Using SSH
What is SSH?
SSH (Secure Shell) is a program to login to another computer over a network, to execute commands in a remote machine, and to move files from one machine to another. This is also used quite a bit for checking e-mail. It provides strong authentication and secure communications over insecure channels. It is intended as a replacement for rlogin, rsh, rcp, and Telnet.
Why use SSH?
We recommend that our users use a SSH client opposed to telnet to connect to engineering servers to protect you -- your account. When using telnet everything you do is unencrypted including when you send your password to login. This means other people on the network can see what you are doing and read your password. If you use SSH, your password and all activity will be encrypted so others cannot read your password or your data. Preventing people from seeing your passwords will help prevent other people from gaining access to your account.
Where to Download SSH
In the DECS public labs we use Putty as our SSH client and we recommend this client to all our users. It's free to download and easy to use.
Below is the link where you can download Putty. If you are running any version of Windows you will want to click on the putty.exe link which will begin your download. Follow the instructions we have below to set up Putty. This site also provides documentation on their latest release and other usefull information on Putty and SSH.
How to Download and Configure SSH
- Download putty from the location above. Double-click to run.
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Enter the server you wish to login to and click on the SSH button. Then click Open.
(Click on images for a larger view.)
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The first time you attempt to login to a server it will prompt you with a Putty Security Alert window. Click "Yes".
- Enter your user name and password just like during a Telnet session and you are all set!
Additional Information
If you would like additional information on SSH, we recommend this site: