Information Technology Self Help

How to use SSH

This page gives instruction on how to remotely access computer resources at Florida Tech's using SSH.

  1. Introduction 
  2. What is SSH? 
  3. What do I need for access?
  4. How do I use the Unix SSH client?
  5. How do I use the Windows SSH client?
  6. Who do I ask for help?
  7. Where do I find help with the unix commands?
  8. How can I run graphical programs remotely?

1. Introduction

Remote access to UDrive files and directories is available through the my.fit.edu server .  You will need your TRACKS username and password to log into this server.

Once you login to my.fit.edu you will be in your TRACKS home directory (UDrive). Files saved in this home directory will be immediately available on the "U:" drive on the Microsoft Windows computers in any of the windows computer labs are immediately accessible from your home directory on the unix workstations, and vice versa.  That is because the "U:" drive and your unix home directory are exactly the same folder, and your password for all operating systems is managed by TRACKS.  

2. What is SSH?

SSH stands for Secure SHell, and is a client/server application that allows remote users from most operating systems to access remote Unix servers.  Since your "U:" drive and your Unix home directory are exactly the same folder, this allows you to access files saved in you Windows logins as well.  SSH is the recommended way to access files and run remote sessions.  SSH is a complete and secure replacement for TELNET, FTP, and RSH protocols.  SSH encrypts all information between the SSH client and server therefore there is very little chance for someone to intercept information you are sending or recieving from the login server.  More information about SSH can be found at http://kb.indiana.edu/data/aelc.html. 

3. What do I need for access?

You will need the a SSH Client like Putty for Windows

You will also need your TRACKS username and password.     

4. How do I use the Unix (Linux) SSH client?

At a Unix command prompt.  Type "ssh" followed by the name of the server you would like to connect to, eg. "ssh my.fit.edu".  SSH can also be used like RSH, that is execute a remote command then exit, eg. the command "ssh my.fit.edu finger" would run the "finger" command then exit (same as "finger @fit.edu").   You can use public-key encryption with ssh which would allow you to log into a remote machine without having to type in a username and password everytime.  More information can be found with the "man ssh-keygen" command and the "man ssh" command. 

5. How do I use the Windows client?

Click on the "computer" icon on the icon menu of the ssh client.  Enter the name of the remote host in the host field, eg. my.fit.edu, enter your username and password.

6. Who do I ask for help?

Enter a support request at http://itservices.fit.edu/support/request.  You can fill out an online trouble ticket with any questions you may have.

7.  Where can I find help with Unix commands?

There are lots of unix help sites on the web, try a search on Google.

8. How can I run graphic applications remotely?

The X-Windows system, used by just about every Unix operating system, has network transparency built-in.  For example, when logged into a Unix workstation type "ssh my.fit.edu gimp" on your command prompt.  This graphical program ( which is an image editor by the way) will run on the remote server but the application graphical display will be shown on your local unix workstation.  Unix graphical applications can be displayed on a Windows computer using a Windows X-server like Cygwin http://www.cygwin.com/.   This would allow you to display remotely run Unix applications on your Windows computer.

Last Update: 2009-04-28 9:44 AM