $match,]
294 [Rs => $chars,]
295 [Timeout => $secs,]);
296 @output = $obj->cmd($string);
298 @output = $obj->cmd(String => $string,
299 [Output => $ref,]
300 [Cmd_remove_mode => $mode,]
301 [Errmode => $mode,]
302 [Input_record_separator => $chars,]
303 [Ors => $chars,]
304 [Output_record_separator => $chars,]
305 [Prompt => $match,]
306 [Rs => $chars,]
307 [Timeout => $secs,]);
308 This method sends the command $string, and reads the characters
310 sent back by the command up until and including the matching
311 prompt. It's assumed that the program to which you're sending is
312 some kind of command prompting interpreter such as a shell.
313 The command $string is automatically appended with the
315 output_record_separator, by default it is "\n". This is similar to
316 someone typing a command and hitting the return key. Set the
317 output_record_separator to change this behavior.
318 In a scalar context, the characters read from the remote side are
320 discarded and 1 is returned on success. On time-out, eof, or other
321 failures, the error mode action is performed. See "errmode()".
322 In a list context, just the output generated by the command is
324 returned, one line per element. In other words, all the characters
325 in between the echoed back command string and the prompt are
326 returned. If the command happens to return no output, a list
327 containing one element, the empty string is returned. This is so
328 the list will indicate true in a boolean context. On time-out,
329 eof, or other failures, the error mode action is performed. See
330 "errmode()".
331 The characters that matched the prompt may be retrieved using
333 "last_prompt()".
334 Many command interpreters echo back the command sent. In most
336 situations, this method removes the first line returned from the
337 remote side (i.e. the echoed back command). See
338 "cmd_remove_mode()" for more control over this feature.
339 Use "dump_log()" to debug when this method keeps timing-out and you
341 don't think it should.
342 Consider using a combination of "print()" and "waitfor()" as an
344 alternative to this method when it doesn't do what you want, e.g.
345 the command you send prompts for input.
346 The Output named parameter provides an alternative method of
348 receiving command output. If you pass a scalar reference, all the
349 output (even if it contains multiple lines) is returned in the
350 referenced scalar. If you pass an array or hash reference, the
351 lines of output are returned in the referenced array or hash. You
352 can use "input_record_separator()" to change the notion of what
353 separates a line.
354 Optional named parameters are provided to override the current
356 settings of cmd_remove_mode, errmode, input_record_separator, ors,
357 output_record_separator, prompt, rs, and timeout. Rs is synonymous
358 with input_record_separator and ors is synonymous with
359 output_record_separator.
360 cmd_remove_mode - toggle removal of echoed commands
362 $mode = $obj->cmd_remove_mode;
363 $prev = $obj->cmd_remove_mode($mode);
365 This method controls how to deal with echoed back commands in the
367 output returned by cmd(). Typically, when you send a command to
368 the remote side, the first line of output returned is the command
369 echoed back. Use this mode to remove the first line of output
370 normally returned by cmd().
371 If no argument is given, the current mode is returned.
373 If $mode is 0 then the command output returned from cmd() has no
375 lines removed. If $mode is a positive integer, then the first
376 $mode lines of command output are stripped.
377 By default, $mode is set to "auto". Auto means that whether or not
379 the first line of command output is stripped, depends on whether or
380 not the remote side offered to echo. By default, Net::Telnet
381 always accepts an offer to echo by the remote side. You can change
382 the default to reject such an offer using "option_accept()".
383 A warning is printed to STDERR when attempting to set this
385 attribute to something that is not "auto" or a non-negative
386 integer.
387 dump_log - log all I/O in dump format
389 $fh = $obj->dump_log;
390 $fh = $obj->dump_log($fh);
392 $fh = $obj->dump_log($tiefh);
394 $fh = $obj->dump_log($filename);
396 This method starts or stops dump format logging of all the object's
398 input and output. The dump format shows the blocks read and
399 written in a hexadecimal and printable character format. This
400 method is useful when debugging, however you might want to first
401 try "input_log()" as it's more readable.
402 If no argument is given, the log filehandle is returned. A
404 returned empty string indicates logging is off.
405 To stop logging, use an empty string as an argument. The stopped
407 filehandle is not closed.
408 If an open filehandle is given, it is used for logging and
410 returned. Otherwise, the argument is assumed to be the name of a
411 file, the filename is opened for logging and a filehandle to it is
412 returned. If the filehandle is not already opened or the filename
413 can't be opened for writing, the error mode action is performed.
414 The filehandle can be a tied filehandle.
415 eof - end of file indicator
417 $eof = $obj->eof;
418 This method returns 1 if end of file has been read, otherwise it
420 returns an empty string. Because the input is buffered this isn't
421 the same thing as $obj has closed. In other words $obj can be
422 closed but there still can be stuff in the buffer to be read.
423 Under this condition you can still read but you won't be able to
424 write.
425 errmode - define action to be performed on error
427 $mode = $obj->errmode;
428 $prev = $obj->errmode($mode);
430 This method gets or sets the action used when errors are
432 encountered using the object. The first calling sequence returns
433 the current error mode. The second calling sequence sets it to
434 $mode and returns the previous mode. Valid values for $mode are
435 "die" (the default), "return", a coderef, or an arrayref.
436 When mode is "die" and an error is encountered using the object,
438 then an error message is printed to standard error and the program
439 dies.
440 When mode is "return" then the method generating the error places
442 an error message in the object and returns an undefined value in a
443 scalar context and an empty list in list context. The error
444 message may be obtained using "errmsg()".
445 When mode is a coderef, then when an error is encountered coderef
447 is called with the error message as its first argument. Using this
448 mode you may have your own subroutine handle errors. If coderef
449 itself returns then the method generating the error returns
450 undefined or an empty list depending on context.
451 When mode is an arrayref, the first element of the array must be a
453 coderef. Any elements that follow are the arguments to coderef.
454 When an error is encountered, the coderef is called with its
455 arguments. Using this mode you may have your own subroutine handle
456 errors. If the coderef itself returns then the method generating
457 the error returns undefined or an empty list depending on context.
458 A warning is printed to STDERR when attempting to set this
460 attribute to something that is not "die", "return", a coderef, or
461 an arrayref whose first element isn't a coderef.
462 errmsg - most recent error message
464 $msg = $obj->errmsg;
465 $prev = $obj->errmsg(@msgs);
467 The first calling sequence returns the error message associated
469 with the object. The empty string is returned if no error has been
470 encountered yet. The second calling sequence sets the error
471 message for the object to the concatenation of @msgs and returns
472 the previous error message. Normally, error messages are set
473 internally by a method when an error is encountered.
474 error - perform the error mode action
476 $obj->error(@msgs);
477 This method concatenates @msgs into a string and places it in the
479 object as the error message. Also see "errmsg()". It then
480 performs the error mode action. Also see "errmode()".
481 If the error mode doesn't cause the program to die, then an
483 undefined value or an empty list is returned depending on the
484 context.
485 This method is primarily used by this class or a sub-class to
487 perform the user requested action when an error is encountered.
488 family - IP address family for remote host
490 $family = $obj->family;
491 $prev = $obj->family($family);
493 This method designates which IP address family "host()" refers to,
495 i.e. IPv4 or IPv6. IPv6 support is available when using perl 5.14
496 or later. With no argument it returns the current value set in the
497 object. With an argument it sets the current address family to
498 $family and returns the previous address family. Valid values are
499 "ipv4", "ipv6", or "any". When "any", the "host()" can be a
500 hostname or IP address for either IPv4 or IPv6. After connecting,
501 you can use "sockfamily()" to determine which IP address family was
502 used.
503 The default value is "ipv4".
505 The error mode action is performed when attempting to set this
507 attribute to something that isn't "ipv4", "ipv6", or "any". It is
508 also performed when attempting to set it to "ipv6" when the Socket
509 module is less than version 1.94 or IPv6 is not supported in the OS
510 as indicated by Socket::AF_INET6 not being defined.
511 fhopen - use already open filehandle for I/O
513 $ok = $obj->fhopen($fh);
514 This method associates the open filehandle $fh with $obj for
516 further I/O. Filehandle $fh must already be opened.
517 Suppose you want to use the features of this module to do I/O to
519 something other than a TCP port, for example STDIN or a filehandle
520 opened to read from a process. Instead of opening the object for
521 I/O to a TCP port by using "open()" or "new()", call this method
522 instead.
523 The value 1 is returned success, the error mode action is performed
525 on failure.
526 get - read block of data
528 $data = $obj->get([Binmode => $mode,]
529 [Errmode => $errmode,]
530 [Telnetmode => $mode,]
531 [Timeout => $secs,]);
532 This method reads a block of data from the object and returns it
534 along with any buffered data. If no buffered data is available to
535 return, it will wait for data to read using the timeout specified
536 in the object. You can override that timeout using $secs. Also
537 see "timeout()". If buffered data is available to return, it also
538 checks for a block of data that can be immediately read.
539 On eof an undefined value is returned. On time-out or other
541 failures, the error mode action is performed. To distinguish
542 between eof or an error occurring when the error mode is not set to
543 "die", use "eof()".
544 Optional named parameters are provided to override the current
546 settings of binmode, errmode, telnetmode, and timeout.
547 getline - read next line
549 $line = $obj->getline([Binmode => $mode,]
550 [Errmode => $errmode,]
551 [Input_record_separator => $chars,]
552 [Rs => $chars,]
553 [Telnetmode => $mode,]
554 [Timeout => $secs,]);
555 This method reads and returns the next line of data from the
557 object. You can use "input_record_separator()" to change the
558 notion of what separates a line. The default is "\n". If a line
559 isn't immediately available, this method blocks waiting for a line
560 or a time-out.
561 On eof an undefined value is returned. On time-out or other
563 failures, the error mode action is performed. To distinguish
564 between eof or an error occurring when the error mode is not set to
565 "die", use "eof()".
566 Optional named parameters are provided to override the current
568 settings of binmode, errmode, input_record_separator, rs,
569 telnetmode, and timeout. Rs is synonymous with
570 input_record_separator.
571 getlines - read next lines
573 @lines = $obj->getlines([Binmode => $mode,]
574 [Errmode => $errmode,]
575 [Input_record_separator => $chars,]
576 [Rs => $chars,]
577 [Telnetmode => $mode,]
578 [Timeout => $secs,]
579 [All => $boolean,]);
580 This method reads and returns all the lines of data from the object
582 until end of file is read. You can use "input_record_separator()"
583 to change the notion of what separates a line. The default is
584 "\n". A time-out error occurs if all the lines can't be read
585 within the time-out interval. See "timeout()".
586 The behavior of this method was changed in version 3.03. Prior to
588 version 3.03 this method returned just the lines available from the
589 next read. To get that old behavior, use the optional named
590 parameter All and set $boolean to "" or 0.
591 If only eof is read then an empty list is returned. On time-out or
593 other failures, the error mode action is performed. Use "eof()" to
594 distinguish between reading only eof or an error occurring when the
595 error mode is not set to "die".
596 Optional named parameters are provided to override the current
598 settings of binmode, errmode, input_record_separator, rs,
599 telnetmode, and timeout. Rs is synonymous with
600 input_record_separator.
601 host - name or IP address of remote host
603 $host = $obj->host;
604 $prev = $obj->host($host);
606 This method designates the remote host for "open()". It is either
608 a hostname or an IP address. With no argument it returns the
609 current value set in the object. With an argument it sets the
610 current host name to $host and returns the previous value. Use
611 "family()" to control which IP address family, IPv4 or IPv6, host
612 refers to.
613 The default value is "localhost". It may also be set by "open()"
615 or "new()".
616 input_log - log all input
618 $fh = $obj->input_log;
619 $fh = $obj->input_log($fh);
621 $fh = $obj->input_log($tiefh);
623 $fh = $obj->input_log($filename);
625 This method starts or stops logging of input. This is useful when
627 debugging. Also see "dump_log()". Because most command
628 interpreters echo back commands received, it's likely all your
629 output will also be in this log. Note that input logging occurs
630 after newline translation. See "binmode()" for details on newline
631 translation.
632 If no argument is given, the log filehandle is returned. A
634 returned empty string indicates logging is off.
635 To stop logging, use an empty string as an argument. The stopped
637 filehandle is not closed.
638 If an open filehandle is given, it is used for logging and
640 returned. Otherwise, the argument is assumed to be the name of a
641 file, the filename is opened for logging and a filehandle to it is
642 returned. If the filehandle is not already opened or the filename
643 can't be opened for writing, the error mode action is performed.
644 The filehandle can be a tied filehandle.
645 input_record_separator - input line delimiter
647 $chars = $obj->input_record_separator;
648 $prev = $obj->input_record_separator($chars);
650 This method designates the line delimiter for input. It's used
652 with "getline()", "getlines()", and "cmd()" to determine lines in
653 the input.
654 With no argument this method returns the current input record
656 separator set in the object. With an argument it sets the input
657 record separator to $chars and returns the previous value. Note
658 that $chars must have length.
659 A warning is printed to STDERR when attempting to set this
661 attribute to a string with no length.
662 last_prompt - last prompt read
664 $string = $obj->last_prompt;
665 $prev = $obj->last_prompt($string);
667 With no argument this method returns the last prompt read by cmd()
669 or login(). See "prompt()". With an argument it sets the last
670 prompt read to $string and returns the previous value. Normally,
671 only internal methods set the last prompt.
672 lastline - last line read
674 $line = $obj->lastline;
675 $prev = $obj->lastline($line);
677 This method retrieves the last line read from the object. This may
679 be a useful error message when the remote side abnormally closes
680 the connection. Typically the remote side will print an error
681 message before closing.
682 With no argument this method returns the last line read from the
684 object. With an argument it sets the last line read to $line and
685 returns the previous value. Normally, only internal methods set
686 the last line.
687 localfamily - IP address family for local host
689 $localfamily = $obj->localfamily;
690 $prev = $obj->localfamily($family);
692 This method designates which IP address family "localhost()" refers
694 to, i.e. IPv4 or IPv6. IPv6 support is available when using perl
695 5.14 or later. With no argument it returns the current value set
696 in the object. With an argument it sets the current local address
697 family to $family and returns the previous address family. Valid
698 values are "ipv4", "ipv6", or "any". When "any", the "localhost()"
699 can be a hostname or IP address for either IPv4 or IPv6.
700 The default value is "ipv4".
702 The error mode action is performed when attempting to set this
704 attribute to something that isn't "ipv4", "ipv6", or "any". It is
705 also performed when attempting to set it to "ipv6" when the Socket
706 module is less than version 1.94 or IPv6 is not supported in the OS
707 as indicated by Socket::AF_INET6 not being defined.
708 localhost - bind local socket to a specific network interface
710 $localhost = $obj->localhost;
711 $prev = $obj->localhost($host);
713 This method designates the local socket IP address for "open()".
715 It is either a hostname, an IP address, or a null string (i.e. "").
716 A null string disables this feature.
717 Normally the OS picks which local network interface to use. This
719 method is useful when the local machine has more than one network
720 interface and you want to bind to a specific one. With no argument
721 it returns the current value set in the object. With an argument
722 it sets the current local host name to $host and returns the
723 previous value. Use "localfamily()" to control which IP address
724 family, IPv4 or IPv6, local host refers to.
725 The default value is "".
727 login - perform standard login
729 $ok = $obj->login($username, $password);
730 $ok = $obj->login(Name => $username,
732 Password => $password,
733 [Errmode => $mode,]
734 [Prompt => $match,]
735 [Timeout => $secs,]);
736 This method performs a standard login by waiting for a login prompt
738 and responding with $username, then waiting for the password prompt
739 and responding with $password, and then waiting for the command
740 interpreter prompt. If any of those prompts sent by the remote
741 side don't match what's expected, this method will time-out, unless
742 timeout is turned off.
743 Login prompt must match either of these case insensitive patterns:
745 /login[: ]*$/i
747 /username[: ]*$/i
748 Password prompt must match this case insensitive pattern:
750 /password[: ]*$/i
752 The command interpreter prompt must match the current setting of
754 prompt. See "prompt()".
755 Use "dump_log()" to debug when this method keeps timing-out and you
757 don't think it should.
758 Consider using a combination of "print()" and "waitfor()" as an
760 alternative to this method when it doesn't do what you want, e.g.
761 the remote host doesn't prompt for a username.
762 On success, 1 is returned. On time out, eof, or other failures,
764 the error mode action is performed. See "errmode()".
765 Optional named parameters are provided to override the current
767 settings of errmode, prompt, and timeout.
768 max_buffer_length - maximum size of input buffer
770 $len = $obj->max_buffer_length;
771 $prev = $obj->max_buffer_length($len);
773 This method designates the maximum size of the input buffer. An
775 error is generated when a read causes the buffer to exceed this
776 limit. The default value is 1,048,576 bytes (1 MiB). The input
777 buffer can grow much larger than the block size when you
778 continuously read using "getline()" or "waitfor()" and the data
779 stream contains no newlines or matching waitfor patterns.
780 With no argument, this method returns the current maximum buffer
782 length set in the object. With an argument it sets the maximum
783 buffer length to $len and returns the previous value. Values of
784 $len smaller than 512 will be adjusted to 512.
785 A warning is printed to STDERR when attempting to set this
787 attribute to something that isn't a positive integer.
788 ofs - field separator for print
790 $chars = $obj->ofs
791 $prev = $obj->ofs($chars);
793 This method is synonymous with "output_field_separator()".
795 open - connect to port on remote host
797 $ok = $obj->open($host);
798 $ok = $obj->open([Host => $host,]
800 [Port => $port,]
801 [Family => $family,]
802 [Errmode => $mode,]
803 [Timeout => $secs,]
804 [Localhost => $host,]
805 [Localfamily => $family,]);
806 This method opens a TCP connection to $port on $host for the IP
808 address $family. If any of those arguments are missing then the
809 current attribute value for the object is used. Specifying Host
810 sets that attribute for the object. Specifying any of the other
811 optional named parameters overrides the current setting.
812 The default IP address family is "ipv4". $family may be set to
814 "ipv4", "ipv6", or "any". See "family()" for more details.
815 Localhost is used to bind to a specific local network interface.
817 If the object is already open, it is closed before attempting a
819 connection.
820 On success 1 is returned. On time-out or other connection
822 failures, the error mode action is performed. See "errmode()".
823 Time-outs don't work for this method on machines that don't
825 implement SIGALRM - most notably MS-Windows machines. For those
826 machines, an error is returned when the system reaches its own
827 time-out while trying to connect.
828 A side effect of this method is to reset the alarm interval
830 associated with SIGALRM.
831 option_accept - indicate willingness to accept a TELNET option
833 $fh = $obj->option_accept([Do => $telopt,]
834 [Dont => $telopt,]
835 [Will => $telopt,]
836 [Wont => $telopt,]);
837 This method is used to indicate whether to accept or reject an
839 offer to enable a TELNET option made by the remote side. If you're
840 using Do or Will to indicate a willingness to enable, then a
841 notification callback must have already been defined by a prior
842 call to "option_callback()". See "option_callback()" for details
843 on receiving enable/disable notification of a TELNET option.
844 You can give multiple Do, Dont, Will, or Wont arguments for
846 different TELNET options in the same call to this method.
847 The following example describes the meaning of the named
849 parameters. A TELNET option, such as "TELOPT_ECHO" used below, is
850 an integer constant that you can import from Net::Telnet. See the
851 source in file Telnet.pm for the complete list.
852 • Do => "TELOPT_ECHO"
854 • we'll accept an offer to enable the echo option on the
856 local side
857 • Dont => "TELOPT_ECHO"
859 • we'll reject an offer to enable the echo option on the
861 local side
862 • Will => "TELOPT_ECHO"
864 • we'll accept an offer to enable the echo option on the
866 remote side
867 • Wont => "TELOPT_ECHO"
869 • we'll reject an offer to enable the echo option on the
871 remote side
872 • Use "option_send()" to send a request to the remote side to
874 enable or disable a particular TELNET option.
875 option_callback - define the option negotiation callback
877 $coderef = $obj->option_callback;
878 $prev = $obj->option_callback($coderef);
880 This method defines the callback subroutine that is called when a
882 TELNET option is enabled or disabled. Once defined, the
883 option_callback may not be undefined. However, calling this method
884 with a different $coderef changes it.
885 A warning is printed to STDERR when attempting to set this
887 attribute to something that isn't a coderef.
888 Here are the circumstances that invoke $coderef:
890 • An option becomes enabled because the remote side requested an
892 enable and "option_accept()" had been used to arrange that it
893 be accepted.
894 • The remote side arbitrarily decides to disable an option that
896 is currently enabled. Note that Net::Telnet always accepts a
897 request to disable from the remote side.
898 • "option_send()" was used to send a request to enable or disable
900 an option and the response from the remote side has just been
901 received. Note, that if a request to enable is rejected then
902 $coderef is still invoked even though the option didn't change.
903 • Here are the arguments passed to &$coderef:
905 &$coderef($obj, $option, $is_remote,
907 $is_enabled, $was_enabled, $buf_position);
908 • 1. $obj is the Net::Telnet object
910 • 2. $option is the TELNET option. Net::Telnet exports
912 constants for the various TELNET options which just equate to
913 an integer.
914 • 3. $is_remote is a boolean indicating for which side the
916 option applies.
917 • 4. $is_enabled is a boolean indicating the option is enabled
919 or disabled
920 • 5. $was_enabled is a boolean indicating the option was
922 previously enabled or disabled
923 • 6. $buf_position is an integer indicating the position in the
925 object's input buffer where the option takes effect. See
926 "buffer()" to access the object's input buffer.
927 option_log - log all TELNET options sent or received
929 $fh = $obj->option_log;
930 $fh = $obj->option_log($fh);
932 $fh = $obj->option_log($tiefh);
934 $fh = $obj->option_log($filename);
936 This method starts or stops logging of all TELNET options being
938 sent or received. This is useful for debugging when you send
939 options via "option_send()" or you arrange to accept option
940 requests from the remote side via "option_accept()". Also see
941 "dump_log()".
942 If no argument is given, the log filehandle is returned. An empty
944 string indicates logging is off.
945 To stop logging, use an empty string as an argument. The stopped
947 filehandle is not closed.
948 If an open filehandle is given, it is used for logging and
950 returned. Otherwise, the argument is assumed to be the name of a
951 file, the filename is opened for logging and a filehandle to it is
952 returned. If the filehandle is not already opened or the filename
953 can't be opened for writing, the error mode action is performed.
954 The filehandle can be a tied filehandle.
955 option_send - send TELNET option negotiation request
957 $ok = $obj->option_send([Do => $telopt,]
958 [Dont => $telopt,]
959 [Will => $telopt,]
960 [Wont => $telopt,]
961 [Async => $boolean,]);
962 This method is not yet implemented. Look for it in a future
964 version.
965 option_state - get current state of a TELNET option
967 $hashref = $obj->option_state($telopt);
968 This method returns a hashref containing a copy of the current
970 state of TELNET option $telopt.
971 Here are the values returned in the hash:
973 • $hashref->{remote_enabled}
975 • boolean that indicates if the option is enabled on the
977 remote side.
978 • $hashref->{remote_enable_ok}
980 • boolean that indicates if it's ok to accept an offer to
982 enable this option on the remote side.
983 • $hashref->{remote_state}
985 • string used to hold the internal state of option
987 negotiation for this option on the remote side.
988 • $hashref->{local_enabled}
990 • boolean that indicates if the option is enabled on the
992 local side.
993 • $hashref->{local_enable_ok}
995 • boolean that indicates if it's ok to accept an offer to
997 enable this option on the local side.
998 • $hashref->{local_state}
1000 • string used to hold the internal state of option
1002 negotiation for this option on the local side.
1003 ors - output line delimiter
1005 $chars = $obj->ors;
1006 $prev = $obj->ors($chars);
1008 This method is synonymous with "output_record_separator()".
1010 output_field_separator - field separator for print
1012 $chars = $obj->output_field_separator;
1013 $prev = $obj->output_field_separator($chars);
1015 This method designates the output field separator for "print()".
1017 Ordinarily the print method simply prints out the comma separated
1018 fields you specify. Set this to specify what's printed between
1019 fields.
1020 With no argument this method returns the current output field
1022 separator set in the object. With an argument it sets the output
1023 field separator to $chars and returns the previous value.
1024 By default it's set to an empty string.
1026 output_log - log all output
1028 $fh = $obj->output_log;
1029 $fh = $obj->output_log($fh);
1031 $fh = $obj->output_log($tiefh);
1033 $fh = $obj->output_log($filename);
1035 This method starts or stops logging of output. This is useful when
1037 debugging. Also see "dump_log()". Because most command
1038 interpreters echo back commands received, it's likely all your
1039 output would also be in an input log. See "input_log()". Note
1040 that output logging occurs before newline translation. See
1041 "binmode()" for details on newline translation.
1042 If no argument is given, the log filehandle is returned. A
1044 returned empty string indicates logging is off.
1045 To stop logging, use an empty string as an argument. The stopped
1047 filehandle is not closed.
1048 If an open filehandle is given, it is used for logging and
1050 returned. Otherwise, the argument is assumed to be the name of a
1051 file, the filename is opened for logging and a filehandle to it is
1052 returned. If the filehandle is not already opened or the filename
1053 can't be opened for writing, the error mode action is performed.
1054 The filehandle can be a tied filehandle.
1055 output_record_separator - output line delimiter
1057 $chars = $obj->output_record_separator;
1058 $prev = $obj->output_record_separator($chars);
1060 This method designates the output line delimiter for "print()" and
1062 "cmd()". Set this to specify what's printed at the end of
1063 "print()" and "cmd()".
1064 The output record separator is set to "\n" by default, so there's
1066 no need to append all your commands with a newline. To avoid
1067 printing the output_record_separator use "put()" or set the
1068 output_record_separator to an empty string.
1069 With no argument this method returns the current output record
1071 separator set in the object. With an argument it sets the output
1072 record separator to $chars and returns the previous value.
1073 peerhost - IP address of the other end of the socket connection
1075 $ipaddr = $obj->peerhost;
1076 This method returns a string which is the IPv4 or IPv6 address the
1078 remote socket is bound to (i.e. it is the IP address of "host()").
1079 It returns "" when not connected.
1080 peerport - TCP port of the other end of the socket connection
1082 $port = $obj->peerport;
1083 This method returns the port number which the remote socket is
1085 bound to. It is the same as the "port()" number when connected.
1086 It returns "" when not connected.
1087 port - remote port
1089 $port = $obj->port;
1090 $prev = $obj->port($port);
1092 This method designates the remote TCP port for "open()". With no
1094 argument this method returns the current port number. With an
1095 argument it sets the current port number to $port and returns the
1096 previous port. If $port is a TCP service name, then it's first
1097 converted to a port number using the perl function
1098 "getservbyname()".
1099 The default value is 23.
1101 The error mode action is performed when attempting to set this
1103 attribute to something that is not a positive integer or a valid
1104 TCP service name.
1105 print - write to object
1107 $ok = $obj->print(@list);
1108 This method writes @list followed by the output_record_separator to
1110 the open object and returns 1 if all data was successfully written.
1111 On time-out or other failures, the error mode action is performed.
1112 See "errmode()".
1113 By default, the "output_record_separator()" is set to "\n" so all
1115 your commands automatically end with a newline. In most cases your
1116 output is being read by a command interpreter which won't accept a
1117 command until newline is read. This is similar to someone typing a
1118 command and hitting the return key. To avoid printing a trailing
1119 "\n" use "put()" instead or set the output_record_separator to an
1120 empty string.
1121 On failure, it's possible that some data was written. If you
1123 choose to try and recover from a print timing-out, use
1124 "print_length()" to determine how much was written before the error
1125 occurred.
1126 You may also use the output field separator to print a string
1128 between the list elements. See "output_field_separator()".
1129 print_length - number of bytes written by print
1131 $num = $obj->print_length;
1132 This returns the number of bytes successfully written by the most
1134 recent "print()" or "put()".
1135 prompt - pattern to match a prompt
1137 $matchop = $obj->prompt;
1138 $prev = $obj->prompt($matchop);
1140 This method sets the pattern used to find a prompt in the input
1142 stream. It must be a string representing a valid perl pattern
1143 match operator. The methods "login()" and "cmd()" try to read
1144 until matching the prompt. They will fail with a time-out error if
1145 the pattern you've chosen doesn't match what the remote side sends.
1146 With no argument this method returns the prompt set in the object.
1148 With an argument it sets the prompt to $matchop and returns the
1149 previous value.
1150 The default prompt is '/[\$%#>] $/'
1152 Always use single quotes, instead of double quotes, to construct
1154 $matchop (e.g. '/bash\$ $/'). If you're constructing a DOS like
1155 file path, you'll need to use four backslashes to represent one
1156 (e.g. '/c:\\\\users\\\\bill>$/i').
1157 Of course don't forget about regexp metacharacters like ".", "[",
1159 or "$". You'll only need a single backslash to quote them. The
1160 anchor metacharacters "^" and "$" refer to positions in the input
1161 buffer.
1162 The error mode action is performed when attempting to set this
1164 attribute with a match operator missing its opening delimiter.
1165 put - write to object
1167 $ok = $obj->put($string);
1168 $ok = $obj->put(String => $string,
1170 [Binmode => $mode,]
1171 [Errmode => $errmode,]
1172 [Telnetmode => $mode,]
1173 [Timeout => $secs,]);
1174 This method writes $string to the opened object and returns 1 if
1176 all data was successfully written. This method is like "print()"
1177 except that it doesn't write the trailing output_record_separator
1178 ("\n" by default). On time-out or other failures, the error mode
1179 action is performed. See "errmode()".
1180 On failure, it's possible that some data was written. If you
1182 choose to try and recover from a put timing-out, use
1183 "print_length()" to determine how much was written before the error
1184 occurred.
1185 Optional named parameters are provided to override the current
1187 settings of binmode, errmode, telnetmode, and timeout.
1188 rs - input line delimiter
1190 $chars = $obj->rs;
1191 $prev = $obj->rs($chars);
1193 This method is synonymous with "input_record_separator()".
1195 sockfamily - IP address family of connected local socket
1197 $sockfamily = $obj->sockfamily;
1198 This method returns which IP address family "open()" used to
1200 successfully connect. It is most useful when the requested address
1201 "family()" for "open()" was "any". Values returned may be "ipv4",
1202 "ipv6", or "" (when not connected).
1203 sockhost - IP address of this end of the socket connection
1205 $ipaddr = $obj->sockhost;
1206 This method returns a string which is the IPv4 or IPv6 address the
1208 local socket is bound to. It returns "" when not connected.
1209 sockport - TCP port of this end of the socket connection
1211 $port = $obj->sockport;
1212 This method returns the port number which the local socket is bound
1214 to. It returns "" when not connected.
1215 telnetmode - turn off/on telnet command interpretation
1217 $mode = $obj->telnetmode;
1218 $prev = $obj->telnetmode($mode);
1220 This method controls whether or not TELNET commands in the data
1222 stream are recognized and handled. The TELNET protocol uses
1223 certain character sequences sent in the data stream to control the
1224 session. If the port you're connecting to isn't using the TELNET
1225 protocol, then you should turn this mode off. The default is on.
1226 If no argument is given, the current mode is returned.
1228 If $mode is 0 then telnet mode is off. If $mode is 1 then telnet
1230 mode is on.
1231 timed_out - time-out indicator
1233 $boolean = $obj->timed_out;
1234 $prev = $obj->timed_out($boolean);
1236 This method indicates if a previous read, write, or open method
1238 timed-out. Remember that timing-out is itself an error. To be
1239 able to invoke "timed_out()" after a time-out error, you'd have to
1240 change the default error mode to something other than "die". See
1241 "errmode()".
1242 With no argument this method returns 1 if the previous method
1244 timed-out. With an argument it sets the indicator. Normally, only
1245 internal methods set this indicator.
1246 timeout - I/O time-out interval
1248 $secs = $obj->timeout;
1249 $prev = $obj->timeout($secs);
1251 This method sets the timeout interval used when performing I/O or
1253 connecting to a port. When a method doesn't complete within the
1254 timeout interval then it's an error and the error mode action is
1255 performed.
1256 A timeout may be expressed as a relative or absolute value. If
1258 $secs is greater than or equal to the time the program started, as
1259 determined by $^T, then it's an absolute time value for when time-
1260 out occurs. The perl function "time()" may be used to obtain an
1261 absolute time value. For a relative time-out value less than $^T,
1262 time-out happens $secs from when the method begins.
1263 If $secs is 0 then time-out occurs if the data cannot be
1265 immediately read or written. Use the undefined value to turn off
1266 timing-out completely.
1267 With no argument this method returns the timeout set in the object.
1269 With an argument it sets the timeout to $secs and returns the
1270 previous value. The default timeout value is 10 seconds.
1271 A warning is printed to STDERR when attempting to set this
1273 attribute to something that is not an "undef" or a non-negative
1274 integer.
1275 waitfor - wait for pattern in the input
1277 $ok = $obj->waitfor($matchop);
1278 $ok = $obj->waitfor([Match => $matchop,]
1279 [String => $string,]
1280 [Binmode => $mode,]
1281 [Errmode => $errmode,]
1282 [Telnetmode => $mode,]
1283 [Timeout => $secs,]);
1284 ($prematch, $match) = $obj->waitfor($matchop);
1286 ($prematch, $match) = $obj->waitfor([Match => $matchop,]
1287 [String => $string,]
1288 [Binmode => $mode,]
1289 [Errmode => $errmode,]
1290 [Telnetmode => $mode,]
1291 [Timeout => $secs,]);
1292 This method reads until a pattern match or string is found in the
1294 input stream. All the characters before and including the match
1295 are removed from the input stream.
1296 In a list context the characters before the match and the matched
1298 characters are returned in $prematch and $match. In a scalar
1299 context, the matched characters and all characters before it are
1300 discarded and 1 is returned on success. On time-out, eof, or other
1301 failures, for both list and scalar context, the error mode action
1302 is performed. See "errmode()".
1303 You can specify more than one pattern or string by simply providing
1305 multiple Match and/or String named parameters. A $matchop must be
1306 a string representing a valid Perl pattern match operator. The
1307 $string is just a substring to find in the input stream.
1308 Use "dump_log()" to debug when this method keeps timing-out and you
1310 don't think it should.
1311 An optional named parameter is provided to override the current
1313 setting of timeout.
1314 To avoid unexpected backslash interpretation, always use single
1316 quotes instead of double quotes to construct a match operator
1317 argument for "prompt()" and "waitfor()" (e.g. '/bash\$ $/'). If
1318 you're constructing a DOS like file path, you'll need to use four
1319 backslashes to represent one (e.g. '/c:\\\\users\\\\bill>$/i').
1320 Of course don't forget about regexp metacharacters like ".", "[",
1322 or "$". You'll only need a single backslash to quote them. The
1323 anchor metacharacters "^" and "$" refer to positions in the input
1324 buffer.
1325 Optional named parameters are provided to override the current
1327 settings of binmode, errmode, telnetmode, and timeout.
1328
1330 RFC 854
1331 TELNET Protocol Specification
1332 http://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc854
1334 RFC 1143
1336 Q Method of Implementing TELNET Option Negotiation
1337 http://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc1143
1339 TELNET Option Assignments
1341 http://www.iana.org/assignments/telnet-options
1342
1344 Setting "prompt()" to match a user's shell prompt can be tricky. This
1345 example logs in without knowing the shell prompt and then sets it to
1346 match "prompt()". It requires /usr/bin/env and /bin/sh on the remote
1347 host.
1348 my $host = 'your_destination_host_here';
1350 my $user = 'your_username_here';
1351 my $passwd = 'your_password_here';
1352 my ($t, @output);
1353 ## Create a Net::Telnet object.
1355 use Net::Telnet ();
1356 $t = new Net::Telnet (Timeout => 10);
1357 ## Connect and login.
1359 $t->open($host);
1360 $t->waitfor('/login: ?$/i');
1362 $t->print($user);
1363 $t->waitfor('/password: ?$/i');
1365 $t->print($passwd);
1366 ## Switch to a known shell, using a known prompt.
1368 $t->prompt('/<xPROMPTx> $/');
1369 $t->errmode("return");
1370 $t->cmd("exec /usr/bin/env 'PS1=<xPROMPTx> ' /bin/sh -i")
1372 or die "login failed to remote host $host";
1373 $t->errmode("die");
1375 ## Now you can do cmd() to your heart's content.
1377 @output = $t->cmd("uname -a");
1378 print @output;
1379 exit;
1381 Usually you want the remote TERM environment variable to be set to
1383 something like "dumb" so you don't read escape sequences meant to be
1384 interpreted by a display terminal. It is best to set it via "cmd()",
1385 or via "waitfor()" and "print()". It is also possible to negotiate the
1386 terminal type via telnet. Here is how to do that.
1387 ## Module import.
1389 use Net::Telnet qw(TELNET_IAC TELNET_SB TELNET_SE TELOPT_TTYPE);
1390 ## Global variables.
1392 my $Term;
1393 ## Main program.
1395 {
1396 my $host = "your_destination_host_here";
1397 my $user = "your_username_here";
1398 my $passwd = "your_password_here";
1399 my $prompt = '/bash\$ $/'; # your regexp for shell prompt here
1400 my $t;
1401 $t = new Net::Telnet (Prompt => $prompt);
1403 ## Set up callbacks to negotiate terminal type.
1405 $t->option_callback(sub {});
1406 $t->suboption_callback(\&subopt_callback);
1407 $t->option_accept(Do => TELOPT_TTYPE);
1408 ## Login and print value of TERM.
1410 $Term = "dumb";
1411 $t->open($host);
1412 $t->login($user, $passwd);
1413 print $t->cmd('hostname');
1414 print "TERM=", $t->cmd('echo $TERM');
1415 $t->close;
1416 exit;
1418 } # end main program
1419 sub subopt_callback {
1421 my ($t, $option, $parameters) = @_;
1422 my $telcmd;
1423 if ($option == TELOPT_TTYPE) {
1425 $telcmd = pack("C4 A* C2", TELNET_IAC, TELNET_SB, TELOPT_TTYPE, 0,
1426 $Term, TELNET_IAC, TELNET_SE);
1427 $t->put(String => $telcmd,
1428 Telnetmode => 0);
1429 }
1430 1;
1432 } # end sub subopt_callback
1433 You can also use Net::Telnet to interact with local programs. This
1435 example changes a user's login password. It introduces the "spawn()"
1436 subroutine to start a program and associate a filehandle with its
1437 standard I/O. Because the passwd program always prompts for passwords
1438 on its controlling terminal, the IO::Pty module is used to create a new
1439 pseudo terminal for use by passwd. The Net::Telnet object reads and
1440 writes to that pseudo terminal. To use the code below, substitute
1441 "changeme" with the actual old and new passwords.
1442 ## Main program. {
1444 my ($pty, $passwd);
1445 my $oldpw = "changeme";
1446 my $newpw = "changeme";
1447 ## Start passwd program.
1449 $pty = spawn("passwd");
1450 ## Create a Net::Telnet object to perform I/O on passwd's tty.
1452 use Net::Telnet;
1453 $passwd = new Net::Telnet (-fhopen => $pty,
1454 -timeout => 2,
1455 -output_record_separator => "\r",
1456 -telnetmode => 0,
1457 -cmd_remove_mode => 1);
1458 $passwd->errmode("return");
1459 ## Send existing password.
1461 $passwd->waitfor('/password: ?$/i')
1462 or die "no old password prompt: ", $passwd->lastline;
1463 $passwd->print($oldpw);
1464 ## Send new password.
1466 $passwd->waitfor('/new (\w+\s)?password: ?$/i')
1467 or die "bad old password: ", $passwd->lastline;
1468 $passwd->print($newpw);
1469 ## Send new password verification.
1471 $passwd->waitfor('/new (\w+\s)?password: ?$/i')
1472 or die "bad new password: ", $passwd->lastline;
1473 $passwd->print($newpw);
1474 ## Display success or failure.
1476 $passwd->waitfor('/(changed|updated)/')
1477 or die "bad new password: ", $passwd->lastline;
1478 print $passwd->lastline;
1479 $passwd->close;
1481 exit;
1482 } # end main program
1483 sub spawn {
1485 my (@cmd) = @_;
1486 my ($pid, $pty, $tty, $tty_fd);
1487 ## Create a new pseudo terminal.
1489 use IO::Pty ();
1490 $pty = new IO::Pty
1491 or die $!;
1492 ## Execute the program in another process.
1494 unless ($pid = fork) { # child process
1495 die "problem spawning program: $!\n" unless defined $pid;
1496 ## Disassociate process from its controlling terminal.
1498 use POSIX ();
1499 POSIX::setsid()
1500 or die "setsid failed: $!";
1501 ## Associate process with a new controlling terminal.
1503 $pty->make_slave_controlling_terminal;
1504 $tty = $pty->slave;
1505 $tty_fd = $tty->fileno;
1506 close $pty;
1507 ## Make standard I/O use the new controlling terminal.
1509 open STDIN, "<&$tty_fd" or die $!;
1510 open STDOUT, ">&$tty_fd" or die $!;
1511 open STDERR, ">&STDOUT" or die $!;
1512 close $tty;
1513 ## Execute requested program.
1515 exec @cmd
1516 or die "problem executing $cmd[0]\n";
1517 } # end child process
1518 $pty;
1520 } # end sub spawn
1521 Here is an example that uses the openssh program to connect to a remote
1523 host. It uses the "spawn()" subroutine, from the password changing
1524 example above, to start the ssh program and then read and write to it
1525 via a Net::Telnet object. This example turns off ssh host key
1526 checking, which reduces your ability to know when someone on the
1527 network is impersonating the remote host. To use the code below,
1528 substitute "changeme" with the actual host, user, password, and command
1529 prompt.
1530 ## Main program.
1532 {
1533 my $host = "changeme";
1534 my $user = "changeme";
1535 my $passwd = "changeme";
1536 my $prompt = '/changeme\$ $/';
1537 my ($buf, $match, $pty, $ssh, @lines);
1538 ## Start ssh program.
1540 $pty = spawn("ssh",
1541 "-l", $user,
1542 "-e", "none",
1543 "-F", "/dev/null",
1544 "-o", "PreferredAuthentications=password",
1545 "-o", "NumberOfPasswordPrompts=1",
1546 "-o", "StrictHostKeyChecking=no",
1547 "-o", "UserKnownHostsFile=/dev/null",
1548 $host);
1549 ## Create a Net::Telnet object to perform I/O on ssh's tty.
1551 use Net::Telnet;
1552 $ssh = new Net::Telnet (-fhopen => $pty,
1553 -prompt => $prompt,
1554 -telnetmode => 0,
1555 -output_record_separator => "\r",
1556 -cmd_remove_mode => 1);
1557 ## Wait for the password prompt and send password.
1559 $ssh->waitfor(-match => '/password: ?$/i',
1560 -errmode => "return")
1561 or die "problem connecting to \"$host\": ", $ssh->lastline;
1562 $ssh->print($passwd);
1563 ## Wait for the shell prompt.
1565 (undef, $match) = $ssh->waitfor(-match => $ssh->prompt,
1566 -match => '/^Permission denied/m',
1567 -errmode => "return")
1568 or return $ssh->error("login failed: expected shell prompt ",
1569 "doesn't match actual\n");
1570 return $ssh->error("login failed: bad login-name or password\n")
1571 if $match =~ /^Permission denied/m;
1572 ## Run commands on remote host.
1574 print $ssh->cmd("hostname");
1575 print $ssh->cmd("uptime");
1576 $ssh->close;
1578 exit;
1579 } # end main program
1580 Some shells have a rather restrictive 255 character line limit. If you
1582 run into this problem, here is an example for sending lines longer than
1583 254 as a sequence of shorter lines.
1584 ## Main program.
1586 {
1587 my $host = "changeme";
1588 my $user = "changeme";
1589 my $passwd = "changeme";
1590 my $prompt = '/changeme\$ $/';
1591 my $cmd = join("", "echo ",
1592 "11111111112222222222333333333344444444445555555555",
1593 "66666666667777777777888888888899999999990000000000",
1594 "11111111112222222222333333333344444444445555555555",
1595 "66666666667777777777888888888899999999990000000000",
1596 "11111111112222222222333333333344444444445555555555",
1597 "66666666667777777777888888888899999999990000000000");
1598 use Net::Telnet ();
1600 my $t = new Net::Telnet (-prompt => $prompt);
1601 $t->open($host);
1602 $t->login($user, $passwd);
1603 my @output = cmd_unixlong($t, $cmd);
1605 print @output;
1606 exit;
1608 } # end main program
1609 sub cmd_unixlong {
1611 my ($obj, $cmd) = @_;
1612 my ($line, $pos);
1613 my $max_tty_line = 254;
1614 ## Start a Bourne shell.
1616 $obj->cmd(-string => "/usr/bin/env " .
1617 "'PS1=<xPROMPTx> ' 'PS2=<xPROMPTx> ' /bin/sh -i",
1618 -prompt => '/<xPROMPTx> $/')
1619 or return;
1620 ## Break-up the one large command line and send as shorter lines.
1622 $pos = 0;
1623 while (1) {
1624 $line = substr $cmd, $pos, $max_tty_line;
1625 $pos += length $line;
1626 last unless $pos < length $cmd;
1627 ## Send the line with continuation char.
1629 $obj->cmd(-string => "$line\\",
1630 -prompt => '/<xPROMPTx> $/')
1631 or return;
1632 }
1633 ## Send the last line and return the output.
1635 $obj->cmd("$line ; exit");
1636 } # end sub cmd_unixlong
1637
1639 Jay Rogers <jay@rgrs.com>
1640
1642 Dave Martin, Dave Cardosi
1643
1645 Copyright 1997, 2000, 2002, 2013, 2021 by Jay Rogers. All rights
1646 reserved. This program is free software; you can redistribute it
1647 and/or modify it under the same terms as Perl itself.
1648perl v5.34.0 2022-01-21 Net::Telnet(3)