Remote Connections in Windows

This reading will cover what SSH is, the features it enables, and common SSH clients and their key features in Windows.

SSH

Secure Shell (SSH) is a network protocol that gives users a secure way to access a computer over an unsecured network. SSH enables secure remote access to SSH-enabled network systems or devices and automated processes. It also allows for secure remote access to transfer files, use commands and manage network infrastructure.

OpenSSH
OpenSSH is the open-source version of the Secure Shell (SSH) tools used by administrators of Linux and other non-Windows for cross-platform remote systems management. OpenSSH has been added to Windows (as of autumn 2018) and is included in Windows Server and Windows client.

Common SSH Clients

An SSH client is a program that establishes secure and authenticated SSH connections to SSH servers. The following common SSH clients are Windows compatible:

PuTTY is a terminal emulator and the inspiration for all subsequent remote access systems.

• Features:
  This tool offers Telnet, SSH, Rlogin (A remote login tool for use with UNIX-based machines on your network), and raw socket connections plus Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) and Secure Copy Protocol (SCP) for file transfers between two hosts.

• Protocols:
  SCP, SSH, Telnet, rlogin, and raw socket connection.

SecureCRT is a remote access system available for macOS, Linux, iOS, and Windows.

• Features:
  It offers terminal emulation and file transfer through an SSH tunnel. It enables connections through many protocols and has usability features like tabbed sessions and customizable menus.

• Protocols:
  SSH1, SSH2, Telnet, and Telnet/SSL

SmarTTY is a free SSH client with a multi-tabbed interface to allow multiple simultaneous connections.

• Features:
  This tool includes SCP capabilities for file transfers. It also includes usability features like auto-completion, file panel, and package management.

• Protocols:
  SSH and SCP

mRemoteNG is a remote desktop system with a tabbed interface for multiple simultaneous connections.

• Features:
  The system enables connections with Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), Telnet (two-way text communication via virtual terminal connections), Rlogin, Virtual Network Computing (VNC, a graphics-based desktop sharing system), and SSH.

• Protocols:
  RDP, VNC, SSH, Telnet, HTTP/HTTPS, rlogin, Raw Socket Connections, Powershell remoting

MobaXterm is a remote access system built for Unix and Linux, and Windows.

• Features:
  Features include an embedded X server (a graphical interface akin to windows), X11 forwarding (a way to run applications over a remote connection), and easy display exportation to let X11 applications know which screen to run on.

• Protocols:
  SSH, X11, RDP, VNC

Key Takeaways

Secure Shell(SSH) is a way to securely connect two remote machines over an unsecured network.

• You can use SSH to remotely control, transfer files from, and manage network resources for SSH-enabled clients.

• OpenSSH is an open-source version for cross-platform management.

• There are many common Window-compatible SSH clients with various features to fit any need, including PuTTY, SecureCRT, SmarTTY, mRemoteNG, and MobaXterm.

Resources

• Download PuTTY

• Download SecureCRT

• Download SmarTTY

• Download mRemoteNG

• Download MobaXterm