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What is SSH (Secure Shell)?

5 min to read

SSH protocols, also known as “secure shell”, lets users access computers on the same network – even if they aren’t physically present.

Companies and IT teams use SSH so that they can sign into remote systems and execute commands; it’s quite common in hybrid/remote teams, but it can also be used for in-office positions.

File transfers are another way that SSH protocols are used.

Deep Dive:
• Alternatives to SSH: While SSH is quite widespread, it isn’t the only option. Remote systems can be accessed via Telnet and other protocols; security standards might vary.
• SSH clients and servers: Choose the SSH client/server that meets your needs. Various options exist, such as OpenSSH; compare the pros and cons for each tool you’re thinking of using.
Key Takeaways:
  • Use SSH for remote computer access
  • SSH requires having a server and client
  • Use SSH for various tasks, such as remote admin and access
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What is SSH (Secure Shell)?

What is SSH used for?

Businesses use SSH for multiple tasks that might require access to a computer when the person is not physically present. These include, but are not limited to: 

  • Remote System Administration: Manage remote servers and networks as an administrator. 

  • Secure File Transfer: Use SSH for secure cross-computer file transfers. 

  • Remote Access: If your IT team is based in another country, they can access your computer via SSH. 
Deep Dive:
You can use SSH for secure tunnel creation with other network protocols, including FTP and HTTP. 

How does SSH work?

To use SSH, you’ll need to implement a client-server model. Both have their own responsibilities. 

  • The client is not a real person; instead, it’s an app that connects you to your server. 

  • The server is the computer you wish to access remotely.

The client and server will exchange a cryptographic key when you try connecting to SSH servers. These keys are an important part of encrypting data that is shared while you’re connected to the server. 

You’ll have to sign into a remote system after exchanging your keys; you can then transfer files and do anything else that you wanted to do on the SSH server.  

Pro Tip: 
Public-key cryptography is more secure than symmetric-key cryptography; since SSH servers use public-key cryptography, you should consider utilizing this. 

What are the advantages of using SSH?

Think about each of the following when using SSH servers: 

  • Security: All data is encrypted via public-key cryptography. As a result, you should have higher levels of security compared to other methods for sharing data. 

  • Flexibility: Consider using SSH servers for performing multiple remote tasks. 

  • Portability: You can use SSH clients and servers on macOS, Linux, and Windows. Use whichever one is in line with the software you already use.
Deep Dive:
Using SSH clients and servers with HTTP/FTP could result in being able to access websites/services blocked by firewalls. If you need access to these, you should look at implementing an SSH server.

How to set up SSH?

You need an SSH client (the application used to connect to the server) and an SSH server (the remote computer). The steps to set these up are relatively linear, and here’s what you need to do. 

  1. Install the SSH client. Choose the client that meets your requirements. Bitvise SSH Server and PuTTY are two examples to think about. 
  2. Install the SSH server. SSH servers are already installed on Linux and Unix in most cases; you’ll need third-party software on other operating systems. 
  3. Configure your SSH server. The SSH server must know which port to listen to, and you should also determine which clients the server is allowed to accept connections from. 
  4. Connect to the SSH Server. Ask the remote computer owner for their IP address/hostname and its port number. 
Pro Tip:
Use strong passwords/SSH keys when you set up your server; this is imperative for security reasons.

What are some common SSH commands?

You need to know the different SSH commands so that you can use the server more effectively. Below, we’ve listed some of the most frequently used ones. 

  • ssh user@host: The specified user will connect to the SSH server.

  • scp local_file remote_user@remote_host:remote_file: Copies your files from local systems to the remote computer. 

  • sftp user@host: Use this to open an interactive SFTP session after connecting to the SSH server.

  • exit: When you’re ready to disconnect from the SSH server, you can use this command. 
Deep Dive:
It’s possible to save frequently used settings if you don’t want to continuously enter these commands, which will be likely if hosts use them frequently. Use ssh-config to configure their settings if so.

What are some troubleshooting tips for SSH?

While you’ll normally have no issues using SSH servers, it’s possible that you could encounter problems; use these troubleshooting tips if that’s the case.

  • Check the firewall settings: SSH traffic might not be able to go past firewalls, so you should ensure that you haven’t accidentally blocked this. 

  • Verify the SSH server configuration. Check which port your SSH server is connected to. 

  • Check the SSH client configuration. Confirm that you have successfully configured the SSH client. They should be able to use your hostname and port number. 

  • Try using a different SSH client; at the very least, you can verify whether it’s a problem with the client or something else. 

  • Check the SSH server logs. Look to see if you can find diagnosis clues in your SSH server logs. 

Conclusion

SSH is normally used to access remote computers, and it’s utilized by in-office and remote teams alike.

Understanding the basics of SSH is essential, especially if you’re working with multiple clients. Make sure that everyone on your server also knows how to connect, and whether you have to use third-party tools to download what you need.

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