Introduction
SSH is the lifeblood of Linux servers connected to the Internet. Linux is primarily a command line driven operating system, and behaves like a faster, more powerful, and multitasking MS-DOS. SSH is a means to log into a Linux server across the Internet, as though you were sitting directly at a keyboard connected to the server itself.
The command line, text interface to Linux works through a tool called a shell. The shell is what takes your commands and sends them to the operating system itself to be carried out. The shell you will use by default onLevel Ten Hosting servers is BASH [Bourne-again shell] Linux commands are notably cryptic, it has been said that Unix IS a user- friendly operating system, it's just very choosy about who its friends are!
Security
SSH encrypts the communication channel between you and the server, and much like a scrambled telephone line, prevents "man in the middle" line tapping of your login session, protecting your passwords and other details.
Capabilities
SSH gives you the power to do many things directly, without the need for seperate stand-alone client software.
- Execute Files - You can run programs you've compiled, or programs already on the server. Or test the execution of PERL scripts, or other CGI files.
- Create / Edit Files - You may use file editing programs such as pico and vi to edit and compose files.
- Send / Receive Email - Using pine or another mail tool of your choice you can both read and compose e-mail for any mail account.
- Change File Permissions - You may modify file permissions using the chmod command. This will often be necessary when using CGI scripts, although many FTP clients provide this functionality as well.
Getting Started
To log in requires three things: hostname, login ID (user name) and password. Your hostname may be your domain name, or your account's IP address.
These are but a few examples of the commands and functions which can be done through your shell accounts. Please review our Terms of Service before attempting to run any background process's. NOTE: Running irc programs from a shell will result in termination of your entire account.
- Commands
- ls - List the current files for a given directory
- cd - Change directory
- pico - A simple text editing program
- pine - Launch a telnet based mail program
- lynx - Launch a text based web browser
- chmod - Modify file permissions
- rm - Remove [delete] a file
SSH Clients
There are SSH clients available for all major operating systems. Here are links to some clients for Windows:
|