SECURE SHELL CLIENT AND SECURE FILE TRANSFER FOR STUDENTS

Secure Shell Client and Secure File Transfer (SFTP) are programs developed by SSH Communications Security to give systems, files, and databases greater protection against electronic attacks.

Secure Shell Client is a secure terminal emulation program that replaces PowerTerm for connecting to Unix servers, such as Sophia. SFTP is a secure file transfer program that replaces WS_FTP LE for connecting to Unix servers, such as Sophia.

Note: You cannot currently use SFTP to transfer files to and from your home directory (H: drive). For instructions on other ways to access your H: drive files, click here.

Installing Secure Shell Client and Secure FTP
Using Secure Shell Client to connect to a remote computer
Using Secure FTP to transfer files


Installing Secure Shell Client and Secure FTP

1. Print these instructions.

2. Download the SSH installer:

   1. On the Smith software download page, navigate to the File Transfer section and click on the Download link for SSH Secure Shell and Secure FTP.
      
      
   2. In the File Download window, click Save and save the program to your desktop.
      
      
   3. Close your browser window, then double-click on the ssh.exe icon on your desktop to launch the installer.
      
      
3. In the Welcome to SSH window, click Next.
   
   
4. In the License Agreement window, click Yes.
   
   
5. In the Destination Location window, click Next.
   
   
6. In the Program Folder window, click Next.
   
   
7. In the Select Components window, click Next.
   
   
8. In the Check Setup Information window, click Next.
   
   
9. The program will begin copying files. When it's done, click Finish.
   
   
10. Close your browser window.
    

You should now see two new icons on your desktop: SSH Secure Shell Client and SSH Secure File Transfer.

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Using Secure Shell Client to connect to a remote computer

1. Double-click on the SSH Secure Shell Client icon to launch the terminal emulator program. The main Secure Shell window will appear.
   
   
   
2. Click on the Quick Connect button.
   
   
3. In the Host Name field, enter the name of the host server (e.g., sophia.smith.edu).
   
   
4. In the User Name field, enter your username.
   
   
5. Leave the Port Number as 22.
   
   
6. In the Authentication Method field, choose <Profile Settings>. This will allow you to save your connection information.
   
   
7. Click on the Connect button.
   
   
8. If a Host Identification window opens, click Yes.
   
   
9. Enter your password, then press OK.
   
   
10. When the Add Profile window opens, enter a new profile name, then click on Add to Profiles.
    
    Note: If the window disappears before you have a chance to do this, click on the Profiles button, select Add Profile, and enter a name for your profile.
    

The connection information you entered has now been saved, and you may access your server as you normally would.

In future Secure Shell sessions, you can quickly connect to a specific server by clicking on the Profiles button and choosing the appropriate profile from the drop-down menu.

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Using Secure File Transfer to transfer files

First, configure SFTP to connect to a remote server:

1. Double-click on the SSH Secure File Transfer icon on your desktop. The Secure File Transfer window will appear.
   
   
   
   
2. In the SFTP window, click on the Quick Connect button.
   
   
3. In the Connect to Remote Host window, enter the requested information. The example below shows sample entries for connecting to Sophia:
   
   Hostname: sophia.smith.edu
   Username: auser
   Port Number: 22
   
   Note:  Always use 22 for the port number.
   
   After you enter your information, click Connect.
   
   
4. In the Enter Password window, enter your password and click OK.
   
   
5. If all connection information is correct, the window will display your local files and folders on the left side of the screen, and your remote files and folders on the right side.
   

In future SFTP sessions, you can quickly connect to a specific server by clicking on the Profiles button and choosing the appropriate profile from the drop-down menu.


Uploading files to the remote host

To upload files from your local or network drive to your remote host:

1. On the right side of the File Transfer window, navigate to the folder where you wish to place the files.
   
   
2. On the left side of the File Transfer window, navigate to the folder that holds the file or files you wish to transfer.
   
   
3. To upload a single file, right-click on the filename and choose Upload from the pop-up menu. The file will be transferred immediately.
   
   
4. To upload multiple files at once, hold down the Control key while you click on all the files of interest, then right-click on any selected file and choose Upload from the pop-up menu. All the selected files will be transferred immediately.

Downloading files from the remote host to your local computer

To download files from your remote directory to your local or network drive:

1. On the left side of the File Transfer window, navigate to the folder on your local or network drive where you wish to place the files.
   
   
2. On the right side of the File Transfer window, navigate to the folder that holds the file or files you wish to transfer.
   
   
3. To download a single file, right-click on the filename and choose Download from the pop-up menu. The file will be transferred immediately.
   
   
4. To upload multiple files at once, hold down the Control key while you click on all the files of interest, then right-click on any selected file and choose Download from the pop-up menu. All the selected files will be transferred immediately.
   

Ending your SFTP session

When you have finished transferring files, click on the Disconnect button in the toolbar.

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