Mainframe, MVS and zOS Discussion

Hi,

What is the difference between FTP and Telnet? Are they just meant to do similar things? Or do they differ in their functionalities in general or there is a difference they will work on mainframe and PC?

FTP is used to transfer files between systems. Telnet is used to provide terminal access to a system. FTP cannot be used as a terminal program, and telnet cannot be used to transfer files (although the telnet program -- such as PCOMM -- may allow for terminal-based file transfers).

When we get a remote access to a mainframe then is it using a FTP or Telnet connection or can be either way? We might not use PCOMM always.

When we get a remote access to a mainframe then is it using a FTP or Telnet connection

Your question, as written, cannot be answered. When you say "remote access to a mainframe" are you talking about accessing the mainframe through a terminal emulator such as PCOMM or Hummingbird or Reflection? If so then you are using telnet to do so since telnet is the terminal access tool. However, if you say "remote access to a mainframe" and you mean you are using Windows FTP to connect to the mainframe, then you are using FTP. Unless you clarify what, precisely, you mean by "remote access to a mainframe" -- your question cannot be definitively answered. Also note that FTP uses TCP/IP ports 21 and 22 (at least plain FTP) while telnet uses port 23 so if you figure out which port you are connecting to, you will know which you are using.

Robert Sample wrote:When you say "remote access to a mainframe" are you talking about accessing the mainframe through a terminal emulator such as PCOMM or Hummingbird or Reflection?

I meant this as you've correctly said.