SSH protocol is a secured communication protocol to secure data sharing and communication between two computers. You get this protocol access with reliable web hosting plans like VPS hosting, and others. With the help of this protocol, you can securely do the remote login from one computer to another.
SSH can be called either the cryptographic network protocol or the suite of utilities implementing that protocol. The SSH Secure Shell protocol operates on the client-server model, where a Secure Shell client application at the end where the session is displayed connects to an SSH server at the other end where the session runs. Often SSH implementations have support for application protocols as well which are terminal emulation or file transfers.
Besides that, SSH can be used to set up a secure tunnel for other application protocols such as running X Window System graphical sessions remotely over a secure connection. By default, the SSH server on a standard TCP port listens on 22.
What Is SSH Used For?
The SSH protocol is easily used to establish secure remote connections over an unsecured network. SSH connections are used to access, transfer, and manage remote data on a target resource. The activities in this protocol include running commands, cleansing storage, transferring files deploying software patches, and more. All devices that support SSH can be utilized as target resources, including but not limited to, any remote servers, routers, or switches.
SSH protocol is most commonly utilized for establishing secure connections with Linux/Unix devices since it has the capability of being introduced as a pre-installed application on Linux distributions which could be installed through a couple of commands only. The Windows device can be connected securely via RDP or remote desktop protocol which is usually a native application on Windows devices. We have covered the remote desktop protocol in the guide-what is RDP? In this, we have covered its usage, functionality, and more.
How Do You Launch An SSH Connection?
Unix, Linux, and macOS devices have an inbuilt SSH client allowing SSH connections to be launched directly from the Terminal. You can use PuTTY for SSH clients to launch connections.
However, if you want to set up an SSH connection from Windows devices, ensure the use of SSH clients like OpenSSH or PuTTY to launch connections. On the other hand, you can secure Windows connections using the RDP.
On the server side, you will need to set up the SSH server package first with the SSH daemon that controls the chip and is constantly running behind the scenes. The SSH daemon makes sure security is provided over the requested SSH connection by waiting for the requester on TCP port 22.
So, if you have either Linux/macOS or Windows running SSH client, type in the command to start SSH connection to a remote server through the terminal of your device:
ssh <user_name>@<host_name>After you connect to the server, first authenticate yourself using the appropriate credentials for the user account. The user can then go on to control the server, move files, handle the applications, and so on.
In conclusion, the Secure Shell (SSH) protocol is an essential tool for developers seeking secure and efficient remote access to servers and systems. Its encryption and authentication features ensure that sensitive data remains protected during transmission, making it a vital part of secure software development practices. By understanding the key concepts and applications of SSH, developers can enhance their workflow, automate processes, and safeguard critical infrastructure.
Whether you’re managing Linux servers, deploying code, or navigating cloud environments, SSH provides the reliability and security you need. For web hosting providers like MilesWeb, who prioritize security and performance, SSH support is integrated across various plans to meet the demands of modern developers.
