How do you create an anonymous Python telnet connection?

Question

I am trying to telnet into a server using Python on Windows XP. I can connect successfully by typing 'telnet HOST PORT' which creates an anonymous connection. But Python's telnetlib.Telnet(HOST, PORT) returns 'Connection refused'. Telnetting in Java also fails. Spelunking shows that Python tries to create an anonymous socket connection. My admin says he doesn't allow anonymous connections. But neither Python nor Java allow authentication parameters to be passed in during socket connection creation (not that I could find). Why does Windows' command-line telnet work when Python and Java both fail? Any advice?

Answer 1

It would be a good idea to trace both connection attempts (a failing case and a successful case) with wireshark or similar packet trace tool to see what the difference is at the protocol level.

Answer 2

First, eliminate telnetlib as your problem:

import socket
s = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM)
s.connect(("remote.host", 23))

If that succeeds, there is a problem in your usage of telnetlib, and we'll need to see an example. If it fails, then you have a basic networking problem, and Lance's suggestion of pulling out ethereal/wireshark is your next step.