How to Enable Telnet on Xiaomi Gateway 3: A Step-by-Step Guide

Xiaomi Gateway 3 is a popular choice among smart home enthusiasts due to its advanced features, ease of use, and compatibility with a variety of smart devices. One of the useful features for advanced users is the ability to enable Telnet access. Telnet allows you to remotely control and troubleshoot your Xiaomi Gateway 3 using command-line tools, which can be especially helpful for those who want to perform custom configurations or diagnostics.

However, Telnet is disabled by default for security reasons. If you’re looking to enable Telnet on your Xiaomi Gateway 3, follow this step-by-step guide to do so safely.

Prerequisites

Before you proceed with enabling Telnet, make sure you have the following:

  • Xiaomi Gateway 3 connected to your local network.
  • A device such as a computer or smartphone that is on the same network as the gateway.
  • Basic knowledge of networking and command-line operations.
  • The Mi Home app installed on your mobile device (used for configuring the Xiaomi Gateway 3).
  • A router with access to the network settings.

Step 1: Access the Xiaomi Gateway 3’s Admin Interface

To begin, you’ll need to access the Xiaomi Gateway 3’s admin interface. This can typically be done via the Mi Home app or through a web browser.

Via Mi Home App:

  • Open the Mi Home app on your smartphone or tablet.
  • Ensure that your Xiaomi Gateway 3 is added to the app and you have administrator privileges.
  • Tap on the Xiaomi Gateway 3 icon to access the device settings.

Via Web Interface: Alternatively, you can log into the Xiaomi Gateway 3’s web interface by typing the gateway’s IP address into your browser’s address bar. This address is often something like 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.31.1, but you can find it through your router’s device list.

Step 2: Enable Developer Mode

Enabling Telnet requires you to access the developer settings on your Xiaomi Gateway 3. This is not available through the standard user interface, so you will need to enable Developer Mode.

  • Open the Mi Home app on your mobile device.
  • Tap on the Xiaomi Gateway 3 device icon to enter its settings page.
  • Look for a setting called “Developer Mode” or “Advanced Settings” (this might vary depending on the firmware version).
  • Once you locate the Developer Mode option, toggle it on. This will unlock additional settings and allow you to use Telnet.

Step 3: Set a Password for Telnet

For security reasons, it’s important to set a password before enabling Telnet access to your device.

  • In the Developer Mode settings, locate the Telnet option.
  • Enable Telnet by toggling the switch.
  • Set a secure password for Telnet access. This password will be used when you connect remotely to the device using a Telnet client.

Step 4: Enable Telnet Access

Now that Developer Mode is enabled and you’ve set a password, you can proceed to enable Telnet access.

  • Open the Mi Home app and go to the Xiaomi Gateway 3 settings.
  • Scroll down to the Network Settings or System Settings section.
  • Look for an option called “Enable Telnet” or similar.
  • Toggle the option to enable Telnet access.

Step 5: Connect to Xiaomi Gateway 3 via Telnet

Once Telnet is enabled, you can access your Xiaomi Gateway 3 using any Telnet client, such as PuTTY (for Windows) or the Terminal (for macOS/Linux).

  • Open your Telnet client and connect to the IP address of your Xiaomi Gateway 3.Example:
    telnet 192.168.x.x

    (Replace 192.168.x.x with the actual IP address of your gateway.)

  • When prompted, enter the username and password that you configured earlier.
  • Once authenticated, you will have command-line access to the gateway and can begin issuing commands to configure or troubleshoot the device.

Step 6: Perform Your Tasks

Now that you’re logged in via Telnet, you can perform various tasks, such as:

  • Advanced configurations: Modify network settings, set up custom routing, or configure specific device settings that aren’t available through the app.
  • Diagnostics: Use Telnet to check the device’s logs, troubleshoot connectivity issues, or run performance tests.

Step 7: Disable Telnet After Use (Optional)

For security reasons, it’s a good idea to disable Telnet access when you’re done using it, especially if you don’t need remote access all the time.

To disable Telnet:

  • Go back to the Mi Home app or the web interface.
  • Navigate to Developer Mode or Advanced Settings.
  • Toggle the Telnet option off.

This will disable Telnet access, reducing any potential security risks.

Conclusion

Enabling Telnet on your Xiaomi Gateway 3 can open up a range of powerful features, but it should be done with caution. By following the steps outlined above, you can enable Telnet access safely and use it to perform advanced configurations and troubleshooting tasks. Always ensure that you have set a strong password and disable Telnet access when not in use to minimize security risks.

Remember, Telnet access is intended for advanced users who are familiar with networking and command-line operations. If you’re unsure, it’s always best to stick with the standard configuration options available in the Mi Home app.

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