If you need to remotely control your Linux machine, SSH (Secure Shell) is the most popular and powerful tool. It provides secure encrypted communications between two untrusted hosts over an insecure network. It is extremely helpful for system administrators.
Step 1: Install SSH
Many Linux distributions include SSH by default. However, if it’s not installed, you can easily install it by typing the following command in the terminal:
For Ubuntu/Debian:
sudo apt-get install openssh-server
For CentOS/RHEL:
sudo yum install openssh-server
Step 2: Connect to a Remote Server via SSH
Once SSH is installed, you can connect to your server using the following syntax:
ssh username@your_server_ip
Replace “username” with your username and “your_server_ip” with the IP address of your server.
Step 3: Enter Your Password
After the previous step, you’ll be prompted for a password. Enter your password and hit Enter. Remember, you won’t see your cursor moving or any characters typed when you type your password in the terminal.
Step 4: Start Using SSH
That’s it! You’re now connected to your server via SSH. You can execute commands and navigate your server as if you were physically using it.
Using Key Pairs Instead of Passwords
While passwords can be easily brute-forced, key pairs are nearly impossible to crack. A key pair consists of a public and a private key. You can generate a key pair using the following command:
ssh-keygen -t rsa
In conclusion, SSH is a powerful and secure method of controlling your Linux server remotely. Whether you’re a system administrator or a casual Linux user, understanding SSH can greatly increase your productivity and enable you to manage your servers with ease.
