SSH (Secure Shell) is a powerful tool that allows you to connect to remote machines securely over a network. Whether you’re managing servers or working on remote projects, SSH makes it easy to access and control systems. Here's how to get started with SSH on different platforms!

Understanding SSH Keys

Before you dive in, it’s essential to understand SSH keys. These are a pair of cryptographic keys used to authenticate your SSH sessions. Using SSH keys is more secure than passwords. You can read more about how to generate SSH keys and how they work here.

The SSH Process Across Different Platforms

The process of using SSH is the same across all platforms: you generate SSH keys (if needed), then connect to a remote server using those keys. The only difference is the programs used to initiate the SSH connection.

How to SSH Across Platforms

Here are the programs you’ll use for SSH based on your operating system:

How to SSH

  1. Open your respective terminal program (Windows Terminal, MobaXTerm, macOS Terminal, or Linux Terminal).

  2. Use the following command to connect to a remote server:

    ssh ONID@access.oregonstate.edu

  3. If you are using an SSH Key, specify the key’s path:

    • Windows:

      ssh ONID@access.oregonstate.edu -i %UserProfile%\.ssh\keyfile

    • macOS/Linux:

      ssh ONID@access.oregonstate.edu -i ~/.ssh/keyfile

Now you’re ready to connect securely to your remote server!

 

Note: You can learn more about the ssh command usage here.