How Do I Use SSH?

The version of SSH supported by Haas Computing Services 'SSH Communications Security Corp. SSH Secure Shell 3.2.9 (Build 283)'. This software package contains both an SSH client and a secure, graphical file transfer client, both of which can be used to connect to the HCS owned Unix server(s) to which you have access.

Part I of this How Do I concerns how to connect using the SSH client.

Part II concerns how to use the secure file transfer client packaged with SSH.

For more in-depth documentation on SSH, please consult the "SSH Secure Shell for Workstations Windows Client version 3.2.9 User Manual" (requires Adobe Acrobat)

Part I: Using the SSH client

There are several ways to connect to a remote server running SSH. By default, there will be an icon such as somewhere on your desktop or within the Programs menu in Windows. If SSH is not installed, please see the page "How Do I Install SSH?"

Once SSH is launched, you can click the or button within the SSH program. This will launch the "Connect to Remote Host" dialog box, in which you enter the host name, your user name, and the connection method. Password should be used as the connection method (more on this later.) Port number 22 is standard and will most likely be the same for a vast majority of SSH servers to which you connect:

Once you click "Connect", assuming you have the correct username, password, etc..., you will be logged into the machine. At the top right-hand side of the screen, the "Add Profile" box will appear. SSH Profiles are a convenient way for your SSH client to remember the server name, your username, and your preferred connection method. Type the name by which you would like to refer to this connection, and click the "Add to Profiles" button:

If you save any SSH profiles, they will be available once you re-start the SSH client. In the following screen shot, there are six SSH client profiles saved, and one profile for the graphical file transfer client:

Once you have SSH Profiles saved, they can make connecting to an SSH server a bit easier. Once the Profile is selected, the server will ask only for your password for that server:

Managing SSH Profiles:

As discussed earlier, SSH allows users to save a connection profile, which makes connecting to multiple servers a bit more manageable. To edit or add profiles, click the "Profiles" button at the top of the SSH client window:

Connection setup:

Under the "Connection" tab, "Compression" should be 'zlib' for connections from off-campus, and "None" for connections from within Haas. Fill in the "Host name" and "User name" fields as appropriate.

Authentication setup:

Under the "Authentication" tab one can choose the authentication method used to connect to the SSH server. The "Password" method is to be used for all connections to Haas Unix servers. The section labeled "Authentication Methods" is used to configure this method, which uses your Windows domain password, or the Unix password for that server if you have one. You do not need to set up Public-Key methods or Authentication Agent forwarding.

You can have multiple methods in this box, but for convenience, only have "Password" listed. Authentication methods can be added () removed () promoted () and demoted () . Remove all other methods besides "Password" by highlighting the method and clicking the remove () button.

Tunneling setup:

Under the "Tunneling" tab, one can set up SSH tunneling. Check the "Tunnel X11 connections" box. X11 tunneling allows the display of Unix XWindows on your Microsoft Windows desktop. It is necessary to have eXceed installed and running and port 6000 opened up in your firewall to use an XWindows application.

If you change any of the profile settings, you should save () your settings. Once an SSH profile is saved, all you need to do is to select the profile and enter the password for that account to establish a secure connection to the server. (An unsaved profile is denoted by an asterisk by the server name at the top of the SSH window.)

Part II: Using the SSH Secure File Transfer client

In addition to a secure terminal connection to a server running SSH, SSH Communications Secure Shell contains a graphical file transfer interface that allows for drag-and-drop to the server, and instant uploading of edited files that reside on the server, and several other features that make this a simple and secure way of transferring files, without the need for a separate FTP server. The screenshot below is a sample secure file transfer connection:

Files can be transferred between this SSH Secure File Transfer window and any directory accessible to your Windows computer using the cut, copy, paste commands, drag and drop, or the SSH commands accessible from the toolbar at the top of the window (such as downloading and uploading - ) .

An SSH Secure File Transfer session can be started in any of the following ways:

• From within the SSH client session, click the "Window" menu at the top of the screen, then select either of the following:

  "New File Transfer" - to open a session in your home directory

  "New File Transfer in Current Directory" - to open a session in the current directory

• Click the Secure File Transfer icon at the top of the SSH client window, or on the Windows desktop or Start menu. After clicking the icon, hit the 'Enter' key and log into an SSH server.
• Create a Secure File Transfer profile (see the end of Part I for how to create a profile. The method is the same for both File Transfer and Client connections)

  You will need to save and exit the SSH session for profile changes to take effect.

  If you click "Edit", then "Settings", the "File Transfer" options can be set. For instance, if you want to open a file in the SSH Secure File Transfer client window by double-clicking it, a default application can be launched, such as "notepad.exe", or your favorite text editor. Once you save or close the file, any changes will be applied automatically.

  

There are many options available for transferring files to and from the server. Most of the options within the SSH client are self-explanatory, but the meanings of some of the icons may require clarification:

- Go to the user's home directory

- Refresh the file or directory listing

- Download selected files/directories or Upload files to this directory

- Set the file transfer mode (ASCII, Binary, Auto)

- Set the view options (Large icons, small icons, List, Details)

Right clicking on a file will display this menu:

Clicking "Properties" will display the following window, in which one can modify the permissions of the file:

Several of the same options are also available through the "Operation" and "View" menus at the top of the SSH Secure File Transfer window.

Questions or problems regarding this web site should be directed to helpdesk@haas.berkeley.edu. Copyright © 2006 Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

Last modified: Monday July 10, 2006