rlogin – Log in to a remote Linux host from the current terminal

Rlogin is a Linux command that allows you to log in to a remote Linux host from the current terminal. It is a client-server application that uses the Remote Shell (rsh) protocol to establish a connection between the local and remote hosts. Once connected, you can execute commands on the remote host as if you were physically present at the remote machine.

Overview

The syntax for using the rlogin command is as follows:

rlogin [options] [user@]host
  • options: Optional arguments that modify the behavior of the command.
  • user: The username used to log in to the remote host. If not specified, the current username is used.
  • host: The hostname or IP address of the remote host.

Here are some examples of how to use the rlogin command:

rlogin example.com

This command will log in to the remote host example.com using the current username.

rlogin -l jdoe example.com

This command will log in to the remote host example.com using the username jdoe.

Use cases

  • When you need to access a remote Linux machine and execute commands as if you were physically present at that machine.
  • When you need to configure or troubleshoot a remote machine that does not have a graphical user interface.

Options

Here is a list of available options for the rlogin command:

Option Description
-8 Use 8-bit clean mode.
-E Do not use the escape character (~) to enter commands on the remote host.
-e Use the escape character (~) to enter commands on the remote host.
-l user Use the specified username to log in to the remote host.
-n Do not execute the user’s shell command or start the shell.
-q Quiet mode. Do not print diagnostics.
-v Verbose mode. Print diagnostics.

Troubleshooting tips

  • If you are unable to connect to the remote host, ensure that the host is reachable and that the Remote Shell service is running on the remote machine.
  • If you receive a “Permission denied” error message, ensure that you have the correct username and password for the remote host.
  • If you experience slow performance when using rlogin, try using the Secure Shell (SSH) protocol instead, which provides better security and performance.

Notes

  • The rlogin command is not recommended for use on untrusted networks, as it sends login credentials in plain text, which can be intercepted by attackers.
  • The rlogin command is considered a legacy protocol and is not commonly used in modern Linux environments. It is recommended to use SSH instead for secure remote access.