PHP / Telnet question - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

mpedrummer2 · 01-23-2004, 05:41 PM

At work, we use Telnet to log into a program called Southware for all our database stuff. Southware sucks.

They won't give me access to the ODBC connection in order to hook into it properly, but I have some scripts that would really benefit me and my group if I could figure out how to access Southware with it.

Since it's just telnet, and php can open socket connections...this should be possible, yes?

All the PHP/telnet solutions I've found on the web are for the opposite reason...people who DON'T have telnet access want to fake it through PHP.

Any ideas? I can't host the script on the server running the telnet program, either.

MPEDrummer

svt · 01-26-2004, 12:51 AM

im sorry, i could probably help but im unclear as to what your problem is. Are you looking for a way to modify the db?...?

Silvy · 01-26-2004, 04:14 AM

I think you're looking for the fsockopen() command.

The link takes you to the PHP documentation and in the comments for that command one Telnet connection is documented and another is commented upon.

IMHO you should:
1. Write an interface to the southware server using the telnet link
2. Let your scripts use the interface to access the database information.

I don't know how southware works, but depending on it's output you could have a hard time "decoding" it into useable format.

mpedrummer2 · 01-26-2004, 09:15 AM

Yeah, I've been having some difficulty decoding it, honestly...

Basically, it's a pretty simple telnet program that's really, really limited in functionality. For whatever reason, we're locked into using it, and I'm trying to extend the functionality by writing a database app that can piggyback on it.

Anyone know of a good fsockopen() tutorial? I've been through the manual stuff, but that's not as helpful as I'd like.

Silvy · 01-26-2004, 03:21 PM

Well fsockopen() will only allow the connection that transports the data.
If you got that far than you're through with fsockopen() and you'll need other tricks to complete the task.

Is Southware a "fullscreen app" that constantly maintains a nice window for you to work in (a sort of interactive menu/shell)? Or is it a scrolling application that just adds its output to the bottom of the screen (a la the mysql client)?
In the former case you've got a more difficult problem than in the latter case.

Perhaps if you told us how far you've come with fsockopen() we could help further.
If you're unsure if Southware is giving you trouble try connecting to a regular telnet server that should just give you plain text responses. (tip: connecting to a pop3 mailserver should also work as it works with clear text commands/responses, but be sure to do no damage and consult the sysadmin first).

Disclaimer: I've never attempted such a task before, but I'm pretty sure this is how it should be done.

mpedrummer2 · 01-26-2004, 06:34 PM

I've never attempted it either...definate uncharted territory here.

Basically, the management won't give me access to the ODBC connection, but the users prefer my system to Southware.

Oh, and yes, Southware is a "partial screen app" that displays 80 characters by 25 lines, I think...never more. I'm using Eric's Telnet98 to connect...some people use a program called TinyTerm, which sucks IMHO.

01-23-2004, 05:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
mpedrummer2 Insane	PHP / Telnet question At work, we use Telnet to log into a program called Southware for all our database stuff. Southware sucks. They won't give me access to the ODBC connection in order to hook into it properly, but I have some scripts that would really benefit me and my group if I could figure out how to access Southware with it. Since it's just telnet, and php can open socket connections...this should be possible, yes? All the PHP/telnet solutions I've found on the web are for the opposite reason...people who DON'T have telnet access want to fake it through PHP. Any ideas? I can't host the script on the server running the telnet program, either. MPEDrummer __________________ My sig can beat up your honor student.

01-26-2004, 04:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
Silvy paranoid Location: The Netherlands	I think you're looking for the fsockopen() command. The link takes you to the PHP documentation and in the comments for that command one Telnet connection is documented and another is commented upon. IMHO you should: 1. Write an interface to the southware server using the telnet link 2. Let your scripts use the interface to access the database information. I don't know how southware works, but depending on it's output you could have a hard time "decoding" it into useable format. __________________ "Do not kill. Do not rape. Do not steal. These are principles which every man of every faith can embrace. " - Murphy MacManus (Boondock Saints)

01-26-2004, 09:15 AM	#4 (permalink)
mpedrummer2 Insane	Yeah, I've been having some difficulty decoding it, honestly... Basically, it's a pretty simple telnet program that's really, really limited in functionality. For whatever reason, we're locked into using it, and I'm trying to extend the functionality by writing a database app that can piggyback on it. Anyone know of a good fsockopen() tutorial? I've been through the manual stuff, but that's not as helpful as I'd like. __________________ My sig can beat up your honor student.

01-26-2004, 03:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
Silvy paranoid Location: The Netherlands	Well fsockopen() will only allow the connection that transports the data. If you got that far than you're through with fsockopen() and you'll need other tricks to complete the task. Is Southware a "fullscreen app" that constantly maintains a nice window for you to work in (a sort of interactive menu/shell)? Or is it a scrolling application that just adds its output to the bottom of the screen (a la the mysql client)? In the former case you've got a more difficult problem than in the latter case. Perhaps if you told us how far you've come with fsockopen() we could help further. If you're unsure if Southware is giving you trouble try connecting to a regular telnet server that should just give you plain text responses. (tip: connecting to a pop3 mailserver should also work as it works with clear text commands/responses, but be sure to do no damage and consult the sysadmin first). Disclaimer: I've never attempted such a task before, but I'm pretty sure this is how it should be done. __________________ "Do not kill. Do not rape. Do not steal. These are principles which every man of every faith can embrace. " - Murphy MacManus (Boondock Saints)

01-26-2004, 06:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
mpedrummer2 Insane	I've never attempted it either...definate uncharted territory here. Basically, the management won't give me access to the ODBC connection, but the users prefer my system to Southware. Oh, and yes, Southware is a "partial screen app" that displays 80 characters by 25 lines, I think...never more. I'm using Eric's Telnet98 to connect...some people use a program called TinyTerm, which sucks IMHO. __________________ My sig can beat up your honor student.

01-26-2004, 12:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
svt Addict Location: the stars at night are big and bright!	im sorry, i could probably help but im unclear as to what your problem is. Are you looking for a way to modify the db?...?