ausdroid

I would like to do some simple things from the command line on my HTC desire such as telnet, DNS lookup and looking at ARP Tables, DHCP client functions etc. (for testing network services as part of my job, typical things such as testing SMTP access or testing connections to web server etc. e.g. using telnet {host} {port})

Telnet from the terminal seems to require root access (permission denied) I haven't rooted my HTC Desire and don't intend to root it at present unless I have to.

I'm wondering how droid applications such as telnet clients etc. gain access without root and hence how I can?

gorn

Unfortunately, in Android's default shell "permission denied" also means "command not found". If you install busybox that includes a telnet client.

gadzooks

I see a Market app Telnet, which might work for one of the things you want. (I use ConnectBot to ssh.)

dozynsleepy

Not answering your question but I use the ConnectBot application to connect to other computers using telnet or ssh.

I've only briefly tried the "local" connection terminal and experienced the same as you, only allows very limited commands.

ausdroid

Thanks all for the comments.

As mentioned, there are telnet and SSH apps hence one would think there would be enough permissions on the device without rooting it.

I've checked busybox and it certainly has the apps I'm looking for. Obviously busybox isn't available via the market place but I can't find an answer with all my searching whether you can install it without rooting the device. I find hundreds of threads discussing it in relation to rooting the phone but not sure if one can load it without rooting the device.

Any ideas on where one can find a pre-compiled busybox that would work on the Desire? I may try via the adb if I can find the package. Anyone experienced with what directories are locked to root and what directories are open (e.g. wherever PATH is stored etc.).

Last edited by ausdroid; May 6th, 2010 at 11:35 PM.