With the rlogin command you can start a session with a remote host. This means that you will be able to access all of the resources of the remote system as if you were sitting at the remote machine.

Remotely logging in to a workstation is helpful under the following circumstances:

  • To access information on another workstation that is not available otherwise
  • To access your own workstation remotely to read mail
  • To kill a process that has caused your workstation to hang

Before attempting to remotely log in to another system as a different user, be sure you have an account on the desired remote machine. Check with your system administrator if you do not have an account on the remote machine. The pertinent information is:

  • Machine name
  • Login ID
  • Password of the new account

Command Format

rlogin [-option] hostname

Example

In this example we will log on to the remote host named saturn:

$ rlogin Saturn

Last login: Mon Dec 21 11:04 :27 from venus

$

To end the remote host session, use the exit command:

$ exit

Connection closed

$

Note: You must have an account on the remote machine to log in to it if it does not support kerberos authentication which uses a central server to assign users a token which can be used in place of an account. Check with your administrator to see if your network uses kerberos.