SSH in Windows

If you're like most Windows users, the thought of using SSH (Secure Shell) might seem like diving into the deep end of the tech pool. But fear not! SSH isn't just for the "techies" — it's a tool you can use to manage remote systems, transfer files securely, and much more.

And yes, you can do it right from your Windows machine. So, buckle up, and let's explore the world of SSH on Windows together.

Let's Dive In!

Table of Contents

• What is SSH?
• Why You Should Care About SSH
• Setting Up SSH on Windows
  • Step 1: Installing OpenSSH Client
  • Step 2: Using SSH from the Command Line
  • Step 3: Generating SSH Keys (Optional but Recommended)
• Common SSH Commands You Should Know
  • Connecting to a Remote Server
  • Copying Files Securely (SCP)
  • Listing Remote Directory Contents
  • Running Commands on a Remote Server
  • Tunneling
• Troubleshooting SSH Issues on Windows
  • Connection Refused
  • Host Key Verification Failed
  • Permission Denied (Publickey)
• Advanced SSH Tips and Tricks
  • SSH Config File
  • SSH-Agent for Managing Keys
  • Port Knocking for Enhanced Security
• Final Thoughts

What is SSH?

Before we dive in, let’s quickly touch on what SSH actually is. SSH stands for Secure Shell, and it's a network protocol that provides a secure way to access a remote computer.

Whether you're logging into a remote server, executing commands, or transferring files, SSH is your go-to tool. Think of it as your secure, encrypted tunnel to another machine.

Why You Should Care About SSH

You might wonder, "Why should I bother learning about SSH on Windows?" Here’s why:

• Security: SSH provides a secure, encrypted connection between your computer and a remote machine.

• Remote Access: Manage your servers from anywhere, without needing physical access.

• Automation: Run scripts and commands on remote machines automatically.

• File Transfer: Securely transfer files between your computer and remote machines using SCP (Secure Copy Protocol) or SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol).

In short, if you’re dealing with remote servers or just want a secure way to communicate between machines, SSH is a must-have tool.

Setting Up SSH on Windows

Let’s get down to business. Windows didn’t always have SSH built in, but with Windows 10 and Windows Server 2019, Microsoft added a native OpenSSH client and server. No need for third-party software like PuTTY anymore (though it's still a great tool).

Step 1: Installing OpenSSH Client

First things first, let's make sure you have the OpenSSH client installed on your Windows machine. Here’s how you do it:

1. Go to Settings: Open the Start menu and click on the "Settings" gear icon.

2. Apps & Features: Navigate to "Apps > Optional Features".

3. Check Installed Features: Scroll down to see if "OpenSSH Client" is listed. If it is, you're good to go!

4. Install if Missing: If it's not installed, click on "Add a feature", search for "OpenSSH Client", and hit "Install".

Boom, you’ve got SSH up and running on your Windows machine!

Step 2: Using SSH from the Command Line

Now that you have SSH installed, let’s use it.

1. Open Command Prompt: Hit "Win + R", type "cmd", and press Enter.

2. Connect to a Server: Type "ssh username@hostname" (replace "username" with your username on the remote machine, and "hostname" with the IP address or domain name of the remote machine).

3. Password Prompt: You'll be prompted to enter your password. Type it in (you won’t see the characters as you type, for security reasons) and press Enter.

Voila! You’re connected to your remote server via SSH.

Step 3: Generating SSH Keys (Optional but Recommended)

SSH keys are a more secure and convenient way to connect to remote machines without entering your password every time. Here’s how you generate an SSH key pair on Windows:

1. Open Command Prompt: Just like before.

2. Generate the Key: Type "ssh-keygen" and press Enter. Accept the default location by pressing Enter again.

3. Passphrase: You’ll be asked to enter a passphrase. This is optional but recommended for added security. If you don’t want a passphrase, just press Enter.

4. Copy the Public Key: Use "ssh-copy-id username@hostname" to copy your public key to the remote server.

Now, you can connect to your server without needing to enter your password each time. Cool, right?

Common SSH Commands You Should Know

Now that you’re set up, let’s look at some common SSH commands and uses. These will make your life a lot easier.

Connecting to a Remote Server

ssh user@hostname

Copying Files Securely (SCP)

scp file.txt user@hostname:/path/to/destination/

Listing Remote Directory Contents

ssh user@hostname ls /path/to/directory

Running Commands on a Remote Server

ssh user@hostname "command_here"

Tunneling

SSH tunneling is a powerful feature that allows you to create secure tunnels for accessing services on a remote machine. Here’s an example of port forwarding:

ssh -L 8080:localhost:80 user@hostname

This command forwards all traffic from your local port 8080 to port 80 on the remote server.

Troubleshooting SSH Issues on Windows

Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. Here are a few common issues and how to fix them.

Connection Refused

If you get a "Connection refused" error, it could mean:

• The SSH service isn’t running on the remote server.
• The server is blocking SSH connections.

Host Key Verification Failed

If you see this error, it usually means the host key for the server has changed. You can fix it by editing your "known_hosts" file:

1. Find the Known Hosts File: It’s usually located at "C:\Users\YourUsername.ssh\known_hosts".

2. Delete the Problematic Entry: Open the file in a text editor and delete the line corresponding to the problematic server.

Permission Denied (Publickey)

If you get a "Permission denied (publickey)" error, your SSH key might not be configured correctly. Make sure:

• Your public key is added to the "~/.ssh/authorized_keys" file on the remote server.
• You’re using the correct private key on your Windows machine.

Advanced SSH Tips and Tricks

To make the most of SSH on Windows, here are some advanced tips that can save you time and make your SSH experience smoother.

SSH Config File

Managing multiple SSH connections can get tricky. To simplify, you can use an SSH config file. This file allows you to define shortcuts for your SSH connections. Here’s how you can set it up:

1. Create the Config File: In your ".ssh" directory ("C:\Users\YourUsername.ssh"), create a file named "config".

2. Add Configurations: Open the file and add your SSH configurations. For example:

Host myserver
    
    HostName 192.168.1.1
    
    User yourusername
    
    IdentityFile ~/.ssh/id_rsa

Now, instead of typing "ssh [email protected]", you can simply type "ssh myserver".

SSH-Agent for Managing Keys

If you’re using SSH keys, the SSH-Agent can save you from typing your passphrase every time. It stores your keys in memory and automatically provides them when needed.

1. Start the SSH-Agent: Open PowerShell or Command Prompt and type:

Start-Service ssh-agent

2. Add Your Key: Add your SSH key to the agent with:

ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_rsa

Now, your key will be automatically used when connecting via SSH.

Port Knocking for Enhanced Security

Port knocking is a security technique where closed ports are opened only after a series of connection attempts (or "knocks") are made. While this is a bit advanced, it can add an extra layer of security to your SSH setup.

You can use tools like "knockd" on your server to set this up. The idea is that SSH (port 22) stays closed until the correct "knock sequence" is completed.

Final Thoughts

SSH might sound complicated, but with a little practice, you’ll find it’s a powerful tool for securely managing remote machines. Whether you're transferring files, running commands, or setting up a secure connection, SSH on Windows makes it all possible without the need for third-party tools.

If you're managing your network and using UniFi devices, understanding SSH can give you more control over your setup. For example, you can use SSH to connect to your UniFi devices and run diagnostics or perform updates directly from the command line.

And if you're looking to take your network management to the next level, we at UniHosted can help you get the most out of your UniFi setup. We provide managed UniFi Controller in the cloud, ensuring your network is always running smoothly and securely.