1. dpkg --status telnetd if not installed => install (in my case this was the problem - apparently by default it is not installed) 2. check /etc/inetd.conf for lines: ftp stream tcp nowait root /usr/sbin/tcpd /usr/sbin/in.ftpd telnet stream tcp nowait root /usr/sbin/tcpd /usr/sbin/in.telnetd if commented => uncomment and send SIGHUP to inetd 3. Wait for other answers ;-) B.